Six Things You May Be Doing That Are Not Good For Your Watch

Summary

The video discusses six common practices that may unintentionally harm your watch, offering practical tips to avoid them. These include activating complications at the wrong time, exposure to magnetic fields, shocks, screw-down crown misuse, winding on the wrist, and improper storage. The video emphasizes the importance of awareness and proper care to ensure the longevity of your watch without unnecessary fear. It also highlights the value of responsible watch maintenance and invites feedback from viewers and watchmakers on additional tips. Additionally, it encourages checking out the brand's pre-owned watch section.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ Always be cautious when activating complications, such as the date function, during the 'danger zone' between 8 PM and 4 AM to avoid damaging the mechanism.
• ⚙️ Magnetic fields can negatively affect your watch’s movement, especially the hairspring, potentially leading to timekeeping issues.
• 🚫 Avoid excessive shocks and vibrations, like those from golfing or riding a motorcycle, as they can interfere with the delicate balance and accuracy of a mechanical watch.
• 🔩 Be careful when using screw-down crowns, as excessive force or frequent use can wear out the threading, leading to issues with water resistance.
• 📏 Avoid winding or setting your watch while it’s on your wrist, as it can put stress on the delicate crown stem, potentially causing damage.
• 🚿 Avoid exposing your watch to moisture, even in humid environments like bathrooms, to prevent internal damage to delicate components.
• 🧲 Keep your watch away from magnets or magnetic fields, such as those found in speakers, phones, and microwaves, to prevent magnetization and accuracy issues.
• 🔧 Don’t overwind your watch. Once you feel resistance while winding, stop to avoid damaging the internal mechanisms.
• 💼 Properly store your watches in a consistent environment, free from extreme humidity, light, or dust, to maintain their condition over time.
• 🛠️ While winders and luxury watch boxes are useful for convenience and display, they are not essential as long as you store your watches in a stable, safe environment.

Q & A

What is the potential danger of setting the date on a watch during certain hours?

Setting the date between 8-9 PM and 3-4 AM can damage the mechanism of the watch. This is because many movements do not change the date instantly, and adjusting the date during this time can cause damage to the teeth of the date disc or other internal components.

Why should you avoid activating complications on a watch at the wrong time?

Activating complications, like date windows or chronographs, at the wrong time can harm the internal mechanisms. For example, forcing a date change when the mechanism is already in transition can break parts of the watch. Similarly, engaging chronograph pushers out of sequence could lead to issues with the complication's functionality.

How can magnetic fields negatively affect a watch?

Magnetic fields can disrupt the oscillation of the balance wheel, specifically affecting the hairspring. This may cause the coils of the hairspring to stick together, shortening it and causing the watch to either gain time or stop completely. Common sources of magnetic fields include devices like iPhones, speakers, and microwaves.

What are the effects of shocks and vibrations on mechanical watches?

Large shocks or constant vibrations, such as those from shooting firearms, riding motorcycles, or swinging a golf club, can affect the balance wheel's oscillation and cause accuracy issues. Repeated shocks can alter the regulating pins or the hairspring, disrupting the watch's precise timekeeping.

What are some potential downsides of screw-down crowns?

Screw-down crowns can wear out over time due to the delicate threading system, and overtightening them can damage the threads. While they offer better water resistance, the threading can degrade with age, especially in vintage watches, leading to a less smooth operation.

Why is it not advisable to wind or set your watch while it's on your wrist?

Winding or setting a watch while it's on your wrist can put pressure on the crown stem at an awkward angle, which may bend or damage it. This can make it harder to properly push the crown back into position, potentially affecting the keyless works or winding mechanism.

What is overwinding, and why should it be avoided?

Overwinding occurs when you continue to wind the watch after it has reached full tension, which can damage the movement. Once you feel resistance when winding, it is important to stop to avoid harming the internal components.

What are some best practices for storing your watches?

It’s important to store watches in a stable, controlled environment free from excess humidity, light, and dust. Watches should be kept away from changing environmental conditions, as moisture can penetrate the case and damage internal components. Using a watch box or a safe, static environment is ideal.

Why are quartz watches often preferred for high-shock activities?

Quartz watches, like G-Shocks, are more shock-resistant compared to mechanical watches, which have delicate moving parts. Military and other professionals often choose quartz watches for activities like shooting or sports where shocks could disrupt the timekeeping of a mechanical watch.

Why might some people prefer using a watch winder?

Watch winders are useful for keeping automatic watches running without needing to reset them daily, especially for watches with complicated settings like annual or perpetual calendars. They help avoid the hassle of setting the time and date when the watch stops due to inactivity.