Watches for men are used for more than just telling the time, they make a statement that most other accessories cannot. They capture the essence of a man and create mementoes that can be passed down through generations. It is said that no one owns a watch, they simply look after it for the next generation.
Even in the age when smartphones are conveniently used to tell the time, many people still prefer watches. Watches for men are available in various kinds, shapes, and sizes to suit their preferences and needs. A wide price range also exists to fit the budget and ensure one doesn’t miss out on owning a unique accessory.
How to take care of your valuable watches?
No matter the size, shape, and price range of your watch, it is important to know how to take good care of it. Watches for men are pieces of machinery and therefore will start to get fatigued after regular wear and tear. The best way to make a watch last longer is to ensure that good care is taken of it. Watches for men could be considered to be more sturdy but even they require effort for maintenance. Here are some tips on how you can take care of a watch.
- Water Resistance
People often mix up water-resistant and waterproof watches. Water-resistant is the ability of any item to repel water. While waterproof means that the item itself would not get damaged by water. Watches for men have different levels of water resistance and even though the label might state that it can withstand a certain depth of water, the actual resistance is usually much less.
For instance, if the label has 3 bars, this would literally mean that it’s water resistant up to 30 meters. In actuality, 3 bars indicate only a few droplets of water resistance. It would not survive more amounts of water than that, it is practically only splashproof. Similarly, 5 bars are suitable for showers, and 10 bars for swimming or snorkelling. It is advisable to strictly adhere to the limitations of a watch to give it a long life.
- Direct Sunlight
No matter how sturdy or well-built watches men are, direct sunlight can cause some serious damage to them. The exterior of any watch has some sort of finishing on it which can get damaged with long-term sun exposure. It is important to be careful when watches for men are exposed to the sun to protect their watch.
Sunlight does not just affect the exterior but also the interior of a watch. It dries out the lubrication present inside the watch that helps every part move smoothly. Other weather changes can also affect the watch negatively. A sudden change in temperature could cause condensation and the resulting moisture could cause minimal water damage. To avoid this, store watches for men in a cool and dry place as much as possible.
- Magnets
Magnets are horrible for watches. They interfere with the time integrity of a watch and create internal problems. Avoiding this would mean avoiding many household items including refrigerators. As this is not always possible, limit the exposure as much as possible.
Even placing watches on a laptop or tablet can enable exposure to magnets. These devices have magnetic material present inside which could prove harmful to a watch. If a watch is going to be around such materials for a prolonged time, it is suggested that it be taken to a watch store and get demagnetized. This would make the watch and its accuracy last longer.
- Regular Cleaning
Dust and other minute dirt particles can hamper the working of a watch. The more it accumulates the quicker the watch is likely to get damaged. To prevent this, regular and gentle cleaning of the watch is necessary. Use a damp cloth to wipe the exterior and a damp toothpick to get into the tiny corners of the watch. Cotton buds can also be used but they wouldn’t get all the corners and have a probability of leaving behind cotton residue.
Use a dry microfiber towel to wipe the watch clean. Once every few months get the watch deep cleaned by a professional. They will clean the watch from within without damaging any of the machinery. It is not advised to open a watch by yourself and leave it to the professionals.
- Servicing
Servicing a watch allows a professional to take a look at the internal environment of the watch. It helps in catching an issue early on and thereby avoids any major problems. It is important to get a watch serviced every 2-3 years irrespective of the warranty. This additional step prolongs the life of the watch a lot.
- Avoid Chemicals
Chemical compounds can ruin the external makings of a watch. Any kind of cleaning solution, oil, or even perfume can harm the watch. One should always let the perfume or cologne dry completely before putting on your watch. Like jewellery, a watch should be the last thing that goes on. It is also important to take off the watch while doing any kind of labor that involves working with chemicals.
- Some Additional ways to take care of your watch
- Insure it. Insurance for a watch may not seem logical but it can prove to be very beneficial if a watch gets lost or stolen. Especially in the case of premium or luxury watches that would cost a fortune to buy in the first place.
- Store it properly. Keep the box that comes with the watch and use it for storage whenever the watch is not being used.
- Take care of the glass dial. It can easily be damaged due to collisions with different surfaces. It is necessary to be cautious of your hands to avoid scratches or even cracking the dial.
Conclusion
While watches are made to withstand daily weathering, it cannot hurt to take some extra steps to take care of them. By using the above tips, one can prolong the life of their watch significantly. Some ways may cost a bit of money, but there are precautionary measures that anyone can follow. Taking good care of your watch can help create a souvenir to pass down which would be here long after one is gone.
