Reference Guide for Caring your Second Hand Watch
Already loved or worn , no matter what you call it, your luxury watch has a story . Like most of us, that can mean a few blemishes, and your watch will need a little more care and love.
When you collect your luxury watch our experts will give you the basic information on how to care for your new watch, but we can’t talk about everything without taking hours of your time, so here are the top tips for keeping your watch safe used luxury in very good condition.
Initial maintenance instructions
Take note of the information our watch experts give you when you pick up your new watch. This will include maintenance advice for the different materials, recommended service intervals and care instructions specific to your watch.
You should consider purchasing insurance for your used watch as soon as possible. The loss, damage, or theft of a new purchase can be emotionally devastating, but it’s also a direct loss of money.
Daily care of your watch
If the face of the watch is dirty or dusty, wipe it with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
If the strap is dirty, you can use a slightly damp cloth, but you should not put the watch in water or use hot water which may change the color and affect the longevity of the part.
All watches should be kept away from magnetic forces . This includes small magnets, like those found in handbag clasps, and large magnets, such as airport detectors. If your watch slows down or stops after exposure to magnetic force, you will need expert help to demagnetize it.
If you like to wear bracelets and other jewelry on your arm, wear your used watch on the opposite arm. Jewelry, chains and buckles will scratch the surface of your watch and damage the crystal (the transparent surface that covers the dial) and all of its gemstones.
Internal mechanisms
Change the batteries as soon as you notice they have stopped working - leaving a dead battery inside a watch can lead to a leak and the liquid will cause long term damage to the watch mechanism.
Wind mechanical watches at least once a month to keep oils and lubricants in good condition.
Avoid exposing your used watch to extreme temperatures (above 60 ° C or below 0 ° C).
Care of a leather strap
Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure . When leather is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, its color will bleach and it may weaken.
Leather is a soft material and prone to stretching, you can extend the life of your leather watch band by taking care not to pull too hard on the strap when you put it on or take it off.
Do not fold the longer strap when you put on your watch - this is how the folds appear and they will adversely affect the appearance and integrity of the leather.
If your leather strap is dirty - this often happens, especially on the lower part, against your skin - you should remove the strap from the watch face and soak it in lukewarm - NOT HOT - water mixed with vinegar white for a few minutes, before rinsing it with clean water and drying it thoroughly to prevent mold.
If the dirt that collects on the leather is more stubborn, it can be soaked in a solution of white vinegar and lukewarm water for a few hours, then brushed gently with a regular toothbrush to restore its original appearance.
Part of our in-house verification process is figuring out what type of leather your bracelet is made of, you don’t have to guess. We also offer advice on the best leather cleaners you can use on your used watch to keep the leather supple and in good condition. We recommend that you remove the strap before treatment, in order to carry out a thorough cleaning that will not affect the watch itself.
Storage of your used watch
The luxury watches work best if they are worn regularly and kept in good condition weekly. However, when you need to store your watch - whether overnight or for a longer period of time - there are some things to keep in mind.
If you wear your watch every day, you should take it off for the night as it may get damaged while you sleep.
Watch collections should preferably be stored in a purpose-designed watch box, these watch guards keep them separate and eliminate the risk of watches damaging each other when not worn.
Don’t store your watch in a room that is very humid or too hot - if you leave it on the sink when you shower, or put it in the kitchen when you cook, you increase the risk of your watch rusting.
The particularly valuable watches should ideally be stored in a safe . But if you don’t have this option, you should keep them away from windows and doors to avoid tempting opportunists.
If you like to salvage, cigar boxes are a great way to showcase your watch in a vintage case while protecting it from moisture damage.