Servicing Your Watch
With some tender love and care, timepieces are potential heirlooms that can last for generations. Our team of specialists offer their insights into some of these best practices.
Service Intervals
All timepieces, quartz or mechanical, have moving parts and require regular servicing to keep them on time, and functioning correctly. Servicing is recommended once every 2-5 years, depending on the amount of use. During service, an experienced watchmaker will perform the following:
- Diagnosis
- Disassembly of the watch
- Dismantle case and movement
- Cleaning of the exterior case (and bracelet)
- Refreshing both the case and bracelet
- Cleaning of moving parts in the movement
- Lubrication of moving parts in the movement
- Readjustment of timing to factory standards
- Reassembly of the watch
- Quality Control testing
- Water resistance testing
Servicing should only be carried out through official service centres where watchmakers are fully trained by the manufacture, and specialise in restoration of the timepiece.
Automatic Watches
Automatic, or self-winding, watches rely on movements of your arm to power them. If the timepiece has stopped, wind the crown approximately 20 times prior to setting it to ensure optimal timekeeping.
Manual Watches
These are timepieces that require winding via the crown at the same time of the day, everyday, to ensure optimal timekeeping. When the crown starts to feel tight, it signifies the point at which you should stop winding the timepiece to prevent overwinding.
Some manual watches are equipped with a slipping spring that prevents overwinding. Please check against the instruction manual supplied with the timepiece for further information.
Quartz Watches
In general, a battery within quartz watches lasts for approximately two years. Once the battery has run down completely, it must be replaced immediately as there is risk of leakage – this can cause corrosion to the movement.
Water Resistance
Timepieces have various degrees of water-resistance. While watches with 50 metres water resistance means that it can be worn for swimming in shallow depths, 100 meters means it can be worn snorkelling. The numbers “50” or “100” however refers to the amount of water pressure the watch case can withstand, not the depth to which the watch can be worn.
Over time, gaskets that seal timepieces from moisture may potentially degrade. Regular water resistance checks are recommended to ensure that no moisture can enter the timepiece and damage vital components.
We further advise that timepieces should not be worn in the shower or sauna – changes in temperature can accelerate degrading of these rubber seals. Again, this can lead to moisture entering into the case, which damages the movement.
A timepiece that is suitable for swimming should be at least 100m water-resistant with a screw-down crown. Ensure that the crown is screwed tightly before entering the water. If a timepiece is equipped with a chronograph function, and unless specified otherwise, never press the pushers underwater – this will allow water to enter the case, which damages the movement.
Upon noticing condensation building up underneath the crystal of the timepiece, we advise immediately taking it to the nearest Monards boutique where we will have our watchmakers assess the watch.
Sapphire Crystals
Sapphire crystals are the second hardest material after diamonds and generally, are scratch-resistant. Nonetheless, like all materials, they have their breaking points. In order to care for timepieces with a sapphire crystal, we advise that they be kept away from impacts, and from diamonds to avoid scratches.
Bracelets
The bracelet of your watch should be adjusted to fit firmly on the wrist, and does not roll around it. If not sized correctly, the timepiece can experience damage to the case from impacts and in more severe situations, affect the movement.
A metal watch bracelet can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. And subsequently, dried off with a soft cloth.
Links and clasps on bracelets can also become loose over time. If you require a bracelet adjustment, you can send it in to us at the nearest Monards boutique.
Leather Straps
The leather strap of your watch should not be submerged or exposed to oils, cleaning chemicals, perfumes, hand creams, and perspiration as leathers can absorb liquids and will make it deteriorate faster.
If you require a replacement leather strap, you can place an order with us at the nearest Monards boutique.
Magnetism
Magnetism may cause timepieces to run faster than it ought to. Components inside every watch contain metal elements, which can be affected by magnetic fields throughout our daily lives and thus perform inaccurately.
In order to avoid magnetising them, we advise against storing or wearing timepieces whilst in close proximity to the following:
- Safes, TVs, and iPads
- Speakers/Home theatre systems
- Computers
- Laptop chargers
- Microwaves
- High intensity medical imaging equipment
Shock
Vibrations and other sudden shocks can potentially damage timepieces. In particular, sports such as tennis or golf can send strong vibrations to the watch due to the force from racquet or club swings. In order to avoid such damages, we advise that watches be taken off and stored safely away during these activities.
Impact and Impact Damage
An impact can dislodge or damage components and thus either stop a timepiece or make it run inaccurately. Timepieces that have sustained an impact from a hard knock, or dropped from a height, are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Furthermore, despite dropping onto soft surfaces (i.e. carpets), watches can still experience a sudden shock.
After an impact, timepieces should be checked for visible damage to the case and dial. Strong impacts can sometimes shatter the sapphire crystal of a watch. If this occurs, immediately pull the crown out to stop the time as fragments can ruin the movement and dial of the watch.
Upon noticing abnormalities about the timepiece afterwards, we advise immediately bringing it to the nearest Monards boutique where we will have our watchmakers assess the watch.
Time Setting
While pulling out the crown of the watch, do so without force. Instead, use both index finger and thumb to cautiously do so with ease. Take care to notice its various setting positions given the extremely fragile nature of the stem. Furthermore, avoid over-tightening screw-down crowns as this causes their threading to become loose over time.
Date Setting
Ensure watch hands are in the lower quadrant of the dial before setting the date. We advise doing so via the date wheel until a day before and subsequently, via the time for correct AM/PM range.
Perpetual Calendars
Ensure watch pushers are entirely in, and out, before setting calendar complications. This should be an exercise done with patience to avoid pushing the day, date, and month wheels out of sync with each other.
In addition, most timepieces with calendar functions do not have the above wheels turn instantly at midnight. Instead, they will start turning sightly either before or after midnight. Do not be alarmed.
Chronographs
Activating a chronograph with a single power barrel in the watch also mean that accuracy and power reserve will not be as specified. As such, we advise against continuously activating the complication. Instead, ensure that its pushers are kept secured except while in use.
In addition, keep in mind to avoid resetting a running chronograph unless specified otherwise or flyback chronographs.
Materials
Despite their scratch-resistant or lightweight properties, ceramic, sapphire, and carbon are brittle materials that can break upon strong impacts.
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Disclaimer: These comments are general in nature and we ask that you read your instruction manual in detail. Please do not hesitate to reach out.