How to Take Care of Your Watch: Every Owner Should Know

Clean Your Watch Regularly

Properly cleaning your luxury watch, like a Rolex or Omega, is key to maintaining its elegance and functionality. Here’s how to take care of a watch:

Daily: Every evening, take a moment to wipe down your watch with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Watch maintenance removes any dust and body oils accumulated throughout the day, helping to preserve the watch’s shine. If you wear your watch less frequently, give it a quick clean after each use.

Weekly:

• Metal Bracelets: Clean with a toothbrush and warm soapy water; rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Leather Straps: Wipe moisture with a dry cloth, clean residue with a damp cloth or mild soap; condition regularly.
• Rubber Straps: Frequently clean with mild soap and a soft brush, especially after exposure to harsh substances; dry thoroughly.

If your watch has gemstones, treat them to a specialist cleaner from a jeweler to keep them sparkling. Always use a soft, lint-free cotton cloth for cleaning to avoid scratching.

Deep Cleaning Once in a While: Every few months, it’s good to do a thorough cleaning with proper cleaning supplies:

• Detach the bracelet or band from the watch.
• For metal bracelets, soak them in a mix of warm water and mild dish soap. For leather band, a mixture of warm water and white vinegar or a commercial leather cleaner works well.
• Let the strap soak for a few minutes or a few hours depending on the dirt level.
• Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the strap.
• Rinse it under clean water and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

Once everything is completely dry, put the watch back together. Store it in a cool, dry place and keep it away from perfumes and lotions that can attract more grime.

Wind Mechanical Watches Properly

Winding your mechanical watch is key to its performance and longevity. If you wear your watch every day, make it a habit to full wind it each morning. This keeps accurate time and ensures the internal lubricants are evenly spread, protecting the watch’s intricate parts. 

For those who wear their watch less frequently, winding it once a month should suffice.

Here’s how you can wind your Manual Watches:

• Prepare to Wind: Remove your watch from your wrist to avoid stress on the crown.
• Locate the Crown: Find the small dial usually on the right side of the watch case.
• Wind: Gently pull the crown out and turn it clockwise 20 to 40 times until you feel resistance. Over-winding can damage the watch, so stop when you feel the first sign of resistance.
• Secure the Crown: Push the crown back in to re-engage the gears.

Regular winding is not only for manual watches. For Automatic Watches, here's how you can do it:

• Remove the Watch: Take it off your wrist to prevent damage while winding.
• Unscrew the Crown: Typically, you’ll turn it counterclockwise until it’s loose.
• Wind: Turn the crown clockwise about 20 to 40 turns. Automatic watches have a mechanism that prevents over-winding, so there’s no need to worry about going too far.
• Wear It: To keep it powered, put the watch back on your wrist. The natural motion of your arm will keep it wound.

For those not wearing their automatic watches daily, a watch winder is a great investment. It simulates the movement of a wrist, keeping the watch active and the lubricants fluid. Companies like Wolf offer quality winders that ensure your watch is always ready to go.

Every watch is different. Always consult the specific manual for your treasured timepiece for the best care practices. If in doubt, professional advice from a certified watch specialist is invaluable.

Protecting Different Types of Watches

A luxury watch is a delicate balance of artistry and engineering, and protecting it ensures it remains timeless. 

One of the simplest yet most important steps is understanding your watch’s water resistance. Always check the rating, water damage, and make sure the crown is securely tightened before exposing your watch to water. Even water-resistant models need immediate drying after getting wet, especially if exposed to saltwater. 

For non-diving watches, avoid harsh chemicals and water whenever possible—it’s not worth the risk of internal damage with other particles.

Understanding your watch type ensures proper care and will keep your watch to functions properly.

Mechanical Watches

These intricate pieces require extra care. Avoid shocks, keep them away from moisture, and wipe them clean with a soft cloth after use. Regular servicing every 2–3 years is key to maintaining their precision.

Automatic Watches

Wear these regularly to keep the movement running smoothly. If you don’t wear them daily, consider using a watch winder to maintain their power reserve and avoid lubricant drying.

Quartz Watches

Although low maintenance, quartz watches benefit from occasional seal checks during battery changes to retain water resistance. Regularly clean the case and bracelet to prevent buildup.

Digital Watches

While often shock and water-resistant, clean any dirt or residue from buttons and avoid exposing them to extreme heat or chemicals.

Smart Watches

Most modern watches need both physical and software care. Clean screens and bands gently, avoid submerging unless rated for it, and keep software updated for optimal performance.

Other Protective Measures 

Extreme temperatures can damage any type of watch, so avoid leaving yours in direct sunlight or freezing conditions. 

Protect your watch from impacts, even if it’s shock-resistant. Magnets can affect timing, so avoid placing your watch near them for extended periods. 

Chemicals like perfumes and cleaners can degrade straps and seals—wipe off any exposure immediately.

For added protection, consider a clear protective film to guard against scratches and maintain your watch’s pristine appearance.

Store Your Watch Safely

Proper storage is essential to preserving the quality and functionality of your luxury watch. Whether it’s a Patek Philippe Calatrava, an Omega Seamaster, or a Rolex Submariner, storing it the right way prevents scratches, dust buildup, and potential mechanical damage.

When storing multiple watches, always keep them separate to prevent scratches. Use individual compartments in a watch box or protective cases. Avoid letting watches come into contact with hard surfaces or other watches.

Short-Term Storage

For daily wear watches, the original box or a quality watch roll is ideal. These are specifically designed to cradle your watch and protect it from accidental damage. Avoid placing the watch on its side or crystal, as this increases the risk of scratches.

Long-Term Storage

For watches you don’t wear often, use a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight and humidity can degrade materials like leather straps and affect the performance of mechanical movements over time. Protective cases, dust-free drawers, or watch safes provide additional security.

If you own an automatic watch, consider using a watch winder for long-term storage. A winder mimics wrist movement to keep the internal mechanisms running and the lubricants evenly distributed. This ensures the watch is ready to wear whenever you need it.

Service Your Watch Regularly

No matter how well you care for your luxury watch, routine servicing is essential to keep it functioning at its best. Models like the Rolex Submariner, IWC Portugieser, or Omega Speedmaster are built to last, but even the finest timepieces require professional attention to ensure their longevity.

Over time, the internal mechanisms of your watch experience natural wear. Lubricants can dry out or congeal, leading to increased friction and potential damage to delicate components.

Regular servicing refreshes these lubricants and addresses wear and tear on gears, cogs, and teeth. Without maintenance, problems like reduced accuracy, compromised water resistance, and even total failure can occur—issues that are often expensive or even impossible to fix later.

Every watch is different, but here are some clear signs your watch might need servicing:

• Loss of Accuracy: If your watch starts running too fast or too slow, it’s a sign the movement needs adjustment.
• Stopped Functioning: A mechanical or automatic watch that no longer works, even after winding, or a quartz watch with a fresh battery that won’t tick, needs attention.
• Moisture Inside: Condensation under the crystal indicates water has entered the case, risking rust and internal damage.

Manufacturers often recommend watch service intervals of 3-5 years, but your watch’s behavior is the best guide. If it’s functioning well, it might not need servicing until symptoms appear.

A complete service involves: 

• Disassembling the entire watch
• Cleaning all components
• Replacing worn parts
• Reassembling it with fresh lubricants

It’s a detailed and labor-intensive process, requiring the expertise of professional watchmakers to ensure precision.

Never attempt to open your watch yourself. Exposing the movement to dust or dirt can cause serious harm. Always rely on an authorized service center or a skilled watchmaker with access to original parts and the proper tools.

Having a trusted watch dealer or repair center is invaluable. They can help assess whether your watch needs a full overhaul or just a minor fix. Regular checkups, even without visible issues, can prevent small problems from becoming major repairs. 

Conclusion

Taking care of your watch is essential to keep it functioning flawlessly and looking its best. With proper regular cleaning, storage, and servicing, your luxury timepiece will be in top shape, can last a lifetime, and even be passed down to future generations while retaining its elegance and value.

Key Takeaways:

• Schedule professional servicing every 3-5 years to maintain optimal performance.
• Never attempt to open your luxury watch—leave it to trusted experts.
• A well-maintained luxury watch holds its value, making it a lasting investment.

Protect your watch with Watchskins. Our crystal-clear, scratch-resistant films are precision-cut for a flawless fit, backed by a 12-month warranty to keep your timepiece looking brand new every day. Chat with us to upgrade your protection!