Today, instead of taking a look at specific luxury watch models we here at the Chronoexpert blog think you may be interested in, we are going to learn about five ways you can cause serious damage to your watch, and what you can do to avoid them:
Table of Contents
Extreme Hot and Cold
Extreme temperatures at either end of the scale (in excess of 60°C or below 0°) can damage the internal mechanisms and parts of a watch, and negatively impact performance. Even if the watch is not damaged per se, timekeeping accuracy can be affected. For example, the crystal inside luxury watches using quartz timing is specifically cut to perform at room temperature. If it shrinks or expands due to heating or cooling, you can easily lose several seconds per day.
Magnetism
Electromagnetic fields can affect the timekeeping accuracy of luxury watches, or damage their mechanisms to the point where they no longer function, depending on the strength of the field. Be sure to watch out for areas with permanent magnetic fields, such as around large speakers or appliances – even particularly strong refrigerator magnets can sometimes cause issues for your watch.
Impact
While most luxury watches are constructed to be fairly durable, it’s always possible to cause damage to your watch through impact or dropping. Even if the internal components are not damaged, you can still potentially scratch the casing, or damage the band/strap. If you do cause damage to your watch in this fashion, it may potentially void your warranty; it is probably best in this situation to take your watch in someone straight away for an evaluation, and consider purchasing a servicing plan if the warranty is in doubt.
Water
Never make the mistake of assuming a luxury watch is water-resistant or dive-friendly without explicitly checking. If the mechanical movement of your luxury watch does get wet, have it serviced right away. They will open the watch, inspect the dial for damage such as lifted enamel or bubbled paint, and thoroughly strip and inspect the movement, which may or may not require repair or replacement depending on the extent of the damage. Afterwards, special compressed air guns completely strip all moisture from the inside of the piece, and the crown tube and crown are often replaced as well.
Chemicals
Plenty of chemicals can cause damage to your luxury watch, particularly if they are frequently in contact with the piece. For example, many solvents can completely eat away the anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystals used in many high end watches. Other, seemingly more innocuous chemicals can also damage watches, including some cosmetics and fragrances, cleaning products, and detergents. Even
If you don’t damage the watch itself, more vulnerable parts of the piece, such as the gaskets or strap, can still be damaged by chemicals. If you suspect that you may have damaged your luxury watch through one of these methods, or any other, the best thing you can do it get it in to a qualified watch repair expert as soon as possible. In many of these cases, the sooner the damage is discovered and addressed, the easier and less costly it is to repair the timepiece.
Conclusion
Safeguarding your luxury watch from potential harm is crucial for maintaining its longevity and performance. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures, magnetic fields, impacts, water, and harmful chemicals. Regularly check and service your watch to address any potential issues promptly. Remember, timely intervention by a qualified watch repair expert can not only preserve the timepiece’s integrity but also mitigate repair costs. Prioritize care to ensure your luxury watch remains a timeless investment.
