More than just a time-telling device, a watch can hold many personal memories, which makes it a sentimental object to own. Functional and timeless, it is one of the perfect gifts you can give to yourself or a loved one to mark special occasions. It can be for a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or other celebrations. Although you can pick any other products, the other good thing about timepieces is that they can be passed down as heirlooms to succeeding generations, making them a valuable and meaningful item to get.
But while shopping, you may notice that an automatic or manual wind watch carries a hefty price tag and others are more affordable. The cost is affected by the brand, model, and additional features the timepiece has. Hence, it’s vital to research these brands and models to gain ample knowledge and help you on your buying journey.
Why Is It Important to Keep Watches in Good Conditions?
Once the purchase is done, it doesn’t mean that your role as the new owner stops and you just need to wear it anywhere and anytime you want. Owning a watch involves ensuring that it stays in good condition for it to last a long time. It’s a must if you have plans of handing it down as an heirloom to your family’s future generations and if you’re thinking of selling it in the future. No one wants to receive a timepiece in poor condition because it makes maintenance difficult and expensive, making it better to buy a new one instead. Hence, it should be a top priority to keep your watch in tip-top shape. How to do it, you ask?
How Do You Take Care of Your Watches?
Top-quality watches may be built differently than inexpensive ones. But regardless if it’s a cheap or expensive timepiece, proper steps in taking care of it should be taken. Wiping it clean from time to time isn’t going to be enough. Listed below are some tips to help you keep your watch in good working condition.
1. Storing it properly
You may be thinking that since you’re wearing your watch daily, then you can just leave it on your desk for easy grabbing when you go out of the room the next day. However, it’s highly recommended to store your timepiece in its original box. And if not in use because it’s meant to be a part of a collection, then it’s better to store it in a quality box designed for watches and keep it in a dry and dark place away from extreme and damp temperatures. Light can cause its colors to fade while humidity leads parts of the timepiece to rust, affecting its working condition.
2. Keeping it running even when not in use
Although you may have stored your collection properly, another tip you’ll find useful is making sure to wind the watch daily to avoid the gears from stiffening and the oil from drying up. If you’re wearing that watch regularly, then you don’t need to do this. But if you’re only wearing it from time to time, then ensuring the movement keeps moving is a must. A watch winder can help you get the job done. While there’s debate on its benefits, winders are convenient and become a necessity if you’re owning more than two watches.
3. Cleaning your timepiece as much as possible
Keeping your watch in tip-top shape involves cleaning the watch case and strap regularly. Water-resistant timepieces can be cleaned using a damp cloth soaked in soap and water and brushing it gently with a soft toothbrush. But for products that aren’t waterproof, please make sure to wipe the watch case and strap using a dry, soft polishing cloth to remove dust or dirt. On the other hand, leather straps can stay soft and supple for many years by waxing them regularly.
4. Keep it away from chemicals at all times
While cleaning is one of the best ways to keep your timepiece in good condition, which may also mean some could be using cleaning supplies. However, it’s vital to never use any cleaning product as it has chemicals that may affect the working condition of the item. Aside from cleaning supplies, avoid getting your watch in contact with perfume as the latter can weaken the structure of the leather strap and cause it to tear eventually. As much as possible, keep your skin dry before wearing the watch.
5. Avoid keeping your watch close to magnets
Keeping your watch close to a magnet or any equipment producing magnetic fields is a big no. There may be no physical damage, but it can cause your wristwatch to stop working completely or affect its timekeeping accuracy. Hence, make sure to keep your watch away from magnets, speakers, and more. If yours appears to be magnetized, then it’s recommended to have it serviced at the official service center to restore it to its original condition.
6. Reading the manual or product specification
You may ask the salesperson or online shop representative for some valuable care tips. You can also read the manual that came along with the item as well as the product specification printed on the box’s label. Product specifications contain information such as the material, water resistance, and more. Once you know such information, you may research online or get recommendations on how to better protect your timepiece from certain elements. Durable materials may not easily rust, but it’s good to know to avoid doing things that may cause wear and tear or rustiness to progress.
7. Getting it serviced by professionals
You may be doing your best to keep your luxury wristwatch in great condition, but it’s impossible to keep wear and tear from happening. Hence, it’s a good idea to have your watch taken care of by the experts every year or every two to three years. You may be tempted to do it yourself by opening the item and cleaning its insides. But unless you’re a professional or know what you’re doing, it’s better to leave it to the professionals to polish, lubricate, and swap old parts with new ones.
Key Takeaways
With various brands and models to choose from, it won’t be long till you find the perfect timepiece to wear every day or add to your collection. But spending hard-earned money on a luxury watch, it’s only logical to want to keep it working for a long time. From having it serviced by experts to keeping it away from magnets, there are plenty more tips that can help you achieve it!
