Everything you need to know about caring for your automatic watch
Your automatic watch is a complex and sensitive instrument, so you should always look after it carefully. Use a soft cotton cloth to clean the case, the back and - if present - the metal bracelet. Under no circumstances should you use chemicals or cleaning agents that are not exclusively intended for watch care. These can damage the case and possibly impair the water resistance of your timepiece.
If your watch is water-resistant up to 10 bar, you can polish it with a slightly damp cloth. However, be careful if your watch has a leather strap. If possible, this should not come into contact with water. You should clean your watch especially after sport, as sweat can lead to unwanted reactions with the case. Look after your watch regularly - so you can enjoy your timepiece for years to come.
If you do not wear your watch for a longer period of time, we recommend storing it in the watch box supplied or in another dust-free container that is protected from light. You should protect your watch from direct exposure to light, as this can cause discoloration. This can damage dials and hands in particular - protect your watch and avoid this effect. For longer periods of storage, we also recommend using a watch winder to keep the rotor turning.
Also protect your watch from excessive heat. The movement consists of metal parts and lubricating oils that can be affected by heat and thus impair the accuracy.
To put your automatic watch into operation, you need to wind it. You should wind the watch up to ⅔ via the crown - don't worry, modern automatic watches have a slip clutch to prevent the spring from overwinding. However, 20-30 turns should suffice.
With older automatic watches and watches with manual winding, however, you should only wind the watch until you feel resistance. Never set the date when the hand is between 9 and 3 o'clock, as this can damage the movement. Never turn the hands of your watch back counterclockwise past 12 o'clock, as this can damage the gears.
Automatic watches are not as accurate as quartz watches - this is due to the many gears that do their work inside the watch. It is important to store the watch correctly at night: the running speed of the watch depends on its position.
If you place your timepiece with the dial facing downwards, the watch will run faster. If the crown is at the top, the watch will run more slowly. The ideal position is different for every watch - try it out and find the right position. This can improve your accuracy by up to 10 seconds.
Automatic watches are sensitive if they are left in the sun for a long time. The inside of the watch can heat up to 75°C and become damaged. In addition, you should never transfer the watch from direct heat to cold. Avoid jumping into cold water with your timepiece. It's better to leave your watch in your hotel room - it's best not to have to keep an eye on the time when you're on vacation.
The many gears and springs can be damaged by knocks and strong vibrations - which is why you should take your watch off when doing sports such as mountain biking, tennis or squash. Protect the timepiece from knocks and use it during "quieter" activities. Violent wrist movements in particular can cause damage to the movement.
You should never open your watch yourself - the inside of the timepiece is a complex construction that should only be serviced by experts. An overhaul is recommended every 5-10 years - you can recognize the need for this by a higher rate deviation, for example. The rate deviation is the interval in which a watch deviates from normal time.
The rate deviation of a COSC-certified watch is usually around 1-2 seconds per day. During the overhaul, the watch is checked, disassembled, cleaned and oiled by a specialist. If you do not wear your watch for a longer period of time and do not use a watch winder, it may be necessary to clean the movement sooner.
