A good watch can last for decades, and in many Indian families it is passed from one generation to the next. Whether it stays in great condition depends largely on simple habits.
How you wear it, how you clean it, where you keep it and when you have it serviced all make a difference. This guide brings together the watch care advice our team gives every day, covering daily habits, cleaning by material, storage, water resistance, and the signs that your watch needs professional attention.
Quick Answer
The Five Habits That Matter Most
Wipe your watch with a soft, dry cloth regularly.
Respect its water resistance rating, and never use the crown or pushers in water.
Keep it away from perfume, lotions, strong magnets and hard knocks.
Store it in a box or pouch, away from other watches and jewellery.
Replace batteries promptly and service mechanical watches at the brand's interval.
Every Day
Daily Care Habits
Product care information on TGT Luxe notes that perfume, lotion, oil, insect repellent and dyed fabrics such as denim can discolour a watch over time.
Unless it is built for it. Knocks can damage both the case and the movement.
Push it fully back in after setting the time; if it screws down, screw it down fully.
Such as taking a watch straight from a hot bath into cold water.
Speakers and magnetic clasps on bags can affect mechanical movements.
Cleaning
How to Clean Your Watch, by Material
| Material | How to Clean | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel case and bracelet | Wipe with a soft cloth. If the watch is rated 5 ATM or higher and the crown is closed, clean the bracelet with a soft brush and a little mild soapy water, rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly. | Abrasive cleaners, scouring pads |
| Leather strap | Wipe gently with a dry cloth. Let it air-dry naturally if it gets damp. | Water, sweat build-up, direct heat, perfume |
| Ceramic | Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry. | Dropping it on hard floors, as ceramic can chip |
| Rubber or silicone | Rinse with fresh water after sweat or sea water, then dry. | Solvents and oils |
| Gold-tone or PVD finishes | Wipe with a soft dry cloth. | Polishing cloths with chemicals, which can wear coatings |
| Glass (crystal) | Wipe with a microfibre cloth. | Hard knocks; even sapphire can crack on impact |
Water
Understanding Water Resistance
Water resistance ratings are a guide to everyday use. Citizen's published usage guide explains them clearly:
| Rating | Suitable For | Not Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistant (3 bar / 3 ATM) | Occasional accidental splashes | Swimming |
| 5 bar / 5 ATM | Swimming | Skin diving |
| 10 or 20 bar | Skin diving (snorkelling) | Scuba diving |
| Diver's 200m | Scuba diving with an air tank | Saturation diving with helium gas |
Water resistance depends on rubber gaskets, which age over time. That is why we recommend a water resistance test after any battery change or service, and before you swim with an older watch. Our Watch Care Center pressure-tests watches with professional equipment and replaces crown gaskets and seals to restore the original specification.
Storage
How to Store Your Watch
- Use a box or soft pouch. Storing watches loose in a drawer leads to scratches. Our collector boxes keep several watches separated.
- Keep it dry and away from direct sunlight and heat, which can fade straps and dials.
- Store away from magnets and electronics.
- Keep the original box, papers and warranty card together in a safe place; you will need them for warranty service.
Automatic
An automatic watch stops when left unworn beyond its power reserve, often around 40 to 70 hours. That is normal. If you rotate several automatics, a watch winder keeps them running and ready to wear. Otherwise, wind it through the crown (if your model allows) and set the time when you next wear it.
Solar (Eco-Drive)
Solar watches charge from light. Citizen says most Eco-Drive models run for more than six months on a full charge, but a dark drawer for long periods will drain it. Keep it where it receives some light. If the seconds hand jumps in two-second steps, the charge is low.
Quartz
If you will not wear a quartz watch for a long time, it can be stored normally. Replace the battery as soon as it runs out, because an old, dead battery can leak and damage the movement.
Servicing
Servicing a Mechanical or Automatic Watch
A mechanical movement contains many small parts lubricated with oils that age over time. A full service, sometimes called an overhaul, keeps the movement healthy. At our Watch Care Center, it includes complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, lubrication and reassembly, with timing verified on precision equipment.
How often to service depends on the brand, the movement and how the watch is used, so follow the brand's recommendation in your manual.
Signs Your Watch Needs Service Now
- It gains or loses much more time than usual.
- It stops even though it is wound or charged.
- You see moisture or fog under the glass. Have it checked immediately.
- The crown feels loose, gritty or will not screw down.
- The rotor of an automatic is noisy.
- The date or other functions change at the wrong time.
Restoration
Polishing, Straps and Spare Parts
Scratches on steel cases and bracelets can be reduced with professional polishing and buffing. Our Watch Care Center restores the case and bracelet to a showroom finish and stocks genuine spare parts, including crowns, crystals, dials, hands and movement parts, sourced from brand-authorised supply only. Genuine and premium straps can be fitted on the same day at any branch.
Done while you wait.
Water resistance restored.
Disassembly to timing check.
Showroom finish.
Brands we service include Titan, Alba, Citizen, Seiko, Tissot, Longines, Rado, TAG Heuer, Victorinox and many more.
At a Glance
Care Tips by Watch Type
| Watch Type | Key Care Tip |
|---|---|
| Quartz | Replace dead batteries promptly; test water resistance afterwards. |
| Automatic | Wear regularly or use a winder; service at the brand's interval. |
| Solar / Eco-Drive | Keep in the light; do not store in darkness for long periods. |
| Diver's watch | Screw the crown down fully; rinse with fresh water after sea water. |
| Chronograph | Never press the pushers underwater. |
| Leather strap watch | Keep dry; rotate straps in hot, humid weather. |
| Ceramic watch | Avoid hard knocks and drops. |
Frequently Asked
Frequently Asked Questions
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Wipe it with a soft dry cloth. If it is rated 5 ATM or more and the crown is closed, you can clean a metal bracelet with a soft brush and mild soapy water, then rinse and dry it. Never wash a leather strap.
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Quartz watches mainly need battery changes and seal checks. Mechanical and automatic watches need a full service at the interval the brand recommends in the manual.
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We do not recommend it. Hot water, soap and steam can age the gaskets, even on water-resistant watches.
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Usually it has simply run through its power reserve after being left unworn. Wind it or wear it and set the time. If it stops while worn, have it checked.
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Bring it to a service centre immediately. Moisture can damage the dial and movement quickly.
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At our Watch Care Center, battery replacement is done while you wait.
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Strong magnets can affect mechanical movements and make them run fast. Some modern movements resist magnetism better; Tissot, for example, uses its Nivachron balance spring for this purpose.
A few simple habits and timely service will keep your watch accurate and looking new for years.
For battery changes, water resistance testing, servicing and genuine parts, visit our Watch Care Center.
