Watch Care Guide: How to Keep Your Watch Looking and Working Its Best
At Jools, we've been looking after customers' watches from our High Street shop in Bridgwater for over 25 years. My husband carries out most of our watch repairs in his workshop, so when we give advice about watch care, it comes from genuine hands-on experience. Here's what we tell our customers.
Everyday Habits That Make a Difference
The most common cause of watch damage is impact — even a small knock can dislodge hands or hour markers, scratch the dial or glass, or damage the movement. Get into the habit of taking your watch off before gardening, exercising, DIY, or any physical work. It only takes a second and can save an expensive repair.
Keep your watch away from strong magnets too — induction hobs, laptop speakers, and magnetic bag clasps can all affect timekeeping accuracy, particularly in mechanical watches.
Water Resistance — An Important Note
Many customers assume their watch is safe around water as long as it has a water resistance rating. This is mostly true, but there's one important exception: once a watch back has been removed — for a battery change, for example — we can't guarantee the water resistance afterwards, even if new seals are fitted. It's something we always tell our customers, and it's worth bearing in mind.
For a full explanation of what water resistance ratings actually mean in practice, take a look at our Watch Water Resistance Guide.
Loose Digits or Hands — Don't Ignore Them
This is something we see regularly and it's worth knowing about. If a number or hand becomes loose inside your watch dial, it might seem like a minor cosmetic issue — but it isn't. Loose parts can move around inside the case, catch on the hands, and cause damage to the movement as well as draining the battery faster than usual. If you notice anything rattling or moving inside your watch, bring it in sooner rather than later.
Cleaning Your Watch at Home
For metal cases and bracelets, a wipe with a soft lint-free cloth is usually all you need for regular maintenance. If your watch is water resistant, you can occasionally clean the bracelet with lukewarm water and a little mild soap — rinse thoroughly and dry completely afterwards. We sell soft watch cleaning cloths in the shop if you'd like one.
For leather straps, keep them dry and away from perfumes, lotions, and hand sanitiser. Leather ages naturally and will eventually need replacing — we stock a wide range of replacement straps in the shop if you need one.
Rubber and silicone straps can be washed occasionally with mild soap and water — just dry them completely before wearing.
Watch Strap & Bracelet Fitting
If your watch bracelet needs links removed to fit properly, pop in and we'll sort it for you. It's free if you bought the watch from us, or £7.50 for watches purchased elsewhere. If you later feel you need a link put back in or another taken out, just come back in — we'll tweak it for free.
Storage
Store watches separately to prevent scratching — the glass and case can mark each other if left loose together. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat, and out of humid environments like bathrooms. A watch box is ideal, and we have a selection in the shop if you're looking for one.
If you're putting a quartz watch away for a long period, it's worth removing the battery to prevent leakage which can cause serious damage to the movement.
When to Seek Professional Help
Bring your watch in to us if:
- Hands or numbers feel loose or are moving inside the dial
- The watch is gaining or losing time
- You notice condensation under the glass — stop wearing it immediately if so
- The crown feels loose or is difficult to push in
- The watch stops unexpectedly
- The glass is scratched or cracked
Early attention almost always means a simpler, less expensive repair. We're happy to have a look and give you a free, honest assessment.
Watch Servicing
Mechanical and automatic watches benefit from a full service every three to five years. Quartz watches need less frequent attention, but a battery replacement is a good opportunity to have the seals and general condition checked over at the same time.
Pop into Jools on the High Street in Bridgwater, or visit our watch repairs and servicing page for details on what we offer and pricing.