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If you’ve bought your first mechanical watch or got your eye on one, then knowing how to care for it will keep your timepiece ticking along with you for years to come. Watches are classic accessories that perform a simple function – nothing too intimidating or high-maintenance. With the right tools and some basic knowledge, you can have a satisfying watch experience that lasts decades.

Mechanical/Automatic Watches

Mechanical timepieces, also known as automatic watches, are the next step up from hand-wound in horological evolution. Unlike quartz watches, mechanical models don’t rely on a battery for power. Instead, it is provided by the unwinding of a tightly coiled flat spring which drives the hands around the dial, as well as any additional features like date function, moon phase, and chronograph.

Mechanical masterpieces come in all shapes and sizes from luxury watch names like TAG Heuer and Hamilton. Constructed from the highest-quality materials and with intricate technology, there is a timepiece for every type of lifestyle and watch-lover.

This makes these watches the best anniversary or milestone gift to show that special someone just how much you appreciate them.

Dos and Don’ts of Mechanical Watches

Getting the most out of your mechanical watch doesn’t need to be difficult. Not when you follow these simple dos and don’ts of watch care:

• Watch the water resistance – Most modern mechanical watches are designed with some measure of water resistance but too much moisture will damage it. If you’re a diver or take part in water sports, then finding watches that have suitable depth resistance is key.
• Always polish – The materials and aesthetics of your watch are what attracted you to it in the first place. Giving the crystal glass a regular polish will keep it glittering as brightly as the day you purchased it.
• Keep an eye on the magnetism – Magnetics is another big enemy of mechanical watches as they can cause shorten the hairspring and cause the timepiece to run fast. While watch companies are making big leaps in protecting against magnetism, keeping your watch away from televisions, speakers, and other electronics can prevent it from occurring accidentally.
• Wash it off – Whether you’re only wearing it for special occasions or every day, your watch is guaranteed to pick up dirt and grime from your skin and clothes when worn. To prevent it from tarnishing your timepiece, give it a clean from time to time with an old toothbrush and running water.

If in doubt about how to care for your mechanical watch, always go and get it serviced. Through a boutique, you can make an appointment with a specialist to go through the maintenance of your timepiece.