Your mum always told you to wash your face - and the same applies to your watch!  It doesn’t matter how neat and tidy your life might be, it’s inevitable that designer watch of yours will accumulate some amount of grime or dust on it’s face at some point.  So what the best way of keeping your watch face clean without risking damage to the workings?  Let Watch Superstar show you how:

1)  You should start by removing the band from the watch face if possible.  Be careful as some watch straps contain materials that should not get wet.  If the strap is not removable then be extra cautious as to not get water or cleaner on it.

2)  Next you need to apply just a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth.  Gently rub the surface of the watch face with the dampened section using a slow, circular motion.  It is using this technique that will ensure you don’t accidentally scratch the surface.

3)  If you own a designer watch who’s face has expensive metals (i.e gold, platinum, etc) then it is important that you should use jewellery cleaner.  You should be able to buy some from most jeweller’s shops.  This cleaner is specially formulated so that these metals can be safely cleaned.  Again, apply only a small amount to the cloth and rub over the surface as before.

4)  If you have removed the watch band then you should then re-attach it and then place the watch in a warm, well ventilated room.  Make sure that you leave it to sit for 2-4 hours in order to ensure that all of the moisture is removed.

5)  This time using a dry, clean cloth you should remove any additional moisture from the watch face if necessary as this can cause mildew or in more serious cases - rust.

You should make a habit of keeping up this routine once a month for the best results.

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We all know how intricate and precise the inner workings of a watch are.  It is for this reason that all it takes is for a small grain of dirt to get inside for devastating damage to be caused.  Because of this, if you are at all unsure about whether to clean out your watch yourself, especially if it is an expensive designer watch, we highly recommend that you take it to a specialist dealer or jeweller to have them take care of it for you.

1)  The first step is to take the watch apart.  This requires you to carefully remove the case as well as the movement.

2)  Next you will need to clean the case and movement by using a special cleaner.  Many specialist jewellers may prefer to clean watches by using ultrasonic technology which very gently shakes any dirt and other dust particles free from the workings.  The chemicals arent so strong that they cause erosion to the watch parts.

3)  When you have removed the watch parts you should then take this moment to lubricate the movement.  For all you car owners this is very similar to changing the oil as adequate lubrication between the important moving parts will allow them to last their full expected life.

4)  When you have finished lubricating the movement you should then refinish the outside of the watch, meaning the casing as well as the metal band.  Due to their texture, leather and plastic bands are not able to be refinished.

5)  You should then replace the gaskets and test the watch to ensure that it is water tight.  In order to ensure that the case meets/exceeds factory standards you should take it to a certified watch maker.  If after replacing all the parts you find that the watch is letting moisture in, then refer to our article that tells you how to remove water from inside a watch.

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It’s understandable that watches can be subjected to a reasonable amount of wear and tear throughout their life.  However you should take extra care not to get your watch wet as it can cause potentially irreperable damage to the inner workings.  But we all know that accidents happen - so what should you do in the event that your watch gets wet?

1)  Bear in mind that you risk damaging the watch further if you are going to attempt a DIY fix so be honest with yourself and decide whether you are able to undertake the job yourself.  If you are in any doubt you should have the watch repaired professionally rather than risk damaging it or invalidating the warranty.  If you have a cheap watch then the cost of repairing it may outweigh buying a new one.

2)  If there is only a very small amount of water inside the watch, you may want to try laying the watch in a dry place to see if the water will evaporate away on its own.  Be sure to place an absorbent cloth or material underneath the watch.  If the water contained is only a very fine film that then evaporates then the likelihood is that you wont need to do anything else.

3)  A more sophisticated technique would be to seal the watch inside a plastic bag that contains unopened packets of silica gel (usually found in shoe boxes).  An interesting alternative would be to use dry rice instead of the gel packets.  Either should draw moisture from inside the watch.  this would be a good idea if you own a designer watch as it may be very risking undertaking a task that involves opening the watch up.

4)  If you’re feeling less creative then why not try directing a fant at the watch or simply use a hair dryer on its lowest setting.  Alternatively, leaving the watch on a low heat source such as a floor vent can help to evaporate water from inside the watch.

5)  If you are carrying out repair work, obtain the correct watch supplies.  You may also need to visit a jewellery shop  to obtain appropriate tools.

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Plenty of us have to take care to protect a wrist watch or pocket watch from day to day wear.  More expensive designer watches or family heirlooms have to be handled with care, as there are no shortage of ways that your watch can get damaged throughout the course of the day.  Taking good care of a watch involves planning so if you follow these tips you should be able to prevent excessive wear and tear.

Step 1

Make sure that you take your watch off for heavy lifting or any ‘dirty jobs’.  In terms of protecting your watch, this is possibly the most important piece of advice that you could follow.  Watches being worn during heavy lifting can get scraped or broken easily - always be aware of what you are doing whilst wearing your watch

Step 2

Keep your watch out of the water.  Remember that ‘water resistant’ does not mean ‘water proof’.  Even a lot of humidity can damage a watch so for optimal care keep it away from wet or even sweaty conditions.

Step 3

Make a point of winding your watch regularly.  If it is the kind of watch that does need to be wound then establish a constant pattern for when you are winding it as this reduces general wear over time.

Step 4

Be careful with watch parts.  When you are winding or adjusting time, don’t pull to hard on the small knobs or parts of the watch.  This is another very common way that designer watches get damaged.  Make sure that you treat the parts with care and be careful with the watch strap/chain too.

Step 5

It seems an obvious point, but read the watch manual as it will give you detailed instructions for optimal care tailored specifically for your watch.

Step 6

Take the watch off at night.  You may not have realised it, but watches can be damaged at night whilst you are sleeping.

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1. Your watch should be cleaned and maintained at least every 2 years.
2. When  not being worn, keep your watch stored in a cool dry place.
3. Remove your watch if you are undertaking heavy/physical work.
4. Avoid abrasions as scratches may eventually affect the case and bracelet.
5. Ensure the crown which is used to change the time and date should be properly pushed in at all times.  This will prevent penetration by water and dust.
6. Keep your watch clean with a soft dry cloth.
7. Quartz watches should be meticulously cleaned as even the smallest particle can result in damage.
8. When the watch battery runs out, change it immediately as this can affect the movement.
9. When changing the time or date, never do it within 3 hours either side of midnight.  At this time the watch’s regular date change is being carried out internally and should not be interferred with.
10. Immediately get your watch serviced if there is moisture inside the crystal.
11. Remove your watch for hot showers, baths, saunas, heavy or physical work as any moisture will damage the inner workings as well as wear down the strap.
12. Diving watches need regular servicing, despite their rigorous water resistance.
13. Don’t unnecessarily subject your watch to pressure or heat.
14. Any watch should be rinsed under fresh water after exposure to salt water.
15. Your watch should always be returned to an official authorized dealer for servicing or any other necessary repairs.

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