Common blunders such as improper storage, sudden temperature changes, and overwinding can affect both the performance and appearance of your watch. Unlike obvious wear and tear, these silent issues often go unnoticed while quietly impacting water resistance and accuracy. With a few simple tips and care habits from Just Watches, you can keep your watches looking sharp and running smoothly for years to come.
Being horophiles ourselves, we know how deeply you value your watches. They’re not just accessories, they’re personal, often sentimental. Still, some everyday habits can unknowingly do more harm than you’d expect.
From improper storage to overwinding and accidental shocks, small mistakes can damage delicate movements, seals, and lubricants. The tricky part? Most of the time, there’s no immediate warning.
Whether it’s the stylish Versace watches you save for special occasions or your dependable everyday Guess watches or Timex watch, every timepiece needs a bit of routine care. In this guide, we highlight 10 common habits many watch owners fall into often without realising it and share simple fixes to help your collection keep ticking happily for years.
1. Storing your watch incorrectly: Storing your watch in a broken or cracked box or leaving it in spaces exposed to heat and humidity can lead to corrosion and thickening of lubricating oils. Over time, this affects performance more than you might notice at first. It’s best to store your watch in a proper case or a dedicated drawer with soft foam or paper lining. Adding a silica gel packet helps control moisture and keeps things dry.
Pro tip: A quick wipe with a soft cloth now and then goes a long way. It helps prevent oil and dust buildup and keeps your watch looking fresh.
2. Exposing your watch to sudden temperature changes: Moving your watch rapidly between cold and hot environments, for example, straight from air conditioning into intense heat, can stress its rubber seals. When seals expand or contract too quickly, water resistance is often the first thing to suffer. As a rule of thumb, watches prefer stable, moderate temperatures. When in doubt, give them time to adjust.
3. Not understanding what water resistance really means: If your watch says, “water-resistant up to 30 metres,” it doesn’t mean it’s made for swimming or diving. It simply indicates resistance to light splashes or brief exposure. This misunderstanding is common. Many people assume water resistance equals waterproof; it doesn’t. For swimming, snorkelling, or diving, specialised watches designed for water activities are always the safer choice.
4. Not wearing your watch for long periods: Surprisingly, watches don’t enjoy being ignored for too long. When left unworn, especially mechanical watches, lubricants can dry out, causing parts to move less smoothly. If you own luxury or occasion-specific watches that aren’t worn often, make it a habit to wind them occasionally. It keeps internal components lubricated and ready when you need them.
5. Winding your watch while wearing it: Winding or setting the time while the watch is still on your wrist puts unnecessary strain on the crown and stem. Over time, this can lead to bending or internal damage. It’s a small step, but an important one takes the watch off before winding or adjusting it. Once done, gently screw the crown and pushers back in fully. That secure seal matters more than most people realise.
6. Overwinding your watch: Overwinding a manual watch can damage the mainspring, often leading to expensive repairs. The key is to wind slowly and stop once you feel resistance and can’t turn it any further. There’s no need to rush this process. Slow, steady winding is safer, and your watch will thank you for it.
7. Adjusting the time during the ‘danger zone’: The date on a mechanical watch like this Philip Plein watch should never be adjusted between 9 PM and 3 AM. During this period, the internal calendar mechanism is already at work. Adjusting the date then can misalign components and cause lasting damage. A safer approach is to first set the time to around 6 AM or PM, and only then adjust the date. It’s a small habit that prevents a big headache.
8. Exposing your watch to shocks: Sudden impacts, whether from banging a surface, playing high-impact sports, or repeated vibrations while riding a motorcycle, create intense stress inside the watch. These forces can damage the rotor axle and internal movement over time. For high-impact activities, it’s wiser to wear a quartz or specialised sports watch such as this Plein Sport watch. Your everyday watch doesn’t need that kind of stress.
9. Prolonged exposure to magnetic fields: Placing your watch near speakers, refrigerators, or even smartphones can interfere with the balance spring. When that happens, timekeeping can become unreliable, running fast, slow, or stopping altogether. The fix is simple. Store your watch away from electronic devices, especially overnight when it’s off your wrist.
10. Ignoring regular servicing: Like any precision instrument, watches experience wear over time. Mechanical watches need periodic servicing, while quartz watches require timely battery replacements. As a general guideline, servicing every three to five years helps keep everything running smoothly. It’s preventative care and far better than waiting for something to go wrong.
Steering clear of these ten common habits helps ensure your Just Watches timepiece stays as stunning as the day you bought it. Simple changes, such as better storage, choosing the right watch for the activity, and regular servicing make a bigger difference than most people expect.
Explore specialised options at Just Watches that suit your lifestyle and enjoy effortless elegance backed by everyday protection. After all, your watch deserves to perform as well as it looks every single day.