A watch is one of the few things you own that is designed to be worn constantly for decades. Treated sensibly, it will manage that. Most of the damage watchmakers see is not from dramatic accidents — it is from small, repeated, avoidable habits.

Understand your water resistance rating

Water resistance ratings are the most widely misread numbers in watchmaking. They are tested under static laboratory pressure, not real-world swimming, and they describe the state of the watch when it was tested — not after three years of gasket ageing.

As a general guide: a low rating means splash resistance only, a mid rating suits handwashing and rain, and a high rating is needed for genuine swimming or diving. Whatever the number, never operate the crown or pushers while the watch is wet, and make sure a screw-down crown is fully closed before contact with water.

Gaskets are consumable. Water resistance is a property of a serviced watch, not a permanent feature of the model.

Clean it more often than you think

Skin oil, sweat and dust collect where the case meets the strap and between bracelet links. Wipe the case with a soft dry cloth regularly. For a steel bracelet, occasional cleaning with a soft brush and lukewarm water works well — dry it thoroughly afterwards, especially between links.

Never use solvents, household cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners at home. They can strip lubricants, damage gaskets and ruin dial finishes.

Leather straps and moisture

Leather is the part of a watch most likely to fail first, and water is why. Sweat and repeated wetting break down the fibres and the edge finishing. If a leather strap gets soaked, dry it slowly at room temperature and away from direct heat — a radiator will make it brittle.

If you regularly get wet, keep a rubber or steel option and swap. Quick-release spring bars make that a ten-second job.

Magnetism

Mechanical watches can be affected by strong magnetic fields — speaker magnets, magnetic laptop closures, some bag clasps. A magnetised watch often starts running noticeably fast. It is not damage, and a watchmaker can demagnetise it quickly. Just keep the watch away from obvious magnet sources when you take it off.

Impact and daily handling

Modern movements are shock-protected, but crystals and bezels still chip and cases still scratch. The most common damage happens when a watch is knocked against a door frame or dropped from a bedside table. If you take it off, put it somewhere with a lip or a soft surface.

Storage

Store watches away from direct sunlight and away from extremes of temperature and humidity. A pouch, roll or box keeps dust off and prevents pieces knocking together. If you are storing a mechanical watch for a long period, it is normal for it to stop — that is not a fault.

Watch winders are optional. They are useful for calendar complications you do not want to reset; for a simple three-hand automatic they are a convenience, not a necessity.

Setting habits that extend life

• Take the watch off your wrist before setting it — it puts less lateral strain on the stem.
• Wind in one direction, gently, and stop when you feel resistance on a hand-wound movement.
• Avoid changing the date during the late-evening to early-morning window when the date mechanism is engaged.
• Always push a screw-down crown fully home afterwards.

Servicing

Mechanical watches need periodic servicing at the interval the manufacturer specifies. Lubricants degrade whether or not the watch is worn, and running a dry movement causes wear that is expensive to reverse. Quartz watches need timely battery changes — a dead battery left in place can leak and damage the movement.

If a watch suddenly gains or loses significantly, mists up inside, or the crown feels gritty, stop wearing it and have it looked at.