« Exterior Watch Care in Detail »
Whether it's a sporty men's chronograph or a diamond-set ladies' watch, an exclusive automatic watch for him or a chic quartz watch for her – a high-quality wristwatch needs regular care and maintenance if it is to run flawlessly for many years or even decades. But while the inner workings of a watch should be off-limits to the layperson and only be touched by suitably qualified, manufacturer-authorized specialists as part of a service or repair, exterior care is something owners can handle themselves. If you want to clean your wristwatch, however, there are a few important watch care guidelines to keep in mind, which we have put together for you in this article.
Sweat, Dust & Co. – How Environmental Factors Can Take Their Toll on a Watch
Even with careful handling and great caution, it is inevitable that a wristwatch will be exposed to harmful environmental influences and dirt: perhaps it was worn while gardening or cleaning the house and picked up some dust, a splash landed on the case or strap while cooking – or sweat built up on the strap and caseback during sports or in warm weather.
None of these things pose a fundamental problem for a high-quality luxury watch; they are part of the everyday stresses it can usually withstand with ease.
If more and more dirt accumulates on the watch or strap, however, even the finest quality watches can develop malfunctions over time – not to mention that at some point the watch's appearance suffers too, and the valuable piece can start to look neglected.
Water Resistance and Watch Care
If you want to clean a watch or a watch strap, water may be the first thing that comes to mind. The advantage is that water really can remove a lot of grime without the use of any harsh substances. The prerequisite, however, is that the watch in question is sufficiently water-resistant.
Watches that are not water-resistant to at least 5 bar or 50 meters should therefore never be held under running water, let alone submerged. If you don't want to take any chances, it's best to place only models with a water resistance of at least 10 bar or 100 meters in a water bath.
This is, of course, generally no problem for dive watches rated to 20 bar or more.
That said, the age of the watch should also be taken into account, as the gaskets can become porous over time. Under no circumstances, however, should timepieces of any kind be cleaned in a washing machine or dishwasher, as this risks serious damage.
Caring for the Watch's Surfaces
The surface of a watch should be cleaned of dust and similar dirt on a regular basis. Kitchen sponges, for example, are unsuitable, as they often contain metal particles or other harder materials that could scratch the crystal or the watch's other surfaces. The risk is especially high with gold-plated or coated watches, where improper care can lead to unsightly discoloration and damage.
Ideally, you should clean a wristwatch by gently wiping it with a soft, only slightly damp cloth.
Particular caution is called for with timepieces set with gemstones. In these cases, it is essential to prevent threads from the cloth's fabric from catching on the stones and possibly loosening them in their settings. Days later, you may then notice a missing gemstone once it has finally come loose. Furthermore, you should avoid applying too much pressure during cleaning, especially on the crystal.
Soft brushes are well suited for removing dirt from grooves and crevices, but should only be used with the utmost care. In addition, watches should only ever be cleaned with brushes that have thin, fine bristles, as otherwise brushing can also cause scratches.
Cleaning a Wristwatch – With Cleaning Agents?
Harsh cleaning agents of any kind are fundamentally unsuitable for cleaning watches. That may sound obvious, but it is often overlooked, which can lead to unpleasant surprises.
Bleach, bathroom cleaners, and stainless steel cleaners pose particularly serious risks. Here again, masterpieces with plating and coatings are especially vulnerable. On versions with a polished, high-gloss finish, the material can look dull and lose its luster if it is damaged by the improper use of cleaning agents.
If clean water really isn't enough to clean your wristwatch, a little dish soap is your best option – though it should be used very sparingly.
Cleaning a Watch Strap – But How?
You can also clean the watch strap with water – provided it is a metal bracelet. However, avoid soaking it for hours so that the pins connecting the individual links are not damaged. Cleaning rubber straps with dish soap is not recommended, as it causes the material to age prematurely. Leather straps and so-called NATO straps should never be left in water for long periods, as this risks serious damage. For these materials, wiping with a slightly damp cloth is the method of choice.
If you're not entirely sure which care is best suited to your watch, it's best to seek advice from a watch retailer or watchmaker rather than experimenting on your own.
