How to Care for Your Watch and Keep It Running
A fine watch is a precision instrument that, cared for properly, can run beautifully for generations and even become an heirloom. Neglected, it can suffer damage that is expensive or impossible to reverse. Good watch care is not complicated, but it does require understanding a few key principles about servicing, handling, and protecting your timepiece. Whether you own a single treasured watch or a growing collection, these habits will help preserve both its function and its value over time.
Service it regularly
Mechanical watches contain tiny moving parts lubricated with oils that degrade over time, so periodic servicing is essential to keep them running accurately and to prevent wear. A proper service involves cleaning, re-lubricating, and adjusting the movement, and it is best done by a qualified watchmaker. Skipping servicing to save money is a false economy, as worn, poorly lubricated parts can cause damage that costs far more to repair than the service would have.
Understand water resistance
Water resistance ratings are widely misunderstood. A rating indicates the conditions a watch can handle when new and in good condition, but seals degrade over time, so resistance is not permanent. Never assume an older watch is still waterproof, and have seals checked periodically if you expose the watch to water. Avoid operating pushers or the crown underwater, and rinse a watch after contact with saltwater to protect it from corrosion and damage.
Keep it clean
Regular gentle cleaning keeps a watch looking its best and prevents grime building up. A soft cloth wipes away everyday marks, and a water-resistant watch with a metal bracelet can be cleaned carefully with a little water and mild soap, then dried thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals, and be cautious with leather straps and water. Keeping your watch clean is simple, but it makes a real difference to both its appearance and longevity.
Store it properly
When a watch is not being worn, how you store it matters. Keep it somewhere clean, dry, and away from extremes of temperature and from magnetic fields, which can affect accuracy. A watch box or soft pouch protects it from dust and scratches. For automatic watches you rotate through a collection, a watch winder can keep them running, though it is not essential. Thoughtful storage protects your watches between wears and keeps them ready to enjoy.
Handle with care
Everyday handling affects a watch's condition over time. Avoid knocks and drops, take mechanical watches off before heavy impact activities, and set the date and time gently, avoiding adjusting the date in the hours around midnight when the mechanism is engaged. Small, mindful habits like these prevent avoidable damage. Treating your watch as the precision instrument it is, rather than a disposable object, keeps it functioning smoothly for many years.
Protect its value
Good care does more than keep a watch running; it preserves its value. A well-maintained watch with service history is worth more and more desirable than a neglected one, and keeping original boxes, papers, and receipts supports that value too. Whether you view your watch as an heirloom, an investment, or simply a beloved possession, consistent care is the surest way to keep it performing and worth as much as possible for the long term.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I service a mechanical watch? Servicing intervals vary by watch and use, but a mechanical watch generally benefits from periodic professional servicing to clean, re-lubricate, and adjust the movement before wear causes damage.
Is my watch's water resistance permanent? No. Water resistance ratings apply when a watch is new and in good condition, but seals degrade over time. Have seals checked periodically if you expose the watch to water.
How should I store a watch I'm not wearing? Keep it clean, dry, away from temperature extremes and magnetic fields, and protected from dust and scratches in a box or pouch. A winder can keep automatics running but is optional.
This guide is for general educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. The value of collectibles can rise and fall; do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making significant purchases.