Watches, documented
Keeping a watch’s service history
A watch’s paperwork is part of the watch. A dated service history, the original warranty card and a clear record of the reference and serial number answer most of the questions anyone will ever ask about it.
Updated 10 October 2026
What to record at every service
Write down the date, who carried out the work and what was done: a full service, a battery and seal change, a regulation, a repair, a polish or a new strap or bracelet. Keep the invoice or the service centre’s paperwork with the record, because a stamped document carries more weight than a note.
Note anything replaced, such as a crystal, crown, gaskets or a dial. Replacement parts are normal over a watch’s life, and a record of when and why they were fitted is far better than a buyer discovering them unexplained.
Box, papers and the warranty card
The original warranty card or certificate ties the watch to its reference and serial number and usually shows where and when it was first sold. Keep it, and keep the box and any booklets, even if you never use them. Together they are what people mean by a watch with “box and papers”.
Treat the serial number as private. It identifies the watch, so it belongs in your record rather than in photographs you share.
How often a watch needs a service
There is no single rule. Many makers suggest a full service for a mechanical watch every several years, and quartz watches need a battery and seal check more often. Your maker’s own guidance, and how the watch is running, should decide it.
loupe lets you set the interval for each watch and reminds you when one is due, counting from the last full service you logged. It keeps your watches as a complete record and does not estimate their value.
Common questions
- Does loupe value my watch?
- No. loupe keeps watches as a record: the reference, serial, movement, papers and service history, with reminders for services and warranty dates. For insurance or sale, an independent appraisal is the figure to rely on, and you can keep it in your documentation vault.
- Is a service history really worth keeping?
- Yes. It shows how the watch has been cared for and when parts were replaced, which matters to insurers, buyers and anyone who inherits it.
- Should I photograph the serial number?
- Record it, but keep it private. loupe masks the serial on screen until you choose to show it.
loupe provides a market-value estimate, not a certified appraisal or financial advice, and is not an insurer. This guide is general information and may not reflect your circumstances.
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