How to Properly Take Care of Your Watch?

By:Matthew Lopez | Posted: October 16, 2021

Let’s face it, putting serious money on a watch comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility in taking good care of it. After all, a watch is a treasured heirloom that can be passed down to future generations. We have compiled a simple guide on watch maintenance with tips on where to store it, how often it needs to be serviced, and why you should not test your watch to its limits.

Having the Proper Tools on Hand

It is essential to have the proper tools for watch maintenance in case of any accidents or incidents that may occur to them. Ensure you have a cleaning cloth to clean the watch and ensure no particles on the bezel, case, or crystal cause undue scratches. Also, have a spring bar tool at the ready to remove the bracelet of your timepiece for periodic cleaning to remove the build-up of grime and dirt that can cause problems to your timepiece. 

Wear Your Watches Regularly

Unless your timepiece is powered by a quartz movement, mechanical wristwatches must be worn regularly to keep it running smoothly. The lubricants in the mechanism that help power your watch quickly harden and can cause severe problems for the watch’s intricate parts prompting an expensive servicing. If you intend to store your watches for a more extended period, wind your timepiece regularly for the mechanism.

It is essential to store your watches and accessories separately in a secure location like a safety deposit box to avoid unnecessary damage. (Wikimedia Commons/© Vintage Grail)

Storing Your Watch Collection

The key idea is to have a good storage area from unnecessary moisture that ultimately damages your watches. It is recommended to store your watches separately from their accessories, ideally in a safety deposit box or a secure home safe with silica gel. A battery can cause problems if left unchecked for quartz watches, so if you do not wear them often, have the battery removed before its storage. Essential accessories like original warranty papers, brand tags, extra straps, and other paraphernalia should be placed in zip lock bags to avoid mold or oxidation from springing up. 

If you intend to travel along with precious timepieces, you must consider adequately storing them, especially during airport transit. Consider using a watch roll or a watch case that will keep your watches safe and organized to avoid untoward damage. We highly recommend using travel cases from WatchPod and elegantly designed watch rolls from the French leather goods maker Jean Rousseau.

Some wonder whether one should use a watch winder to store their mechanical watches within the watch community. A watch winder is a machine used to keep your automatic watches for continuous rotation in motion when not being worn on your wrist. Ideally, owning a watch winder is more suited for timepieces that require a portion of time to set, namely a perpetual calendar or a world timer. There are dozens of watch winders to choose from, but we suggest purchasing a quality watch winder produced by Rapport London and Wolf, two of the oldest producers of winders that are still in existence. 

Avoid Magnets at All Costs

Magnetism is an unnoticeable threat to your timepiece, but a watch that is magnetized severely damages its timekeeping. To avoid this problem, make sure that no magnets are near your watch. If your watch gets magnetized, have it sent to a skilled watchmaker to be demagnetized.

It is imperative to change your watch straps featured Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 on a NATO strap regularly as the weather can affect its overall wearability.

Change Your Watch Straps Regularly

Whether it is a grand complication or a time-only watch for daily wear, one needs to regularly change their leather or rubber watch straps. Moisture, humidity, and other weather conditions can affect its overall wearability, especially if you do not wear your watch for long periods. As an added bonus, changing your watch strap can alter the look of your timepiece and make it even pop on the wrist. 

Read the Instructional Manuals Carefully

This may sound cliché, but it is imperative to read the instructional manuals that come with your watch, especially if you are a new collector of watches. Knowing the functions of a timepiece is essential for understanding how it operates, particularly in using its various complications (e.g., moon phase, chronographs, date.) Certain functions of a watch can only be operated using special tools, and that crucial information is found in the manuals. 

Not all watches are water-proof and endure extreme conditions, so know the water-resistance level of your timepiece.

Not All Watches are Water-Proof

It is a common misconception that all watches are water-proof and can withstand extreme weather conditions. So, know about your timepiece’s water resistance, which is generally indicated on the watch. Typically, a watch with a resistance level of at least 50 meters or higher can avoid any general problems under the water. Vintage timepieces are generally not water-proof as their water resistance has degraded over time, so generally avoid areas of heavy moisture or getting your watch splashed on. 

Do Not Test the Limits of Your Watch

We highly discourage testing the limits of your watch; this is not rocket science. Never put undue stress on a timepiece by subjecting it to extreme conditions. Though mechanical watches are generally shock-resistant, your timepiece can still be severely damaged with either a broken crystal or bezel or, worse, a heavily scratched case. These damages can affect the overall functionality even after service, so treat your watch with respect. 

Your timepiece needs to be sent for servicing every few years for it to have an extension of life.

Servicing is Paramount:

Like the annual tune-up of your car, your watch needs a regular service every few years. Over time, the lubricants on a watch dry up, the teeth and cogs can wear out, and the watch does not function properly. Sending your watch for service is paramount for the watch to have an extension of life. Having a good relationship with a trusted watchmaker can help since they can give you an educated second opinion on what service your watch needs.

Be a Steward for the Next Generation:

It is your ultimate responsibility to take good care of your timepiece, and as we have previously discussed throughout, a watch can even outlive its present owner. And as with any collectible out there, a watch can be kept as a treasured heirloom for the next generation. Therefore, treat your timepiece with the utmost respect regardless if it’s an ultra-rare Richard Mille RM11-03 McLaren chronograph or a simple time-only Omega Constellation. As good collectors, we are mere stewards of these valuable objects and must pass them on to the following people who can take good care of them later on. 

Timepieces are Built to Last

Buying a watch is one thing, but it is a whole different story in taking good care of it. As we have mentioned throughout this guide, your watches can last much longer if these practices are put into good use. These timepieces were built to last, and it is really not that difficult to keep them in top shape. Now that you are ready to take good care of your timepiece, it is time to start a new journey with a new one on the wrist today!

Are there any new timepieces that you are eager to have? Find out more at the Vintage Grail website. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or contact us at (+63) 917 159 1211