This is how to keep your watch in top condition!

Your watch is valuable: sometimes because it was simply an expensive purchase, sometimes because it is simply beautiful and often because you have special memories with it. And to keep your precious piece of jewellery well maintained and beautiful, you sometimes need to pay some extra attention to the exterior and interior of your watch to keep it in top condition. We give you some useful tips that will help you keep your wristwatch in perpetuity.

1. How to clean your watch

Keeping your watch clean is especially important for its appearance. Obviously, you better not do this with sandpaper or abrasive/corrosive cleaning agents. To maintain and clean your watch properly, use a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and dirt from the case and strap. For metal watches, a suds with some dishwashing liquid also works very well. Avoid using water on leather straps as much as possible, as it can damage the material and all that moisture will make the leather unsightly.

A watch that shines and shines is so pretty after all!

Pro tips:
Want your watch to always be in tiptop condition? Then have your watch checked and serviced regularly by a professional watchmaker.

Do you have a watch that is waterproof to at least 5ATM and is made entirely of steel or has a silicone strap? Use an ultrasonic device to clean your watch! You can regularly find these devices online and you have them from as little as 40 euros.

A watch with a steel bracelet

2. Pay attention to your watch strap

There are different types of watch straps available, including metal straps, leather straps, rubber straps and nylon straps. The most suitable strap for your watch mainly depends on what you plan to do with your watch and what you find most comfortable to wear. And, not unimportantly, a bracelet should match the watch in style and colour.
Metal watch straps, for example, are durable, long-lasting and also suitable for formal occasions, while rubber straps are more water-resistant and suitable for sports activities. You also have straps made of leather with rubber/silicone, which are beautiful to look at and yet resistant to moisture.

This watch has a silicone strap combined with leather.

Pro tip:
Do you get skin rashes from steel, don't like leather or silicone or do these materials irritate you on the wrist? Then opt for a watch with a titanium watch band. Titanium is very lightweight, much stronger and more scratch-resistant than steel and anti-allergic!

3. Replacing your watch battery

Replacing the battery of your watch can often be done yourself. We have a guide on how to do it here.
But whether or not you have to do this yourself also depends on the type of watch you have. In most cases, you need to open the back of the watch using a special tool and then carefully remove the old battery. Sometimes you have to unscrew very small screws to take out the battery.
You then insert a new battery of the right type and close the watch again. It is advisable to leave this task to a professional watchmaker or jeweler to avoid damage to the watch.

Pro tip:
When replacing your watch's battery, remember the warranty! If you open a watch, the warranty may be void. So always contact the shop where you bought your timepiece first or contact the brand itself.

4. Know which movement a watch has

Watches come in all shapes and sizes with different types of movement. We all know the quartz watch with a button cell battery of course, which is also the most widely sold.
Quartz watches are reliable, simple, and also accurate, although you do have to replace the battery at some point.

Swiss Ronda movement.

Beautiful are watches with mechanical or automatic movements. Mechanical movements are driven by a spring and require regular manual winding.
Automatic timepieces are wound by the movement of the wrist and do not require manual winding. Keep in mind that after many years of wear, a mechanical timepiece may still need to be cleaned inside to maintain accuracy. You will, of course, have this done by a watchmaker or jeweler.
The most reliable timepiece depends on your personal preference and needs.

Duxot watch with automatic movement.

Pro tips:
- Looking for a watch whose battery you will never have to change but which you also don't have to wind? Consider a Citizen Eco-Drive with light-sensitive cell.

- Want to know what the differences are between automatic watches and quartz watches? We have figured this out for you, read it here.

5. Check the water resistance of your watch

Want to know if your watch is still waterproof? It also depends on what you plan to do with your wristwatch. Will it be used in the shower or bath? Will you only walk with it in the rain, or do you also plan to explore deeper water depths with it? If you do the latter, then you are actually looking for a diving watch.

So pay close attention to the water resistance of your watch before you go on an adventure. Each watch has its own water resistance rating. It is useful if you know this one. After all, this rating indicates the extent to which the watch can withstand water pressure. And even if your watch is waterproof: make sure the crown of your watch is closed before you plunge into the water. So check that the crown is tightened and that any seals are in good condition. When used deep underwater, it may be advisable to have your watch checked regularly by a professional watchmaker to ensure water resistance.

Diving watch by Citizen.

Pro Tip:
- Read all about watch waterproofing and what you can do with the various waterproofs here!

6. Set the time and date correctly

Setting the time and date on your watch can vary depending on the type of watch you have. It is much simpler on a simple quartz movement than, for example, on a Citizen watch with sophisticated functions such as summer/winter time, perpetual calendar, world time, atomic clock and so on.

It's very simple: set the date. But make sure you get it right!

It will be no secret to most watch wearers that you generally have to set the time by pulling out the crown of the watch to its outermost position and turning it until the correct time is reached.
To set the date, you usually have to pull out the crown to the middle position and turn it to adjust the date. Refer to your watch manual for specific instructions.

Pro tip:
- Never set the date when your watch itself is already changing the date. The watch does this between 10 am and 2 am. If you then start turning it yourself, you may damage the movement. We explain in 5 steps how to correctly set the date on your watch without damaging your watch.

7. Know what the best watches are

The best brands and models of watches on the market can vary depending on your personal preference, budget and intended use. Some well-known watch brands known for their quality and craftsmanship are Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe and Breitling. But of course, these are quite pricey and certainly not affordable for everyone.

One of our own best watch brands is Citizen.

Other excellent brands include e.g. Citizen, Seiko, Bulova, Each brand its own specific models. It is advisable to compare these different brands and models, taking into account your specific needs and budget, before making a purchase.

Tip: 'This is the most expensive watch in the world!'

8. Match the watch strap to your wrist

A watch that runs perfectly, looks very nice but that does not wear well at all because it is too tight or too loose is obviously not very nice.
We therefore advise you to adjust your watch for a good fit. Adjust the strap length by placing the buckle in the right hole or, in case of a link strap, adjust the strap length by adding or removing links. This can usually be done using special tools such as those we supply with each watch, or by a professional watchmaker/jeweler. Make sure the watch fits comfortably on your wrist without being too tight or too loose.

Handy: watch strap sorter or straptool

Pro tip:
- With some watches with steel link bracelet and safety/folding clasp, it is often also possible to loosen or tighten the clasp by moving the pushpin to another hole. Check whether this is possible on your watch.

9. Know which movement with which functions your watch has

Watches can have different complications and functions, such as chronographs, moon phases, date display, world time, alarms and much more. Even models with a depth gauge or altimeter are available.
The choice of complications and functions depends on your personal preference and needs. It is important to understand how each complication or function works and whether it is relevant to your daily use.
The more functions, the more you will have to set. This is not always very simple but there is always a manual for your watch.

Watch with moon phases and atomic clock.

Pro Tip:
- Know which movement is in your watch and look for the manual of this online. This will make setting it a lot simpler.

10. Sync your watch with a smartphone or other devices

Of course, this tip is mainly meant for smartwatches and not mechanical watches. Many modern smartwatches you can sync with your smartphone or other devices. See if your watch can connect wirelessly using e.g. Bluetooth or wifi.

Many modern watches have the ability to connect to an associated app on your smartphone, which allows you to receive notifications, adjust settings and sync data. Consult the manual of your watch and its app for specific instructions on the synchronization process.

Pro tip:
- Preferably look for a smartwatch with the same operating system as the smartphone you use.

We hope these tips will enable you to keep your watch worn and beautiful forever. In any case, we wish you lots of wearing pleasure and should you be looking for a new model: be sure to check out our stock of excellent men's and women's watches.