How to maintain a Longines quartz watch?

　　Longines has a global presence, and Longines quartz watches are the choice of many friends. So how should a Longines quartz watch be maintained? Below are maintenance methods for Longines quartz watches compiled by Xiaoya, which we hope you find useful.

　　Maintenance methods for Longines quartz watches

　　I. Typically, the battery life of a Longines quartz watch is around 1-3 years, and current quartz watch IC circuits have extremely low power consumption (approximately 1 microamps), which significantly enhances battery longevity. For three-hand watches (those with a seconds hand), the crown can also be pulled out when not in use to halt the stepping motor, a feature known as the power-saving function. Watches that will not be worn for a short period should have their crowns pulled out.

　　2. For Longines quartz watches that are not used for a long period, certain precautions are necessary. A 'long period' refers to exceeding the battery's shelf life. It is important to know that quartz watches primarily use silver oxide batteries. Like other battery types, silver oxide batteries self-discharge even when not in use (e.g., in storage). The rate of self-discharge is heavily dependent on the ambient temperature and humidity; the higher the temperature, the greater the self-discharge rate.

　　3. Some silver oxide batteries are prone to alkaline creep and leakage, particularly those of lower quality with poor seals. This often occurs when the battery is near or completely out of power, a phenomenon similar to standard dry-cell batteries. Silver oxide batteries contain an alkaline electrolyte, typically sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, both of which are highly corrosive. Once leaked, they can cause severe damage to the watch. Firstly, they can corrode the circuit's spring contacts; secondly, severe leakage can corrode the movement plates, and in the worst cases, damage the watch dial.

　　4. There are many examples of damage caused by batteries, not just in watches. For instance, dry-cell batteries in a torch, if left unused for a long time, may swell after losing power (silver oxide batteries also suffer from this, known as 'gas expansion'), making them difficult to remove. If this happens in a camera, it can cause significant problems.

　　Precautions for quartz watch maintenance

　　1. Water resistance: Many people believe that a good watch should be water-resistant. The Swiss have a different understanding compared to the rest of the world. The vast majority of quartz watches have a water resistance of 30 metres or 50 metres. Many people assume this means their watch can be submerged to that depth without issue. Wrong! 30 metres or 50 metres in the Swiss watch dictionary means water-resistant for daily life. Its true meaning is: try your best not to get your watch wet. Only when the water resistance rating reaches 100 metres can it be submerged in water without the risk of ingress. True diving watches often require a water resistance rating exceeding 200 metres.

　　2. Temperature: Some people wear diving watches into a sauna. The temperature in a sauna is far higher than normal outdoor temperatures, and the sudden change in temperature will cause the water-resistant gaskets inside the quartz watch to age prematurely. Even with a diving watch, it may lose its water resistance before the scheduled gasket replacement.

　　3. Dust: Dust may seem unrelated to quartz watches, but for the movement itself, one of its three major enemies is dust. Long-term exposure to dust-heavy areas will naturally lead to dust entering the gaps in the case. An accumulation of dust will cause the movement lubricant to dry out faster, which is undoubtedly bad for the movement. Of course, in daily life, there are few opportunities for prolonged, high-density contact with dust, but keeping a watch-cleaning cloth and occasionally wiping the quartz watch case is a very useful practice.

　　4. Shock: The movement is actually quite 'fragile', especially when subjected to sudden, violent vibrations. You may have seen many people wearing high-end dress quartz watches while playing golf. It is worth noting that, especially during the tee-off swing, the instantaneous G-force on the wrist is staggering. While this is not a problem for human bones, it is a significant impact for a quartz watch worn on the wrist. Many high-end dress quartz watches from major brands have been sent to service centres due to their owners' enthusiastic swings.

　　5. Wear and tear: Whether it is an all-steel or precious metal case, wear and tear is always an issue. Many people find terms like 'stainless steel' or 'scratch-proof' attractive. However, the reality is that even a case made from the best steel will show signs of wear. Even the clasp will naturally wear against a desk every day. For example, when we type on a keyboard, it can cause unsightly scratches on the clasp. Therefore, taking care not to subject the case and bracelet to unnecessary wear is essential to keeping our quartz watches 'looking new'.

　　6. Magnetic fields: Many people have had this experience: a newly purchased mechanical quartz watch inexplicably develops an error. The biggest culprit is magnetism. Because modern homes and social environments are filled with electromagnetic fields, if you accidentally place your quartz watch near a television at home regularly, it will not take long for the movement to become magnetised. A significant change after magnetisation is that the timekeeping error of the movement becomes increasingly large. Of course, do not panic; if it becomes magnetised, you can take it to a professional facility for demagnetisation. To save yourself the trouble, it is recommended to keep your quartz watch away from strong magnetic field areas when not in use.

　　The above are the maintenance methods for Longines quartz watches. Only by performing daily maintenance on your quartz watch can you better extend the service life of the watch.

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