Akrone automatic watch: maintenance, water resistance, servicing, warranty, straps and after-sales service

How to maintain an automatic watch, preserve its water resistance, understand its warranty and know when to have it serviced?

At Akrone, we design mechanical watches built to last. However, you need to know the right steps to preserve them over time, understand how their maintenance works, and know what solutions are available to you depending on whether your watch is under warranty or not.

This guide was designed to answer in a simple, clear, and practical way the questions most often asked by our customers before and after their purchase: water resistance, screw-down crown, servicing, maintenance cost, warranty, second-hand purchase, straps, and after-sales service.

An automatic watch is a mechanical device that requires maintenance

An automatic watch is not a disposable item. It is a precision mechanism composed of many parts that work together and require maintenance over time.

Its durability depends on several elements:

• design quality
• conditions of use
• daily precautions
• quality of maintenance

A well-used and well-maintained watch can function reliably for many years. This is one of the great advantages of mechanical watchmaking: a watch is not designed to be replaced quickly, but to be monitored, maintained, and preserved.

Water resistance: why the crown is the key point

When a watch takes on water, the cause in the vast majority of cases is a poorly closed or improperly positioned crown.

The crown is the button used to set the time and date. It should not be confused with the bezel.

Screw-down crown: true security for swimming and diving

On a dive watch, the screw-down crown provides real security.

Once properly screwed in, it mechanically locks against the case. In these conditions, there is no risk of accidental opening during normal use. This is precisely what makes this system suitable for swimming, diving, and serious water use.

On our dive models like the K-02 and C-02, the screw-down crown therefore provides real security. If it is properly screwed back in before immersion, it cannot accidentally open due to a simple movement, friction, or involuntary manipulation.

Push-pull crown: swimming not recommended

On other types of watches, particularly certain aviation or dress models, we find a push-pull crown.

Even if a watch of this type has a certain level of water resistance, we advise against swimming with this configuration. A push-pull crown can move or open unintentionally without you immediately noticing.

The right reflexes before any contact with water

• always check that the crown is perfectly closed
• never manipulate the crown when the watch is wet
• opt for a watch with a screw-down crown for aquatic use

In fact, the vast majority of watches that take on water do so because of a poorly closed crown.

How to preserve the precision of your watch

An automatic watch is made to be worn, but it must be used logically.

To durably preserve its precision and settings, you must avoid:

• significant shocks
• hard knocks
• drops
• excessive vibrations
• thermal shocks
• sudden temperature changes

A mechanical watch can accompany normal daily use, but it is not made to withstand abnormal stresses without consequences.

When should a watch be serviced?

On average, a service is strongly recommended after 4 to 5 years.

This timeframe is indicative. Everything depends on the use, the environment, any shocks, and the actual behavior of the watch.

The right approach: testing with a chronocomparator

To determine if a service is truly useful, the simplest way is to visit a qualified watchmaker and request a test with a chronocomparator.

This test allows you to check the movement's behavior. Depending on the results, the watchmaker can tell you if a service is relevant or not.

Where to have an Akrone watch serviced

The answer depends on one simple point: is the watch still under warranty or not?

During the warranty period: only the Akrone workshop can intervene

Throughout the warranty period, only the Akrone workshop is authorized to service the watch.

Any external intervention voids the warranty. If your watch is still covered, you must therefore absolutely follow our after-sales service procedure.

Out of warranty: you are free

Once the warranty has expired, you are free to have a service performed:

• at Akrone
• or at a qualified watchmaker of your choice

A competent watchmaker normally has the know-how, tools, and consumables necessary to perform a standard service on a mechanical movement.

Important note on spare parts

Akrone does not supply spare parts to workshops outside the brand.

In the context of a routine maintenance service, this is generally not an issue. For this type of intervention, the watchmaker generally does not need specific Akrone parts.

Standard parts related to the mechanism, gaskets, and oils necessary for routine maintenance of an automatic watch are ordered directly by watchmakers from suppliers who supply specialized workshops.

However, if the watch has suffered a significant shock, breakage, or requires the replacement of specific components, the situation must then be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Akrone Servicing: How It Works and Lead Times

We do not accept service requests during the month of December or during the summer closure.

We also only have a few slots per month for this type of intervention. A complete service requires time, method, and serious checks. A watchmaker cannot perform a large number of complete services per month without affecting the quality of the work.

Therefore, any request for a complete service involves a slot reservation process.

What lead time should be expected?

For a complete service, you should generally allow 9 to 10 weeks.

This delay is explained by several incompressible stages:

• certain parts sometimes need to be ordered
• the intervention itself requires time
• once the service is completed, the watch must spend several more days on a winding simulator to verify its proper functioning and the stability of its settings

A serious service takes time. At Akrone, we prefer to do things properly.

For any service request, you can submit an after-sales service request.

How much does it cost to service an automatic watch?

The cost of a service is often underestimated. However, a true watch service remains expensive because what you are primarily paying for is skilled labor time.

For a watch equipped with a Swiss three-hand movement, a complete service costs an average of between 200 and 250 euros.

What a true service includes

• complete disassembly of the movement
• cleaning of all components
• inspection of parts
• reassembly
• oiling
• replacement of gaskets
• adjustment of settings
• final checks
• then several days of testing

Why this cost may seem high

Because the price of a service does not follow the public price of the watch.

Between a watch sold for 600 euros and a watch sold for 6000 euros, the time required to disassemble, clean, oil, adjust, and test the movement often remains in the same range. The cost of labor, however, is not compressible.

This is also why the relevance of a service can legitimately be questioned for a watch under 1000 euros. This question is normal. It simply needs to be approached with lucidity.

At Akrone, we choose to offer this service out of warranty, without ever imposing it. It is a service made available to you. You are free to take advantage of it or not, with us or with the qualified watchmaker of your choice.

Our vision of services: the right price

At Akrone, we apply the same logic to our watches and our services: offer the right price.

Our vision is simple: everyone should pay for the product or service they use.

We don't believe in false freebies. When a service is offered systematically, its cost is actually spread across all customers, including those who don't use it.

That's not our approach.

We prefer a clear logic:

• a fair price for the watch
• a fair price for the service used
• no artificially spread surcharge on all customers

Our margins do not allow us to absorb all the additional costs related to special requests or specific services. And above all, we do not wish to pass on these costs to all of our customers.

Our approach is therefore simple: pay for what you use.

Akrone Warranty: what you need to know

New purchase

For a new purchase, the watch benefits from:

• the 2-year legal warranty
• and, depending on the case, an additional one-year commercial warranty

During the warranty period

Throughout the warranty period, only the Akrone workshop can work on the watch.

Any external intervention voids the warranty.

Second-hand purchase

For any Akrone watch purchased on the second-hand market, the benefits acquired by the first owner are not transferable.

This notably means that:

• the additional one-year commercial warranty is not transferable
• certain benefits related to the initial purchase remain attached to the first buyer

Watches won or given away

Watches offered as part of a contest or gift do not have a legal warranty since there is no sales contract between Akrone and the winner or beneficiary.

Documents to provide for service

For any service request, it is essential to include:

• the warranty card
• the purchase invoice

These documents are necessary to verify ownership of the watch and the exact terms of service.

Purchasing from a partner site: what procedure to follow

If you purchased your watch from a partner site, we invite you to contact their after-sales service directly.

The logic is simple: if the watch was not sold directly by Akrone but by an intermediary, it is this sales channel that should provide you with the service procedure.

In practice:

• you may not be registered in our customer database
• the partner has the sales-related information
• it is therefore logical to go through them

Straps: wear, durability and compatibility

Straps wear out over time. This is normal.

Most susceptible to wear

The most exposed straps are:

• leather
• nylon

Their lifespan depends on usage, perspiration, water, UV rays, and wearing conditions. On average, they may require regular replacement depending on your use.

Most durable

FKM and steel straps offer better durability. They are more resistant to humidity, UV rays, perspiration, and daily wear.

What strap width for an Akrone watch

All our watches have a 20 mm lug width.

This makes it easy to find many compatible straps from watch strap specialists.

You can also view our straps and accessories.

How Akrone's after-sales service works

For any service request via Akrone, the procedure is done through the website, in the "After-Sales Service" tab.

The service request form must be completed online. The workshop will then get back to you on the Friday following your request to provide you with the procedure.

You can also consult our FAQ to find answers to the most common questions.

And for those who wish to discover our models or interact directly with us, it is also possible to make an appointment at the Nantes showroom.

Quick FAQ

Can a screw-down crown open by itself?

No. Once correctly screwed in, it cannot open inadvertently during normal use.

Can you swim with a push-pull crown?

We advise against it, even if the watch is water-resistant.

Who can service a watch under warranty?

During the warranty period, only the Akrone workshop is authorized. Any external intervention voids the warranty.

Does a warranty follow the watch in case of resale?

No. The benefits acquired by the first owner are not transferable. The additional one-year commercial warranty, in particular, is not transferable.

Is a watch won in a contest guaranteed?

It does not benefit from a legal warranty since there is no sales contract.

Does Akrone supply spare parts to external watchmakers?

No. However, for a routine maintenance service, a qualified watchmaker generally does not need them, as the standard components related to the movement, gaskets, and oils are ordered directly from specialized suppliers.

I bought my watch from a partner. Who should I contact?

The after-sales service of the partner website where you purchased the watch.

In summary

An Akrone automatic watch is a watchmaking mechanism designed to last, provided it is properly used and maintained.

Key points to remember:

• always check the crown before any contact with water
• prefer a screw-down crown for swimming
• avoid shocks and thermal shocks
• consider a service after 4 to 5 years
• use exclusively the Akrone workshop during the warranty period
• provide the warranty card and invoice for any service request
• contact the partner site if the watch was purchased from a retailer
• understand that a serious service requires time and skilled labor
• remember that outside of warranty, you are free to choose the professional in charge of maintenance

At Akrone, we advocate a simple approach: serious watches, clear services, and fair pricing logic.