Watch Maintenance

You’ve carefully selected a watch (or a number of watches) that suit your wardrobe as well as your personality. And that watch could last for decades…as long as you take proper care of it. Follow these basic tips for watch maintenance to keep your timepiece running smoothly for years to come.

Sizing

Before wearing your watch becomes habit, make sure the band is the right size. Leather bands already come with an adjustable buckle, but metallic watches may need to have links added or removed to fit you perfectly. Wearing a watch that’s too big for your wrist is not only annoying, the unnecessary movement of the timepiece on your wrist can cause damage to the face.

Cleaning

Jewelry can quickly become dull and dirty if you wear it every day, and watches are no exception. Make sure you follow these basic tips for cleaning care.

1.

If you can, remove the band from the watch face to prevent any moisture from permeating the inner mechanics of your watch. Even if your watch is water resistant, it may not withstand the pressure of a faucet. If your watch band cannot be removed, take extra precaution.

2.

If your watch band is metal, you can soak it for a few minutes in a mixture of warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap. Brush away any dirt and grime with a soft-bristled toothbrush. For leather bands, use a small amount of leather cleaner to wipe away any dirt or smudges. Water will cause your leather bands to stretch, so keep them as dry as possible.

3.

Use a jeweler’s cloth or other lint-free material to wipe any fingerprints or smudges from the watch face compartment.

4.

Reassemble your watch and wear it proudly!

Keeping Time

Quartz (battery-operated watches) will keep going steadily for decades as long as they are protected from magnets and physical blows. Change your batteries regularly, avoid hitting or dropping your watch, and keep it away from the magnets in electronics, appliances, purses, and jewelry.

Mechanical watches are a bit more delicate and require daily winding to keep the piece running perfectly. Wind your mechanical watch at the same time each day and only when it’s off your wrist. Winding your watch while wearing it can cause damage to the delicate inner workings of your machine.

Servicing

You wouldn’t drive your car for more than a few months without getting the oil changed, and watch maintenance is no different. All of the small gears and mechanisms inside your watch are vulnerable to wear and tear the longer they go without being cleaned and adjusted. Every few years (or whenever you see moisture inside the watch face), take your watch to a watchsmith to be serviced.

By making a habit of regular watch maintenance, you’ll be ensuring that your expensive timepieces hold up to daily use. Whether you’re looking to buy, repair, service, or resize a watch, Culpepper Jewelers would love to have the chance to offer you great service. Come see us for a repair estimate, or just to see what we have in the shop. We can’t wait to see you!