FeatureTaking Care Of Your Timepiece: Watch Maintenance Tips

Ethos care is the authorised service centre for 15 of the world’s top luxury watch brands with state-of-the-art repair and service centres that are spread across the major cities in India. Our young manager Neil D’ Souza at Ethos Care, Bangalore answers some the most frequently asked questions regarding watch maintenance.

How long is the life of a watch battery?

Battery life usually varies from 1-3 years depending on the type of the watch, its dimensions and the quantity of energy requested by the different functions. If the second hand (if there is one) begins to jump in 4-second intervals, the battery of your watch needs to be changed (end of life indicator).

Battery life in your quartz watch is dependent on many factors:

– the date the battery was produced

– the battery’s confirmed ability to support a ‘load’

– the consumption level of your watch movement

– how frequently you utilise the additional functions on your watch, such as an alarm.

Multi-function quartz watches use battery power rapidly when utilised daily. One to two years is the average battery life, but some may work for three years if the watch has only to power analogue hands. Battery changes will be needed more often as your watch gets older. This is due both to the oil degrading inside the watch and the gaskets drying and cracking (letting in contaminants that land in the oil and produce more friction).

What can I do when my watch gains or loses too much time?

If your mechanical watch is losing more than a few seconds a day (three to four) or gaining more than 10 seconds per day, it may be time for a service. If your quartz watch is losing or gaining more than 15 seconds per month, it may require servicing. This is also known as an “overhaul” or “basic/complete service”.

Watch accuracy depends on the type of movement used in the watch. Please refer to the information in your watch instruction for the appropriate accuracy standard. If the accuracy of your watch is outside the standard range, we recommend that you contact an authorised service centre or an appointed dealer to have the watch inspected.

What special care should I give my watch?

Shocks:

– Avoid strong shocks such as dropping it on hard surfaces as a watch is a sensitive precision instrument.

Water resistance:

– Do not put a water-resistant watch in the water while the crown is pulled out.

– Do not turn or pull out the crown when the watch is wet.

– Even if a watch is water resistant, avoid placing it directly under running water from a faucet. The water pressure from a faucet is sufficient to result in moisture penetration inside the watch.

– The water resistance of a watch is not permanently guaranteed. It is affected by the ageing of gaskets or deformation of watch parts due to an accidental shock. We recommend that you have the water resistance of the watch checked regularly to ensure it’s functionality.

– To preserve it’s water resistance as long as possible, wipe off moisture, sweat or dirt with a soft, dry cloth after removing it from the wrist.

Swimming in the sea:

– After using a water-resistant watch in sea water, wash it in fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth.

– Do not wash a water-resistant watch while the crown is pulled out.

– Avoid washing it directly under running water. Wash it in still water in a sink or container.

Bath or sauna:

– Do not wear the watch while taking a bath or a sauna. Steam, soap or some components of a hot spring may accelerate the deterioration of water resistance performance.

Temperature extremes:

– The function of the watch is affected by extreme temperature and by extreme changes in temperature.

– Since operational temperature ranges differ for each calibre, please refer to the instruction for your watch calibre.

Chemicals:

– Do not use solvents or chemicals (i.e. benzine, thinner, bleach) for cleaning a watch. This may cause a chemical reaction and result in deterioration of the watch or a change in the colour of the case, band or strap.

Crown:

– Turn the crown from time to time in order to prevent corrosion of the crown and maintain the flexibility of the gasket.

– For a screw-in crown, screw down the crown carefully to prevent penetration of moisture inside the movement.

Cleaning:

Wipe off moisture, sweat or dirt with a soft cloth after removing it from the wrist to increase the durability of the case back, gaskets and band.

How can I be sure I am buying a genuine branded watch?

Buy a branded watch only from an authorised brand retailer who will give you the credit-card size warranty, duly completed with the 8-digit serial number, the watch reference and the retailer’s full name and address.

Why does my watch need servicing? What are the service intervals?

Like any high-precision instrument, a watch needs to be serviced regularly in order for it to work perfectly. Obviously, we cannot indicate the intervals for such work, given that it depends entirely on the model, climate and the care taken by the watch’s owner. As a general rule, it is between four and five years, depending on the use of the watch.