PP_5470P-001-assembly-caliber-CH-29-535-PS-1-10-parts-2

Our Commitment to Service

Steps of Servicing

At Patek Philippe, a full service on a watch is composed of five main steps. Each step is meticulously executed, and the scope of a service is adapted to match the complexity of the timepiece.

Step 1

Reception

Every watch entrusted to us for servicing or repair is first checked against our historical archives, which include a record of every Patek Philippe watch produced since 1839. The watch is photographed and its serial number duly noted so that its life cycle can be traced thoroughly.

When a watch arrives for service or repair it is put through a process that lasts between 6-12 weeks.

Step 2

Analysis & Diagnosis

We thoroughly examine the complexity and condition of each watch we receive, analysing the movement as well as the external parts. For modern pieces needing only standard servicing and without visible damage, immediate cost estimates are available. For other timepieces or types of servicing, a detailed cost estimate is usually given within five working days.

Service costs

A diagnostic check is performed on the movement to evaluate the accuracy and servicing needs of the watch.

Every single tiny component of the movement is assessed to determine its condition (around 100-350 individual parts).

Step 3

cases and bracelets

The external parts of the watch are disassembled, inspected, cleaned and, if requested by the customer, polished. Jewelry work is also undertaken when necessary. Quality controls are performed after each operation, and at the end of the process, when the case is entirely reassembled, to ensure that the technical and aesthetic characteristics of the watch have been preserved.

The watch is disassembled and put through a 45-minute cleaning cycle.

Jewelry work is performed when necessary.

Step 4

Movement

Disassembling a movement of around 150 components, without complications, requires one to two hours of work. The dismantled parts are cleaned and, when required, replaced. The reassembly is performed in a specific sequence that includes lubricating components. A rate accuracy control is performed before the reassembled movement is placed back into its case.

As soon as the individual parts have been disassembled, they are cleaned to remove microscopically small particles and lubricant residues.

PP_5470P-001-assembly-caliber-CH-29-535-PS-1-10-parts-4

The movement is completely dismantled by a watchmaker, a process that takes several hours for a complicated movement.

For a simple movement, reassembling can take between 5 to 6 hours and up to 20 hours for a Grand Complication.

The movement must be fitted back into its case in a dust-free environment ensuring no dust enters the case.

Step 5

Quality control

This final step guarantees that the serviced timepiece fullfils all of the quality criteria of the Patek Philippe Seal. The watch is subject to an inspection that lasts 14 days, controlling air-tightness, aesthetic and functional criteria, winding speed, power reserve, rate accuracy and kinetic simulation. If one of the controls does not meet the required quality, the timepiece is adjusted and subjected once again to the entire quality control procedure.

The final step in the service process is quality control, where the watch will stay for a period of 14 days until it is sealed and ready to be returned.

The quality control consists of a series of tests to verify it fully adheres to the Patek Philippe standards of quality.