How To Take Care Of Your Automatic Watch

Automatic watches in particular are the movement method of choice for many luxury watch makers, including Omega, Tag Heuer and Longines to name but a few. But the way in which automatic watches are powered also means they can be susceptible to wear and tear over time.

 

So, in order to keep your timepiece in tip top shape, here are our automatic watch care tips. 

Clean your watch daily 

First and foremost, you should clean your watch on a daily basis. This is to prevent any damage that can be caused by dust, dirt or other debris entering the watch through its seals and intricate details. If this does happen, over time, the watch’s mechanisms can become damaged and its performance impacted.

 

The nature of our lives and environments means it’s only normal for our watches to collect these particles. But if cleaned daily, their impact will be much less. 

 

To clean your watch, you should simply use a microfiber cloth and gently run it over the various surfaces. Avoid applying too much pressure as this could cause accidental damage or scratches. 

 

Some people recommend a damp cloth and soap for water resistant automatic watches. However, if maintained daily, a soft, fresh and dry one will do the trick.

Take it off before showering 

Although some watches are water resistant to great depths, it is not recommended that they are worn in the shower. The water isn’t so much the issue here, but rather, the temperature is. 

 

Watches are not really built to endure the heat given off when in the shower. In fact, the high temperatures and air can cause gaskets in the watch to expand and seals to loosen. If this happens, it is much more likely for water to enter the watch and in time, you’ll begin to see the glass fog and performance worsen. 

Store your watch with care 

How you store your watch can play a massive role in how it looks and performs over time. It’s best to keep the watch in its original box or a specially designed case.

 

This way, you can avoid the watch being scratched by other objects or accessories, keep its metals looking polished or leathers soft, and its glass from breaking from accidental pressure, shocks or accidents. 

Have your watched regularly serviced by a trained specialist 

This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it provides you with peace of mind that your investment is in good condition and that all the care and maintenance you are doing at home is working.

 

Secondly, while you might be taking good care of your watch at home, it’s likely that small bits of dirt or dust particles have been missed. The specialist’s trained eye and professional tools will be able to identify and clean the watch much more thoroughly ensuring it really is in the best condition. 

 

Lastly, due to how intricate an automatic watch is, many containing 200-400 moving mechanisms, often damages or malfunctions go unnoticed. If these are identified early on, they can be fixed before they become bigger problems or more expensive repairs. 

 

Most watch manufacturers and retailers offer service plans within their warranties at varying intervals. But, watch owners often consider these services costly add ons when making their purchase, which isn’t the case at all. 

 

If your automatic watch is yet to be serviced, check your warranty details first. 

Keep your watch wound 

Another key thing to consider while maintaining your automatic watch is whether it is kept wound, even when not being worn. If it isn’t, change your ways immediately. 

 

Automatic watches require winding in order to keep ticking accurately. If the watch is left unwound for long periods of time, the lubricants that keep its mechanisms moving can dry out and affect its performance. 

 

Similarly, automatic watches are regulated while in a state of full wind. Therefore, by keeping your watch wound, it ensures better functionality for a much longer period and helps prevent malfunctions. 

 

While the best way to keep your automatic watch wound is by wearing it, for those days it’s not being worn, it can be stored in a watch winder box which takes care of keeping it wound and in perfect condition for you.

 

Many modern day automatic watches also come with extended power reserves. For instance, the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 boasts an impressive five day power reserve meaning it can be left unworn for up to five days without it stopping. 

 

While the task of winding your watch everyday is a lessened burden, you should still ensure watches are wound or kept in a winding box when not being worn.

Avoid winding your watch while it’s on your wrist 

On a similar note, an automatic watch should never be wound while it is being worn on your wrist. This is due to the position the crown and its stems are usually in while the watch is flat against your wrist. If wound in this position, unnecessary pressure and tension can be applied or caused, and the delicate mechanisms can snap or break. 

 

Of course, this can be damaging to the performance of your watch, both from a fundamental timekeeping perspective and also if it is supposed to be water resistant as liquids can be let in. 

Avoid exposing your watch to extreme conditions

While most modern automatic watches are built to withstand a whole host of conditions having undergone rigorous tests during the manufacturing stage, it is recommended that you do avoid exposing your watch to extremities to keep it in the best shape. 

 

These extremes can include everything from harsh weather conditions, such as heavy downpours of rain, or intense shocks while partaking in sports and activities, for example. 

 

This is because accidents can happen. So, if you can minimise the chances of one occurring, you are protecting your watch for the long run. 

Wear it often

But with all that in mind, you should still enjoy wearing your watch. It might have been a pricey investment and it’s easy to understand why you may want to protect it, but you should also want to wear your purchase with pride. 

 

Watches are meant to be worn, and in no case is this truer than with automatic timepieces. In fact, the best thing you can do for your automatic watch is wear it. By wearing your watch daily, you are keeping it wound through the natural motions of your arm, and in turn, ensuring it remains regulated and performing well. 

 

You will also feel much more satisfied with your purchase if you are putting it to good use. 

 

Are you on the hunt for a new automatic watch? Why not browse our extensive collection to find your perfect timepiece today.