What Can I Do If My Watch Stops Working?

If you see fog or moisture in your watch crystal, take it to a watch repairman right away. It should be serviced or else the oil will be damaged. If it has been submerged in water and you cannot get it to a repairman soon, it can be submerged in alcohol. This will absorb the moisture, although it will damage the dial and hands. The expense of refinishing a dial and hands, however, is minor compared to replacing a ruined watch movement.
People sometimes forget to remove their watch when washing the dishes. Those who do heavy work perspire freely, thus exposing their watch to the corrosive effects of the acid in the perspiration. Snow, although fun to play in, is a major cause of watch failure in some places.
Also, dirt or lint in the watch's movement will jam up the very small gears and eventually stop a watch. Sometimes a watch that has stopped is brought in for repairs and a microscopic piece of material is found between the jewel and the balance staff. The obstruction must be removed before the watch will run properly again.