An automatic watch rewards good habits. Store it well, wind it correctly, and keep it away from everyday hazards, and it will run accurately for decades. Neglect it, and you risk scratched cases, magnetised movements, and thickened lubricants.
The short answer: keep your watch dry, clean, and padded, and keep it away from magnets, extreme heat, and direct sunlight. Then decide how you will keep it running when you rotate your collection, and service it on schedule. The nine tips below cover each step in practical detail.
1. Give Every Watch a Dedicated Place to Rest
A watch that rattles around in a drawer with keys, coins, and jewellery picks up scratches fast. Sapphire crystals resist scratching well, but polished steel cases, gold bezels, and bracelets show marks quickly.
Give each watch its own padded compartment or cushion. A dedicated slot keeps case backs from grinding against each other and stops bracelets from snagging on clasps. If you own more than two or three pieces, a proper storage box or cabinet pays for itself in preserved resale value.
You can browse storage and winding options that suit different collection sizes on the official Aevitas UK site.
2. Control Humidity and Temperature
Moisture causes more long-term damage than most collectors expect. Damp air corrodes movement parts, clouds crystals from the inside, and rots leather straps. Extreme heat thins lubricants and accelerates ageing of gaskets.
Follow these guidelines:
- Store watches in a room with stable temperature, ideally between 15°C and 25°C.
- Aim for relative humidity around 40–60%. A cheap hygrometer tells you where your room stands.
- Avoid bathrooms and kitchens. Steam and temperature swings make them the worst rooms in the house for watches.
- Keep watches away from radiators and windowsills. Direct heat and sunlight fade dials and dry out straps.
A cool bedroom wardrobe or a lined drawer in a living space usually works well.
3. Keep Your Watches Away from Magnets
Magnetism ranks among the most common causes of an automatic watch running fast. Magnetic fields magnetise the hairspring, so the coils stick together and the watch gains time, sometimes by several minutes a day.
Magnets hide in everyday objects. Phone cases with magnetic clasps, laptop lids, tablet covers, speakers, handbag closures, and induction hobs all emit fields strong enough to affect a movement. Keep your watch at least a few centimetres from these items, and never store it on top of a speaker or beside a charging pad.
If your watch suddenly gains time, a watchmaker can demagnetise it in minutes. Many independent workshops perform this quick job for a small fee.
4. Decide How You Will Keep Your Watch Running
An automatic watch winds itself from the motion of your wrist. When you take it off, the mainspring gradually unwinds, and the watch stops after its power reserve runs out. Most modern automatics hold 38 to 70 hours of reserve, though some go beyond that.
You have two sensible options when you rotate between watches:
- Let the watch stop and reset it when you next wear it. This works fine for a watch you wear a few times a month. Modern lubricants stay stable in a resting movement.
- Keep it running with a winder. This suits watches with complications, such as perpetual calendars and moon phases, that take time to reset.
Both approaches protect your watch when you apply them correctly. The choice depends on your collection, your budget, and how often you wear each piece. For a full breakdown of the pros, cons, and settings involved, read this guide before you buy anything.
5. Wind and Set Your Watch the Right Way
Manual winding still matters, even for an automatic. If your watch has stopped, give the crown 20 to 30 turns to build a base charge before you put it on. Wrist motion alone charges the mainspring slowly, and starting from empty leaves the watch running inaccurately for the first hours.
Follow these habits when you set the watch:
- Wind gently. Stop when you feel resistance. Forcing the crown risks damaging the mainspring or the winding mechanism.
- Avoid changing the date between roughly 9 pm and 3 am on watches with a mechanical date change. The date wheel engages during those hours, and forcing it can damage the gears. Check your watch’s manual, because the safe window varies.
- Pull the crown out fully before you set the time. Never adjust the time with the crown in a half-pulled position unless the manual says so.
- Set the time forward, not backward, when a manual recommends it. Some movements tolerate backward setting, but others do not.
6. Protect Your Watch When You Travel
Travel exposes a watch to knocks, temperature swings, and loss. A dedicated travel case solves all three problems, and it keeps your watch out of loose luggage compartments.
The top Aevitas Leather Watch Rolls give you a soft, padded space for each watch, so pieces cannot bump against each other in transit. A watch roll also fits easily into a carry-on bag, which matters because you should never pack a valuable watch in checked luggage.
Use these travel rules:
- Wear your most valuable watch on the plane or keep it in your hand luggage.
- Wrap each watch in its own compartment so crowns and clasps cannot scratch neighbouring cases.
- Avoid leaving a watch in a hot car or on a beach towel in direct sun.
- Take a spare strap or bracelet tool if you plan to change straps during a long trip.
A roll also works at home for rotating two or three pieces you wear regularly, so you can grab one and go.
7. Respect Water Resistance Ratings
Water resistance ratings confuse many owners. A rating of 30 metres does not mean the watch survives a dive to 30 metres. It means the watch handles splashes and light rain.
Use this simple guide:
- 30 m (3 ATM): Splash resistance only. Keep it away from showers and swimming.
- 50 m (5 ATM): Handles brief immersion but not regular swimming.
- 100 m (10 ATM): Suits swimming and snorkelling.
- 200 m and above: Suits diving, provided the crown is fully screwed down.
Gaskets age, so check your watch’s water resistance every year or two, especially before summer holidays. Never operate the crown or pushers underwater unless the watch specifically permits it, and avoid hot showers and saunas, because heat and steam compromise seals.
8. Clean Your Watch Regularly and Safely
Regular cleaning keeps a watch looking new and prevents grime from working into crevices. A soft, dry microfibre cloth handles daily wipe-downs after wearing.
For a deeper clean on a water-resistant watch with a screwed-down crown:
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap.
- Dip a soft brush, such as a clean toothbrush, and gently scrub the case and bracelet links.
- Rinse the watch under lukewarm running water.
- Dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
Never soak a leather strap. Wipe it with a barely damp cloth and let it dry naturally, away from direct heat. Leather absorbs sweat and oils, so rotate straps when you can, and let each one rest for a day between wears.
9. Service Your Watch on a Regular Schedule
Every mechanical movement needs professional servicing. Lubricants degrade over time, and dust and moisture creep into even the best-sealed cases. Most manufacturers recommend a full service every five to ten years, although some brands suggest shorter intervals for heavily worn pieces.
Watch for these warning signs:
- The watch gains or loses more than a minute a day.
- The power reserve drops noticeably.
- The rotor sounds grindy or the winding feels rough.
- Condensation appears under the crystal.
Choose a qualified watchmaker. The British Horological Institute offers useful guidance on watch care and maintains professional standards for the trade, so it makes a reliable starting point when you look for a skilled independent watchmaker or want to learn what a proper service involves.
Keep your service records. A documented service history reassures future buyers and often lifts resale value.
Final Thoughts
Caring for an automatic watch takes far less effort than most owners fear. Store each piece in a padded, dry, magnet-free space. Decide whether to let watches rest or keep them running. Pack them properly for trips, respect their water ratings, and service them on time. Those habits keep a watch accurate and attractive for decades, and they preserve its value.
Start with the basics, such as a proper roll or box and a clear storage routine, and build from there as your collection grows. A watch that you protect well will keep telling the right time long after cheaper alternatives fail.
FAQs
How should I store an automatic watch when I don’t wear it?
Store it in a padded compartment in a cool, dry place, away from magnets, direct sunlight, and heat sources. Keep it in a watch box, a drawer insert, or a travel roll so it cannot knock against other items. Decide whether to leave it stopped or keep it running on a winder, depending on how often you wear it.
Does an automatic watch need to run all the time?
No. Modern lubricants stay stable in a stopped movement, so a watch does not suffer from resting. You only need to keep it running if you want to avoid resetting complications such as a perpetual calendar or moon phase.
How often should I service an automatic watch?
Most manufacturers recommend a full service every five to ten years. Check your brand’s guidance, and book a service earlier if your watch loses accuracy, sounds unusual, or shows moisture under the crystal.
Can I wind an automatic watch by hand?
Yes. Turn the crown gently 20 to 30 times to build an initial charge before you wear the watch. Stop when you feel resistance, and never force the crown.
What is the best way to carry a watch when travelling?
Use a padded watch roll or travel case, and keep it in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage. Give each watch its own compartment so cases and bracelets cannot scratch each other, and wear your most valuable piece if you prefer to keep it close.
How do I know if my watch has become magnetised?
The most common sign is sudden fast running, often gaining several minutes a day. A watchmaker can test and demagnetise it quickly. Keep your watch away from phones, speakers, laptop lids, and magnetic clasps to prevent the problem.
