July 14th, 2007 - Basic Watch Maintenance
Quality watches will last for generations. If you want your favorite watch to someday be an heirloom though you should take good care of your watch and make sure it is properly maintained. Here are some basic things you should remember to keep your watch properly maintained.
- Have your watch serviced every three years – This is true for all kinds of watches, whether mechanical or automatic. This will not only ensure that your watch works properly but that it still keeps the right time. Note that even the watch movements of quartz watches need regular maintenance.
- Change batteries at once when drained – You can do this on your own but it is always better to have a professional change the batteries for you. This is to ensure that you don’t do any damage to the watch (even if just the casing) and also so you can have the watch cleaned at the same time without having to wait for the regular maintenance schedule. Note that you should never change the batteries yourself if your watch is water resistant since you have no way of resealing the watch.
- Annual checkup for diver’s watches – This annual check up doesn’t mean a yearly cleaning of the watch movements but a yearly check for the resistancy of your watch. It is also best to have the seals replaced each year for diver’s watches.
- Check your watch straps/bracelets and casing for damage – These parts get damaged from regular wear and tear. Sweat, cosmetics, and perfumes can also cause damage to plated parts. If your watch frequently gets submerged/exposed to salt water or chemicals it contributes to the faster deterioration of these parts. Make sure that the needed parts are replaced when needed.