Ways to Take Care of Your Wristwatch

Here are a few tips to extend the lifespan of your watches.

Watches are one of the accessories can make a big difference to one’s look. And if you have a collection on wristwatches, it is important to know how to take care of them. Although the mechanical ones are made to last a lifetime, proper care will make them last even longer. They can also be great family heirlooms.

Storing properly

Improper storage can make the ticking stop and damage it in the long run. You also can store it in places where it can get too cold or too hot, as the parts may either contract or expand. Plus, water vapor can also enter the dial and damage the parts. On the other hand, heat will dry out the lubricant of the gears which can then cause damage. That is why always see to it to place them in a watch box or a jewelry display organizer in a place with room temperature.

Do not be careless

Sometimes, we can be careless and accidentally drop the watch. But by all means, avoid this from happening as it is the easiest way to bust a watch. Slamming it against a hard surface can damage it as well. So if you are going to do some rigorous activities like sports, it’s best to take it off first and store in a safe place.

Avoid winding while wearing it

One of the common mistakes people make with their watches is winding it while still on their wrists. Most people don’t know that doing so can do harm to it. You can overwind it, pull the crown our accidentally, or cause stress on the movement due to the angle that you are winding it. Doing so while wearing it indeed is tempting to do, but resist the urge, and take it off first before winding.

Do not exposing it to a magnetic field

The escapement of a watch is a mechanism that regulates the oscillations, keeping the timing precise. The magnetic field can cause it to act erratically. So if you need to take off your watch, avoid placing it on top of electronic devices such as radios, speakers, and tablets. Your smartphone can seize up the escapement too.

Avoid setting the functions incorrectly

Setting the date during the “danger zone,” which is believed to be between 9 PM and 3 AM, can damage the day-date gear of your watch. This is because, during this period, the gear or dial of most watches are in movement to switch the date. Also, setting the time backward instead of forwards can damage the spring.