Mechanical watches are timeless creations. They are not powered by batteries or digital circuits. Instead, they function through a system of gears, springs, and levers. This delicate machinery transforms physical energy into timekeeping. Each tick is the result of a precise, mechanical process.
However, this beauty comes at a price—care. A mechanical watch is not just a tool; it is a responsibility. To keep a mechanical watch running properly, you must understand how it works, how to treat it, and how to maintain its performance through consistent effort. This article explains everything you need to know about keeping your mechanical watch alive and accurate for many years.
How to Keep Mechanical Watch Running？
A mechanical watch is a living object. Unlike a quartz watch, which needs only a battery replacement every few years, a mechanical movement is complex and dynamic. It breathes through its balance wheel and lives through the winding of its mainspring. When the watch is not worn, it stops. When it is worn, it wakes up and returns to motion.
The two most common types of mechanical watches are manual and automatic:
- Manual watches must be wound by hand. Energy is stored directly by turning the crown.
- Automatic watches contain a rotor that spins with wrist motion. The movement winds itself while you wear the watch.
Both types require attention and respect. Neglect, rough handling, or poor storage can damage them over time. To keep your watch healthy, you must form a few good habits and avoid common mistakes.
Winding and Power: Feeding the Heart of the Movement
Winding is not just a functional step. It is a ritual. Winding a mechanical watch creates a connection between you and the object. But this must be done with care and precision.
Winding a Manual Watch
Manual watches require winding every day or every other day, depending on the power reserve.
- Wind at the same time each day.
- Turn the crown slowly, using gentle and consistent motion.
- Stop when you feel resistance. This is the mainspring fully wound.
- Never force the crown beyond this point. Overwinding can damage the internal components.
Winding should be done with the watch off your wrist. This prevents unnecessary pressure on the stem and reduces stress on the crown tube.
Winding an Automatic Watch
Automatic watches also benefit from manual winding, especially if they have stopped after sitting idle.
- Turn the crown 30 to 40 times before wearing a stopped automatic watch.
- Once worn, normal wrist motion will keep the rotor spinning and the movement charged.
However, short periods of wrist time—especially if your lifestyle is not very active—may not keep the movement fully charged. In such cases, winding by hand or using a watch winder helps.
Handling with Care: Touch and Movement
Mechanical watches are more fragile than they look. They can withstand daily wear but not careless treatment. The internal mechanism is made up of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of moving parts. Each part can be affected by physical shock, magnetism, or moisture.
Avoiding Impact and Shock
Mechanical watches are not built for sports or heavy labor. Even models with shock resistance have limits.
- Remove your watch before intense activities.
- Avoid dropping or hitting the watch against hard surfaces.
- Do not sleep with your watch on. Accidental pressure during sleep can cause damage.
A hard knock can disturb the escapement, damage the balance spring, or misalign the hands. While some modern watches have anti-shock features, none are immune to strong impact.
Avoiding Magnetism
Magnetic fields can seriously affect the accuracy of a mechanical watch. Magnetized components will not function correctly, causing fast or erratic timekeeping.
- Keep your watch away from magnetic devices—phones, laptops, speakers, induction cooktops.
- Avoid leaving your watch near electronic equipment for long periods.
Some watches offer anti-magnetic protection, but the best defense is caution. Magnetism is silent but harmful. If your watch suddenly gains or loses minutes per day, magnetism may be the reason.
Water and Moisture Precautions
Not all mechanical watches are water-resistant. Water is one of the greatest threats to any timepiece.
- Always check the water resistance rating before exposing your watch to water.
- Do not wear a non-water-resistant watch in rain, shower, or near any moisture.
- Do not operate the crown or pushers when the watch is wet or submerged.
- If water gets inside, stop wearing the watch and take it for inspection immediately.
Even in water-resistant models, gaskets can degrade over time. These should be checked regularly to maintain proper sealing.
Storage and Environmental Conditions
Proper storage is a vital but often overlooked part of watch care. How and where you store your mechanical watch affects its lifespan, accuracy, and appearance.
Temperature and Humidity Control
Watches should be stored in a dry, cool place.
- Avoid direct sunlight. Heat can dry out lubricants and fade dials.
- Avoid damp environments. Moisture leads to corrosion, especially inside the movement.
- A dry cabinet or closed watch box is ideal.
For long-term storage, consider placing silica gel packets near your watches to absorb humidity. Always ensure the crown is pushed in or screwed down when storing the watch.
Watch Winders: Are They Necessary?
Automatic watches that are not worn regularly may benefit from watch winders.
- Winders keep the movement active, which helps maintain the lubricants.
- They allow you to pick up the watch and wear it without resetting the time or complications.
- Choose a winder that matches your watch’s winding direction and cycle.
However, winders are not essential for everyone. If you wear the watch often, your wrist movement is enough. For manual watches, winders have no purpose at all.
Cleaning and Surface Maintenance
A mechanical watch is not just a machine. It is also an object of beauty. Regular cleaning keeps it looking sharp and protects the surface materials.
Daily Cleaning
- Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to wipe the case, crystal, and bracelet.
- Remove fingerprints, dust, and moisture daily.
- For leather straps, use a separate dry cloth to prevent moisture buildup.
Deep Cleaning
Every few weeks:
- Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the lugs, crown, and bracelet links.
- Do not use water unless the watch is water-resistant.
- Do not use chemical cleaners. They can damage metal finishes and rubber seals.
If your watch is especially dirty or has been exposed to saltwater, professional cleaning is recommended.
Professional Servicing: Preserving Inner Life
Every mechanical watch needs periodic servicing. This is not optional. Lubricants dry out. Parts wear down. Regulation drifts. Even the best-maintained watch cannot run indefinitely without attention.
How Often to Service
Most watchmakers recommend servicing every 3 to 5 years. This interval can vary based on:
- Age of the watch
- Frequency of use
- Environmental exposure
During a full service, the watch is disassembled, cleaned, re-lubricated, reassembled, and regulated. Any worn parts are replaced.
Skipping service can result in serious internal damage. Worn parts may cause further abrasion, and dry movements run erratically. Timely servicing is an investment in longevity.
Choosing the Right Service Provider
- Use the official service center for your watch brand if possible.
- Choose independent watchmakers with strong reputations if outside warranty.
- Ensure that only original parts are used.
- Ask for documentation of work completed.
Never trust your watch to a general repair shop without watchmaking credentials. Mechanical watches require skilled, specific attention.
Accuracy and Timekeeping Behavior
Mechanical watches do not keep perfect time. They are not meant to. A deviation of a few seconds per day is normal. Some variation is part of the charm.
How to Check Accuracy
- Use a smartphone or atomic clock to measure drift.
- Note the exact time over several days.
- Most well-maintained watches vary by -10 to +15 seconds per day.
You can adjust some watches yourself through micro-regulators, but this is best left to professionals unless you are trained.
Positional Variance
Mechanical watches react differently depending on how they are placed overnight.
- Dial-up, crown-up, and crown-down positions can affect timekeeping.
- Try different positions to balance drift.
This is called positional regulation. Many collectors use this technique to fine-tune their daily accuracy.
Habits That Protect Your Watch
A few good habits can prevent damage and extend your watch’s life.
- Always remove your watch before hard tasks or exposure to chemicals.
- Wind slowly and at regular times.
- Never reset the date between 8 PM and 4 AM (on date watches).
- Avoid DIY adjustments or opening the caseback.
With consistent habits, your watch will reward you with decades of reliable timekeeping.
Conclusion
A mechanical watch is more than a device. It is an heirloom, a tradition, and a companion. Every tick is the sound of movement crafted with care. But that movement depends on you.
By winding your watch properly, storing it safely, avoiding harmful environments, cleaning it regularly, and servicing it on time, you give your mechanical watch the life it was built for.
Mechanical watches do not run on convenience—they run on attention. They remind us to slow down, to care, and to respect the things we use daily. In return, they offer a kind of immortality. When treated well, a mechanical watch does not fade with age—it improves.
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