Here's a surprising tip from Ted Pommer, a watch-repair specialist at Ilana Fine Jewelry, in New York City: Ignore the manufacturer's recommendation to clean and adjust a watch every 2 to 3 years. "Don't fix it if it's not broken," Pommer says. "I've worked on watches that are 80 years old and have never been serviced. They run fine; their timing is just a bit off." But you should do this.
Remember the battery
Pulling out the crown of a quartz watch will not save your battery. It doesn't stop the movement but merely freezes the hands so you can set the time. If you put the watch away and the battery runs out, it can leak and ruin the movement.
Keep it dry
Unless the watch states that it's waterproof, keep it clear of moisture. "When they say a watch is water-resistant, all that means is there's a slightly longer tube protecting the crown as it passes through the case. Water can still enter the watch. Steam can enter the watch.
And saltwater's the worst. It can eat through metal and corrode the case. I'm a pessimist--I see watches only when they're broken—but my two rules are (1) don't get it wet and (2) don't use it as a hammer."
Take it off to wind it
Winding a watch while wearing it is a bad idea. It puts side-pressure on the stem, the metal bar inside the crown, and upward pressure on the crown itself. Over time, this can cause either to break.
Set it in any direction
It's okay to move the hands backward when setting the time. Just the most complicated chronographs demand you move the hands only forward while adjusting them.
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