Caring for your Mechanical Watch

Setting the day & date
Please try not to set the day or date while the hour hand is positioned in the top half of the dial (ie between 9 and 3) as this may upset the watch’s internal calendar and cause the mechanism to jam. Always set the time/date by moving the hands in a clockwise direction.

Winding
Please ensure your watch is OFF your wrist when using the crown. This avoids undue sideways pressure on the stem/tube which could cause damage and breakage over time.

Manual mechanical watches need to be wound each day, ideally around the same time, to ensure optimal functionality – unless you have a special extended power reserve (check the details of your watch).

Automatic mechanical watches are designed to run on kinetic energy (your body’s movement). Usually 6-8 hours of normal, interactive movement each day is enough to keep a watch powered. Automatic watches can be hand wound before wearing them for first time or after the watch has run out of power reserve (usually 4-6 winds is enough to kick-start the mechanism). Remember, these movements are meant to run on kinetic energy and additional manual winding on a regular basis may cause unnecessary wear on the gears within the movement. If you don’t wear your automatic watch regularly enough to keep the power reserve running on kinetic movement you may consider using a watch winder.

Bands
Some watches have partially water proof leather straps, however a massive steel or silicone strap is the better choice if your lifestyle revolves around water! Leather straps will wear at a faster rate than rubber or steel bands.  This rate of wear varies depending upon environmental conditions and how the watch is worn; moisture and sweat contribute to leather degeneration.

General care
They key point is to treat your watch with care and it will function more reliably for a longer time.

• Storage: Store your watch in a cool, clean, dry place away from sunlight and sources of UV to avoid degenerative damage and/or discolouration. Stationary sapphire crystal surfaces can potentially intensify sunlight/heat which may adversely affect the oils within a movement.
• Magnets: Ensure your watch doesn’t come in contact with magnets as this can magnetise the movement and affect its functionality. Typical sources of magnetisation include: smart phones, iPads, magnetic bracelets, magnetic clasps on wallets & bags, loud speakers, magnetic mattress protectors and some forms of security checks when travelling.

Cleaning: To prolong the life of your watch make sure to wipe it down with a soft cloth or rinse it with fresh water after having it in salt water and, where applicable, move the turning bezel while rinsing to dislodge any trapped grit or salt particles. (NB: check the water resistance level of your watch before submersing it in water).