Whether you just bought your first watch or hope to pass them onto future generations, you need to practice proper watch care. If you have invested in a beautiful timepiece you will want it to stand the test of time.

It’s more expensive to repair a watch than it is to maintain one. To help you, we have outlined some basic care to keep your functional art piece looking great and working smoothly for decades to come. 

CLEAN YOUR WATCH

Day to day wear can accumulate dirt and oil in the bracelet and the area joining the case and the bezel. For every watch, it is highly suggested that you wipe your watch with a lint-free cloth daily. Regardless of materials or environmental stressors this is a must.

Your watch may require a deeper clean every couple of months, depending on your lifestyle. In order to do this you must first remove the strap from the watch. Use a little warm water and a soft toothbrush to carefully clean the case of the watch. Depending on how dirty the watch is, you can also use a small amount of gentle dish soap. For a leather strap we highly recommend a good leather cleaner. Alternatively, you could wipe it down with warm water and white vinegar. Take a lint-free cloth and dry the strap. Be sure your watch is completely dry (especially in the crevices!) before reassembling. 

WEAR YOUR WATCH REGULARLY

We hope that you wear and enjoy your watch as much as possible. It may seem counterintuitive, but wearing your watch regularly actually helps to keep it running smoothly more than if you kept it stored away. Unlike a mechanical watch, a quartz movement uses a battery for its power source and does not need winding. As you wear your watch regularly you help maintain the viscosity of the lubricants of the movement.

Practicing proper watch care while wearing your timepiece daily means that you should know how to properly fit it to your wrist. The golden rule is that your watch should not slide more than an inch up or down your wrist. Too loose and your watch will slide around your wrist. Too loose will increase the chances of scratching the watch crystal or damaging the watch. With that said if your watch is leaving an imprint or red mark, it’s too tight. It will make daily accessorising a pain potentially combined with mass discomfort. 

STORE YOUR WATCH PROPERLY

Proper storage of your watches is an essential aspect of watch care. If you own a collection of beautiful timepieces it is imperative to store your watch properly. The best place to keep your watch is in an enclosed place. For example a simple storage case or deposit box . Having storage with a pillow is the best way to elegantly display your watch. It also preserves the shape of the bracelet of the watch while you’re not wearing it. Moisture will be a natural enemy of your watches! Placing a silica gel pack into the storage case can help save your watch over the years.

KNOW YOUR WATCHS WATER RESISTANCE

Luxury black and rose gold dial rose gold mesh link watch
Bondi Mesh 43mm Watch

All modern watches are built with certain water resistance. It’s important when following proper watch care to know the unique measure of water resistance for your watch. This should be found anywhere on the watch. With all Christian Paul Watches the measure is engraved on the back. However, on other watches, this may be on the watch interface itself or on a bevel surrounding the watch face.

Different countries have different indicators for water resistance. For example, 50M, 5ATM and 5BAR watches are usually used in swimming. You need a 50M watch to wear in the shower. Regardless, The best rule of thumb is to avoid water exposure. If your wristwatch has a leather band, you should also avoid getting it wet as water can damage and weaken the leather.

AVOID EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY

Even though most modern watches are designed to withstand daily wear and tear, it’s good practice to avoid exposing your timepiece to extreme heat or humidity when caring for your watch. Exposing your wristwatch to direct sunlight can fade the colour of your timepiece and heat can shorten the battery life of a quartz movement. 

As mentioned previously, moisture is the enemy when maintaining the longevity of your watch. Humid conditions (especially those in your bathroom) can damage your watch and increase the likelihood of rusting between the joints. So it is best practice to keep your favourite accessory at home during those well deserved spa days.

AVOID CHEMICALS AND COLOGNES

It’s important to make sure you keep your watch away from harsh chemicals. This is because they can get caught in the creases and crevices of your case and cause dirt and other debris to build up, and even tarnish the materials of your beloved timepiece. Also these types of substances can weaken the leather or even cause it to tear. In order to take care of your watch, be sure to take it off before cleaning or if you are applying cologne, perfume, or lotion. It’s best to wait until these chemicals dry on your skin before putting your timepiece back on.

READ YOUR MANUAL

The above instructions are suitable for any watch care across the board and will keep your timepiece in the way that you fell in love with it, but every watch is made unique and should be treated as such. You should always read the manual that comes with your wristwatch before doing anything with it. If you don’t have the original manual, a quick google search for your specific watch model can help you find resources best for taking care of your special timepiece. 

GET YOUR WATCH SERVICED

If you plan to pass down your timepiece and you are ever concerned about doing something that may harm your watch, refer to your local specialist. The best time to get an in-depth clean is right before summer to minimise wear and reduce dirt build up during the hottest season.  However, quartz watches only need to be serviced every three years to replace a dead battery to avoid the risk of leakage which can cause serious damage to your watch. 

If you are wanting any further clarifications or tips on taking care of your timepiece, feel free to email us at [email protected].

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