10 Tips For Luxury Watch Maintenance

1. Get Your Watch Serviced
Rule number one you need to have your luxury watched serviced regularly simply because parts can become damaged or worn over time, seals can become broken leading to water damage resulting in a default in your watches time accuracy prevention is always better than repair. Generally during a service your watch will be reassembled in accordance to the manufacturer instructions allowing your watch to be checked thoroughly and replacements made if needed.The difficulty of the service often depends on the watch itself as they are all made uniquely choreographed; watches are usually a little more difficult whereas quartz often only need battery replacement. The typical timeframe for services is between 2 and 5 years depending on the manufacturer. Should you find your timepiece is losing or gaining time you may want to check in a little faster.

2. Always Stick with a Professional
Always seek out a reputable professional when it’s time to get your service, a common mistake made by many is using unqualified individuals and in some cases having a go themselves. DIY might seem like the cheapest option but in many cases leads to more costs in the long run. Always do your research when choosing a watchmaker to carry out your service, make sure they are certified, use state of the art equipment and have a sterile workspace.

3. Clean and Polish
Although getting your watch serviced is massively important you must also make sure it’s cleaned and polished to the manufacture instructions also.

4. Check Your Watch Is Water Resistance
Although these days most watches are water resistant you should not avoid checking your watches specs, some watches are more resistant and can withstand deeper water, if the pressure exceeds the water resistance you're in deep trouble. It goes without saying just like anything else watches will never exceed their limits, so before diving in at the deep end you’re going to want to screw down the crown. Please note-Salt water, chlorine and hot temperatures may still cause further damage.

5. Suitable Storage
Like anything else when you aren’t wearing your watch you’re going to want to make sure it’s stored in the correct environment to prevent unnecessary damage. Keep your watch facing up always in the original case or something similar to help protect from dust, moisture and scratches. A big hit with most collectors is a cushioned watch case or a draw insert for those with larger collections. Somewhere with no sunlight, heat and humidity is the perfect storage space.

6. Winding Your Watch
Watches with a manual function are recommended to be wound at least once a day at the same time and when the power reserve is running low. Automatic watches do not need to be wound as long as they are worn on a regular basis, they self wind when the person wearing the watch moves although you may need to wind it on the rare occasion.

7. Danger Zone
So not everyone knows that it’s important to avoid changing your watch's date between 9PM and 3AM. This is known as the danger zone.

8. Make the Most of your Watch
Watches are made to be worn and shown off so wear them as often as possible, most owners assume wearing watches automatically decreases their value this is a total myth. Leaving your watch sat on a shelf somewhere may potentially increase the amount of services it’s going to need.

9. Insurance
Most luxury watches are expensive so we always recommend insuring your piece before you wear it just in case it should become lost, damaged or stolen.

10. Be Real
So before investing in that new luxury watch consider your full commitment to the upkeep and regular services.