How to Look After a Mechanical Watch
A few small habits that keep a good watch running well for years.
By The Lookout — Watches, Style, Travel, Weddings & Wealth Editors · 5 min read · October 2026
pat taylor
A mechanical watch is a small machine made of hundreds of tiny parts. It is more robust than it looks, and it rewards a little care. These are the habits that matter most.
Winding and setting
If your watch is wound by hand, turn the crown gently until you feel resistance, and then stop. Never force it. An automatic watch winds as you move your wrist, but if you leave it unworn for a couple of days, it will stop. Give it a few turns of the crown before you set the time. On many watches, changing the date late in the evening or in the early hours can damage the date mechanism, so check your manual for the safe window.
Water and heat
A water resistance rating is a test result, not a promise about depth. A watch marked 30 metres is protected against splashes, not swimming. Rubber seals age over time, so have them tested before you rely on them. Make sure the crown is fully screwed down, and never press buttons or turn the crown underwater. Avoid hot showers, saunas and steam, which can harm the seals and the oils inside.
Treat a good watch like a good pair of shoes: wear it, and look after it.— The Lookout
Magnets and knocks
Phone cases, speakers, laptop bags and fridge doors often contain magnets, and magnetism can make a watch run fast or slow. A watchmaker can fix this quickly. Avoid knocks and sports with heavy impacts, unless the watch was built for them.
Cleaning and storage
Wipe the case with a soft, dry cloth. If a water-resistant watch has been in the sea, rinse it under fresh water and dry it. Leather straps dislike water and sweat, so keep them dry. When you take the watch off, keep it somewhere dry and away from heat, direct sun and magnets.
Servicing
Makers usually recommend a service every few years, often between five and ten years, depending on the watch. Follow the maker’s advice, use an authorised service centre or a respected independent watchmaker, and keep the paperwork. Never try to open the case yourself.
Our advice
Wind it, keep it dry, keep it away from magnets and service it on time. That is nearly everything a mechanical watch asks of you.
Every watch is different. Please follow your maker’s manual and advice for your specific model. Details checked October 2026.
