One of the most notable accessories people wear mostly when they go out and sometimes at home is a watch. Available in a variety of types, sizes, colors, and designs, people have numerous options to choose from when it comes to buying this wrist accessory. And while smartphones, tablets, and other technology devices can also tell time, they cannot beat the convenience offered by watches. Instead of having to take your phone or tablet out of your pocket or bag, all you have to do is look at your wrist where your watch is and check the time.
But owning an Orient Classic watch or any other brand and model doesn’t mean your role as its new owner stops at buying and wearing it periodically or regularly. You want to make sure that it’s always in great working condition and it involves not only proper maintenance but cleaning as well. In this article, let’s take a look at helpful cleaning tips!
Here’s How You Can Keep Your Timepiece Clean
Are you intending to pass your watch down to your future generations as an heirloom? Are you thinking of selling it after some time of owning it? If you’re planning to do any of these two, then it is a must to clean your watch regularly. It keeps your accessory from being seriously damaged as the metal components can become rusty, leather straps can end up cracked, and many more. Hence, listed below are some cleaning tips you will find useful.
1. Get your timepiece cleaned as much as possible
Whether you’re wearing your wrist accessory daily or occasionally, the first tip is to clean it as much as possible. Check if it’s water-resistant as you can soak it in soap and water. But be sure to never immerse it in hot water because it can end up damaging the gasket, and eventually your accessory if you’ve been doing it for a long time.
You can also use a soft, damp cloth in cleaning your watch’s metal case and strap. But be careful though when cleaning leather straps because getting them wet can quickly deteriorate their appearance. Use a soft brush when cleaning items with diamond embellishments and remember to be careful. If you own several timepieces as part of the collection or for everyday use, you can make a cleaning schedule.
2. Wiping it down at night regularly
Ever have a favorite watch that you wear daily to work or wherever you go? If you do, then it deserves to be wiped at the end of every evening. That’s because everyday use means particles leaving residue and dirt accumulating in the links and case. Using a soft cloth, gently wipe the inside of the band where residual texture forms due to sweat and dead skin particles.
3. Prepare a cleaning kit
Another tip you may find useful is having a kit always available whenever you need to clean your timepiece. Without a kit, you may end up using old cloth, cleaning solutions with chemicals, and more that can end up damaging the said accessory.
You can opt to purchase ready-to-use cleaning kits available from physical and online watch stores. It contains specialized cleaning solutions, microfiber cleaning cloths, polishing cloths, cleaning brushes, and others. Or you can purchase your supply for the kit from a local store and add a few more items such as toothpicks, sanitary wipes, soft-bristled or watch-specific brushes, and more.
4. You need to remove the strap or bracelet
It’s going to do you good if you know how to remove the strap or bracelet using a spring bar tool. If not, then you may ask the local retailer or online store representative to teach you how to do it. With the help of the spring bar tool, the strap or bracelet is removed and you gain access to the lugs’ inner side and the strap’s last link – considered to be one of the dirtiest parts of the wrist accessory. It makes cleaning a whole lot easier.
5. Be gentle with leather straps
Today, you will find people in favor of leather straps instead of metal bracelets. Although classic and stylish, leather straps will need a little more care than the latter. With tendencies of cracking, if not cleaned as much as possible, leather can also dry out if it gets wet and exposed to soap and other harsh cleaning supplies.
Save your leather strap like what you do with any other leather goods you own. Use a soft cloth, water, and mild laundry detergent or soaps designed for cleaning leather items. After cleaning and wiping the strap, apply a leather conditioner to keep it soft and supple.
6. Using brushes or toothpicks to remove grimes and dirt
You may not be satisfied with wiping the timepiece with the help of a soft, damp, or dry microfiber cloth. That’s most likely because you’re still seeing sticky grimes and dirt in the hard-to-reach spots of the watch. If this is a problem and you’re uncomfortable wearing the accessory, use a soft-bristled brush or the brittle end of the toothpick to complete the job.
Envelop the toothpick with the cleaning wipe and mildly clean the problematic areas. Be alert that the toothpick doesn’t tear through the wipe and cause scratches to the timepiece. You can also use a super-soft watch brush to mildly clean the area.
7. Have it cleaned by professionals
Although cleaning the timepiece yourself makes it a personal activity, there will always come a time when it needs to be cleaned by professionals instead. It’s advisable to have it professionally cleaned every few years or so but it becomes urgent when any of these happens: accrue scratches or accumulates buildup or sticky substances that can’t be cleaned with soapy water. It’s always a good idea to have it taken care of by the experts and sent back to you looking new and fresh.
Key Takeaways
Owning a watch involves ensuring it continues to be in excellent working condition. One way of doing it is cleaning it as much as possible and taking it to the professionals for a tune-up and deep clean. Take care of your timepiece, and it will last for a long time!