How to clean and service your watch

　　When a watch is dirty, should you use standard watch cleaning tools or a watch cleaning machine when cleaning it? If the components are not cleaned thoroughly, it will not only affect the normal operation of the watch movement but also impact long-term timekeeping stability, so this deserves attention.

　　Watch cleaning steps

　　1. Standard watch cleaning tools include a watch brush and cleaning solution. Cleaning with ordinary tools is very straightforward; the cleaning solution used is 120 grade aviation petrol. Because petrol contains a certain amount of impurities, it is best to filter the 120 grade petrol through filter paper before use to remove impurities. Otherwise, parts cleaned with unfiltered petrol will develop a white frost layer on the surface. Cleaned parts must be blown or dried. If the movement components have a lot of sludge or are very dirty, they should be soaked in a cylinder for a while first. If necessary, use a brush to remove dirt or a wooden peg to clear away sludge before cleaning in clean petrol. In short, movement components must be cleaned thoroughly and carefully without omission.

　　2. Cleaning with a watch cleaning machine. Cleaning components with a machine is highly efficient. Cleaning solutions include petrol, alcohol, and trifluoroethylene (F plus 13) among others. Use a trifluoro solution for cleaning plates. The cleaning machine commonly used for watch repair is a horological cleaning machine, which features speed control, time control, clockwise and anticlockwise head rotation, and lifting functions. It also has three bottles containing cleaning solutions, which must be capped after cleaning the watch to prevent evaporation and contamination. Additionally, there is an empty jar used for spinning the watch dry. The first bottle holds a less clean solution, the second bottle holds a clean solution, and the third contains distilled water for rinsing and dehydration. Of course, arrangements can also be adapted according to the process workflow. To prevent components from being damaged by collision during cleaning, use copper wire mesh baskets of different shapes to hold various parts, place these baskets together, and secure them with a frame for cleaning. Several watches can be washed at once.

　　Watch Maintenance Knowledge

　　(1) When wearing a watch, perspiration on your hand can corrode the case. All-steel cases have better corrosion resistance due to their nickel-chromium alloy composition, whereas base-metal cases are copper and corrode easily when exposed to sweat for long periods. You should regularly wipe off sweat with a soft cloth or use a plastic watch protector pad to prevent sweat corrosion.

　　(2) Do not open the case back casually, to prevent dust from entering the movement and affecting the normal operation of the watch.

　　(3) Do not place the watch in a wardrobe containing mothballs, to prevent the watch oil from deteriorating.

　　(4) Do not place the watch on radios or televisions, to avoid magnetisation.

　　(5) For watches stored long-term without being worn, wind them regularly once a month to prevent the components from remaining stationary for extended periods, thereby ensuring the movement's running performance.

　　Precautions for watch maintenance

　　1. Do not use the watch in hot baths, saunas, or environments with significant temperature fluctuations (including water-resistant watches).

　　2. Do not operate the watch buttons or adjust the crown while underwater.

　　3. Please clean the bracelet and case regularly; for leather straps, avoid contact with water, moisture, and cosmetics, and keep them out of direct sunlight.

　　4. Please keep the watch away from magnetic fields; avoid prolonged proximity to electrical appliances, mobile phones, and magnets.

　　5. Do not disassemble the watch under any circumstances.

　　6. Please avoid subjecting the watch to impacts or drops.