A watch doesn't break from being worn—it breaks from a few repeated minor things. Here are some practical rules that work regardless of whether you have an automatic, quartz, or chronograph, and what to do differently depending on the strap material and movement.
Daily habits that make the biggest difference
- Take off your watch before going to bed — not from concern for the mechanism, but for the strap and glass. Rubbing against the bedding and bed frame at night is responsible for a significant portion of the scratches.
- Don't put it on before applying cosmetics. Perfumes, deodorant sprays, and creams damage the leather strap faster than water. Put your watch on last.
- Check the lace. A loose or pulled-out crown is the most common cause of moisture in the movement. Before reaching for the water, make sure it's tightened.
- Do not set the date between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM. In this window, the date gear is in motion and can be damaged. This applies to both automatic and many quartz models.
Cleaning - Weekly, Two Minutes
Wipe the 316L steel case and bracelet with a soft microfiber cloth. Occasionally, you can lightly dampen them with water and a drop of mild soap—provided the watch has a screw-down crown and is certified water-resistant. Then wipe dry, paying particular attention to the spaces between the links, where sweat and dust tend to collect. 316L steel is the material from which we make the cases in all our collections—from Horizon after Monarch.
Sapphire glass doesn't require maintenance—just wipe it. Never use abrasive pastes or paper towels: paper contains wood fibers that can leave micro-scratches on the anti-reflective coating.
Strap: leather, silicone, bracelet
Skin It doesn't like water or high temperatures. When wet, it dries stiff and cracks at the handles. If it gets wet, dry it at room temperature, away from a radiator. We've covered this in detail in the guide. how to care for a leather belt.
Silicon It's maintenance-free, but it does collect dust and grease. Simply wash it with soap and water. Steel bracelet It is worth rinsing and drying once every few months - especially in summer, when sweat accumulates in the cells.
Water: What Waterproof Really Means
The ATM ratings are based on laboratory pressure testing, not the depth to which you can dive. Seals age over time, and a sudden change in temperature—like a hot shower—will damage them more severely than the immersion itself. We've expanded on this in the article. Does water resistance in a watch matter?.
Rule of thumb: do not take your watch into the shower, sauna or hot water, even if the specifications theoretically allow it.
Magnetism – the silent culprit of a „broken” watch
If a mechanical watch suddenly starts losing a minute a day, nine times out of ten it's not broken—it's magnetized. Speakers, magnetic phone cases, bags with magnetic closures, and laptops can be to blame. Demagnetization at a watchmaker takes a few minutes and costs little. You can find more information about what constitutes normal deviation in the article about the accuracy of an automatic watch.
Differences depending on the mechanism
Machine It's powered by the movement of your wrist. It requires no further wear if worn daily; if left unused for an extended period, it will stop after 40-48 hours and requires winding and setting. This isn't a fault. We've compiled a full set of instructions in our guide. how to care for an automatic watch.
Quartz and mecha-quartz They run on batteries. A key rule: don't leave a dead battery in your watch. An old battery can leak and destroy the movement—a repair that's more expensive than the watch itself. The Zenith collection and Skeleton chronographs feature the hybrid Seiko VK63 caliber, which typically has a battery life of 2-3 years.
Storage and inspection
When storing a watch for an extended period, store it in a box, horizontally, away from moisture and heat sources. If you have several watches, consider a stand or a box—it's not only for organization but also to prevent the cases from rubbing against each other.
It's recommended to service an automatic movement every few years, just like a car. Most watchmakers in Poland service Japanese calibers, so it's neither expensive nor troublesome. Signs that it's time for a visit include a significantly reduced power reserve, a deviation of more than 40 seconds per day, or resistance when winding.
What not to do
- Do not open the cover yourself - you will lose the seal and warranty.
- Don't leave your watch on a windowsill in direct sunlight; UV will discolor the dial and dry out the strap.
- Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on watches with a leather strap or models with unknown water tightness.
- Don't set your chronograph to continuous measurement mode "just in case" - it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
A well-treated watch is a piece of equipment that will last for decades, not just a season. If you're looking for a model that will last, see our collection — code on first purchase CELESTI10 gives you -10%, plus you get free shipping and 14 days to return.
