How to keep your watch collection pristine
Whether they come from luxury watchmaking powerhouses like Rolex or one of the newer names in the world of timepiece craftmanship, quality watches always make a statement – and they’re great choices for an investment thanks to their timeless value.
Beautiful timepieces convey classic watchmaking skill and a brand’s heritage, married to modern design and function innovations, making them popular among collectors. There is a treasure trove of options, from pretty and delicate designs to robust sporty pieces that can withstand almost anything.
If you’re in the process of setting up your own watch collection, it’s essential that you know how to keep everything pristine – both to protect your investment and to get the most enjoyment out of having them around. Read on for a guide to ensuring that your watches are in good condition.
Check the instructions
Most watches will come with instructions that explain how to provide the best levels of care. Take the time to read through this guidance and carefully follow the steps as they’re set out.
If you’re unsure of anything, try contacting the brand to see if you can get some help. It’s better to ask for advice than attempt watch maintenance without knowing for sure that you’re on the right track. In fact, depending on the age of your timepiece, you might not have instructions from which to work, in which case it might be time to call in the experts.
Watches are complex creations containing many small parts and things can go wrong quickly if you do go ahead without following the how-to guide. It could be worth taking out jewellery insurance on your prized possessions for peace of mind in case of the unexpected.
Store safely
Having somewhere safe to store your collection is crucial. Ideally, your watches will be kept in their original boxes, although this isn’t always possible. If you don’t have the original box, it’s worth investing in some purpose-built watch boxes so that you have a robust outer shell keeping them safe.
Alternatively, a specialist watch drawer can be the perfect place to safely stash your collection. As you’re storing expensive timepieces, though, try adding a lock to your drawer to keep everything secure.
If you’d like to keep your watches on display to admire, opting for something like these display cases by Luminati is another idea. A glass case protects while ensuring your watch sparkles and shines for all to see!
Whatever option you pick, you’ll need to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from dust.
Clean carefully
As before, when it comes to cleaning, you’ll need to check the guide that came with each piece. The cleaning products that you need to use will depend on the materials from which your watch is made. Avoid any harsh chemicals; a soft cloth and warm water will often be enough to clean everything up. Again, if you’re unsure, seek advice from a specialist before you do anything.
