Like any valuable item, a luxury watch must be taken care of and maintained properly. Why? To keep it looking and working at its best. Your timepiece has enemies, including dust, moisture and debris, which are all avoidable if you look after it properly.
High-end watch movements can include hundreds of minuscule moving parts, which can stop functioning properly if not taken care of.
By bearing the subsequent tips in mind, your trusty timepiece should remain reliable for years to come.
Recognise signs of inefficiency
It’s important that you recognise any indication of your watch not performing at the expected level. Issues could range from one of the hands stopping moving or the time being out by large intervals, but these can vary by watch type.
If you own a quartz watch, any reduction in efficiency is probably due to a depleted battery. Dust may also accumulate within the tiny springs that allow the buttons and pushers to do their job.
Mechanical watches are different, containing more individual parts, which means more things can go wrong. If just one of these parts stops working as intended, the watch may fail to provide accurate readings. Therefore, if you own a high-end watch with lots of moving parts like a Tag Heuer, it’s best to get it serviced and repaired by a specialist.
Service periods differ depending on the brand and model but it’s usually good practice to have the watch looked over every 18 to 24 months. This ensures your timepiece is kept in good condition for years to come.
Make sure to keep your watch wound
Whilst modern lubricants are designed to last long periods, they are prone to drying or becoming congealed over time. By winding the watch, you keep the components moving and help to spread the lubricant.
This doesn’t need to be a daily occurrence for an automatic watch. Simply wind it every few days, especially when it is left unused for long durations. Manual watches will need winding more frequently as they are not powered by the wearer’s movements like their automatic counterparts.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t wind your watch excessively. Doing so can damage the movements, so stop once you feel some resistance.
Make sure to take your watch off when winding. When accessing the crown, you could tilt the crown side of the watch up and create pressure on the stem. This can lead to the stem bending or breaking. Find a soft and flat surface before winding the watch and exercise care.
Be careful when cleaning your watch
A dirty watch never looks good, especially when you’re wearing a luxury timepiece that you want to be proud of. Not only this but small particles may also find their way inside the watch and lead to problems further down the line.
A microfibre polishing cloth is great for removing debris and smudges from the watch face and a small amount of soapy water can be used – as long as your watch is water-resistant and you fully secure the crown. Also take care to prevent any leather parts of the watch from getting wet.
If your watch does not have a water-resistance rating, you should not get it wet as this could wreak havoc on its functionality.