How to maintain a luxury watch? The essential actions to preserve it
A well-maintained luxury watch can last through several generations without losing either its precision or its beauty. Poorly maintained, the same watch can degrade in just a few years — even losing a significant part of its value. Maintaining a luxury watch is not complicated, but it requires a few simple habits to adopt from day one. Here’s the essential, without unnecessary jargon.
In daily life: the good reflexes to adopt
Avoid shocks: A luxury mechanical watch is a precision instrument. A violent shock — watch hitting against furniture, falling on a hard surface — can disrupt the movement or damage fragile internal components. This is not a reason to never wear your watch, but it is a reason to be careful in risky situations (DIY, contact sports, gardening).
Keep it away from magnetic fields: Powerful magnetic fields can disrupt the movement of a mechanical watch (especially those of vintage models) and cause it to gain or lose several minutes a day. Common sources to watch out for: bluetooth speakers, magnetic clasps of bags, tablets with magnetic cases, certain medical equipment. Most modern watches are anti-magnetic to some extent, but caution is still advised.
Remove your watch for extreme activities: Even a 300-metre water-resistant Rolex Submariner is not made for professional diving or extreme sports on a daily basis. Water resistance degrades over time, and seals should be checked regularly. For casual swimming or showering, a Submariner or Seamaster will hold up without issue — but remove it for the sauna or prolonged hot bath (steam and heat degrade seals faster than cold water).
Cleaning: How to do it without damaging?
The steel bracelet: A steel bracelet accumulates soap, sweat, and dust residues in its links. Monthly cleaning is sufficient for most wearers: soak the bracelet (not the case if the watch is not water-resistant) in warm soapy water for a few minutes, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
The case: For the case, a slightly damp microfiber cloth is enough to remove fingerprints and dust. Avoid household products, sprays, or any abrasive — even mild — that could scratch the glass or alter the brushed/polished finishes.
The leather strap: A leather strap does not tolerate water. Wipe it with a dry cloth after each wear if you sweat. Avoid intentionally getting it wet. A quality leather strap lasts on average 2 to 4 years depending on wear intensity — it is a consumable to be replaced.
Storage: How to store a watch that is not being worn?
If you do not wear your watch for a few days: An automatic watch will stop after 40 to 70 hours without movement (depending on the power reserve of the model). This is not a problem — just wind it manually (by turning the crown) before putting it back on, then set the time. Some collectors use an "automatic winder" — a motorised case that keeps the watch in motion. This is useful if you have several watches in rotation, but not essential for a single piece.
If you are storing your watch long-term: Store it in its original box or in a padded case, away from direct light, moisture, and extreme temperature variations. Do not store it near magnetic sources (some furniture or chest closure systems are magnetic). If you are storing it for more than a few weeks, wind it slightly before taking it out.
The service: How often and why?
This is the point that many owners overlook — often because their watch is working perfectly and they do not see the need to intervene. This is a mistake.
A mechanical movement contains dozens of parts that rub against each other. These parts are factory-lubricated, but this lubrication degrades over time — even if the watch is not worn. Without sufficient lubrication, the components wear out prematurely.
The recommended frequency: a complete service every 5 to 10 years depending on the brands. Rolex officially recommends a service every 10 years for its recent movements. For older watches or more complex movements, 5 to 7 years is a more cautious recommendation.
What a complete service includes: complete disassembly of the movement, ultrasonic cleaning of each component, replacement of worn parts, relubrication, reassembly, precision adjustment, and waterproofing check for the relevant models.
The cost: a service at an authorised watchmaker generally costs between €300 and €800 depending on the brand and the complexity of the movement. An investment that preserves the value of a watch worth €5,000, €10,000 or €30,000.
What you should never do
Never have your watch polished without thinking: Polishing removes micro-scratches — but it also removes sharp edges, the clean angles between brushed and polished surfaces that give luxury watches their character. A watch polished by someone who does not know what they are doing can lose some of its beauty and value. If your watch has scratches, live with them — they are part of the piece's history and collectors often prefer an unpolished watch. You can still polish your watch, but choose the professional you entrust it to wisely. It is a meticulous job that requires real expertise.
Never try to open the case back yourself: Screw-down or snap-on case backs protect the movement from dust and moisture. Opening them without the right tools risks scratching them irreparably and exposes the movement to contamination. Leave this to a watchmaker.
Do not buy a "luxury watch" cleaning kit online: Most are either unnecessary or potentially abrasive. A clean microfiber cloth and warm water do the same job in 95% of everyday situations.
Repetition checks the maintenance of each watch before sale.
At Répétition, each watch we offer for sale is subject to a check of its condition and functionality. We inform you about the known maintenance history of the piece, and we advise you on any potential servicing to consider after the purchase — a point of transparency that we consider essential.