A well-cared-for timepiece will last for generations, fulfilling its purpose as a treasured heirloom. Regularly caring for it, seeking repair work when needed, and obtaining regular services all help to preserve the appearance and performance of your treasured timepiece for years to come. Here are some top tips on how to do all of the above and more…
Most watch brands will recommend a watch service every 3-5 years for a mechanical watch. Ignoring regular watch services can increase the risk of long-term damage to your timepiece. Periodic maintenance is essential to avoid increased friction and wear and tear on the movement’s parts. Such problems are usually a result of the oils/lubrication inside a watch drying up.
If you notice that your watch is losing time or beginning to fog under the glass and allow water seepage, it’s a sign that the gaskets and seals have worn out. Your timepiece may need pressure testing and re-sealing, as well as a possible full servicing and cleaning of all its parts.
A documented service history can also preserve the value of your watch, especially if you one day wish to sell your watch to another collector.
Despite the extraordinary depths that dive watches are geared to withstand, the majority of collectors don’t actually intend to subject their watch to anything more extreme than the odd rain shower. But knowing what you can and can’t do with a water-resistant watch can prevent any unnecessary damage should you find yourself in a scenario you hadn’t planned for.
Water resistance in watches is a massively misunderstood area. “water resistance” is not the same as “waterproof”. No watch is ever waterproof. The water-resistant rating of a watch refers to the pressure to which it can be exposed, not necessarily the depth of water it can withstand.
A 30-meter water-resistant watch, for example, is not suitable for swimming. Resistancy is tested by immersing a watch in a chamber with pressurised compartments at different ATM levels. However, a watch is not in this environment for long enough to replicate a real-life scenario, where the natural movement of water and the difference in water pressure can affect how it performs.
No watch should be exposed to saunas or hot tubs, since prolonged steam can damage a watch.
Screw-down crowns, seals, and gaskets are components all help to uphold a watch’s water resistance. They also need to be tested regularly and maintained. A regular service will help prevent the seals and components from wearing and perishing over time, and could help prevent a costly repair later down the line.
Mechanical watches are prone to damage caused by magnetism. The hairsprings and the balance wheel of a timepiece are the most vulnerable to magnetic environments, since the coils of a hairspring can stick together when magnetised, shortening them and, in turn, causing the balance wheel to oscillate faster than it should. This speeds the watch up, causing it to run faster by several minutes per day. Sometimes, if a watch is severely affected by magnetism, it can stop working altogether.
Smartphones, laptops, handbags with magnetic clasps, headphones, and speakers are all common culprits of magnetism. In fact, magnetism is all around us. Even some medical equipment, like MRI machines and industrial equipment, can severely magnetise a watch.
Suspect an issue?
If you notice signs of your watch running erratically or gaining seconds by the day, you can perform a quick test at home.
Put a magnetic compass on a flat surface. Hold your watch near the compass and move it around. If the compass needle deflects when the watch moves near, it’s time to get your watch booked in with us, where our specialist team of skilled watch technicians can demagnetise your timepiece and restore its performance for you.
Not all luxury watches are mechanically powered. Some run on a quartz battery and need replacing, so it’s imperative you look after a quartz watch just as well as a mechanically-driven one. Generally speaking, a quartz watch should only need replacing every 3-5 years.
Some models are even equipped with an EOL indicator, notifying the wearer when the battery is running low and in need of a replacement.
The Watch indicates "End Of Life" mode (end of "battery life") by moving the second hand forward in 5 second jumps.
Being proactive in replacing an old battery when needed can prevent it from leaking inside the case and affecting the performance of a watch’s many components.
Many luxury watches today come with strap-changing tools or innovative mechanisms that eliminate the need for tools to swap a watch strap. However, if you need to resize your bracelet, it’s always best to visit our showroom in Lancaster. There are, however, ways you can look after and maintain your watch strap from home.
Removing a build-up of daily residue from your bracelet can be done with a simple warm, soapy solution at home. Avoid using abrasive brushes for this. Instead, use a soft microfibre cloth to gently rub away any dirt that has built up in between the links after allowing the bracelet to soak for no longer than 10 minutes in the solution.
It's not ideal for leather watch straps to be exposed to lots of sun, heat, or water, but you can still clean a leather watch strap yourself by applying a soft, damp, soapy cloth to the surface of the leather band, removing any surface build-up or oil and sweat. The same procedure can be used for rubber straps. If the stains on your rubber strap are more stubborn, you can fully immerse it in warm, soapy water without risking any damage to it.
There are safe ways to clean your watch at home. A solution of mild, soapy, lukewarm water and a soft microfibre watch should suffice for removing a buildup of daily grime. However, our services here at Banks Lyon include a full watch clean as part of our watch service procedure.
Using abrasive cleaners on your watch or subjecting it to an unsupervised ultrasonic cleaning process can damage your watch. It’s always advisable to avoid these and stick to a simple, regular cleaning routine at home, or seek the services of a professional workshop like ours here at Banks Lyon for anything more complex.
Luxury watches (unless quartz-powered) are mechanical marvels of perpetual motion. A manual-winding watch requires regular winding to maintain accuracy, much like an automatic watch relies on the natural motion of your wrist to keep perfect time. But, once off the wrist, they should be stored and cared for like any other luxury item.
Watch boxes and pouches are perfect for keeping your watch safe and free of any knocks, bumps, or scratches it could otherwise encounter. Travel rolls are, of course, ideal for keeping your valued timepiece close to you while travelling for business or leisure. All of these storage options can help keep your watch from direct sources of heat and sunlight.
For those who own multiple wristwatches, a luxury watch winder couldn’t be a better option. A winder will keep one or more of your favourite timepieces ticking over, replicating the movement of your wrist. Though not necessarily an essential piece of kit, it can certainly keep your favourite timepieces in perfect working order.
If you own a manual watch, regularly winding it will ensure it keeps accurate time. To do this, locate the crown and pull it out to its winding position, proceeding to wind it in the clockwise direction until you feel a slight resistance (a total of 20 or 40 winds should be sufficient). Then, return the crown to its normal position. Automatic watches can be wound, but primarily, your wrist will do the work for you.
To protect your watch from damage, always remove it before engaging in extreme outdoor activities or participating in high-impact sports. Additionally, avoid environments where it may come into contact with strong chemicals and harsh cleaning products. Be aware of the water resistance of your watch, too. You can use the guide above to ensure you aren’t exposing your watch to water depths beyond its capabilities.
Let us handle it
We would recommend bringing your watch in to our showroom for a deeper clean, polish and inspection. Plus it’s the perfect excuse for a glass of champagne or relaxing coffee.
Do not hesitate to contact Banks Lyon with your enquires about watch servicing or repair, simply call us on 01524 381 020 for further information.
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Every mechanical watch has its own character, and some movements naturally produce a more pronounced tick than others, particularly those operating at higher frequencies. A noticeable tick is rarely a cause for concern. However, if the sound changes suddenly, becomes irregular, or is accompanied by poor timekeeping, it may be a sign that something inside the movement isn’t behaving as it should. In such cases, a check-up with a professional is always advisable.
Mechanical watches perform best when kept within stable, moderate temperatures. Extreme heat can cause lubricants to thin and gaskets to deteriorate, whilst severe cold can thicken oils and affect the movement’s precision. Brief exposure to such conditions won’t harm a well-made Swiss watch, but prolonged extremes can compromise accuracy. Avoid leaving your watch in hot cars, near direct heat sources, or out in freezing temperatures for extended periods.
Whilst many owners do so out of habit or convenience, sleeping with your watch on isn’t ideal. Night-time knocks and pressure points can contribute to unnecessary wear, and increased warmth and perspiration can affect leather straps over time. Allowing your watch to rest overnight not only protects it from accidental damage but can also aid in fine-tuning its positional accuracy.
Mechanical watches behave slightly differently depending on the position in which they are left to rest - dial up, dial down, crown up, and so forth. By observing how your own timepiece performs in each position, you can choose an orientation that subtly compensates for any small daily gain or loss. It’s a discreet, almost meditative ritual that many collectors enjoy, and one that can help keep your watch running beautifully between services.
A well-fitted watch should sit comfortably and securely, without cutting into the skin or sliding excessively. Too tight, and you risk placing undue strain on spring bars and bracelets; too loose, and the watch is more likely to catch a knock or experience unnecessary shock. Metal bracelets should allow a touch of natural movement, especially as your wrist subtly expands throughout the day.
A fleeting misting beneath the crystal can occur when your watch encounters a sudden shift in temperature - for instance, moving from a cold outdoors into a warm room. If the condensation disappears quickly and doesn’t return, it’s usually nothing more than a harmless reaction to the temperature change. Persistent fogging, however, should be taken seriously, as it indicates moisture ingress and requires prompt attention.
It does. Manual-winding watches prefer a calm, steady winding technique, ideally carried out at the same time each day. Rapid, forceful winding places unnecessary stress on the crown and mainspring. Automatic watches should never be shaken to encourage them to start - a few gentle turns of the crown are far kinder to the movement and achieve the same result.
Whilst Swiss watches are built to withstand the demands of everyday life, prolonged exposure to strong vibrations is less than ideal. Activities such as motorcycling, mountain biking, or using power tools can place repeated stress on delicate components, potentially loosening screws or accelerating wear within the automatic winding system. It’s wise to remove your watch before engaging in such activities, ensuring it remains in peak condition.
Spread The Cost with 0% Finance
If you’re looking for a way to make your purchase more manageable, our range of finance options may be the perfect place to start.
If your purchase is over £500, we offer a completely interest-free finance option where you can split the cost of your payment up to 48 months with a 10% initial deposit.
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