How to Wear and Care for Your Watch for Long-Lasting Performance

Swiss-made watches have long been celebrated for their exceptional quality and precision. However, no matter how well-crafted or reliable a watch is when it leaves the factory, its true longevity depends on how it is worn and maintained by its owner. The same watch can age very differently depending on the wearer’s habits and level of care. If you’re wearing an entry-level mechanical watch mainly for everyday use, there’s no need to be overly cautious. But if you’ve invested in a high-end timepiece, paying extra attention to how you wear and care for it is absolutely worthwhile. In short, while a quality build is the foundation of a long-lasting watch, proper maintenance is equally essential. The following are key principles for wearing and maintaining your watch to ensure it stays accurate and beautiful for years to come.

1. Important Tips for First-Time Wear

Before wearing your new watch, carefully read the user manual and follow the brand’s maintenance recommendations. If your watch is manual-winding, it’s best to give it a few turns every morning, regardless of its stated power reserve. This helps maintain consistent movement performance. Adjust the strap to fit your wrist comfortably. A strap that’s too loose can cause the watch to move around and increase the risk of scratches, while one that’s too tight can feel uncomfortable and restrictive.

2. Daily Wearing Guidelines

Avoid wearing bracelets or other jewelry on the same wrist as your watch, as metal-on-metal contact can scratch the case. Avoid exposing your watch to sudden or extreme temperature changes—such as wearing it in a sauna or hot spring. Temperature fluctuations can affect the hairspring and impact timekeeping accuracy. Refrain from wearing your watch during activities involving strong shocks or vibrations, such as certain sports or heavy physical work. Keep your mechanical watch away from strong magnetic fields, such as magnets or electronic devices, since magnetization can cause the watch to run fast or even stop entirely. Always make sure the crown and pushers are fully pushed in and screwed down after adjusting the time or winding the watch. Never operate the crown or pushers underwater or when the watch is wet, as this may allow moisture to enter the case.

After swimming in seawater or a chlorinated pool, rinse your watch carefully with fresh water to remove any salt or chlorine residue.

3. Basic Maintenance Tips

If your automatic watch has not been worn for a while, manually wind it a few times before wearing it to restart the movement. The rubber gaskets inside your watch help ensure its water resistance and prevent dust and moisture from entering the case. However, these seals can deteriorate over time. It’s recommended to have your watch’s water resistance checked once a year at an authorized service center or by a certified technician. The inspection usually takes only a few minutes. Both quartz and mechanical watches should generally be serviced every five years. Quartz watch batteries typically last two to three years—be sure to replace them promptly when depleted. Leaving a dead battery in the watch for too long can cause leakage and damage the movement.

Leather straps can age prematurely if exposed to water or prolonged sunlight. For watches with leather straps, it’s best to remove them at night to allow both your wrist and the leather to breathe.

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