Posted on März 10 2026
A good watch doesn’t ask for much. Most of the problems we see come from a handful of things that are easy to avoid once you know about them.
Keep it clean
Wipe the case and crystal with a soft, dry cloth. A steel bracelet collects grime between the links. If the watch is water resistant to at least 100m, a soft toothbrush and a little lukewarm soapy water will clean it; rinse it and dry it well. Leather straps should stay dry.
Mind the magnets
Strong magnets can make a mechanical watch run fast or erratically. Phones, speakers, laptop lids and the magnetic clasps on bags all carry them. Don’t leave a watch resting on them overnight. Some watches are built to resist magnetism, and the maker says so.
Heat and knocks
Don’t leave a watch on a car dashboard in the sun or next to a heater; heat is hard on the oils and seals inside. Take it off for the gym, golf or heavy work, where a hard knock can upset the movement or crack a crystal.
Storing it
An Eco-Drive is happiest stored somewhere with light, so it stays charged. An automatic will stop after its power reserve runs out if it isn’t worn; just wind and set it when you put it back on. A quartz watch you won’t wear for a long time is best kept in its box, away from damp.
Servicing
A mechanical watch benefits from a service every few years, following the maker’s advice. A quartz watch needs a new battery every few years, and that’s a good moment to have the seals checked too. Keep the box and warranty papers somewhere safe: the warranty starts from your date of purchase.