Two ways to ensure keep your watch remains in excellent condition for years to come
If you've just purchased a high-quality watch and hope to wear it for years to come, here are a few tips which should help you to keep it in great condition for as long as possible.
Clean it regularly
Keeping your watch clean is important, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for practical ones. The dust, dirt and grime that accumulate on your watch's exterior can damage it; tiny, abrasive dirt particles, for example, can scratch the face, whilst grime and dust may affect the watch's functionality, if they become embedded into the edges of the crown (this is the knob at the side of the watch face, which allows you to set the time).
The cleaning process should be done with a very soft cloth (similar to the type you might use to clean a pair of prescription glasses) so that any wiping motions you make do not result in scratches.
If your watch is completely waterproof, you can use a cloth dampened with water and a drop of mild detergent to remove traces of oil, dust and dirt from the exterior. Do not take this approach if your watch is only water resistant, as there is a chance that the moisture could corrode its interior metal components.
Do not attempt to repair it yourself
Whilst it might seem to be a simple device, a wrist watch is actually a highly complex item, which features numerous important components, each of which plays a crucial role in the functionality of this piece of jewellery.
As such, if your watch develops a fault, it is not advisable to dismantle it yourself and attempt to perform the repairs yourself. Unless you have a great deal of expertise in horology and the special tools needed to carry out this type of work, you are likely to make an error which could cut short the lifespan of your beloved watch.
Instead, if or when your watch malfunctions, you should take it to a professional watch repair shop.
Ideally, you should find a place that specialises in repairing the brand of watch that you own; so for example, if you own a Seiko watch, you should seek out a Seiko repair centre. This is important, as each watch brand has its own unique features and as such, a horologist who has never repaired a Seiko watch before may struggle to understand and resolve a fault within that particular type of watch. For more information, contact companies like Ekselman Watchmakers & Jewellers.
