An automatic watch winds itself when it is worn, with the help of the kinetic energy that is produced when the wearer moves his arms. Taking care of an automatic watch is an important matter though, since these watches are more delicate than sturdy digital watches…
While the market for fancy digital wrist watches thrives around us today, there are some people who still prefer old-fashioned analog watches that do not need a battery to function. Watches that need winding in order to work have always appealed to many people, and one such derivation of this mechanism is the automatic watch.
An automatic watch is nothing but a self-winding watch that does not need winding by the individual who wears it. The mechanism within is very simple, and the winder rotates on its own when the wearer moves or rotates his arm. It is a telling fact that most mechanical watches that are available in the market today are automatic watches, so it can be gathered that these watches are still very popular amongst many people all around the world.
Automatic Watch Maintenance
Such pieces generally become heirlooms in most families, so they are passed down from generation to generation. For such families, learning how to care for it is absolutely essential since the watch represents the family’s heritage and history. For some other watch wearers, it is more than just a watch. It is like a symbol that they carry around with them, and there is no doubt that they would definitely wish to take good care of the watch itself.
Carrying out effective maintenance is necessary for individuals who use such watches, because there are several things that can go wrong with the mechanism within the watch. One of the most common problems here is that of ‘overwinding’, because the mainspring of the watch has a tendency to keep winding itself even after the process has been completed. This can cause added tension inside the watch and cause damage as a result. Watch manufacturers attach something known as a slipping clutch device inside automatic watches in order to prevent this from happening, but the fact of the matter is that the user needs to handle the watch carefully so as to prevent damage.
How to Care For an Automatic Watch
Here are some tips and pointers to keep in mind to take good care of your automatic watch.
- If you do not wear it every day, it is important to wear it for a few hours once every week. This will ensure that the watch gets wound, and does not stop working. Some retailers also sell specialized winders, so you can purchase one of these and wind the watch manually as well.
- Try not to expose your automatic watch to water too often. Even the models that are water-resistant will start showing signs of wear and tear sooner or later, so you need to handle such watches with extreme caution.
- If you do not use it on a regular basis, then you need to store it in a safe place. Ensure that it is dry, cool and dark where you store it, and also ensure that you allow it to wind itself every once in a while by actually wearing it.
- If you use it on a daily basis, there is sure to be some dirt and grime attached to it. You must clean the face, the back and the straps of the watch often with a soft cloth and a toothpick in order to get rid of these materials.
- Like all other mechanical wrist watches, automatic ones also have magnetic resistance inside them. Do not place the watch near a magnetic source, as this could result in the watch suffering some permanent damage.
- A watch will last longer if you know when to remove it. If you are performing some task that is going to get messy and have some material slide into your watch, just remove it before you do so.
- Also keep the watch away from harmful chemicals and liquids. Do not use it in the shower and most importantly, do not attempt to push any of the switches underwater.
- Visit a watch store once every year and have them carry out some general maintenance work on your watch. They will analyze the automatic watch and clean, repair and replace the necessary components.
These watches will only last long if you follow all these instructions. Mechanical watches are, by nature, a fragile lot and require special attention. As a result of this, the people who own such watches also make it a point to go out of their way to take care of the watch. Admittedly, this is the only way to ensure that these watches have a long lifespan.
