Most men have a routine they no longer think about. A shave, a trim every few weeks, a moisturiser that sits by the sink. The watch on your wrist rarely gets the same attention, yet it is worn every day, sits against your skin and picks up the same sweat, soap and dust as everything else. A few minutes of care each week keeps it looking sharp and helps it run well for years.
Clean it like you clean everything else
Sweat, sun cream and aftershave build up between the links of a metal bracelet and around the case. Over time this leaves a dull film and can irritate the skin under the strap.
- Metal bracelets: once a week, wipe the bracelet with a soft, dry microfibre cloth. Every month or so, if the watch is water resistant, rinse it under lukewarm water and use a soft toothbrush between the links. Dry it fully with a towel.
- Leather straps: keep them away from water. Wipe them with a dry cloth and let them air out overnight, rather than leaving them in a drawer while damp.
- Rubber and fabric straps: these can be washed with mild soap and water. Let them dry before you put them back on.
Always check that the crown is pushed in or screwed down before any water touches the watch.
Keep fragrance and products off the case
Spray aftershave or cologne before you put your watch on, not after. Alcohol-based products can dry out leather and leave marks on polished steel. The same goes for hair products: style first, wrist second.
Mind the magnets and the knocks
Phones, laptop cases, speakers and magnetic clasps on bags can affect a mechanical movement. If your automatic watch suddenly runs fast by several minutes a day, magnetism is a common cause. A watchmaker can demagnetise it quickly.
Knocks are the other risk. Taking your watch off for the gym, heavy DIY or contact sports protects both the movement and the crystal.
The automatic watch question
An automatic watch winds itself as you move. Wear it every day and it keeps running. Leave it on the side for two or three days and it will stop, which means resetting the time and date before you wear it again.
For men who rotate between two or three watches, this becomes a small chore. There are two simple options:
- Wind it by hand. Most automatic watches can be wound through the crown. Twenty to thirty turns is usually enough to get it going again.
- Use a watch winder. A winder is a small box with a rotating cushion that keeps an automatic watch moving while you are not wearing it. Each watch maker recommends a number of turns per day and a direction, so pick a winder that lets you set both.
Store it properly
Throwing a watch into a drawer with keys and coins is how scratches happen. A lined box with separate compartments keeps each watch apart and protected from dust. If you own automatic watches and want them ready when you are, a box with built-in winders handles both jobs. Retailers such as Hourstead offer watch boxes and winders in different sizes, from two watches to larger collections.
Keep the box away from direct sunlight, radiators and damp rooms such as bathrooms. Heat and humidity are hard on leather straps and on the oils inside a mechanical movement.
Service it on schedule
A mechanical watch is a small machine. Most makers suggest a service every five to eight years, depending on the model and how often you wear it. Signs that a service is due include the watch losing or gaining time, the power reserve getting shorter, or moisture appearing under the crystal.
A routine that takes five minutes
- Daily: take the watch off before the gym or the shower if it is not water resistant.
- Weekly: wipe the case and bracelet with a microfibre cloth.
- Monthly: give a water-resistant metal bracelet a gentle wash.
- Always: store it in a lined box, away from magnets, heat and damp.
Treat your watch the way you treat the rest of your grooming kit, and it will keep looking the part.
