Watch Care & Maintenance Guide
How to Care for Your Mechanical Watch
Regular care, correct operation and attention to changes in performance can help keep a mechanical watch in good condition. As a general guideline, we recommend movement servicing approximately every three years—but condition matters more than the calendar alone.
Daily Care
Small Habits Can Prevent Unnecessary Problems
Mechanical watches are designed to be worn, but a few simple habits can reduce avoidable wear and help you notice problems earlier.
Strong magnets can affect the operation of a mechanical movement and may cause a noticeable change in timekeeping.
A hard impact can affect movement components even when there is little visible damage to the exterior.
If your watch uses a screw-down crown, make sure it is completely screwed down after winding or setting the watch.
Dust, sweat, salt and debris can accumulate around the bracelet, clasp, caseback and lugs.
A sudden change in timing, winding feel, power reserve or movement noise can be more important than waiting for a scheduled service date.
If a crown, pusher or setting mechanism suddenly feels abnormal, stop rather than forcing it.
Cleaning
How to Clean the Case, Bracelet and Clasp
Before using water, make sure the crown is fully secured and that you are confident in the watch's current water resistance.
Use warm—not hot—water with only one or two drops of neutral hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid.
Use a clean microfiber cloth to gently remove surface dust before brushing.
Use an extra-soft toothbrush on bracelet gaps, between the lugs, caseback edges and inside the clasp. There is no need to scrub aggressively.
If the watch is suitable for rinsing, use clean fresh water to remove remaining soap.
Press with a soft towel to absorb moisture rather than rubbing aggressively, then allow the watch to finish drying naturally.
Automatic Movements
A Mechanical Watch Can Stop When It Is Not Worn
An automatic mechanical watch stores energy in its mainspring while it is worn and while the rotor winds the movement. If the stored energy runs out, the watch will stop. This is normal and does not by itself mean that the movement is defective.
Wind the movement correctly, set the time and date using the appropriate controls, secure the crown, then wear or observe the watch again.
Do not continue forcing the crown if winding becomes unusually rough, inconsistent, difficult or noisy. A change in winding feel is a reason to have the watch inspected.
Magnetization
A Common Cause of Sudden Timing Changes
Strong magnetic fields can affect a mechanical movement. One possible sign is a sudden and significant change in timekeeping when the watch was previously running normally.
Make sure insufficient power is not causing misleading behavior.
Monitor the watch under reasonably consistent conditions.
Consider whether the watch may have been exposed to a strong magnetic field.
Demagnetize the watch if necessary, then observe it again.
If timing remains significantly abnormal, the movement should be evaluated further.
Time & Date Setting
Never Force the Crown or Setting Mechanism
Different movements can use different crown positions, date-setting systems and additional functions. Follow the operating method for the movement in your specific watch rather than assuming every mechanical watch works the same way.
Identify the proper setting position before turning the crown.
Do not force a crown that suddenly feels unusually resistant, rough or inconsistent.
Return the crown to its normal position and completely screw down a screw-down crown when finished.
Chronograph Care
Use Start, Stop and Reset in the Correct Sequence
For a mechanical chronograph, use the controls in the normal sequence and avoid deliberately forcing the mechanism.
Routine Service
Approximately Every 3 Years — Unless the Watch Tells You Earlier
As a general maintenance guideline, we recommend movement servicing approximately every three years. Three years is not a mandatory waiting period: how the watch is performing matters more than the calendar alone.
Especially when the timing remains abnormal after the possibility of magnetization has been addressed.
If a fully wound watch suddenly runs for substantially less time than it previously did under similar conditions.
Increased resistance, uneven winding feel or unusual sound during winding should not be ignored.
Some rotor sound is normal. A significant change from the watch's previous behavior is more important.
A crown or setting mechanism that becomes noticeably rough, stiff or inconsistent should be inspected rather than forced.
Before Service
Start With a Simple Check
Not every unusual behavior requires immediate disassembly. If the main problem is unexpected timekeeping, begin with a simple check.
Make sure the movement has sufficient power.
Monitor the watch under reasonably consistent conditions.
Consider whether a magnetic field may explain the timing change.
Then observe the watch again.
If the problem remains, the movement can then be evaluated further.
Do Not Open the Caseback Yourself
Movement Work Should Be Left to an Experienced Technician
We do not recommend opening the caseback or attempting movement repairs yourself.
Opening the case can introduce dust or debris into the movement.
Incorrect opening can affect seals or leave marks on the case and caseback.
Unnecessary disassembly can create additional damage and make the original problem more difficult to diagnose.
Normal Wear vs. Mechanical Problems
Know Which Changes Are Worth Investigating
- Fine surface marks from regular wear
- Gradual bracelet and clasp wear
- Minor cosmetic marks
- An automatic movement stopping after its power reserve is exhausted
- Normal mechanical or rotor sounds that have not changed significantly
- A sudden major timing change
- Timing that remains abnormal after demagnetization
- Significantly reduced power reserve after a full wind
- Rough or uneven winding
- New or substantially louder rotor noise
- Abnormal crown resistance
- Problems setting the time or calendar
- A function that no longer operates correctly
- Chronograph hands that fail to start, stop or reset normally
After-Sales Support
If Your Watch Needs Inspection, Contact Our Team First
You do not need to diagnose the movement yourself. Tell us what the watch is doing, when the problem started, whether it may have experienced an impact or magnetic exposure, and what happened after fully winding and observing it. Photos or a short video can also help us understand the issue before the watch is returned.
Watch Care FAQ
Common Questions About Mechanical Watch Care
How often should I service my mechanical watch?
We generally recommend approximately every three years. However, if timing, power reserve, winding, rotor noise or setting operation changes significantly, the watch should be inspected sooner rather than waiting for the scheduled interval.
My automatic watch stopped after I did not wear it. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. A mechanical watch will stop when the energy stored in its mainspring is exhausted. Wind the watch, set it correctly and observe its operation before assuming that it requires repair.
What should I do if my watch suddenly starts running fast or slow?
First make sure the watch is sufficiently wound and observe its timing for approximately 24 hours. Consider possible magnetization and demagnetize the watch if necessary. If the timing remains significantly abnormal, contact us for further inspection.
Can you demagnetize my watch?
Yes. We can provide demagnetization service when needed.
Can I wash my watch?
If the crown is fully secured and you are confident in the watch's current water resistance, the exterior can be cleaned carefully with warm water and a very small amount of mild soap. If water resistance is uncertain, the watch has suffered an impact, the caseback has been opened, or the seals may be old, do not rinse the complete watch. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth instead.
Can I open the caseback myself?
We do not recommend it. Opening the case can introduce contamination, affect seals or cause damage to the movement and exterior. Customer disassembly or third-party repair can also affect warranty coverage.
Can I reset a chronograph while it is running?
We recommend using the normal sequence: Start → Stop → Reset. Stop the chronograph before resetting it.
Is rotor noise normal?
Some sound from an automatic rotor can be normal. What matters more is a sudden, noticeable increase compared with how the same watch previously sounded. If rotor noise changes significantly, the watch should be inspected.
What if my power reserve suddenly becomes shorter?
Fully wind the watch and observe it under similar conditions. If the power reserve remains noticeably shorter than before, contact our after-sales team for inspection.
