Automatic Watch Care: Dos and Don’ts You Need to Know

Keep Your Automatic Watch in Optimal Condition

An automatic watch is a finely tuned mechanical engine powered by your movement and designed to last a lifetime. But even the most precisely engineered Swiss automatic watch movements require proper care to perform at its best. Whether you're new to mechanical watches or a seasoned collector, we break down the essential habits that will keep your self-winding timepiece running smoothly and help you avoid costly mistakes.

What You'll Learn

1. Dos: How to Care for Your Automatic Watch
2. Don’ts: What to Avoid Mistakes with Automatic Watches
3. How to Restart a Stopped Self-Winding Watch
4. How to Wind and Wear Your Swiss Automatic Watch
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid with Automatic Watches
6. Automatic Watches Dos and Don'ts FAQ

1. Dos: How to Care for Your Automatic Watch

Automatic watches are precision mechanical masterpieces that rely on consistent care to perform at their best. From proper winding to regular maintenance, these dos ensure your timepiece runs flawlessly, retains accuracy, and remains a long-lasting luxury timepiece.

✓  Wear It Regularly: Automatic movements rely on your wrist’s natural motion to stay powered. Wearing your watch for 8–10 hours a day helps maintain the power reserve and ensures internal lubricants are evenly distributed.

✓  Use a Watch Winder: If you rotate between watches or don’t wear one daily, a watch winder keeps the rotor moving to prevent the movement from stopping or internal oils from settling.

✓  Wind It Gently: Give your watch a manual wind when it hasn’t been worn—about 20–30 slow clockwise turns. Stop if you feel any resistance. Never force the crown.

✓  Service Every 3-5 Years: Routine professional watch servicing helps maintain accuracy, renew lubrication, and replace any worn seals or gaskets. Think of it like a tune-up for your car.

✓  Store It Safely: When not wearing your watch, store it in a temperature-controlled environment away from moisture and magnetic fields. A padded case or box helps protect it from shocks or scratches.

✓  Clean It Carefully: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down the case and bracelet regularly. For deeper cleaning, use a mild soap solution and a soft brush—only if the watch is water-resistant and the crown is fully secured.

Learn more about the inner workings in our guide: How Do Automatic Watches Work?

2. Don’ts: What to Avoid with Automatic Watches

Even luxury automatic watches can be damaged if mishandled. Avoid overwinding, setting the date at night, exposure to magnets, water or steam without proper rating, and harsh chemicals. These precautions keep your timepiece precise, reliable, and long-lasting.

✘  Don’t Overwind: Stop winding once you feel resistance. Overwinding can damage the mainspring or crown stem—especially on smaller automatic calibres.

✘  Don’t Set the Date Between 9pm and 3am: This is the “danger zone,” when the date-change mechanism is active. Changing the date during this window can cause serious internal damage.

✘  Don’t Expose It to Magnets: Keep your watch away from phones, speakers, and magnetic clasps. Magnetism can disrupt the escapement and make your watch run fast or stop entirely.

✘  Don’t Shower, Swim, or Sauna Unless It’s Rated for It: Even if marked “water-resistant,” steam and pressure can degrade seals over time. Always check the rating before exposing your watch to water—and avoid hot water altogether.

✘  Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals: Perfume, cleaning sprays, and solvents can damage the finish and degrade internal gaskets. Apply fragrances and lotions before putting on your watch.

✘  Don’t Ignore Signs of Trouble: Strange noises, stiff crowns, erratic timekeeping, or stopping unexpectedly are warnings. Address them promptly with a professional watchmaker to prevent further damage.

For more maintenance tips, read our guide: How To Care For Your Luxury Automatic Watch: 10 Essential Tips.

3. How to Restart a Stopped Self-Winding Watch

If your automatic watch has stopped, it likely just needs a restart. Gently wind the crown about 30 times, wear it to build the power reserve, and lightly rock it side to side if needed. Persistent issues may require demagnetizing or professional servicing to restore proper function.

For a deep dive, explore our article: Why Automatic Watches Stop – And How To Fix It.

4. How to Wind and Wear Your Swiss Automatic Watch

Even when functioning properly, automatic watches naturally experience slight time variations due to their mechanical nature. Environmental factors like temperature, wrist movement, and position can all affect accuracy. If your watch is gaining or losing more than a minute per day, it may need a manual wind or a professional check-up to ensure everything’s in working order.

A typical accuracy range is:

• Proper winding and wear are essential for peak performance.
  
  
• Wind it every few days if not worn daily.
  
  
• Wear it snugly—not too loose—for consistent rotor movement.
  
  
• Always set the time/date outside of 9pm to 3am.
  
  
• Avoid setting complications too quickly or forcefully.

For a step-by-step guide on automatic watch winding, explore: How To Wind an Automatic Watch.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid with Automatic Watches

Even experienced watch collectors can make mistakes that shorten a timepiece’s life. Avoid overwinding, setting the date during the danger zone, exposing your watch to moisture, skipping regular servicing, or wearing non-sport watches during high-impact activities to ensure lasting performance.

Learn what to look for in our article: Top 5 Signs Your Automatic Watch Needs Servicing.