5 Essential Habits for Long-Lasting Luxury Watches

A luxury watch does not simply tell the time, but it is also a representation of precision, artistry, and eternal beauty.

Be it a Swiss classic, a rare-edition masterpiece, or a current top-of-the-line design, your watch is the best object that needs the best care in order to serve more than a few generations.

Just as a good car should be serviced, a luxury watch has to be maintained so as to ensure it works and looks new.

The following are the five common rules that every watch owner should employ to ensure an excellent watch lasts longer and preserves its value.

1. Schedule Regular Professional Servicing

However sophisticated or robust your watch is, the fact is that inside gears, springs, and gaskets will inevitably wear out with time.

Oils that lubricate the movement can harden and very small amounts of dust can interfere with accuracy. That is the reason why professional servicing from Kapoor Time Crafter is essential.

The majority of the experts prescribe one to go to the authorized watch service facility after every three to five years, but some models can be shorter or longer intervals depending on the model and its sophistication. Competent technicians in the service will:

Take the watch apart and examine the parts of it.
Clean and oil the movement.
Change old gaskets and seals.
Adjust precision to those of the manufacturer.
Test against water.

Why it matters: Having your watch is not only serviced, but regularly maintained means that your watch will not only be accurate in its time compared to others, but eliminate the need to replace your watch due to high repair costs later in life or in the future.

When having it done, always use an official or certified service center that specializes in your particular brand to ensure authentic parts are used and it is also handled by an expert.

2. Use Proper Winding and Handling Techniques

In the case of a mechanical watch, which can be manual or automatic, it is important to wind it properly.

Manual watches are advised to be wound at the same time, every day to maintain this movement regularly. When you meet resistance, stop turning at once to prevent spoiling the mainspring.

Automatic watches on the contrary remain turned on by the movement of your wrist. Unless you wear it every day, you might want to invest in a watch winder so that it helps maintain its time.

When setting the time or date:

Pull on the crown and do not force it.
Do not change the date with the hands between 9 PM and 3 AM or the date changing mechanism will be damaged..
In case your watch has a screw-lock system, always use it. The crown also needs to be screwed down as a way of maintaining water resistance..

Pro Tip: Anything wrong with the crown or any overwinding and it may cost you a visit to the watch service center, be mindful of it.

3. Protect from Water and Extreme Conditions

There are a lot of water-resisting luxury watches, however, this does not entail that they would survive regardless of water, steam, or sudden alterations in temperature. Dive watches may also have a problem with seals with time, just like non-divers unless their gaskets are checked automatically.

In order not to damage your watch:

Do not wear it in hot showers, steam rooms, or saunas-the heat and steam may destroy seals..
If you have suddenly swum in salt water or pools high in chlorine, rinse your watch with fresh water
Exposing your watch to sudden temperature changes, e.g. going directly out of a very cold to a hot surrounding can cause condensation inside the case.
The service center that services your watch should inspect seals and gaskets on each service to make sure that water resistance is still there..

4. Store Your Watch Safely When Not in Use

The way you keep your watch when you do not wear it can go a long way in determining the life span of the watch. They may be scratched, magnetized, or damaged by moisture as a result of improper storage.

Best storage practices include:

Putting it in the soft lined watch box or pouch to prevent scratches.
Wearing the watch in places free of magnetic fields including speakers, smartphones, or laptops which can influence accuracy.
To store long-term, prepare the watch by cleaning and winding it on a periodic basis to circulate the lubricants stored in a mechanical watch.
Should the climate be humid, it would be then good to have your watch placed in a dehumidifying safe or case that has a controlled humid environment.

Collector’s Tip: When taking care of your collection and owning more than one watch It is recommended to switch them up to keep them in action as well as to avoid over-wearing a single watch.

5. Maintain Gentle Cleaning and At-Home Care

Although professional servicing is needed, the daily care of the watch condition is a significant issue as well. Sweat, dust and skin oil also has the capacity to build up and dull its shine as well as harm materials.

For metal bracelets and water-resistant watches:

Clean the bracelet with a soft brush and mild soap in the lukewarm water..
Clean each trace and wipe on a microfiber towel.

For leather straps:

Use a dry or damp cloth and wipe.
One should never soak leather in water or leave them under the rays of the Mediterranean sun.

For the watch case:

During cleaning, make sure the crown is pushed in firmly or screwed down.
To keep it in check every day, use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe off fingerprints and messes on the watch..

Important: Do not open your watch case at home. Internal cleaning should never be done, except by a watch service center to avoid damage and keep any manufacturer warranty in effect.

Why These Habits Matter

Luxury watches tend to be heirloom, investment, and personal assets. Learning to do these things will not only keep a functional accessory, it will keep the memory and that of your family. Failure to maintain may result in an expensive repair, depreciation or even irreparable damages.

To think of your luxury watch is like a finely tuned engine. In the same way a high speed car should be given regular oil changes, inspection and handled with care, so should your watch. It must be clean and serviced professionally, along with being well taken care of on a daily basis.

Final Thoughts

Your luxury watch is a symbol of perfection, art and some eternal style. When you have the right skills, it will keep on functioning perfectly and appearing marvelous well into its decades.

To recap the essentials:

Go to a Watch Service Center frequently to maintain the movement in the best condition.
Be careful handling winding and adjustments to prevent unnecessary wear of the same.
Shield against water and severe environments to keep mechanisms and materials safe.
Keep in a safe place away from scratches, magnetization, or damage due to the environment.
Clean it very well at home in order to maintain its attractiveness as well as cleanliness.

When these five habits are adhered to, your luxury watch will not only serve the purpose of keeping time, but it will be able to share your story even generations later.