How to clean a German watch?

　　The lifespan of German watches is often closely linked to the owner's habits; as long as proper maintenance work is done, the lifespan of German watches will be greatly increased. People who wear watches often hold high expectations for them. Let's take a look at the common knowledge regarding the cleaning and maintenance of German watches.

　　German watch maintenance methods

　　Storage and placement of German watches. Although most readers do not consider themselves watch collectors, they generally own more than one watch to suit different moods, occasions, or activities when wearing them. Stored watches can be simply kept in a drawer, or you can choose to keep them running so they are ready for action at any time.

　　Try to avoid getting your watch wet. Although most watches are waterproof, they are generally only rated for 50 metres or 30 metres; this does not mean you should be careless!

　　Minimise unnecessary wear and tear. Every watch, regardless of material, will suffer from wear; this is unavoidable. Reducing wear will help prevent the strap from looking scuffed.

　　The battery life of German watches is generally 1 to 2 years. The battery should be replaced regularly. When replacing the battery, the sealing ring of the German watch should also be replaced, and a water resistance test should be performed on it. For watches with a low battery warning function, the battery should be replaced within 3 weeks after the warning appears.

　　Cleaning methods for German watches

　　During the use of a watch, the lubricating oil applied to the movement will gradually evaporate and dry out over time. Friction between gears can produce fine metal particles, increasing rotational resistance. Dust and fibres can also continuously enter through gaps in the case, causing grime to accumulate in the mechanism. Therefore, after a period of use, the watch requires disassembly, cleaning, and re-oiling.

　　There is no fixed rule for how often a watch should be oiled, as this is directly related to the seal of the case. Waterproof watch cases are better sealed, making it harder for dust to enter the movement, so the interval for cleaning and oiling can be longer. Non-waterproof cases generally have poorer seals, allowing dust and dirt to enter the movement more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning and oiling. Some suggest that a watch should be serviced every year or two, but this is not scientific. During use, you only need to have the watch cleaned and oiled if you notice it running slower or if the power reserve decreases significantly after being fully wound.

　　During maintenance, all parts of the German watch are dismantled, the movement is wiped with No. 120 petrol, and then other mechanisms inside the watch are cleaned with professional equipment, followed finally by oiling and assembly.

　　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.