Here we give a few tips on the general care of your watch so that you will enjoy your timepiece for as long as possible.

General

For watches with automatic movements, you should turn the crown over 10 - 20 times before wearing it, so that the watch starts ticking. To keep your watch ticking, it is important to wear it every day. Movement in everyday life continuously winds the movement. If you do not wear your watch every day, you can simply wind it again with the crown.

If your watch stops regularly, usually in the morning when it has not been worn for a long time, it should be checked and, if necessary, undergo a partial overhaul.

With hand-wound movements, you will feel resistance when the watch is fully wound. With these movements it is important not to overwind the crown to avoid damaging the movement. The mainspring could break.

For quartz watches, you should have the battery replaced every 2 - 3 years or remove it if the watch is no longer worn. This prevents the battery from leaking, which in turn could damage the movement.

How water resistant is my watch?

Information about the water resistance of the watch is usually engraved on the back of the case or printed on the dial. 

Unfortunately, the indications regularly lead to misunderstandings. The metre indication does not mean that you should dive that deep with the watch. As soon as you move the watch below the water surface, for example when swimming, bathing or even if a strong jet of water acts directly on the watch, an enormous pressure is built up that can have far more bar than you think.

Below is an overview of which activities are recommended based on the waterproofness indicated.

Waterproofness is not a permanent property. It should be checked annually and before special loads and, if necessary, renewed, as the function of the seals deteriorates in everyday use.

Shocks and magnetic fields in everyday life

The fact that your watch has to withstand a lot of everyday stress is probably not news to you.

External as well as thermal shocks should be avoided as they can cause considerable damage externally as well as internally.

Magnetism can have a significant influence on the accuracy of mechanical watches. Many electrical devices such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets, as well as microwaves, induction hobs and refrigerators are surrounded by magnetic fields. The best way to avoid magnetism is to avoid exposing your watch to direct contact with devices with strong magnetic fields.

If your watch is still affected by magnetism, demagnetisation of the watch can remedy the situation.

How do I care for my watch strap? 

Leather bracelets

Just like shoes and handbags made of fine natural material, watch straps made of leather are also sensitive. Direct contact with water, chemicals, cosmetic products and strong sunlight should be largely avoided. 

If the leather strap of your watch becomes damp anyway, we recommend that you take the watch off and give the leather enough time to dry out. Do not use a heat source to dry the leather.

A watch with a leather strap should also not be worn too tightly and should always be taken off overnight.

Metal bracelets

Metal watch bands do not require the same care as leather watch bands. Occasionally you can clean the metal band of your watch with soapy water and a soft brush.

After swimming in chlorinated or saline water, it is advisable to rinse the watch thoroughly with tap water.

To guarantee the longevity of your clock, a complete maintenance service is recommended every 4 to 6 years.