Top 5 Threats to Your Mechanical Watch You Need to Know
Many people consider mechanical watches to be works of art, containing delicate components. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for decades or even centuries, becoming heirlooms. However, there are factors that can affect the proper functioning of mechanical watches, or even cause them to stop. Here's a brief explanation.
Threat 1: Water and Moisture
Water is ubiquitous in our daily lives. Washing hands or rainy days can get your beloved watch wet. Watch waterproofing technology is now very advanced. Even ordinary dress watches can easily withstand daily water exposure. Sports watches are generally water-resistant to 100 meters, sufficient for daily shallow swimming. Professional diving watches are mostly water-resistant to 300 meters or more. However, regardless of the water resistance of these watches, most of their water resistance relies on the rubber seals inside the case. Once these seals deteriorate, the watch's water resistance will inevitably be affected.
Therefore, it is generally recommended to check the water resistance of your watch every two to three years. If it is frequently exposed to water, it is best to check it annually. Once a watch's movement has been submerged in water, it will undoubtedly affect its proper functioning and cause oxidation on the dial and hands. Furthermore, impurities in the water will form stains after the water dries, affecting the movement's performance and, in severe cases, rendering the watch useless. Therefore, if your watch has been submerged in water, it must be immediately taken to a professional watch service center for repair. Remember, no matter how waterproof your watch is, never take it to a sauna!
Maintenance Instructions:
First, use your watch according to its water resistance rating and avoid wearing it in extreme conditions. Second, regularly test its water resistance (recommended every 2-3 years) and replace the rubber seals if they deteriorate. If water ingress occurs, immediately take it to a professional repair center; do not disassemble it yourself or delay repairs.
Threat 2: Magnetic Fields
If your mechanical watch suddenly speeds up without any damage or unusual use, going from a daily error of a few or ten seconds to four or five minutes or even more, it could be magnetism.
Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in our daily lives, such as speakers, computers, televisions, microwave ovens, and virtually all electrical appliances generate magnetic fields. Your mobile phone, for example, is also a source of magnetic fields. However, the magnetic fields generated by most of these appliances are insufficient to affect a watch. However, if your work environment is subject to strong magnetic fields, this can be a problem. For example, doctors performing imaging tests in hospitals, CT/MRI departments, large data centers, and engineers working in power plants. If you still want to wear a mechanical watch, it's recommended to choose a professionally anti-magnetic watch, such as the Rolex Magneto series (nicknamed "Lightning Hand" and "Green Glass") or an Omega Master Chronometer certified watch.
Magnetic fields have always been a significant factor affecting the performance of mechanical watches. Therefore, various brands have put considerable effort into anti-magnetic measures for modern watches, such as using silicon for balance springs and escapements, and using soft iron anti-magnetic covers placed inside the case to protect the movement from magnetism. However, even if a watch is magnetized, it's not a major problem. Simply find a professional watch repair center for demagnetization. The process is simple and requires no disassembly. The entire process takes about 20 seconds, and most demagnetization services are free.
Maintenance Instructions:
For those frequently exposed to strong magnetic fields, such as medical imaging professionals and data center employees, it is recommended to choose a watch with professional anti-magnetic features, such as a Rolex G-Force or an Omega Master Chronometer certified watch. If a watch becomes magnetized, demagnetization can be performed at a professional repair center. This is simple and inexpensive.
Threat 3: Vibration or Drops
Many everyday movements can cause vibrations to our wrists, such as closing a door or swinging our arms widely. While these normal vibrations are inherent in watch design, such minor vibrations will not affect the watch. However, unexpected, extreme lateral vibrations, such as dropping a watch, can severely damage it.
Even a drop from a height of just one meter can break the movement's axis, causing catastrophic damage. To prevent this, we remind everyone to exercise caution when wearing their watches. We also recommend purchasing a watch strap with a folding clasp, which effectively reduces the risk of drops. When not wearing your watch, choose a safe place to store it.
Furthermore, it's not recommended to wear a watch while exercising, especially during strenuous activities like golf, tennis, basketball, and Frisbee. A single movement could ruin an expensive mechanical watch. After all, few people can match Rafael Nadal's tennis experience with Richard.
Maintenance Instructions:
Avoid strenuous exercise while wearing your watch, especially sports that require extensive arm movement, such as golf and tennis. Choose a watch strap with a folding clasp for increased stability. When not wearing your watch, store it in a shockproof case to prevent it from accidentally falling.
Threat 4: Temperature
The fourth natural enemy of mechanical watches is temperature, or more accurately, temperature fluctuations. Mechanical watches are typically made of metal, with some alloys designed to withstand temperature fluctuations. However, drastic temperature fluctuations can cause metal deformation, affecting the proper functioning of the watch movement and its waterproofing. Because mechanical watches are extremely complex and complex, even the slightest deviation can affect the overall performance. Therefore, avoid wearing a mechanical watch in conditions with high temperature fluctuations, typically exceeding 15°C, which can significantly impact the watch.
Maintenance Instructions:
Try to avoid wearing a mechanical watch in an environment with extreme temperature differences, especially in an environment where the temperature difference exceeds 15 degrees. In addition, regularly stabilizing the watch at room temperature for a period of time can help reduce the negative effects of temperature changes.
Threat 5: Lack of Maintenance
Mechanical watches, like cars, require maintenance over time. Because the main components of a mechanical watch are made of metal, friction inevitably occurs when they operate. This friction requires lubrication to reduce friction and improve operating efficiency. Furthermore, lubricants have a limited lifespan and, when they dry out, they form grease and other deposits. If not promptly addressed, serious damage to the watch can occur. Therefore, regular watch maintenance is essential. If a watch isn't worn for an extended period, it's recommended to wind it approximately once a month to allow friction between the gears and the lubricant to maintain proper lubrication. The recommended maintenance interval for mechanical watches is based on actual usage, with a 3-5-year maintenance interval being sufficient.
Maintenance Instructions:
Depending on the watch's condition and frequency of use, a comprehensive maintenance is recommended every 3-5 years. This includes cleaning the movement, changing the lubricant, and inspecting and adjusting components for wear. Furthermore, even if the watch is not worn for extended periods, it should be wound monthly to maintain lubrication.
Conclusion
These are the common dangers of mechanical watches. I hope you can avoid these pitfalls and ensure your beloved watch lasts forever. If you're looking for fashion men & lady's mechanical watches bulk, VDEAR Watch is your best choice, VDEAR is a reliable OEM & ODM mechanical watch manufacturer, providing over 300 watch designs, and customize your logo, dial, hands, case, and strap to your desired design. Pls Check VDEAR Luxury Mechanical Watch Series
