No maintenance in summer, regret in autumn

     Last weekend I thought I would finally see the sun, but this week I was defeated by the bad news of heavy rain. What can I do about this fickle weather that changes as quickly as a girl's mind? Summer, which we both love and hate, has arrived, bringing with it sunshine, beaches, waves, and sweat. Have you mastered the knowledge of watch protection?

　　Always remember: no maintenance in summer, regret in autumn!

　　Sunshine

　　Indeed,Replica watchesyou need to protect against the sun too! Just like your skin, your hair, and everything else you own, catching some rays is certainly necessary, but excessive UV rays in the summer are harmful to everything on this planet (perhaps?). Most mechanical watch cases are made of metal: stainless steel, alloys (rose gold, white gold), yellow gold, platinum, and so on. Over time, they all carry the risk of oxidation. Metal is an excellent thermal conductor, so if left exposed to the blazing sun, not only will the temperature become extremely high, but it will also accelerate oxidation, while high temperatures can also cause significant damage to internal components.

　　High temperatures and baking heat can also cause severe damage to watch straps, especially leather and rubber ones, accelerating their ageing. Leather is prone to cracking if not properly maintained, while rubber can easily snap.

　　Therefore, try to expose your watch to direct sunlight as little as possible. Your watch needs to cool down just as much as you do.

Rolex Daytona automatic mechanical watch 116520

　　Water

　　When it comes to cooling down, various ways to beat the heat like showering, swimming, diving, and surfing all involve water, which brings us to the issue of water resistance (even though it is a basic maintenance matter).

　　First of all, are you really clear on your watch's water-resistance depth? Some people say 30 metres, it is marked right on my watch. Well, yes, does that mean you can take it for a dip in the water? Absolutely not! Just to be safe, please take it “ quite ” with a pinch of salt!! If your watch has a water-resistance depth of less than 100 metres, please keep it out of the water as much as possible! Especially 30 metres, in truth it is only suitable for occasional, inadvertent splashes, and you must dry off any moisture immediately! 50 metres is not much better either; although official claims state you can swim with it, it is still recommended to avoid doing so, though rinsing under tap water is acceptable. It is also worth remembering that no watch is recommended for wearing in the shower with hot water.

　　Next, once your watch reaches the 100-metre water-resistance level, congratulations, the ocean welcomes you! But at this point, experts also remind you that this does not mean everything is plain sailing, because the degree of water resistance varies among different brands of watches. They might both be marked with 100 metres, but a Rolex and certain ordinary brands will have vastly different results. At the same time, the speed of the water flow also affects water-resistance performance; the faster the current, the higher the required water-resistance depth.

　　If you have owned your watch for a long time, it is also recommended to take it to a watch shop to test its water-resistance depth before taking it into the water!

　　Therefore, a watch is a precious and fragile item. If you have spent a lot of money on one, you must take good care of it.

Omega Seamaster series 231.10.42.21.02.001

　　Sweat

　　Although summer allows you to go out dressed in light, airy clothing and fully enjoy the sunshine, the annoying high temperatures lead to perspiration. If not handled properly, this can easily result in poor watch maintenance. Sweat stains are notoriously difficult to clean, as many people know. If it is a leather strap, you must wipe away sweat stains frequently, otherwise over time you will find them hard to remove, which will also accelerate the hardening and cracking of the material. While rubber straps do not have to worry about water exposure, if they are contaminated with grease, it will accelerate ageing.

　　Stainless steel or precious metal bracelets lack the protection of outer clothing when worn, so care must be taken to avoid heavy impacts. Sweat stains can also make their surfaces slippery, and if a lot of dust or sweat accumulates over a long period, especially in the joints between links or in tiny crevices, it can easily lead to rust.

　　Therefore, you need to use a soft toothbrush regularly to remove dirt, and if the water-resistance performance is above 50 metres, you can also rinse it slightly with water. Cleaning issues require particular attention in summer, as high temperatures easily accelerate oxidation.

　　All of the above little tips are based on ordinary daily maintenance. Mechanical watches are extremely delicate products; never let your guard down regarding their upkeep just because you bought a luxury brand. Instead, you should care for them even more carefully—for instance, anti-magnetism, shock resistance, water resistance, sun protection, and sweat prevention are actually the basic principles of maintenance.