How to Care for Your Luxury Watch: Cleaning, Servicing, and Storage Tips

Introduction

There’s something quietly powerful about a fine watch.

The weight. The sound. The way it becomes the highlight of your wrist. 

Luxury watches are more than simply timepieces; they're pieces of art. Each one has a narrative, a history, and a little piece of your own. 

But like all beautiful things, you must care for your watch to ensure it stays pretty and elegant. 

Sadly, the hot weather, dry air, and hectic life in the Middle East can be hard on fragile things. A little care will keep your watch operating and looking great for years, whether you wear it every day or save it for special occasions.

Therefore, this blog takes a closer look at how to care for luxury watches. Let’s wind into it. 
 

Daily Cleaning: The Gentle Routine That Makes a Difference

Dust, sweat, and oils are small things, but they add up. Over time, they dull the polish and wear down the seals of luxury watches for men and women.

So how do you prevent it? 

It’s simple! After you take your watch off each day, wipe it gently with a soft microfiber cloth. That single habit prevents fine scratches and buildup.

Once a week, give it a slightly deeper clean: 

• Use lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap.
• Dip a soft brush in the mix and lightly scrub around the bracelet and caseback.
• Rinse under cool running water and dry it immediately with a clean cloth.

If your watch has a leather strap, skip the water. Just use a damp cloth and let it air dry (away from sunlight). 

How You Handle It Matters More Than You Think

Luxury watches are tougher than they look, but they still have limits. Some simple habits can protect your investment for decades:

• Avoid wearing it while applying perfume or lotion. Alcohol and oils can fade metal or leather. Keep it away from magnetic fields. Phones, speakers, and even handbags with magnets can affect timekeeping.
• Don’t overwind it. If you feel resistance, stop.
• Remove it during heavy work or workouts. Even water-resistant models don’t enjoy constant impact.

Remember, minor changes like these make a big difference over time.

Servicing: A Watch’s Health Check

Think of servicing as your watch’s version of an annual check-up. You don’t wait for it to stop ticking before you take it in.

Most mechanical watches need servicing every three to five years. Quartz models can go longer but still benefit from professional inspection.

During a proper service, a technician will:

• Disassemble the movement and clean every part.
• Replace old oils and worn seals.
• Test water resistance.
• Refinish the case and bracelet.

Skipping service might seem fine in the short term, but it slowly wears down precision. Like skipping oil changes in a luxury car, the effects appear over time. 

If you’re in the Middle East, OnTime’s certified experts are trained in Swiss and Japanese standards around luxury watches for men and women. They use original tools and parts, keeping your watch as authentic as the day you bought it.
Smart Storage: Let Your Watch Rest Well

When you’re not wearing your watch, how you store it matters. 

Here’s what helps:

• Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Store it in a watch box or pouch: soft fabric helps prevent scratches.
• Separate pieces so metal bracelets don’t rub against each other.
• For automatic watches, a watch winder keeps the mechanism active and lubricated.

Humidity can be sneaky, especially near coastal cities. A small silica gel pack in your watch case helps absorb extra moisture. These small, tiny trick makes a big difference.

The Saudi Climate Factor

Our region’s environment has its own character: dry, hot, and sometimes dusty. Those conditions can dry out gaskets, fade straps, and accelerate the loss of water resistance compared to cooler climates.

If you wear your watch daily, consider a light service check once a year. It doesn’t need to be a complete overhaul, just a seal and pressure test to ensure everything’s tight and secure.

When traveling between hot and cool environments (e.g., Riyadh to Europe), avoid sudden temperature changes. Let your watch adjust before winding or setting it: small patience, big reward.

When to Know It’s Time for Attention

Your watch will often tell you before a problem grows. Watch for signs like: 

• A slight delay or gain in time.
• Fog under the crystal.
• A stiff crown or unresponsive buttons.
• Unusual clicking or sound when winding.

When in doubt, it’s always better to have it checked. A quick inspection by a professional can save months of repair on your luxury watches for men and women.

Final Thought

Luxury watches are built to last for generations, but they rely on you to take them on that journey. Clean them gently. Store them wisely. Service them when needed.

At OnTime, we understand how luxury timepieces are close to your heart. We bring our customers timeless watches and accessories that tell your story. 

So wait no more, visit our store to embrace watches that tell your story.