6 tips for Watch Maintenance
No matter how many timepieces you have or what they’re worth, there are a few simple things you can do to keep all of your watches in good shape, to extended your watch’s life.
1. Know if your watch movement is quartz or mechanical and act accordingly – Modern quartz watches are virtually maintenance free, yet the electronic movement is very delicate easily damaged. Therefore, even replacing the battery of a quartz watch should be left to a watch repair professional. A mechanical movement on the other hand, unlike a quartz movement, must be cleaned and oiled every three to five years to retain accuracy. Because of the complexity of the precision mechanism of your fine quartz or mechanical timepiece, it’s best to have your watch serviced by a repair shop that’s authorized by the watch’s manufacturer. That way, if worn parts need to be replaced, you know you’ll be getting the proper components. Furthermore, only an authorized watch repair center provides you with warranty service.
2. Never over-wind your hand-wound mechanical watch – One of the most common mistakes people make when wearing a hand-wound watch is over winding it. A manually wound watch is quite robust and durable, but it can be damaged all the same. Wind your watch at the same time every day and continue turning the crown until you feel a slight resistance. When you feel resistance, stop winding immediately! If there’s any difficulty in turning the crown, do not continue winding. Doing so is likely to damage your watch. Remember to only turn the hands clockwise when setting the time. Turning the hands counterclockwise can damage some watch mechanisms. Also, it’s important to always set the day and date on your watch in the daytime. Making an adjustment late at night when the date wheel is starting to change can also damage your watch.
3. Remember that water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof – Unless your timepiece has been specifically designed as a diver watch, it’s best not to submerge it in water. The gasket that gives your watch its water resistance grows dry and brittle over time and should be replaced when your watch is serviced. If the gasket between the case and the back of your watch has become dry, your watch is no longer waterproof. Your watch is also subject to the effects of extreme heat and cold. The case expands when exposed to heat, and moisture can enter through microscopic cracks in the case or crystal. Regular, routine service can prevent most of these problems.
4. Remember to wear your watch – More watches have been damaged by leaving them sitting in a drawer than by wearing them every day. The mechanism in a mechanical watch needs motion to keep the lubricants in place and working. Lubricants in an unused watch can dry up or migrate away from critical bearings, thereby damaging the watch’s delicate mechanism. To avoid damage to an automatic watch, place it on a watch winder when you’re not wearing it. Note that even a quartz watch can be damaged by lack of use. If the battery in a quartz watch is never replaced, it will eventually corrode and leak. The acid from a leaking battery can destroy your watch’s delicate movement. Many fine quartz watches have been ruined simply by not replacing their batteries at regular intervals.
5. Keep your watch clean – The case and bracelet of your watch can be easily damaged by exposure to chemicals or seawater. Plated dials and straps can also be damaged by direct exposure to cosmetics and perfumes. If your timepiece has been exposed to any of these substances, be sure to clean it with a slightly moistened cloth and then dry it carefully. If your strap becomes wet with perspiration, wipe it dry with a soft cloth and leave it in a well-ventilated space when you take it off. Never put a watch in a sealed container when it is damp. Never store your watch in bright sunlight either; the watch strap color, and even the dial itself may fade. If you’ve scratched your case or crystal, a good repair facility will have the necessary tools to polish your watch back to perfection.
6. Choose your watch repair facility wisely – Avoid taking your fine watch to one of those “fast fix” places at the mall. Your fine watch is a precision instrument, and the watchmaker who repairs it requires years of training to perform the repair properly. This is why it’s so important to send or bring your watch to an authorized watch repair center. The technicians at a repair service authorized by your watch’s manufacturer will have received specialized manufacturer approved training and will be thoroughly qualified to restore your timepiece to watch factory specifications. You shouldn’t expect your watch to be repaired immediately. Disassembling and reassembling your watch is difficult and exacting work. Give watchmakers time to obtain any necessary parts and to properly repair your fine timepiece.
