Traditional wrist watches are becoming somewhat of a rarity these days as many people switch to smartwatches and fitness trackers.
There is still a strong market for vintage watches for those who have the money or who have inherited them. So if you find yourself the owner of a beautiful vintage watch, you’re going to have to look after it carefully.
Follow this guide to keep yours in great condition for generations to come.
Handle with care
A vintage watch is much more delicately made than those on sale today meaning that they are more likely to break or scratch during everyday use if you’re not careful. Before putting your watch on, think about what you’re going to be doing that day, and if there’s a chance your watch will be bumped or scratched, leave it at home.
You shouldn’t attempt any repairs yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing, but if for any reason you do need to open up the case, use a specialist tool like one of these https://maddisonsofdurham.co.uk/watchmakers-tools/case-openers-closers/ which will ensure you don’t scratch the case or break it when opening.
Keep it dry
You’re probably used to keeping your watch on in the shower or while swimming, but you can’t do this with a vintage watch. Any moisture can get into the mechanism and cause condensation inside the case and prevent the watch from working.
As well as removing your watch before swimming or bathing, try not to keep it in any humid conditions at all. So if you take off your watch before a shower, don’t just lay it down on a surface in the bathroom, put it somewhere else altogether
Don’t shake it too much
There doesn’t have to be an impact on the watch to cause damage. If you’re going to be doing anything strenuous that involves lots of moving about, take your watch off in order to keep the mechanism from getting stressed through movement.
Keep it wound, but not overwound.
Battery-powered watches weren’t around until the late 60s, so if your watch was produced before then, it will be a mechanical watch that needs to be wound then be careful not to overwind it. Only wind it until you start to feel some resistance and then stop.
Keep it in a box
When you aren’t wearing your watch, don’t just throw it in a drawer where it can get damaged or broken. Either place it back in a watch box or a specialist watch drawer.
Final points
Owning a vintage watch is a very special position to be in. They are always in fashion. They are fantastic pieces that are stylish and showcase some of the best craftsmanship in the world. But in order to preserve these watches for years to come and maintain their value, you need to treat them with care. By keeping them away from water and damage and getting them serviced regularly, they’ll be around long enough for you to pass them on to members of your family.
