Proper watch care is important for keeping your luxury watch in great shape for years. Owning a fine watch is a special experience, but how well you look after it will decide how long it lasts. With good care, you can avoid damage and keep it looking its best.
To keep your luxury watch in top condition, here are some important tips.
- 10 Things to Never Do With Your Luxury Watch
- 1. Never Leave The Crown Open
- 2. Don’t Overwind Your Watch
- 3. Don’t Keep Your Watch Dirty
- 4. Don’t Set the Chronograph When It’s Running
- 5. Avoid Changing The Date At Midnight
- 6. Don’t Wear Your Watch Bracelet Loose
- 7. Don’t Keep Your Watch Near Magnetic Fields
- 8. Avoid Keeping Dead Batteries In Your Watch
- 9. Don’t Skip Watch Repair & Servicing
- 10. Don’t Overlook Your Dream Watch
- Conclusion
10 Things to Never Do With Your Luxury Watch
1. Never Leave The Crown Open
Moisture is one of the biggest threats to a watch’s movement, as it can seep in and cause rust. Keeping the crown closed helps prevent this. The crown is used to set the time and date, and in many watches, you need to unscrew it to adjust the date. If that’s the case for your watch, be sure to make these adjustments in a dry environment and remember to screw the crown back in afterward.
If you leave the crown unscrewed, dirt and moisture can get inside and affect the watch’s performance. When moisture enters, the watch can heat up, leading to condensation forming on the inside of the crystal.
2. Don’t Overwind Your Watch
On the other hand, over-tightening the crown can cause damage to the threads and may even jam the mechanism. It can also lead to premature wear of the rubber gaskets and seals that keep the watch watertight. While these components are designed to handle pressure, they don’t require excessive force to function properly.
As a general rule, you should only tighten the crown until it feels snug—just finger-tight. When you pick up a watch after it hasn’t been used for a while, you might need to wind it manually, so be especially cautious during this process. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how often to wind the watch.
3. Don’t Keep Your Watch Dirty
While you don’t need to wax and polish your watch every week, it’s a good idea to do it every few months. Use a soft-bristled, damp toothbrush to gently clean the watch and remove any built-up debris.
Focus on the moving parts, like the links of the bracelet, as dirt tends to accumulate between them. You should also wipe down the case back occasionally, as oils and dirt from your skin can build up there.
4. Don’t Set the Chronograph When It’s Running
Adjusting a watch while wearing it is a common mistake. Certain types of chronographs, known as flybacks, have features that let you reset them while they’re running, making them ideal for timing multiple laps.
However, if your chronograph isn’t a flyback, resetting the button while the watch is in operation is a definite no-go. While modern chronographs have mechanisms that prevent damage, vintage models do not. Additionally, using the block mechanism means applying extra pressure to the pusher, so it’s best to avoid this practice altogether.
5. Avoid Changing The Date At Midnight
Watches with a quick date mechanism have a serious flaw—attempting to set the quick date while the date is already changing around midnight can lead to significant problems. The time frame between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. is typically considered the “Red Zone,” and it’s best to avoid adjusting the date or calendar functions during this period.
On most mechanical watches, the date feature engages before midnight and stays active until shortly after. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid setting the quickset date a few hours before or after midnight. To stay clear of the red zone, it’s safest to set the time at 6 p.m. or 6 a.m.
6. Don’t Wear Your Watch Bracelet Loose
As silly as it may seem, this is our strong recommendation. While wearing a watch loosely with the bracelet hanging low may be trendy, it’s best to wear it comfortably snug on your wrist to prevent premature wear on the bracelet.
Make sure the bracelet is tight enough that you can move your wrist about an inch, but not much more than that. If your hand starts to turn blue, you might have tightened it too much.
7. Don’t Keep Your Watch Near Magnetic Fields
In addition to water, mechanical watches face another threat: magnetism. Magnetic fields can cause the watch movement to run too slow, too fast, or even stop completely. In such cases, you’ll need to take it to a watchmaker for recalibration.
Many of you may prefer to store your watches in a box, which is a great idea. However, make sure they are kept away from tablets, computers, smartphones, and the magnetic closures found on speakers, handbags, and similar items. Some brands, like Rolex and Omega, offer specific antimagnetic watches that are unaffected by magnetic fields. If you’re unsure whether your watch is antimagnetic, it’s best to keep it safely tucked away in a watch box when you’re not wearing it.
8. Avoid Keeping Dead Batteries In Your Watch
What should you do when your quartz watch battery dies? Many of us feel guilty for letting it sit in a drawer for too long without addressing the issue. If that’s the case, it’s time to change your mindset. Leaving a dead battery in a watch for an extended period can cause it to leak acid, resulting in irreversible or expensive damage.
So, the next time you notice your watch has stopped, make sure to change the battery as soon as possible. Even quartz Rolex watches aren’t immune to this acidic damage.
9. Don’t Skip Watch Repair & Servicing
Do you service your car every few months or keep it oiled and tuned? Luxury watches require similar maintenance. It’s advisable to have your watch checked every few years to confirm it remains water-resistant and that the gaskets are still intact. Regular wear and tear can cause the lubricants in luxury watches to dry out, and the watch may accumulate scratches or debris.
Most manufacturers recommend servicing and repairing your watch every 3 to 5 years to ensure it operates at its best. Always take your watch to an authorized service center for professional care. A mechanical watch, whether manual-wound or automatic, can last a lifetime, but it needs proper maintenance to do so.
10. Don’t Overlook Your Dream Watch
A luxury watch is an investment, and you should treat it as such. Of course, you’ll want to wear your beloved timepiece on various occasions, but exposing it to extreme temperature changes or heavy shocks can lead to damage.
Daily temperature fluctuations typically won’t harm your watch, but you should definitely avoid wearing it in a sauna or during ice baths. Additionally, steer clear of wearing it while playing sports to prevent accidental damage. While luxury watches offer some shock resistance, strong impacts can still harm the crystal, case, bracelet, and movement.
Conclusion
Luxury watches are made from high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, which helps them last a long time. However, many watch lovers make mistakes that can harm their watches and cause permanent damage.
By treating your watch with care and following the tips mentioned earlier, you can keep it working well and maintain its value. If you think your watch is damaged inside or isn’t working properly, take it to a professional within 24-48 hours to have the best chance of fixing it.
Remember, it’s not just about taking care of a watch; it’s about preserving something special.
