Watch care in five minutes

A mechanical watch does not need pampering. It needs a handful of habits, none of which take longer than a moment.

Water

Check the crown is fully pushed in — or screwed down, if it is that type — before water touches the watch. A water-resistance rating assumes the seals are in good order; on a pre-owned or vintage watch, treat it as unknown until a watchmaker has pressure-tested it. After salt water, rinse the watch briefly in fresh water and dry it. Hot showers and saunas are worse than they sound: heat expands seals and steam is more penetrating than liquid water.

Magnets

Magnetism is the most common cause of a mechanical watch suddenly running fast. The culprits are mundane: laptop speakers, bag clasps, phone cases, induction hobs. Keep the watch a few centimetres away from strong magnets. If it ever starts gaining minutes a day, it likely got magnetised — a watchmaker (or an inexpensive demagnetiser) fixes this in seconds.

Knocks

Modern movements shrug off daily life, but a hard knock — golf swings, hammering, a fall onto tile — can bend a pivot or move the rate. Take the watch off for genuinely percussive work. If it takes a serious hit and the running changes, have it looked at rather than hoping.

Cleaning

Wipe the case and crystal with a soft cloth — that alone keeps a watch looking new. A steel bracelet collects skin and dust underneath: an occasional scrub with a soft brush, mild soapy water and a thorough dry brings it back (only if the watch has a suitable water-resistance rating and the crown is secured). Leather straps should stay away from water entirely.

Storage

Store the watch dry, away from direct sun and magnets. It is fine to let an automatic stop between wears — wind, set, and go when you return. A watch worn in rotation does not need a winder; they are a convenience, not a requirement.

When to seek service

Noticeably fast or slow running, a short power reserve, moisture under the crystal, or a gritty crown — any of these means it is time for a watchmaker. Caught early, they are small jobs.