How to Care for Your Watch: Tips for Longevity and Maintenance

More than just timepieces, watches are usually carefully selected accessories and in most cases are even investments. In the case of Pakistan, where timekeepers are getting more and more fashionable, taking care of your watch is a must. Here, we will go over the step-by-step guide on what a person must and must not do so as to care for his/her watch, thus ensuring its life span and worth. Whether you have just bought a new watch or want to maintain your existing collection better, these are the tips that will be helpful for you to be able to use it for many years to come.

Understanding Your Watch

To begin with, you should get a knowledge of the type of watch you have before you go into the maintenance details:

• Mechanical Watches: Originally crafted as mechanical devices, these need regular winding and are popular for their fine work.
• Automatic Watches: The energy needed for principal turning action prefers the rider’s wrist motion.
• Quartz Watches: It is powered by a quartz crystal and does not need regular battery maintenance.
• Smartwatches: A type of wearable computer that requires regular charging and software updates.

Each model has its peculiar (specific) ways of keeping and we will describe them one by one.

Daily Care Routines

1. Cleaning Your Watch

It is important to clean all types of watches regularly:

• Each day, use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the case and band.
• Preferably use soft toothbrush and mild soap, better water resistant models get clean better hard-to-reach areas.
• Avoid the use of strong chemicals or hard materials.

2. Proper Storage

When you are not using your watch:

• Store it in a cool, dark place far away from the direct rays of the sun.
• A scratch-free watch can be kept in a watch box or a soft cloth.
• For mechanical watches, think about trying out the retainer box so they can keep on running.

3. Winding and Setting

Both automatic and mechanical watches need winding and count setting:

• Wind the watch daily at the same time every day.
• Avoid winding past the point of resistance; stop when you feel that the resistance is already there.
• Set the time by moving the hands clockwise so that all the processes would run smoothly.

Protecting Your Watch from Environmental Factors

1. Water Resstance

One of the key components of waterproofing is an intact case back, mostly in Pakistan with its mixed climate:

• Make sure your watch is water-resistant before letting it come in contact with water.
• If the weather is too humid, you may want to avoid wearing the not waterproof watches.
• Have a professional water resistance test taken annually.

2. Temperature Fluctuations

Time fluctuations in temperature may lead to the underperformance of the watch:

• Don’t leave your watch in direct sun or in the car with a very hot windshield.
• In cases of cooling, you can wear your watch in the pocket or close to your body for a carry-on effect.
• Let the watch equalize with room temperature after it was subjected to the weather.

3. Magnetic Fields

One potential problem could be the effect of magnetism on accuracy in the watch:

• Be sure to keep your watch away from electronic devices as well as magnetic closures.
• If your watch got demagnetized, immediately take them to the professionals to make it work as it first had.

Regular Maintenance Schedule

1. Battery Replacement

If your watch is quartz:

• Change the battery of the watch in one to two years or when you see the second hand jumps by every four seconds or more.
• The battery should be changed by a professional only so that sealing should be proper.

2. Servicing Mechanical Watches

Regular servicing is part of maintaining mechanical watches, they cannot do without it:

• Service the mechanical movement of your watch every 3-5 years, at least.
• Go with a respected watchmaker to have them worked on.
• In the cleaning, the movement will be cleaned, given oil, and adjusted so it is on time until the next cleaning comes.

3. Gasket Replacement

Keep the water resistance of the watch by replacing its seals:

• Inspect and replace the gaskets within a period of 2-3 years.
• Frequent swimming makes the gasket replacements done more often.

Special Care for Different Watch Types

1. Mechanical Watches

• If the watch is not regularly worn, you should manually wind it each day.
• Avoid time between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. for the automatic setting of the date feature because this mode does not function in this change of the movement at the back of the watch.
• Check out the power reserve of your watch and wind it respectively if needed.

2. Automatic Watches

• Carry your automatic watch as often as possible in order to maintain its proper functioning thereof.
• Use a watch winder if you have several watches in rotation.
• Do not shake your wrist against the watch as this can cause damage to the mechanism.

3. Quartz Watches

• If your battery gets depleted, immediately replace it to avoid any untoward incidents.
• Keep the watch out from the magnets.
• Clean the contacts on the battery to make it work.

4. Smartwatches

• For an awesome battery life, it is necessary to update the software regularly.
• Clean the charging ports with a dry cloth in order to have proper charging.
• The watch should be kept in warm temperatures and out of direct sunlight.

Dealing with Common Issues

1. Scratches on the Crystal

If the scratches are small:

• Use a cloth or lens tissue with a bit of toothpaste to remove light scratches on acrylic crystal.
• For sapphire crystals, it is better to go to a professional to have them resurfaced.

2. Loose or Broken Straps

• Replace the worn-out spring bars to avoid the band from snapping off.
• When you see the signs like worn parts, cure them with a new leather strap.
• Have the slacked bracelet links of a metal watch adjusted by a professional.

3. Moisture in the Case

As for moisture:

• Get your watch out of the humid atmosphere immediately.
• Isolate the bleared instrument in the rice container for it to absorb the moisture.
• Get the machine checked by a professional if no progress is apparent.

Watch Care Products Available in Pakistan

Getnow.pk has a few special watch care products which would be of interest to any end user. Pakistani users are among the watchers that Getnow.pk cares about. Below are the products used:

Cleaning cloths consisting of microfibers

• Cleaning solutions meant for watches
• Boxes/cases used for storing watches
• Automatic watch winders
• Tools of a professional quality for band replacement

These products can help you to do maintenance at your place, but they are some tasks that are supposed to be done by professionals only. So, remember this.

The Importance of Professional Care

The same attention should be given to the regular at-home maintenance of the devices. Your timepiece’s optimal performance goes hand in hand with proper treatment by the certified expert. In the event, the basic watch maintenance proves inadequate, then seek professional care for your watch:

• Schedule a yearly inspection with the watchmaker to ensure it is perfectly kept up.
• Don’t hesitate about talking your watch to an expert should there be any issues more than the numbers of standard ones.
• For your information on warranty and re-sale matters, keep the logs of your service works.

Final Thoughts

Proper care and maintenance are two significant factors that will guarantee that your watch is in top form for the longest possible period of time. This list of practices will enable you to enjoy every moment you have with your timepiece for years to come.

Additionally, a good standard situation isn’t a clock that can be found easily or one that necessarily keeps time well. It is the timekeeper of your life and those of your future kin. Miss the opportunity of nurturing your watch. For it will not only serve you now, it will continue to serve others in your family as well.

All your watch care needs and choices for quality timepieces await you at Getnow.pk. Be it the variety of products or advice from our experts on watch care, we are at your service, available to help you maintain your watch at the highest level possible and guarantee its stays the test of time.