The Watch Owner's Maintenance Guide

A watch that's been properly serviced will run well for years — but how it runs between services depends partly on how it's cared for in daily life. Maintenance isn't complicated, and most of it is simply about knowing what to avoid. This guide covers the practical habits that make a difference.

Everyday Handling

The crown is the most mechanically vulnerable external part of any watch. It connects to the movement stem, which in turn engages with the setting and winding mechanisms. Repeatedly pulling the crown out roughly, or operating it while it's wet, puts stress on the stem and can eventually cause the stem to wear out or bend.

When setting the time or date, turn the crown slowly and deliberately. If you feel resistance, stop — forcing the crown can strip the setting mechanism or damage the calendar components. On watches with a screw-down crown, always make sure the crown is fully screwed in before any exposure to moisture. An unscrewed crown on a dive watch provides no water resistance at all, regardless of what the case back says.

Impact is another everyday concern. Watches aren't fragile — they're designed to be worn — but a sharp knock to the case can jar the movement, displace components, or damage the crystal. This is more relevant for mechanical watches with finer movements than for robust everyday quartz pieces, but it applies across the board. Be mindful in situations where sudden impacts are likely: hands-on work, sports, and tight spaces where the watch can catch on edges.

Storage

When a watch isn't being worn, where and how you store it matters more than most people think. The two main concerns are magnetism and extremes of temperature.

Magnetism

Many household items generate magnetic fields: phone speakers, tablet covers with magnetic closures, laptop lids, bags with magnetic clasps, and some desk accessories. When a mechanical watch is exposed to a strong enough magnetic field, the components of the movement — particularly the hairspring — can become magnetized. A magnetized hairspring loses its precise elastic properties and the watch runs fast, sometimes dramatically so.

This isn't always obvious when it happens. The watch may look and feel normal. The symptom is typically a sudden change in timekeeping — a watch that kept reasonable time suddenly gains 10 or 20 minutes per day. If that's what you're seeing, demagnetization is the first thing to check, and it's a quick process.

Storing your watch away from magnetic sources — not on top of your phone, not in a bag with a magnetic closure, not in a drawer next to a tablet — is a simple habit that avoids this entirely.

Temperature

Watch lubricants are designed to work across a normal range of temperatures. Extremes — leaving a watch in a hot car in summer, or in very cold conditions for extended periods — can affect the viscosity of the oils inside the movement. This doesn't necessarily cause immediate damage, but it accelerates the degradation of lubrication over time. Room temperature storage is always preferable.

Avoid storing watches in direct sunlight for extended periods. UV exposure can fade dial colors and degrade certain gasket materials.

Automatic Watch Storage

If you have an automatic (self-winding) watch that you wear regularly, storage between wears is straightforward — the mainspring will run down over a few days, which is normal. If you want to keep it wound while not wearing it, a watch winder is an option, but it's not necessary from a maintenance standpoint. Running down and rewinding is not harmful to an automatic movement. Watch winders are more about convenience than preservation.

If you store an automatic watch for extended periods without wearing it, wind it manually (using the crown) every few months to keep the lubricants from completely congealing in their current state. This is a minor precaution rather than a strict requirement.

Cleaning

Dirt, sweat, and skin oils accumulate on the bracelet, case, and between links over time. Regular light cleaning keeps the watch looking presentable and prevents buildup that can work its way into the crown tube or case back seams.

For metal cases and bracelets on water-resistant watches, a soft toothbrush and mild soap with warm water works well. Scrub gently along the links and around the lugs, rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents — they can damage lacquered finishes and degrade gasket materials.

For leather straps, avoid soaking or exposing to excessive moisture. Wipe with a slightly damp cloth if needed, and let dry naturally away from heat. Leather straps are consumable items — they wear out and eventually need replacement, which is routine.

For watches that are not water resistant, use a barely damp cloth only, and be careful around the crown and case back areas. When in doubt, bring it in for professional cleaning rather than risk moisture ingress.

Winding

Manual-wind (hand-wind) watches need to be wound daily, typically in the morning before wearing. Most can be wound until you feel clear resistance — this indicates the mainspring is fully wound. Don't force past this point.

If your manual-wind watch has a mainspring that's been allowed to fully run down for an extended period, the first winding after a long rest can feel slightly different. This is normal. Wind it gradually rather than all at once if you've left it sitting for more than a few weeks.

Automatic movements wind themselves through the motion of the wrist, but they can also be wound manually using the crown when needed — for example, when the watch has stopped because it hasn't been worn. Give it 20–30 turns of the crown before putting it on, which provides an initial power reserve while the rotor takes over.

Water Exposure

The water resistance rating on your watch describes what it was tested to at manufacture. It does not account for the age of the gaskets, which degrade over time. A watch with a 100-meter rating may have significantly less effective protection if the gaskets haven't been replaced in several years.

Before exposing any watch to water — particularly swimming or showering — know when it was last serviced and whether water resistance was confirmed at that time. If you're unsure, a quick water resistance test is a straightforward way to get clarity. It's a minor service that can prevent a significant repair.

When to Bring It In

Good everyday habits extend the effective life of a service, but they don't eliminate the need for periodic professional maintenance. Mechanical watches typically benefit from a service every five to eight years under normal conditions. Quartz watches need batteries replaced every one to two years, and a full service less frequently.

Outside of routine intervals, bring a watch in when you notice: a sudden change in timekeeping (more than a minute per day for a mechanical, more than a few seconds per day for a quartz), any fogging or condensation inside the crystal, a crown that feels loose or that doesn't engage properly, or any rattling from inside the case that wasn't there before.

These aren't necessarily signs of major problems, but they are signs that something has changed and should be looked at before it becomes one.