HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A MECHANICAL WATCH?
Manual winding or self winding/automatic watches need special handling. The manufacturers have their own way of taking care of their products, but this article applies to every mechanical watch.
WHY DID MY WATCH STOP AFTER NOT WEARING IT FOR A FEW DAYS?
An automatic or a manual winding watch will stop if it is not worn for a few days. Wind up the crown to make it run again. Do not shake an automatic movement to get it running.
DO I HAVE TO WEAR MY MECHANICAL WATCH EVERYDAY?
It’s best to wear a mechanical watch everyday or to wind it every 2 days. All the wheels need to be in motion because when in motion the movement is actually getting oilled up.
WHAT TIME OF DAY IS THE BEST TIME TO WIND AND SET MY WATCH?
For a manual winding watch, try to wind up the watch at the same time everyday. Set a routine, for example, every morning before putting it on. Turn the crown until you meet the resistance when winding the watch, including the self winding watches. Remember to only turn the hands clockwise when setting the time. Take off the watch before you turn the crown. It is advisable to avoid turning the crown while wearing the timepiece as it may cause the winding stem twisting and damage the movement. It is recommended to rewind an automatic watch manually once a month, even when you wear it on a daily basis. Always set the day and/or date on the watch in the daytime. The mechanism on a day date watch is activated several hours during the night. Making adjustments during those hours could jam the mechanism.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN MY WATCH NEEDS TO BE SERVICED?
All watches need service, especially mechanical watches. Many steps have to be performed to service a watch. First, the watch is opened and the movement is removed. It is taken apart, down to the very last screw. Then the parts are checked for wear and tear. The old parts are replaced when necessary. Then all the parts are cleaned, reassembled and lubricated. After those steps the movement is regulated, so the watch will run accordingly. If the watch is water resistant, the water tightness is checked. The last step is polishing the case and the bracelet. After performing all this steps, you will get almost a brand new watch.
CAN I PLAY SPORTS WITH MY WATCH?
As a matter of principle, you should avoid strong vibrations and impacts (e.g. when playing golf or tennis, mountain biking etc.). A mechanical wristwatch is a precision instrument whose manufacture involves working to tolerances of hundredths or even thousandths of a millimetre. Repeated sharp impacts can have a negative influence on the movement’s accuracy or even cause damage.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO AVOID WHEN WEARING MY MECHANICAL WATCH?
To keep your watch running at its best, avoid these harmful environmental factors:
Stay clear of strong magnetic fields. You could magnetize your watch inadvertently and cause erratic gear behavior. The watch may also stop entirely! Most modern-day mechanical watches have some magnetic resistance, but you should still be careful. If you have an older watch, it may be more at risk.
If you can avoid it, do not wear your watch in extreme temperatures. Moving between excessive hot and cold temperatures can cause the parts to expand or contract,which may cause damage to the whole unit. Keeping your watch in extreme heat for too long can also cause your watch’s lubricant to congeal, causing friction on the gears. Just because a watch is “scratch-resistant” does not mean it is “scratch-proof.” Avoid harmful objects that can scratch your watch, as well as dirt and chemicals that can cause damage slowly over time. Avoiding dirt and chemicals will also prevent rusting.