A Montblanc automatic watch, reference 7439, came into Ross Watch Repairs because it was losing time. The watch was running, but its timekeeping needed attention.
We carried out a mechanical mini service, regulation and polishing, resolving the reported timekeeping issue and freshening the appearance of the case and bracelet. The work was completed the same day, within a couple of hours.
This real repair shows how a targeted service can be appropriate for an individual watch after assessment, without treating every slow-running automatic as the same job.
The Fault: A Montblanc Watch Losing Time
The customer’s concern was straightforward: the watch was falling behind. Rather than simply resetting the hands, the work needed to address how the mechanical movement was keeping time.
A timekeeping complaint needs an assessment before the repair is chosen. Some watches can benefit from regulation and targeted maintenance; others need more extensive servicing. Montblanc’s official watch-care guidance explains that ageing oils and greases can affect movement performance and distinguishes maintenance from a complete service.
For this particular watch, a mini service with regulation addressed the reported problem. Owners with similar symptoms can find our broader services on the Montblanc watch repairs page.
Mechanical Mini Service and Regulation
The work carried out on this Montblanc combined our mini service with regulation and polishing. Regulation means adjusting the movement’s rate of running, rather than just moving the hands to the correct time.
The distinction between a mini service and a full overhaul is important. This repair was not a complete strip-down and rebuild of the movement. A mini service is a more limited intervention and should not be presented as a substitute for a full service when one is needed.
Our aim is to recommend work suited to the watch’s condition. Where more extensive work is required, we explain the options for a full watch service and overhaul before the customer decides whether to proceed.
Checking the Result on a Timegrapher
The workshop photographs show the watch on a timegrapher, an instrument used to assess mechanical timekeeping. Watch-testing equipment manufacturer Witschi describes measurements of rate, amplitude and beat error in different test positions. The instrument pictured in this repair is a Weishi No. 1000.
In the clearer photograph, the display shows:
| Measurement | Reading shown |
|---|---|
| Rate | 0 seconds per day |
| Amplitude | 246° |
| Beat error | 0.2 milliseconds |
The 0 seconds-per-day figure is the rate displayed during that measurement, not a guarantee of perfect accuracy in everyday wear. The photograph records one test position and set of instrument settings, not a multi-day wearing trial. The displayed 52° value is the selected lift-angle setting, not another accuracy result.
Polishing the Montblanc Case and Bracelet
The watch also received a polish as part of the work. The finished photographs show the case and bracelet alongside the patterned dial and dark hands.
Polishing is a separate part of the job from correcting timekeeping: it improves the exterior appearance, while the mini service and regulation address the running watch. We offer watch cleaning and polishing where suitable for the material and finish.
Montblanc’s care guidance notes that some scratches can be too deep to remove and that polishing should preserve the watch’s shape. The aim is an appropriate improvement, not a promise that every mark will disappear.
Completed the Same Day, Within a Couple of Hours
This Montblanc’s mini service, regulation and polish were completed within a couple of hours. The reported losing-time issue was resolved, and the watch also left looking fresher.
That turnaround applies to this repair. The timescale for another Montblanc will depend on its fault, condition, parts requirements and the work approved. A watch needing a complete overhaul will not follow the same process as this targeted mini service.
For a different example of mechanical work, our TAG Heuer WK2110 case study covers a watch that required a full service and crown replacement. Each watch needs its own repair plan.
Montblanc Watch Servicing and Repairs in London
Ross Watch Repairs offers assessment and repair options for Montblanc automatic and quartz watches, including Star and Star Legacy models, subject to condition and parts availability. Our services include timekeeping assessment, regulation, mini servicing, full servicing and appropriate cosmetic work.
For battery-powered quartz Montblanc watches, we also offer battery replacement and resealing. The automatic watch in this article is mechanical and does not use a battery.
Visit our London Bridge branch at The Shard or our Canary Wharf branch for a free initial assessment. No appointment is needed.
Ross Watch Repairs – The Shard
Unit 6, The Shard Retail Arcade
London Bridge Street
London SE1 9SG
Ross Watch Repairs – Canary Wharf
Unit 4B, Cabot Place Shopping Centre
Canary Wharf
London E14 4QT
Customers outside London can use our UK postal watch repair service. Send postal repairs to Canary Wharf, not The Shard, using Royal Mail Special Delivery with cover appropriate to the watch’s value. Include your name, telephone number, email address, return address and a description of the fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair a Montblanc watch that is losing time?
Yes. We assess the watch to decide whether regulation, a mini service, a full service or another repair is appropriate. This Montblanc 7439 received a mini service, regulation and polish.
Is regulation the same as a full watch service?
No. Regulation adjusts the running rate. A full service is more extensive, involving dismantling and servicing the movement. Regulation alone is not a substitute where a full overhaul is needed.
Can a Montblanc mini service be completed the same day?
Sometimes. This job was completed within a couple of hours. Timing for another watch depends on its condition, the approved work and workshop availability, and is confirmed after assessment.
Does the 0 seconds-per-day reading guarantee perfect timekeeping?
No. It is the rate shown during the photographed bench measurement. It is not a guarantee that the watch will gain or lose no time in every position or throughout everyday use.
Does this Montblanc automatic need a battery?
No. This is an automatic mechanical watch. Battery replacement is a service for battery-powered quartz models, not the watch featured here.
How much does a Montblanc timekeeping repair cost?
The price depends on the work required. Bring the watch in or contact us for a free assessment and estimate before deciding whether to proceed.
Get a Free Montblanc Repair Estimate
If your Montblanc is running slow, losing time or needs a service, contact Ross Watch Repairs for a free assessment. Tell us the model and how its timekeeping has changed so we can advise on the next step.
Ross Watch Repairs is an independent watch repair company and is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Montblanc.
