Published on : 15 June 20204 min reading time
The time that goes by doesn’t spare your best timekeeper and that’s quite normal. It is therefore important to maintain and clean your watch regularly. Before doing so, you must respect a few basic rules to avoid any incident that could damage it:
- Avoid sea bathing with your watch, salt is corrosive, it can damage the leather strap, reduce the shine of the metals and damage the water-resistance. If you forget to do so, rinse it with clear water.
- Do not take a shower with your watch, it may be damaged by temperature variations, even if it is a waterproof watch.
- Pay attention to all chemicals that may come into contact with your watch such as cosmetics and perfume.
- Do not sleep with your watch, this helps to avoid the unpleasant surprise of a shock or scratch when you wake up in the morning.
- An overhaul of the mechanism and a water-resistance check are necessary every 3 years at your watchmaker. It is also important to visit him in case of fogging in the dial, need to change the battery, loss of precision.
Cleaning a water-resistant watch
This applies to a metal, silver or gold case. First of all, remove the bracelet if it is made of leather and check that the crown is properly engaged. Clean with a soft cloth or a soft toothbrush. Use lukewarm water with soap or toothpaste and brush the case in small circles. Rinse your watch by running it under clear water and then dry it with a soft, dry cloth.
Cleaning an old watch that is not water-resistant
It is very important to never put your watch in direct contact with water.
To clean it, remove the strap if it is made of leather, clean your watch with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Once the case is damp, clean the corners and the most stubborn stains with a soft brush. Then iron the damp cloth one last time before drying. Dry with a soft, dry cloth.
Pay attention to the areas most likely to allow water to penetrate your case: the perimeter of the crown and glass, the case back.
Giving shine to my watch glass
With an acrylic glass, you can use a soft cloth soaked in polishing cream or toothpaste. Make small concentric circles without forcing. If the scratches are too deep, leave your watch in the care of a specialist who will judge whether or not it needs to be changed.
Caring for a leather strap
It is advisable not to wear a watch with a leather strap every day to allow moisture to evaporate. Always let your strap dry away from a heat source. Use a brush dampened with a little soap, rub gently, paying particular attention to the seams. Rub with a soft, dry cloth to dry and leave it out in the open air for a few days.
You can also apply colourless shoe polish to nourish the leather. Wait a few days before wearing it until the shoe polish is well absorbed by the leather.
Caring for a meta bracelet
For metal or rubber straps, use a damp brush and soap. Run it through clear water and then dry it with a soft, dry cloth.
Maintenance of the mechanical movement
In order to limit the wear of the mechanism and that your watch loses its precision, it is advisable to have it serviced by a watchmaker every 3 years or so, ideally directly by the after-sales service of the brand of your watch.
If your watch has the date function, it is important not to carry out this adjustment between 10 pm and 2 am. Indeed, the pinions are replaced at this time for the date change and this could damage the movement.
Changing the quartz watch battery
Although the operation may seem very simple at times, it is not recommended to change the battery of your watch yourself. The gaskets should be checked by a professional to ensure that the watch remains water-resistant. It is also advisable to change the battery as soon as possible before it can damage the mechanism.