Our Top Tips on How to Care for your Watch

Have you recently become the proud owner of a high-end Swiss timepiece? Or perhaps someone extra special has purchased a watch for you? Whatever the case, if you or a significant other has made such an investment, we feel it’s our duty as watch specialist to help you know how to care for your watch. Top brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe will be worn for many a generation to come so it’s important to preserve its brilliance.

Luxury watches, particularly Swiss made mechanical ones, are designed to last. That’s why many people think of the purchase of a luxury watch as an investment. If taken care of correctly, a luxury watch can deliver a lifetime of enviable enjoyment.

Fortunately, taking care of your new luxury watch to keep it in top condition is not particularly difficult. It just requires some common sense. Plus a tiny bit of effort on your part. We promise though that the reward will make it all worthwhile.

Follow our simple recommendations and you will be able to relish the experience of owning a high-end timepiece for years to come.

Tip One in How to Care for Your Watch: Read the Instructions

This one seems so obvious that it feels like it should be omitted altogether. But unfortunately this step often is. Understanding how your new watch works, however, is critical to avoid inadvertently damaging it. As a general rule, the more complicated the watch is, the more delicate the movement inside. So it’s important to know what you’re doing. When you buy from Winsor Bishop, our expert staff will be more than happy to show you how to set the time. As well as adjust the date and any other functions it might have.

Tip Two: Keep it Running

If your new luxury watch is fitted with a battery-powered, quartz movement, you can skip this step. If it is of the mechanical variety, however, with manual or automatic winding, then you need to pay attention. This is because there are a lot of moving parts in a mechanical watch movement and if they stay static for too long, the lubricants that help the gears run smoothly can begin to congeal. This can cause unwanted friction, which will not only affect the watch’s performance but may also lead to damage.

If you own a manually wound watch, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of winding it daily. Ideally around the same time every day if possible. Be gentle and stop winding as soon as you feel any sort of resistance from the crown as you don’t want to damage the winding stem by applying too much force. It’s best to do this with the watch in your hands, as opposed to on your wrist.

For automatic watches, it’s just as important to keep the movement running regularly. This type of movement is equipped with a rotating mass that generates kinetic energy when you move your wrist, which is then stored for later use. Most modern automatic movements have a power reserve of at least 42–48 hours. For older models, however, this is generally less. If not being worn or placed in a winder an automatic watch will still need winding.

Tip Three: Regularly Clean Your Watch 

If you wear your watch every day, it’s going to get exposed to a lot of dirt and dust. There’s nothing you can really do to stop this, so the next best thing is to give it a regular clean. Use a lint-free cloth to help prevent any build-up of grime. Pay particular attention to where the case meets the bezel, between the links on the bracelet, and around the lens.

For those extra special occasions, Winsor Bishop also offers a valet service which is designed to remove scratches and scuffs that have occurred as a result of everyday wear. During this process, your watch is disassembled by our professionally trained in-house watchmaker and cleaned and polished thoroughly. Including an ultrasonic wave clean for the case and bracelet, before being reassembled. The end result is a watch that looks practically brand new again.

Tip Four: Have it Serviced

Regular servicing of your watch is essential to keep it happily ticking along. Depending on the make or model, you may need to have your new luxury watch serviced more or less often, but generally speaking every 3-5 years is a good rule of thumb. This ensures that the parts remain lubricated, the accuracy of the watch stays within tolerance and the waterproofing seals are checked and replaced to maintain the watch’s stated water resistance rating (where applicable). Failure to service your watch regularly could lead to damage that may be irreversible or at the very least, very costly to repair, so best to minimise the possibility of this occurring.

For watch maintenance, we recommend our in-house master watchmaker who will keep your valued timepieces in perfect working order. He has been trained directly by the leading watch houses and will service and valet watches on site wherever possible. For repairs under guarantee, your watch would be sent back to the watch-house. We have a strong relationship with all of our brands and endeavour to get your repair resolved and the watch back with you as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

If you follow these helpful tips and use common sense, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy every day with your new luxury watch. Just remember: read the instructions, keep it running, clean it often, service it regularly and wear it in good health!

For more information on watch servicing and repairs please contact us or visit our team of experts in-store.