A current manufacturer benchmark

TAG Heuer's March 2026 UK suggested prices provide a useful transparent benchmark: £270 for a complete quartz service, £355 for a quartz chronograph or Solargraph, £410 for a mechanical watch, £495 for a mechanical chronograph and £600 for specified in-house or COSC movements. Haute Horlogerie is listed at £1,420.

Those figures are not a quote for every brand. External components such as a damaged crystal, bezel, dial, bracelet or buckle may be additional. Neo-vintage models can also carry a supplement.

What a complete service should include

A proper mechanical service normally includes diagnosis, movement disassembly, component cleaning, inspection, lubrication, reassembly, regulation and functional testing. Case cleaning and water-resistance testing should be specified, while polishing may be included, optional or charged separately.

Longines describes a full service as a part-by-part process followed by precision, power-reserve, water-resistance and cosmetic checks. That scope explains why a mechanical service cannot be compared with a battery replacement.

When to service

Longines recommends a full service every six to eight years for reliability and longevity, while Seiko's general guidance can recommend approximately three-year intervals for some watches. Usage matters: water exposure, shocks, magnetism and a chronograph used frequently may alter the sensible interval.

Do not service solely because a calendar says so if the manufacturer advises condition-based maintenance. Warning signs include erratic accuracy, reduced reserve, moisture, difficult winding or a crown that no longer feels secure.

How to approve an estimate

Ask for the base service price, mandatory parts, optional cosmetic work, expected turnaround and service warranty separately. State in writing whether you permit polishing and whether replaced parts should be returned when policy allows.

For a pre-owned purchase with no documented service, hold back a service reserve before deciding what the watch is worth. A bargain that immediately needs £500 of work was never priced at the sticker alone.