Why do watches require regular maintenance?

　　Regardless of whether a luxury watch is marked as water-resistant, as a watch enthusiast, you still need to perform regular maintenance. So, why do luxury watches require regular maintenance? Let's take a look below.

　　Reasons for regular luxury watch maintenance

　　1. Mechanical operation issues

　　Luxury watches are generally mechanical, and as such, they rely on gears to function. We often see a 'jewel' count specified on luxury watches; this does not refer to the number of diamonds, but rather the number of gear pivots set in synthetic jewels. Because synthetic jewels are wear-resistant, a higher jewel count generally contributes to a longer service life for the watch. However, the gears themselves cannot be made of such hard materials; they must use steel for the pivots. The smaller and thinner the watch, the finer the pivots. With tens of thousands of rotations per day, the watch relies entirely on a minute amount of oil within the jewel bearings to reduce friction. Once the oil dries up, the pivots suffer from dry friction, and within a few years, the watch's lifespan will be reached. Although luxury watch oils are of very high quality, the quantity is so small that they will inevitably evaporate over a few years. How long can a pivot as thin as a hair last under friction? Older watch designs were less complex and larger, with thicker pivots, which is why some customers claim their watches have run for ten years without maintenance. Modern watches are becoming increasingly smaller and significantly more expensive, so one should not lament that they are not as good as they used to be.

　　2. Luxury watch sealing issues

　　Furthermore, even if a luxury watch is marked as water-resistant, this only indicates that it passed water-resistance tests at the time of manufacture; it does not guarantee that it will remain water-resistant for a lifetime without maintenance. For example, many customers who bought Piaget watches wore them while bathing. Occasionally, they might not notice water ingress, but after a few times, they find water inside. If the water ingress is not addressed promptly, the internal components will eventually rust, leading customers to complain about product quality and demand a refund. On the other hand, no luxury watch should be worn in a sauna or hot shower, as the rubber seals may contract when cooled, allowing hot air to enter the case. If this air cannot escape and the resulting condensation is not dealt with, it will cause corrosion and rust. Therefore, luxury watches should only be worn under normal conditions.

　　3. Exterior maintenance

　　Luxury watch exteriors are generally made of gold, white gold, or high-quality animal leathers. Although gold is the primary material, human sweat is acidic, and combined with atmospheric corrosion, the watch will lose its lustre over time. This requires regular cleaning and polishing to keep the watch looking new. If the watch is made of white gold, the silver-white plating may wear off over time, exposing the yellow gold underneath and causing it to lose its original whiteness; therefore, it requires periodic re-plating to maintain its appearance. Leather straps are even more susceptible; sweat corrosion will cause the leather to harden and crack prematurely. Proper maintenance involves avoiding wearing leather straps during periods of heavy sweating or rain. If the watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet, regular polishing and refurbishment can better reflect its value.

　　Therefore, for luxury watches, the quality of maintenance will have a direct impact on their value.

　　How to maintain luxury watches?

　　1. Frequently use a relatively soft cloth or silk to gently wipe away dirt and sweat stains on the case.

　　2. Manual-winding mechanical watches should be wound at a fixed time, preferably fully wound at one go. When turning the crown, the speed should be moderate, and do not wind it too tightly. Over-winding can easily cause the mainspring to stick to the oil in the barrel. When the mainspring relaxes, it can easily break due to excessive elasticity.

　　3. Watches are most sensitive to violent vibrations. It is best to take it off when playing ball games or hitting things with your hands, unless you are sponsored by the brand like the person below.

　　4. Watches are also susceptible to water damage. Therefore, it is best to remove your watch when washing clothes, washing hands, or doing other work that involves contact with water. If fogging or water droplets appear on the watch crystal, it should be serviced promptly to wipe away the moisture and dry the movement. If you find fogging or condensation droplets on the watch crystal, please pull the crown out, place the watch face down for a day, and then push the crown back to its original position to resolve the issue (the occurrence of this issue does not mean the watch's water resistance has deteriorated; it may be that the crown was unintentionally pulled out from its original position during use).

　　5. Please keep the watch away from magnetic objects such as radios and televisions to avoid affecting its accuracy.