Photo Courtesy of Instagram.com/vacheronconstantin

Are you a watch collector? Then the timepieces you own are so treasurable that you need to know how to give them the proper care. So here’s how you can keep them in tip-top shape.

1 – If you own a manual wind watch, keep it wound in order to keep its lubricants from drying or concealing over time. This will maintain the watch for longer. On average, winding it once monthly is enough.

2 – Avoid winding your watch while wearing it on your wrist because you will tend to tilt its crown side up, which creates pressure on the stem and might cause it to break.

3 – Don’t wind your watch over a hard surface because it might fall out of your hands and cause some serious damage.

4 – Keep your watch clean to preserve its good look. The ideal way to do so is by using a microfiber polishing cloth with little water. Avoid getting the leather strap wet and never ever use soap.

5 – Even if your watch is highly resistant to water, the material used in gaskets and seals might dry out – which decreases its water resistance. Check these elements regularly as many watchmakers have machines that can do the task, and luckily, this is not costly nor time-consuming.

6 – Do not test your watch to its limits because this can result in damages that you might not be able to repair. For instance, do not drop your watch voluntarily even if it’s said to be shock-proof.

7 – Be careful while changing the straps of your watch because this can scratch its lugs.

8 – Be aware that your watch needs to be serviced regularly, even if servicing after warranty expires tends to be expensive due to the need of disassembling and reassembling it.

Mirella Haddad