Seiko watches aren’t cheap. They can cost anywhere from $100 to several thousand. And with that price comes quality. They’re good watches that look great on the wrist. So, if you spent the money and have that quality, you should probably strive to keep it looking good and in working order.
Now doing that may sound like hard work because of the number of things involved in watch maintenance, but all the steps and advice are actually pretty simple to put into practice. So, if you want some advice about keeping your Seiko safe, here it is:
Preventing inaccuracy
Arguably, the mechanisms of the watch are the most important. Without them, the watch would literally have no point to it. It wouldn’t work, wouldn’t tell the time and be nothing more than a fancy looking bracelet. So, taking care of these important, but small, pieces is crucial to the survival of your watch.
Temperature
The temperature of the watch and surrounding air can heavily affect the insides, especially if it’s a mechanical one. That’s because the gears within are metal and warp, expand and contract with these changes. This will influence their accuracy. To be even more specific, lower temperatures will make it gain time while higher temperatures will make it lose time.
It would be best to keep your Seiko watch away from temperatures that are below 40° F and above 95° F. However, some watches are made to withstand certain things, so check your watch’s packaging and paperwork to see what it’s made for.
Magnetism
Metal is often magnetic. So, if you don’t want these magnetic fields messing with the metal within your watch, keep it away. Common household items that have this property are cell phones, TVs, computers, speakers, magnetic necklaces (obviously), some purse clips, hair dryers, electric razors, refrigerators, etc.
While that may seem like a lot, these will really only affect the accuracy if they’re in close proximity for an extended period of time.
Impact
If you enjoy sports, then you know there is a lot of impact going on. These impacts can harm your watch because of all the small pieces within. So, if you plan on playing any rough sports or want to do some log cutting in the back yard, you should take off your watch first.
Another thing to be careful about is dropping it. This has the same effect.
Position
Another impossible-to-avoid impact is nature. Specifically, gravity. These forces can influence the accuracy of your watch. Some positions of the watch let gravity affect it even more, like being on its 3 o’clock side or 9 o’clock side.
In general, you should store your mechanical watch for the night either dial up or dial down to keep things as accurate as possible, though of the two, we recommend dial up so that you don’t risk scratching or scuffing the dial.
Preventing water damage
To protect your watch from water damage, do not pull on the crown while it’s wet. This could let water get in and ruin or rust the insides. Make sure you dry it with a soft cloth before doing anything with the crown.
Even if your watch is water-resistant, moisture can still get inside, whether it be from the pressure of a kitchen sink or just swimming. So, whenever you get sweat or dirt on it, clean it with a soft, dry cloth, and get a professional to regularly check its resistance.
If you swim in salt water with your water-resistant watch on, clean it off as soon as you can with fresh water, followed immediately by drying it with a soft cloth. For this, do not clean it under running water; use still water in a sink or other container. The pressure from the faucet can get the moisture through the seals.
Avoid taking baths or entering a sauna with your watch on. The steam and soap can ruin the seals and gaskets, making the water-resistance weaken faster. Stay away from hot tubs as well.
Taking care of the band
Metal
If you have a metal band, it can rust when it gets wet or sweaty, especially in the joints and gaps between segments. This corrosion can cause some discoloration in the cuffs of your sleeves.
To prevent this from happening, wipe any moisture off with a soft cloth. Also, this may seem counterintuitive, but occasionally rinsing the band will help. Just make sure you dry it with a focus on the gaps and joints.
If it’s getting really bad, use a toothbrush to clear out the gunk and corrosion.
Leather
Leather watch straps can discolor and deteriorate much faster than a metal band will, whether it be from the sun, sweat or any type of water.
To prevent this, keep the watch out of direct sunlight and gently wipe any moisture (sweat or water) off it before putting it in storage. Make sure you store it in a well-ventilated area.
If, after all these tips and tricks to keep your watch clean and clear, it still has some troubles, you may need to contact a professional. Our experts at Times Ticking have decades of experience in Seiko watch repair, so you can trust us to get the job done right. Contact us at our Layton Hills or Newgate Mall Retail stores, or you can send your watch in if you don’t live near us.
