Automatic Watch Care: Dos and Don’ts You Need to Know
Protect your investment with this essential guide to the dos and don’ts of handling your luxury automatic timepiece.
STORIES
STORIES
How To Care For Your Luxury Automatic Watch: 10 Essential Tips
Learn how to care for your automatic watch with essential tips to protect its beauty and precision for years to come.
November 2024
Crafted to Last a Lifetime
Caring for your automatic watch goes beyond timekeeping; it’s about preserving the legacy of luxury and craftsmanship. Whether you own a Swiss Made automatic watch or a rare limited edition model, proper luxury watch care is key to maintaining its precision and beauty. Here are the top 10 essential tips to help keep your automatic watch looking and functioning like new for years.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. Power The Movement
2. Clean Your Watch
3. Avoid Water Exposure
4. Store In A Watch Box
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
8. Understand Your Complications
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
10. Monitor The Mechanism
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
2. Clean Your Watch
3. Avoid Water Exposure
4. Store In A Watch Box
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
8. Understand Your Complications
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
10. Monitor The Mechanism
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
Crafted to Last a Lifetime
Caring for your automatic watch goes beyond timekeeping; it’s about preserving the legacy of luxury and craftsmanship. Whether you own a Swiss Made automatic watch or a rare limited edition model, proper luxury watch care is key to maintaining its precision and beauty. Here are the top 10 essential tips to help keep your automatic watch looking and functioning like new for years.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. Power The Movement
2. Clean Your Watch
3. Avoid Water Exposure
4. Store In A Watch Box
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
8. Understand Your Complications
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
10. Monitor The Mechanism
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
2. Clean Your Watch
3. Avoid Water Exposure
4. Store In A Watch Box
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
8. Understand Your Complications
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
10. Monitor The Mechanism
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
1. Power The Movement
1. Power The Movement
Automatic movement watches rely on the natural motion of your wrist to power their movements. To keep your timepiece fully charged, wear it for at least 8 hours a day. If your watch stops or hasn’t been worn for more than a day, manually wind it by turning the crown 30 times. Regular winding ensures accuracy and keeps the movement running smoothly. This simple step helps preserve your watch’s precision for years to come.
Automatic movement watches rely on the natural motion of your wrist to power their movements. To keep your timepiece fully charged, wear it for at least 8 hours a day. If your watch stops or hasn’t been worn for more than a day, manually wind it by turning the crown 30 times. Regular winding ensures accuracy and keeps the movement running smoothly. This simple step helps preserve your watch’s precision for years to come.
2. Clean Your Watch
2. Clean Your Watch
Luxury watches are valuable investments that require regular cleaning to maintain their appearance and functionality. Dirt, dust, and oils can accumulate on your watch, affecting both aesthetics and performance. Follow these cleaning tips to keep your watch pristine:
- Wipe With Soft Cloth: Use a microfibre or lint-free cloth to gently wipe down the case, bracelet, and crystal.
- Use A Soft Brush: For harder-to-reach areas, a soft brush dipped in warm, soapy water can gently remove debris.
- Dry Thoroughly: Ensure your watch is fully dried to prevent moisture buildup, especially around the crown and caseback.
- Watch Strap Cleaning: Clean a leather watch strap every few months with a damp cloth and leather conditioner to keep it supple.
Luxury watches are valuable investments that require regular cleaning to maintain their appearance and functionality. Dirt, dust, and oils can accumulate on your watch, affecting both aesthetics and performance. Follow these cleaning tips to keep your watch pristine:
- Wipe With Soft Cloth: Use a microfibre or lint-free cloth to gently wipe down the case, bracelet, and crystal.
- Use A Soft Brush: For harder-to-reach areas, a soft brush dipped in warm, soapy water can gently remove debris.
- Dry Thoroughly: Ensure your watch is fully dried to prevent moisture buildup, especially around the crown and caseback.
- Watch Strap Cleaning: Clean a leather watch strap every few months with a damp cloth and leather conditioner to keep it supple.
3. Avoid Water Exposure
3. Avoid Water Exposure
Even if your luxury automatic watch is water-resistant, avoid prolonged exposure to water, hot temperatures, or chlorine. Activities like swimming or showering with your watch can gradually degrade seals, compromising water resistance and damaging the movement. Always check your watch’s ATM rating to ensure it's suitable for water activities. Minimizing water contact helps protect your watch's internal mechanisms and external appearance.
Even if your luxury automatic watch is water-resistant, avoid prolonged exposure to water, hot temperatures, or chlorine. Activities like swimming or showering with your watch can gradually degrade seals, compromising water resistance and damaging the movement. Always check your watch’s ATM rating to ensure it's suitable for water activities. Minimizing water contact helps protect your watch's internal mechanisms and external appearance.
4. Store In A Watch Box
4. Store In A Watch Box
Proper storage is vital to maintain your watch's condition. A high-quality watch box or watch winder protects your watch from dust, moisture, and accidental damage. A vegan leather watch stand and box set offers a sustainable option, while an automatic watch winder keeps the self-winding movement in optimal condition when the watch is not being worn. A good watch storage solution helps preserve the accuracy and beauty of your timepiece for years.
Proper storage is vital to maintain your watch's condition. A high-quality watch box or watch winder protects your watch from dust, moisture, and accidental damage. A vegan leather watch stand and box set offers a sustainable option, while an automatic watch winder keeps the self-winding movement in optimal condition when the watch is not being worn. A good watch storage solution helps preserve the accuracy and beauty of your timepiece for years.
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
5. Get Your Watch Serviced
Service your automatic watch every 3-5 years for optimal performance.
Service your automatic watch every 3-5 years for optimal performance.
Regular servicing is essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of luxury automatic watches. Most manufacturers recommend a service every 3 to 5 years, during which watchmakers clean and lubricate the movement to ensure precise timekeeping and reduce wear.
During servicing, the watchmaker also inspects seals for water resistance, which can degrade over time and protect the watch from potential moisture damage. This regular maintenance schedule not only preserves the watch's value but also enhances the enjoyment of owning a finely crafted timepiece, ensuring that it continues to perform with the accuracy and elegance you expect.
During servicing, the watchmaker also inspects seals for water resistance, which can degrade over time and protect the watch from potential moisture damage. This regular maintenance schedule not only preserves the watch's value but also enhances the enjoyment of owning a finely crafted timepiece, ensuring that it continues to perform with the accuracy and elegance you expect.
Regular servicing is essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of luxury automatic watches. Most manufacturers recommend a service every 3 to 5 years, during which watchmakers clean and lubricate the movement to ensure precise timekeeping and reduce wear.
During servicing, the watchmaker also inspects seals for water resistance, which can degrade over time and protect the watch from potential moisture damage. This regular maintenance schedule not only preserves the watch's value but also enhances the enjoyment of owning a finely crafted timepiece, ensuring that it continues to perform with the accuracy and elegance you expect.
During servicing, the watchmaker also inspects seals for water resistance, which can degrade over time and protect the watch from potential moisture damage. This regular maintenance schedule not only preserves the watch's value but also enhances the enjoyment of owning a finely crafted timepiece, ensuring that it continues to perform with the accuracy and elegance you expect.
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
6. Protect The Sapphire Crystal
The crystal is one of the most vulnerable parts of your watch. To prevent scratches, avoid placing the watch face down on rough surfaces. Sapphire crystal, prized for its durability, is the gold standard in luxury watchmaking due to its superior scratch resistance compared to mineral glass or acrylic. If your watch features sapphire crystal, you’ve made a wise investment in durability, but it's still important to handle your watch with care.
The crystal is one of the most vulnerable parts of your watch. To prevent scratches, avoid placing the watch face down on rough surfaces. Sapphire crystal, prized for its durability, is the gold standard in luxury watchmaking due to its superior scratch resistance compared to mineral glass or acrylic. If your watch features sapphire crystal, you’ve made a wise investment in durability, but it's still important to handle your watch with care.
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
7. Adjust for Seasonal Considerations
Seasonal changes can impact your watch’s performance. In summer, heat and humidity may require more frequent cleaning to prevent corrosion from sweat. In winter, cold temperatures can slow lubricants, affecting accuracy. If you notice a change in performance, it may be time for servicing. Adjusting your care routine with the seasons can help keep your watch in top condition year-round.
Curious about buying your first timepiece? Don’t miss our guide: 9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch.
Curious about buying your first timepiece? Don’t miss our guide: 9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch.
Seasonal changes can impact your watch’s performance. In summer, heat and humidity may require more frequent cleaning to prevent corrosion from sweat. In winter, cold temperatures can slow lubricants, affecting accuracy. If you notice a change in performance, it may be time for servicing. Adjusting your care routine with the seasons can help keep your watch in top condition year-round.
Curious about buying your first timepiece? Don’t miss our guide: 9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch.
Curious about buying your first timepiece? Don’t miss our guide: 9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch.
8. Understand Your Complications
8. Understand Your Complications
Many luxury automatic watches feature complications that enhance functionality. These may include chronographs, moon phases, or annual calendars. To keep them in optimal condition, use chronographs regularly to ensure proper lubrication. Be mindful when setting the date, especially during restricted hours (typically between 9pm and 3am), as adjusting the date during this time can damage the movement. Understanding the features of your timepiece ensures it performs flawlessly.
Want to understand how your watch works? Read our article on: How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
Want to understand how your watch works? Read our article on: How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
Many luxury automatic watches feature complications that enhance functionality. These may include chronographs, moon phases, or annual calendars. To keep them in optimal condition, use chronographs regularly to ensure proper lubrication. Be mindful when setting the date, especially during restricted hours (typically between 9pm and 3am), as adjusting the date during this time can damage the movement. Understanding the features of your timepiece ensures it performs flawlessly.
Want to understand how your watch works? Read our article on: How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
Want to understand how your watch works? Read our article on: How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
9. Handle Damage And Repairs
If your automatic watch sustains damage, avoid attempting repairs yourself. DIY fixes can void warranties and may cause further damage. Instead, consult a certified watchmaker for repairs. Professional servicing ensures the watch is restored to its original condition, preserving its value and functionality.
If your automatic watch sustains damage, avoid attempting repairs yourself. DIY fixes can void warranties and may cause further damage. Instead, consult a certified watchmaker for repairs. Professional servicing ensures the watch is restored to its original condition, preserving its value and functionality.
10. Monitor The Mechanism
10. Monitor The Mechanism
The movement is the heart of your automatic watch. Monitor its performance regularly and check for accuracy. If your watch begins to lose or gain significant time, it may require servicing. Pay attention to any unusual noises or irregular timekeeping. If you notice any of these issues, consult a professional watchmaker immediately to avoid long-term damage.
The movement is the heart of your automatic watch. Monitor its performance regularly and check for accuracy. If your watch begins to lose or gain significant time, it may require servicing. Pay attention to any unusual noises or irregular timekeeping. If you notice any of these issues, consult a professional watchmaker immediately to avoid long-term damage.
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
Can I wear my luxury automatic watch while swimming?
It's best to avoid swimming or showering with your watch to prevent damage to its seals.
How often should I service my luxury automatic watch?
Service your watch every 3 to 5 years to maintain its performance and longevity.
What should I do if my watch stops working?
Manually wind the watch and consult a professional if it doesn’t start or shows irregular performance.
How can I protect my watch from scratches?
Avoid placing it face down on hard surfaces, and consider models with sapphire crystal for better scratch resistance.
Do I need a watch winder?
A watch winder is useful for infrequently worn automatic watches to keep the movement lubricated, but regular wear can eliminate the need for one.
It's best to avoid swimming or showering with your watch to prevent damage to its seals.
How often should I service my luxury automatic watch?
Service your watch every 3 to 5 years to maintain its performance and longevity.
What should I do if my watch stops working?
Manually wind the watch and consult a professional if it doesn’t start or shows irregular performance.
How can I protect my watch from scratches?
Avoid placing it face down on hard surfaces, and consider models with sapphire crystal for better scratch resistance.
Do I need a watch winder?
A watch winder is useful for infrequently worn automatic watches to keep the movement lubricated, but regular wear can eliminate the need for one.
FAQ on Caring For Your Automatic Watch
Can I wear my luxury automatic watch while swimming?
It's best to avoid swimming or showering with your watch to prevent damage to its seals.
How often should I service my luxury automatic watch?
Service your watch every 3 to 5 years to maintain its performance and longevity.
What should I do if my watch stops working?
Manually wind the watch and consult a professional if it doesn’t start or shows irregular performance.
How can I protect my watch from scratches?
Avoid placing it face down on hard surfaces, and consider models with sapphire crystal for better scratch resistance.
Do I need a watch winder?
A watch winder is useful for infrequently worn automatic watches to keep the movement lubricated, but regular wear can eliminate the need for one.
It's best to avoid swimming or showering with your watch to prevent damage to its seals.
How often should I service my luxury automatic watch?
Service your watch every 3 to 5 years to maintain its performance and longevity.
What should I do if my watch stops working?
Manually wind the watch and consult a professional if it doesn’t start or shows irregular performance.
How can I protect my watch from scratches?
Avoid placing it face down on hard surfaces, and consider models with sapphire crystal for better scratch resistance.
Do I need a watch winder?
A watch winder is useful for infrequently worn automatic watches to keep the movement lubricated, but regular wear can eliminate the need for one.
SUMMARY
Proper care for your automatic watch is essential to its longevity and performance. By following these top 10 watch care tips, you’ll maintain your timepiece’s beauty, accuracy, and heritage. Whether worn daily or saved for special occasions, caring for it ensures it stays in peak condition. Every VIEREN timepiece is made to last a lifetime and caring for it is part of what makes it truly yours.
SUMMARY
Proper care for your automatic watch is essential to its longevity and performance. By following these top 10 watch care tips, you’ll maintain your timepiece’s beauty, accuracy, and heritage. Whether worn daily or saved for special occasions, caring for it ensures it stays in peak condition. Every VIEREN timepiece is made to last a lifetime and caring for it is part of what makes it truly yours.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting Swiss Made automatic timepieces that merge modern artistry and precision to inspire a new generation of collectors with confidence and style.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting Swiss Made automatic timepieces that merge modern artistry and precision to inspire a new generation of collectors with confidence and style.
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