If buying a watch is something special, so is wearing it. So that the pleasure continues, we provide you with 5 tips for maintaining your precious jewel.
So that your luxury watch lasts a lifetime.
1. Wind your watch correctly
If you already have some experience with luxury watches, this point will probably seem quite trivial to you. Looking back on my beginnings, however, I know that novices are afraid of breaking the mechanism. This fear is with most watches completely unfounded. If you have an automatic watch, you often have to turn the crown 30 or 35 times to wind the mechanism correctly. If you wear your watch regularly, however, there is no need to wind it. It is only if you store it for a few days and the power reserve is exhausted that you need to rewind it. Rest assured, it is impossible to break an automatic watch by winding it “too much”. If your watch is manually wound, you must wind it each time the power reserve is exhausted, regardless of whether you wear it or not. For manually wound watches, however, a little caution is required: when the mechanism is fully wound, do not turn the crown any further. In the worst case, you could damage your watch.
You should be a little more careful when winding the mechanism on a manual-winding watch than on an automatic-winding watch.
2. Clean your watch properly
To remove dirt and dust from your watch, you can use a soft, clean microfiber cloth. Be careful not to exert too much pressure: even a soft cloth can leave micro-scratches on the polished surfaces of your luxury watch, especially if dirt particles are caught in the mesh of the fabric. If your watch is waterproof up to 100 meters, you can also simply clean it from time to time with water and dishwashing liquid. Make sure that the crown of the watch is screwed in properly, to ensure watertightness and that water does not penetrate the caliber. Use lukewarm water and a fragrance-free cleanser. For gentle cleaning, use your hands. Finally, dry your watch carefully to remove any leftover cleaner.
By the way: for even more thorough cleaning, you can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be aware, however, that even the softest hairs cause numerous micro-scratches. I saw it with my own eyes, one sunny summer afternoon, when I glanced at my watch. So be careful. If your watch is only waterproof up to 50 meters, forgo cleaning with water and stick to a damp cloth. Although I know a few people who go swimming with their Speedmaster: don’t take that risk, you will be able to enjoy your watch for longer. Bottom line: cleaning is an important aspect of watch care. After a good cleaning, your watch will regain its original shine.
3. Store your watch properly: is a watch winder really useful?
Crucial question: should I store my watch on a watch winder? Young collectors sometimes wonder if an automatic watch can be damaged if it remains stationary for too long. Before solving the winder dilemma, I would first like to present some options for storing your watches, which I find stylish and practical. The boxes and rolls look great in a living room and are easy to store. I myself have a black wooden box. Visually, it is very elegant and allows you to store several watches. If I take several watches when traveling, I prefer a watch roll, to store my timepieces safely.
A watch winder is a very practical object and a very attractive option for storing one or more watches. But a winder is only necessary if you have watches with significant complications that you rarely wear. For example, it avoids having to set a perpetual calendar each time. For your self-winding watches without complications, they will not suffer from being stationary for a certain period of time. On the contrary: a winder could accelerate wear, since the watches are always in motion. When you are not wearing your watch, you can store it safely in boxes, on rollers or on suitable watch winders.
4. Avoid scratches
No matter how much care you take with your watch, one thing is certain: sooner or later, it will have scratches. It’s inevitable. You won’t win this battle, but you can do your part to limit damage and wear. On a daily basis, pay attention, even to the most mundane things: opening a door, buckling up in a car, etc. By being a little careful, it’s easy to keep your beloved watch free of nasty scratches.
Use the other hand to open car doors or to put on your seat belt. When closing your jacket, make sure that the button or zipper cannot hit your watch. Remove it for any mechanical or DIY work. Do not entrust it to unknown people, especially if they are not familiar with clocks and watches. Not everyone is as fond of the subject as you are, so you might as well avoid potential indelicate manipulation. If you clean your watch, make sure that the cloth you use to polish it is always clean, otherwise it may leave a few scratches. And if, year in and year out, a scratch scars your beloved timepiece, be philosophical: see it as a mark of individuality that tells your story with this watch.