How to Care for Your Watch

When it comes to watches, there are two types of people: style lovers and passionate collectors.

No matter which camp you belong to, and no matter the price tag of the timepiece on your wrist, what unites everyone is that a watch—whether automatic or manual, quartz or mechanical—is so much more than a simple accessory that tells the time and date ⏰

Just like precious gemstones and fine jewelry 💍 it requires care and maintenance to stand the test of time and, above all, keep telling it.

You love your timepieces. You associate them with memories, emotions, and sometimes family heritage. They are an extension of yourself, and one day, you might want to pass them down to your children.

So to all watch enthusiasts: whether you prefer automatic or manual-wind pieces, you may need to devote a little time to small daily care routines so your treasures stay timeless.

As true watch lovers, Maison Scarlett is delighted to share our best tips for caring for your watches before time runs out!

Table of contents:

• Knowing what type of watch you own
• Wearing your watch often
• Cleaning your watch gently
• Taking it to a qualified watchmaker
• Storing your watch safely
• Identifying activities to avoid with your watch
• Changing the strap

Knowing what type of watch you own

If you haven't read our article on the differences between quartz and automatic watches yet, go check it out! We explain everything you need to know about the two main watch families. For those who need a quick catch-up, here's a recap.

There are two main groups: quartz (electronic) watches and mechanical watches.

Within this second group, there are differences between manual-wind and automatic watches. Yes, just like when your grandfather used to wind the hands of his clock! Winding stem, mainspring barrel, turns of the key—in short, watchmaking is a true art.

But what we want to share with you today is how to take good care of them. So for quartz watch lovers, here are our top tips:

• Make sure to replace the battery promptly once it dies. Don't wait too long, to prevent any damage to the movement.
• Don't leave it inside your watch, and for even better results, simply don't wait until the battery is completely flat. Having a watch battery replaced by a watchmaker costs only around ten dollars—a small price to pay for such a valuable piece, isn't it?

If you are among the passionate collectors and enthusiasts, you likely own mechanical watches. And if yours is hand-wound, every morning you'll need to wind your watch's mainspring via the crown.

When you feel a slight resistance, it means it's fully wound. These little gems are more delicate than quartz watches. Sensitive to temperature variations and magnetism, they require gentle care and regular maintenance.

An automatic watch works in much the same way, except the barrel relies on the movement of your wrist. These movements activate a rotor (a weighted oscillating weight) that rotates on an axle to wind the watch.

Wearing your watch often

A wise mechanic once told me: machinery that isn't used is machinery that deteriorates. Surprisingly, the best way to preserve and care for your watch is simply to wear it. Yes, we generally recommend putting it on your wrist about once a week. This keeps the fine lubricant which keeps the entire mechanism running smoothly, from drying out.

Cleaning your watch gently

Watches look even more stunning when they're clean, crisp, and sparkling. But paradoxically, they're also real dust magnets. With all their nooks and crannies, dirt settles everywhere: between the lugs, around the bezel, or on the case back. Using a small microfiber cloth and a soft-bristle brush, you can gently buff the crystal and dust away those tiny particles.

Be careful if you want to go further with your cleaning! First, avoid any harsh chemicals, and second, always check your timepiece's water resistance before putting it near water! Water resistance can deteriorate over time, so if you own a vintage watch, even if it's marked water-resistant, steer clear of deep ocean dives—unless you want it to be its very last dip.

If your accessory is simply not water-resistant at all, clean it with a slightly damp cloth.

Taking it to a qualified watchmaker

Once again, we can't stress this enough: mechanical parts need servicing, and your beloved timepieces are no exception.

To keep it running smoothly for years to come, we recommend visiting your favorite watchmaker every 5 to 7 years for a quick checkup. Of course, if you notice anything unusual or if you're an extreme sports enthusiast taking your watch on intense adventures, don't wait that long.

Oscillating weight, balance wheels, vibrations, lubricating gaskets, checking the barrel... These terms might not mean much to you, but they hold no secrets for your watchmaker, who knows every single cog in the machine (pun intended!). That's precisely why you shouldn't try to repair your watch yourself! Safely take it to a qualified specialist who knows the right techniques. You wouldn't let your neighbor perform your appendectomy, “who watched a tutorial online” would you? Food for thought!

However, for enthusiasts who want to learn more and master the basics of fine watchmaking, specialized training courses and workshops can help you acquire the fundamentals of horology. Disassembling and reassembling a movement, inspecting a Swiss movement, or even building your own watch: you'll learn so much about this fascinating world.

Storing your watch safely

This is our moment. The one where we remind you, time and again, that just like every piece in your jewelry collection, a watch belongs in a dedicated case. It's a piece of jewelry in its own right—and you have no excuse for not storing it properly! Most of the time, they come with an original box. And if you no longer have those boxes, you're in for a treat at Maison Scarlett, because when it comes to watch boxes and watch boxes, we have a wonderful collection to offer you!

Identifying activities to avoid with your watch

Today, watches come in countless styles. Dials evolve in shape, smartwatches take photos and answer calls. We've come a long way from the pocket watch era, haven't we?

And that's actually a good thing. It helps us take even better care of our precious timepieces. So skip wearing your treasures while gardening, playing high-impact sports, caving, or scuba diving.

For those moments, choose purpose-built watches like the iconic Casio G-Shock or a certified dive watch. Otherwise, leave it behind to avoid costly repairs.

A quick extra tip: the better your strap fits, the better you'll protect your timepiece from accidental bumps and uncomfortable friction.

Changing the strap

Whether it's a leather strap, a steel bracelet, or rubber, it doesn't matter. Sooner or later, you'll inevitably need to replace it—and that's a great opportunity! It gives your jewelry a fresh new look, and why not bring a modern touch to a vintage watch?

Have fun mixing and matching materials and precious metals. Rose gold or white gold, sapphires, and diamonds—whether for men or women, beautiful watches are loved by all, and just like everything we cherish, they deserve our care and attention.

So, when is your next appointment with the watchmaker?