You love your watch and wear it everywhere, but that can lead to a pretty messy situation. Whether you’re looking to keep your watch in tip-top condition or revamp a timepiece with years of grime, Maddisons of Durham has shared its top tips for cleaning your favourite watch.
1: A little wipe goes a long way
Like so many things, less is more. This is especially true when it comes to caring for your watch. We’re a lot dirtier than we tend to think. Whether you wear your watch at the gym, or just around the office, sweat, natural oils, and other liquids (like that spilt coffee) can work their way into your watch strap or case and eventually rust the delicate mechanisms in and around your watch. A simple preventative solution is to give your watch a quick wipe down with a soft cloth in the evening when you take it off. This basic daily maintenance will remove excess moisture and any lotion that may have built up during the day through general wear and will go a long way in keeping your watch looking better for longer.
2: Check your water resistance
Today, most modern watches come with some form of water resistance, but they can deteriorate over time. Most “water-resistant” models are built to withstand moisture in everyday situations like showers, swimming pools and small spills with the use of gaskets that prevent water from entering the watch. Over time these gaskets can break down through contact with cologne, sunlight, chlorine and even sweat. Make sure you check your watch before bringing it into contact with water. If your watch has little to no water resistance, it’s important to take extra care to protect your watch during cleaning. Use a soft, minimally damp cloth and avoid submerging the timepiece. Alternatively, you can clean it with a dry soft-bristled brush to brush up any debris, and then wipe it down with a soft cloth.
3: Don’t let a scratch get you down
Scratches happen, especially to acrylic and mineral crystal. Just because your watch has a scratch on the glass doesn’t mean you have to take it into the watchmakers or replace the whole glass. In comes Poly Watch to the rescue! This handy glass polish is exactly what the pro’s use, so you know you can’t go wrong. Apply a small amount to the scratched area and buff away the excess leaving you with clear glass. Larger scratches may require more than one treatment.
4: Break it down to clean it up
Even with daily maintenance, your watch can still get build up. Taking the time to take your watch off its strap or bracelet will let you clean deep into all those hard to reach nooks and crannies. Use a soft cloth or jewellery cleaning wipe to thoroughly wipe down your watch case making sure to get in behind the lugs. If you have a bracelet you can soak it in jewellery cleaner and gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush for a truly deep clean. Let your watch and strap thoroughly dry before putting it back together.
5: Shine on you crazy diamond
Some watches have a little added sparkle. If you have a silver, gold or diamond-set watch you’ll want to take extra care to keep it looking its best. Just like other watches, you’ll want to wipe your watch with jewellery cleaning wipes or a polishing cloth made for precious metals. If your watch has diamonds, a dazzle stick is a quick and easy way to keep them shining bright.
To keep your watch looking its best, remember to take your watch off when washing your hands, put it back on a dry wrist, and wipe it down every evening when you take it off. Now your watch is squeaky clean and ready for its next adventure!
