How to store a mechanical watch if it is not worn for a long time?

Put the watch back in the watch box

If the mechanical watch is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to put the watch back in the original watch box or a professional watch box as much as possible.

Because the original watch box is specially made for the watch, the inside is dry and the protection is good. If the watch is plated or platinum, platinum and other precious metals, be sure to keep your palms dry, preferably wearing gloves. Because if there is sweat or water on the hands, it will cause oxidation or other corrosion of the watch.

Watch storage precautions

• Do not put it in a damp place to prevent the movement parts from being rusted and damaged, and the dial will be discolored;
• Do not place it near electrical instruments with magnetic fields, so as not to affect the accuracy of the watch;
• Do not put it in places with odors such as acid and alkali, and mothballs (sanitary balls) or clothes boxes with camphor odor to prevent the lubricating oil from chemically reacting with it and deteriorating, causing the dial to become discolored and the movement to malfunction;
• If the mechanical watch is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to take time to wind the watch regularly. If the newly bought watch is not worn, it needs to be fully wound after being stored for a period of time, and it will continue to run for about a week to prevent the lubricating oil from solidifying and sticking. If there is moisture in the movement or the movement will rust the parts, etc.; if it is stored for a long time, it should be cleaned and oiled once within 3 to 5 years;
• It is best to wash and refill the worn watch before storing it to prevent the movement from being oil-free or rusted and damaged by diving;
• For the stored watch, wipe the outer surface with a soft cloth and store it in a clean, dry place that is not exposed to sunlight.

Whether it is an automatic or manual mechanical watch, if you do not wear it for a long time, you need to regularly wind the watch and let the watch run for a period of time. And after winding the chain, wipe it gently with a watch cloth.

Because the various functions of the watch need to run regularly. For example, some watches are multi-functional, such as chronograph function, moon phase function, time between two places, etc., these functions can be run when winding, so that the bearings and gears can be fully lubricated. That is equivalent to warming up the watch. On the contrary, if the mechanical watch has been placed for a long time without moving, the lubricating oil inside the movement will solidify and dry up, thus hindering the operation of the bearing of the movement.

If you have a lot of watches or you don't want to spend so much time on the watch winding, you can buy an automatic watch winder to help you solve this problem.

Check your watch regularly

If the mechanical watch is not worn for a long time, it is recommended to take time to check it regularly.

Even if a mechanical watch is not worn, it should be checked after a few years. This question is equivalent to the same reason that we have to do a comprehensive physical examination for our body every year.

Generally, it is necessary to check its waterproofness and accuracy in about three years. Because the waterproof ring inside the watch needs to be replaced after a few years even if it is not worn, and the internal bearings also need to be re-oiled. The best thing is to re-clean and oil.

In short, mechanical watches, whether automatic or manual, should pay attention to maintenance, and maintenance does not mean maintenance. The correct and perfect preservation method will only allow your watch to accompany you for a longer time in the future.