We’ve discussed why prestige watches are so expensive before, and there is undoubtedly good reason for them being tagged as ‘luxury’ items. However, contrary to what many people think, these expertly crafted timepieces are not indestructible, and will need some care and attention from time to time. The good thing is that the lifespan of these watches is virtually unlimited when you look after them, so here are a few basic tips for you to bear in mind.
Care Around Water
Most luxury watches are water resistant, and some are undoubtedly proficient in this area to a staggering degree. The Rolex DeepSea, for example, has withstood some of the deepest underwater voyages that mankind has ever attempted. However, unless your watch is a genuine ‘diver’s’ timepiece then it’s better to be cautious when it comes to immersing your watch. Exposure to water of a high temperature is also not recommended, as even waterproof watches can suffer within such an environment.
Know Your Movement
Your movement will need different types of care depending on its type. An old fashioned mechanical movement will need regularly winding, but won’t respond well if you keep twisting the crown even when it starts to resist. Turning the hands anti-clockwise is generally best avoided too, and you may be surprised to learn that a mechanical movement excels when consistently wound at the same sort of time each day. However, even automatic movements need care, as a watch that lies unworn is prone to becoming dry and imprecise within its inner workings.
Watch Cleaning
Cleaning isn’t something that you need to go to town on, but you can carry out some selected tasks yourself. You can use a moistened cloth to wipe your watch, and this is your best bet when it comes to treating any damages. What you mustn’t do is to scrub your watch with any other sorts of substances, as there’s no telling what sort of damage this might cause. Also, if your watch has a leather strap then you’d do well to keep it dry. Whilst a rubber strap might be designed to withstand water, leather often isn’t.
3-5 Year Servicing
Routine watch servicing is what keeps your timepiece functioning to its maximum capabilities, and it’s recommended that your watch gets such attention every 5 years at least (depending on the model). Watch maintenance can also help to retain prop
erties like waterproofing, so approaching a specialist service, like us at Martins of Glasgow, is absolutely vital when ensuring the longevity of your timepiece. Martin is well used to conducting maintenance on some of the very finest watches you could find, including Rolex, Breitling and Omega watch repairs, so if you need any assistance in this area be sure to contact him by calling 0141 946 6333 or emailing martin@martinsjewellers.co.uk.