A mechanical wristwatch is a fine example of ingenious engineering and an fine example of man’s achievements in horology. Mechanical time pieces are designed for more precision and accuracy than quartz watches and require no batteries to function. However, with all its additional perks and features comes a need for more scrupulous maintenance and care. In this this entry we are going to give proud owners and mechanical watch lovers some tips to keep your beloved time pieces running for decades.
Winding it up a mechanical watch
Owning a mechanical time piece that isn’t automatic means you have to interact with your watch more than usual. It can be wound by turning the crown which will in turn wind the mainspring that keeps your watch ticking. The tension in this spring will dictate how many turns of a crown are required from you. It is important not to overdo it and stop immediately once you feel slight tension. Typically this will be enough to keep your watch running for a day or even longer. Try to do this procedure around the same time every day for example make it a habit to wind it up every morning, this will also establish a special bond between you and your watch.
Automatic mechanical watches do not need to be wound up as the tension in the mainspring is maintained as your watch moves with your wrist due to the weighted rotor oscillating. It is impossible for an automatic watch to over-wind like the fully mechanical pieces so as long as you wear it every day you should be fine with not winding it up manually at all. At Bliss Watch we have an excellent selection of affordable time pieces.
Things to avoid
Nowadays, watch manufacturers protect time pieces more than ever against things like water, magnetism and shocks. However there are still several points which you must consider to keep your time piece in fully functional order. Pay attention to the water resistance level of your watch. Most watches have a water resistance of 3 bars of higher meaning you can take them up to 30 meters under water without any damage. This isn’t however recommended with 3 bar watches and you should only ever swim with watches which have water resistance up to 50 meters or more if you want to avoid any intentional harm. It is also a good idea to take your watch off whilst showering and me careful when checking the time in heavy rain.
Shock resistance is another important aspect to consider in keeping your automatic time piece in working order. Most watches today have sapphire crystal glass with some manufacturers using other materials. Hardly any material can guarantee scratch resistance so take particular care with your watch and avoid placing it in your pocket with keys and change or putting it face down on any surface.
Magnetism is a deadly nemesis for mechanical watches. Although many watch makers have been trying to take precautions against it, magnetism can cause the gentle mainspring to malfunction making your watch run very fast or stop it from running completely. IPads, TV sets and speakers all contain magnets that can cause magnetism to your watch. Luckily, it is fairly easy to de magnetize a watch and can be done by any watchmaker in a matter of minutes. Still, it is good practice to keep your time piece away from devices that may harm it.
In conclusion, wearing a mechanical wristwatch comes with certain responsibilities and just like any other mechanism it must be taken care off and maintained regularly if the owner hopes to keep it in working order for a long time. If maintained properly, a mechanical time piece can serve for generations and bring joy and pleasure to its wearers.
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https://blisswatches.com/collections/automatic-watches