Methods for maintaining mechanical watches

    Within the watch industry, mechanical watches are widely loved by many. Although mechanical watches do not have batteries, performing some simple and easy maintenance is essential, as this is very helpful for extending the watch's service life and maintaining the movement in good condition. Below, Watch Home introduces methods for maintaining mechanical watches.

    Mechanical watches can generally be divided into two types: manual-winding and automatic-winding watches. The power source for both types of mechanical movements relies on the mainspring within the movement, which drives the gears to move the hands, though the method of power generation differs. Manual-winding mechanical watches are wound by hand; the movement is thinner than that of a typical automatic watch, and consequently, the entire watch is lighter. Automatic-winding watches use the power generated by the oscillating weight at the bottom of the movement swinging left and right to drive the mainspring, but the watch itself is relatively thicker than a standard manual-winding watch.

    If you are often in an office with insufficient physical activity, or if you are an elderly person, it is best not to wear an automatic watch. While manual winding can be a tedious task, you must do it; this is not a fault of the automatic watch itself. Another important issue is that for automatic watches, the timekeeping accuracy is relatively better when the mainspring is fully wound. If the watch has stopped, it is generally difficult to fully wind it relying solely on the automatic winding mechanism.

    The most common situations for sending a mechanical watch for repair are water ingress and impact. Unless a mechanical watch is marked as having a water-resistant function, you must absolutely avoid water entering the case, as water can cause mechanical corrosion, which is highly destructive. Seawater, in particular, must be avoided. Even for watches marked as water-resistant, the guarantee only lasts for one year, because the watch's water-resistant seals will inevitably fatigue after a year of wear and tear, combined with unavoidable external factors such as sweat and dust. Therefore, the seals must be replaced after one year, otherwise, the watch will no longer be water-resistant.

    In addition to water resistance, you must also protect against impact. If your budget allows, it is a good idea to have two or three watches to rotate in daily life, and try to wear mechanical watches during static activities, which helps to extend the watch's service life. It is best to take your mechanical watch to a specialist repair shop every year for a "health check" to see if there is any improper use or water ingress. Humidity, heat, sweat, rain, and dirty air accumulated over many years can cause chronic erosion and serious damage to the mechanism.