Timekeeper's Handbook: 10 Watch Care Tips

To protect your investment and ensure your watch remains a reliable accessory for years to come, we've teamed up with our watchmakers to share with you our top tips for caring for your watch. 

Regular Cleaning

When a watch gets really dirty, it not only loses its aesthetic appeal but also becomes vulnerable to damage from debris that can find its way inside your watch's delicate mechanism. To clean your timepiece, we generally recommend opting for a gentle approach using a lint-free microfiber polishing cloth to remove any dirt, dust and fingerprints. A damp cloth is fine, but ensure the crown is tightly secured and avoid getting the leather strap wet. However, steer clear of using soapy water as the molecules in soap can infiltrate tiny crevices, potentially causing more harm than good to your watch's case. 

Avoid Magnets

Watch magnetisation poses a persistent challenge in the realm of mechanical watches. Frequently encountered in everyday items like speakers, refrigerators, mobile phones, and even the magnetic clasps on handbags, even the tiniest magnets can wreak havoc on the delicate components nestled within your timepiece, causing it to speed up, slow down, or cease working altogether.

Fortunately, there's a straightforward method to diagnose magnetisation: the compass test. Simply place your watch near a compass, and if the needle reacts, swaying or deflecting from its usual position, it's a strong indication that your watch has succumbed to magnetism.

It's essential to address this issue promptly to prevent further disruption to your watch's accuracy. While magnetism itself isn't harmful in the long term, prolonged exposure can lead to increased wear and tear on delicate components, potentially affecting the watch's overall performance. Therefore, if you suspect magnetisation, it's wise to seek professional assistance to demagnetise your timepiece and restore its proper function.

Steer Clear of Chemicals

Whether it's the alluring scent of perfume or the residue of household cleaning products, these substances can wreak havoc on your watch's case and strap over time, particularly those with coloured platings or leather straps.

We strongly recommend removing your watch before engaging in any activities that involve cleaning products or applying perfumes or colognes. 

Be Aware of Extreme Temperature Changes 

Avoid subjecting your watch to extreme temperature changes while wearing it. Sudden shifts from hot to cold or vice versa can adversely cause thermal expansion and contraction of the various internal components of your timepiece. 

For example, abrupt shifts in temperature can prompt the rubber seals within a watch to contract, potentially compromising the timepiece's water-resistant integrity. Alternatively, it can affect the oils that lubricate your watch's mechanism, which can result in increased wear and tear.

Temperature tolerances differ between the various watch brands. So, if you're planning a trip to a tropical island or hitting the ski slopes in the Alps, we recommend checking out your manufacturer's watch manual. 

Keep Your Watch Wound

If you're rocking a mechanical watch, staying on top of your winding game is vital to keeping those gears gliding and ensuring all those delicate components stay nicely lubricated. When winding, remember to take your watch off your wrist to avoid putting undue strain on the stem. Additionally, it's worth noting that the majority of mechanical timepieces are fully wound after 20 to 30 turns of the crown. Be mindful of pushback resistance to prevent over-winding.

To all our fellow automatic watch owners out there, just like a manual timepiece, it's essential to keep that movement active. If you find yourself with more watches than wrists, a watch winder could be your trusty sidekick.

Know Your Watch's Water Resistance Capabilities

Understanding the unique water resistance capabilities of your watch is crucial to prevent accidental water damage. Water resistance is typically denoted by an ATM stamp, commonly located on the back of your watch case. This stamp indicates how resistant your watch is to water at various pressures. Here's a breakdown for your reference:

3 ATM: Splash-proof and resistant to small amounts of water.

5 ATM: Can withstand submersion in water, suitable for shallow swimming. 

10 ATM: Suitable for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports. 

20 ATM: Ideal for scuba diving. 

30 ATM: Engineered for professional deep-sea diving.

Regularly check the seals and gaskets of your watch to ensure they're intact and effective by having your watch pressure tested. Additionally, always ensure that the crown, pushers, and any buttons are securely pushed down to prevent water from infiltrating your watch's mechanism.

Avoid Sunlight 

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can wreak havoc on your watch in various ways. Firstly, it can cause the internal components to expand and contract rapidly, which might lead to damage or malfunction, while high temperatures can have detrimental effects on the movement's lubricants, speeding up their degradation process.

Quartz watches aren't spared either, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can accelerate battery drain, significantly shortening their lifespan. Lastly, sunlight can be harsh on watch straps, causing materials such as leather or rubber to dry out, crack, or become brittle over time. So, to preserve your watch's integrity and longevity, it's wise to shield it from direct sunlight whenever possible.

Avoid the Temptation to Fix Your Watch Yourself

Unless you're highly adept at handling watches and have precise knowledge of their inner workings, opening your watch risks exposing the mechanism to dust, dirt, and other particles that may infiltrate the delicate movement and potentially cause damage. When in doubt, we always recommend popping into your nearest watch repair shop. 

Service Regularly

Naturally, lubricants degrade and congeal over time, and the delicate inner components of your timepiece undergo wear and tear as the cogs and gears work endlessly. 

For context, when looking at a mechanical timepiece, the average watch will perform over 28,800 vph/bph per hour. Such endless activity underscores the necessity for regular watch servicing to uphold the precision and endurance of even the most reliable watch brands. 

Store Your Watch Safely

When your watch is not in use, it should be stored in its original box to prevent scratches. Avoid laying your watch on its side or the crystal face, as this could cause damage. If you don't have the original box, we recommend investing in a watch box, especially if you own multiple watches. Additionally, for travel purposes, a watch roll provides an ideal solution to store your watch when not worn safely.

Embark on Your Watch Owner's Journey with Confidence

By following these watch care tips, you can ensure your timepiece remains a cherished accessory for years to come. Given the vast array of watch brands available, our tips provide just a glimpse of insight into how to care for your watch. If you have any suggestions of your own, feel free to share them in the comments section below.