How to Properly Care for Your Watch

Posted By Ibropalic on Jan 17, 2019 | 0 comments

Despite the ever-evolving technological world and innovations in the fashion industry, watches are an accessory that will never go out of style. In fact, the predilection toward the latest high-tech gear has made the classic look of a designer watch even more desirable.

That being said, there’s no point in investing in a high-quality watch if you’re not going to care for it properly. Here are some things you must do and avoid to care for your watch so that it lasts throughout the ages.

Know Your Piece

A lot of people, particularly first-time luxury and designer watch buyers, make the mistake of shopping a look or brand name without taking the time to understand the nuances of their timepiece. When purchasing a watch, you should learn about the movements, materials used, origins, and other spec components that may directly impact how you should care for your watch. Start by researching and browsing then comparing with your top timepieces. Take notes of what features are important and start by browsing through the brands and their features here. (Source: https://www.watchshopping.com/men-s.html).

For example, some watches have built-in magnetic resistance which makes them a bit more durable and less likely to lose time when exposed to magnetic fields. Extra care will have to be taken with those that don’t have this feature. Additionally, the materials used can impact the face durability and how often the watch should be wound. Take the time to research your watch, even if you’ve owned it for a while.

Storage Considerations

At the end of a long day, it can be tempting to throw your keys, watch, and wallet on the counter and head to the sofa to unwind. Alternatively, you might lock your watch in the glove compartment before heading into the gym and accidentally leaving it overnight. Both of these things can cause damage to your watch.

To keep a watch functioning at optimum levels, you must store it in a dry place with a consistent temperature. Leaving it in your vehicle overnight could expose it to a quick temperature fluctuation that will cause undesirable expansion that will ultimately impact the accuracy of the device. Additionally, casually dropping your watch can be detrimental to how the various components operate.

Improper Winding

It might be hard to believe as winding a watch is a simple maneuver, but there is a wrong way to do it. In fact, there are a few wrong ways to wind your watch that could ultimately impact its accuracy.

The first faux pas is winding the watch while it’s on your wrist. This action can cause misalignment by jolting the crown. As such, it’s better to take it off each time you need to wind or set your watch. Consider making this action a part of your morning routine before you put it on. As winding your watch frequently is important, this routine will improve the longevity of your timepiece.

Another winding error is setting a watch with a date tracker in the dramatically named “Danger Zone.” During the six-hour window surrounding midnight, from 9 pm to 3 am, your watch is slowly and steadily working on changing the date internally. Those little clicks as one-day changes to the next are meant to ensure that everything stays in alignment. By forcing the date change during those hours, it will cause misalignment and inaccuracy over time.

Exposure to Magnetic Fields

Few people know that watches (with the exception of those with built-in barriers) are sensitive to magnets. Even fewer people know what is meant by a magnetic field in regards to watch care. Electronic devices like radios, speakers, and even cell phones generate magnetic fields that can slowly and subtly impact your watch.

That’s not to say that you can’t talk on your phone while wearing your watch. Just be mindful of where you set it down. If you usually set your watch and phone on your nightstand while you sleep, consider setting the watch elsewhere.

Over Polishing

Putting a lot of effort and time into caring for your timepiece is admirable, but it can also cause damage. Every time you apply polish or cleaning solution to your watch, it could potentially weaken the materials.

It’s inevitable that your watch will acquire a few scuffs and bruises along the way; good watches are built to withstand those. Rather than buffing out scuffs, wipe it down with a damp cloth. Constantly using jewelry cleaner or polish can slowly dissolve the gold or metal. This is especially true if you have a vintage timepiece, as they’ve often experienced more breakdown over the years and lack some of the innovative coating procedures that are now used.

When cleaning or polishing, be sure to use a soft cloth rather than something abrasive. While using a scrubber pad might bring out a beautiful shine, it will create small scratches in the metal and crystal.

For your timepiece to remain truly timeless, it’s essential that you devote some time and attention to caring for your watch. It doesn’t have to be an all-consuming project; just try to be mindful of how you’re using it.