Automatic watches are mechanical masterpieces, and like any precision instrument, they thrive on consistency and care. Here’s how to keep yours running flawlessly.

✓  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 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.

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

Even luxury mechanical watches can suffer damage if not treated properly. Here’s what to avoid:

✘  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 Ignore Signs of Trouble:

✘  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.

If your automatic watch has stopped, don’t panic—it likely just needs a jumpstart. Here's how to restart it:

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:

Even experienced collectors make these missteps. Avoiding these simple pitfalls can add years to your watch’s life.