Winding and Daily Care

A mechanical watch stays reliable when it is wound on a routine, kept away from magnets and serviced before the oil dries.

For a hand-wound watch, wind the crown clockwise at the same time each day until you feel firm resistance, usually 20 to 40 turns from empty. Stop there; forcing past full wind strains the winding train.

A self-winding watch winds from wrist motion. If it has been off the wrist longer than its power reserve, typically 38 to 42 hours, give it 15 to 20 manual turns before wearing it again.

Store the watch dry, with the crown screwed down, away from speakers and magnets. A magnetized watch can run minutes fast a day, and water ingress shows as fog under the crystal and corrodes steel parts.

Have the movement cleaned and lubricated every five to seven years. A watch that stops overnight or loses time inconsistently is usually due for that service rather than a simple adjustment.

• Wind clockwise at a fixed time daily.
• Stop at firm resistance; never force the crown.
• Restart a stopped self-winding watch with 15 to 20 turns.
• Keep away from magnets and humidity.
• Service every 5 to 7 years.

Further reading

• Mainspring, Balance Wheel, Escapement
• Mechanical or Quartz