From gifts to family heirlooms, to milestones, watches all have significant value to us. Even if they are left in their box to be treasured. With such sentimental value, its important to take care of your timepieces the way they deserve.
Below, I go into the best ways to keep your luxury watch running smoothly and keep your wristwear looking its best. Let’s dive into caring for your watch, the best way!
1. Storing Your Watch Correctly
Whether your watch is brand new or has been passed down through generations, finding the correct storage can make the world of a difference when it comes to the longevity of your watch.
An eco-friendly and much more affordable way to store your watch is to place it into the box it arrived in. Making sure to keep the protector in place to mould the shape of the bracelet.
However, more often than not boxes get shuffled away into cupboards or put in the bin during the chaos of Christmas morning. That’s why I prefer to use a watch storage case. Whether a sturdy watch box or a travel friendly Wolf Watch Roll, these cases are expertly designed to keep your watch safe no matter your destination.
2. Maintenance Cleaning
The natural oils secreted by our skin, combined with the usual accumulation of outdoor dirt, can lead to the soiling of our watches. This accumulation of grime can not only diminish the lustre of a watch but also potentially cause harm by eroding the links and obstructing the movement of the crown and dials.
That’s why regular cleaning is crucial to keeping your watch at its best. And its simple!
Expertly crafted timepieces do not require a lot of your time or patience to keep them clean. Give your watch a gentle wipe with a soft cloth after wearing to remove any dirt or oil build up from the day.
I also highly recommend keeping your watch away from long-term exposure to sunlight, moisture, such as creams, perfumes, and hand sanitizer.
You should take your watch to be serviced by a professional every 2-3 years. Here, an expert watch craftsman can get underneath the glass and sort out any issues you may not be aware of. With over 25 stores across the UK, Chisholm Hunter invites you to your closet boutique for a quick and efficient watch servicing.
3. Cleaning Your Watch
Giving your watch a deep clean every so often (around 2-3 months) will help remove any buildup the cloth may miss. This simply means getting into the nooks and crannies to remove any dirt or oil.
Should your watch have a bracelet strap, immerse it in a mixture of lukewarm water and gentle dishwashing liquid. For those with a leather strap, opt for a combination of lukewarm water and a leather cleaning solution instead.
After allowing the strap to soak and the dirt to dislodge, gently brush the strap with a soft-bristled watch brush to dislodge any remaining grime. Continue by rinsing the strap thoroughly with fresh water to ensure all dirt is washed away.
To finish, pat the strap dry with a microfiber cloth, taking care to remove all moisture to avert the risk of mildew formation.
4. Invest In A Watch Winder
For the general watch lover, you may have never heard of a Watch Winder. But for automatic watches, they are a dream in a box.
Automatic watches are great because they are powered by your natural motion when you move. However, when you take your watch off, how does it keep running?
Watch Winders keep your watch running while giving your wrist a breather.
A Watch Winder maintains the perpetual motion of your automatic watch, guaranteeing the precision of its time and date functions, so you’re never misled by incorrect readings.
Investing in a watch winder can contribute to the longevity of your watch. It’s recommended that luxury watches receive servicing approximately every three years. However, such servicing isn’t sufficient to prevent the mechanical deterioration of the gears. Continuous operation of the watch promotes self-lubrication, which aids in its longevity. A meticulously crafted watch has the potential to endure for as long as 150 years, provided it remains consistently wound.
Essentially, a watch winder does all the work for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Investing in a watch can be overwhelming, especially when investing in a luxury brand. Taking care of your watch at home by using the right storage tools and simple cleaning methods ensures your timepiece runs smoothly and is always making you look your best. However, you may still have some questions on how to properly take care of your watch, so I have answered some of the most asked questions!
Should I Keep My Watch Wound?
Additionally, it’s advisable to give your manual watch a wind each morning prior to wearing it, to maintain its continuous operation. Doing so prevents the mechanisms inside from locking up.
Can Your Service Your Watch Yourself?
I wouldn't recommend servicing your watch at home. Unless you have the proper know-how and tools, servicing your watch yourself could permanently damage the watch. Visit one of our 27 stores across the UK where an expert watchmaker is ready to service you watch the right way.
How Do You Know When To Service Your Watch?
Should you detect any dampness or fogging beneath the crystal, it’s imperative to get your watch examined by a professional without delay. The presence of water inside the timepiece could suggest that the seals are deteriorating or that the watch wasn’t correctly sealed after its last maintenance.
Ready to invest in a luxury watch? Browse our collection of prestigious watches today!
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