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How To Properly Care For Your Mechanical And Quartz Watches

mechanical automatic

We want to take a few minutes to remind you of a few protective steps you can take to keep your watches running smoothly and looking great.

A mechanical hand-wound watch should be wound in a clockwise direction, preferably at about the same time each day.

A mechanical automatic (self-winding) watch typically has a set number of hours of power reserve in it, and if worn continually (or within the hours of power reserve), it will wind itself without needing to be set again.

A good method to keep your automatic watches wound when not being worn is via an automatic watch winder. These come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials. Some can be locked and others can show off your watches as though they are on display. Most have timers that can be set to accommodate each of your automatic watch’s individual winding needs.

Photo courtesy: Wolf

While many watches today are shock resistant, they should not be subjected to rigorous activity unless proven to be able to withstand intense treatment (such as a COSC-certified chronometer). Be careful to avoid holding your watch over a wood or granite floor while putting it on. Dropping it can cause damage, and we have seen this sort of thing all too often.

If your watch crystal is scratched or has a hairline fracture, get it replaced fast — before dust or moisture seeps inside, which can do greater harm.

Don’t assume your watch is ready to join you for a dive into the ocean or pool just because it says water-resistant. We wrote about water resistance here a few weeks ago, and we suggest you scroll back and see what your watch can or can't do, depending on its depth of water resistance.

For quartz watches: If your battery dies, get it fixed. Do not leave a dead battery inside a watch or it can eventually corrode, leak and ruin the timepiece. Always take your watch to an authorized retailer or a retailer with a properly equipped service department to have the battery replaced.

If you have any other questions or concerns, stop in and see us, or call anytime.