Good evening everyone!
This is the third installment of a series of columns that talk about mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective.
How should I store my mechanical watch?
I will be talking about this topic.
We often get asked by customers, "What should I pay attention to when storing my watch?" The answer is, there is no "correct" storage method for all watches; the recommended storage method varies depending on the purpose of use and the model you own.
So how should you store it? We will explain it step by step, so please use this article as a reference and use it in the appropriate storage method so that you can use it for a long time. Please read to the end.
How to store a mechanical watch
So let's take a look at them one by one.
1. Place it carelessly
People who take off their watches and leave them on their desks at home, etc. Of course, doing so will not damage the watch, but it can cause small amounts of damage to accumulate and shorten the lifespan of the watch, or shorten the interval between overhauls.
Also, if you have a daily routine of taking off your watch when you get home and putting it down in a fixed place, have you gotten used to it and started to place it carelessly? In particular, if you place something heavy on the watch itself, such as a watch made of solid material or a large case, carelessly, it may have a negative effect on the internal movement, so be careful. There are a few other things to be careful of.
If you carelessly place a bracelet watch with the dial facing up, the back cover and the buckle will rub against each other and scratch each other. If possible, place something cushioning between the back cover and the buckle.
Some people also think that storing their watches in direct sunlight will help age the dial, but please do so at your own risk!
Having read this far, many of you may be thinking that it is not a good idea to just leave them lying around, but there is actually a "trick" that can only be enjoyed if you store them on a table or other surface without using a case.
It is a fine-tuning of accuracy that takes advantage of "posture differences."
No matter how precisely a mechanical watch is adjusted, there will be "posture differences."
Position difference means that the accuracy of the watch varies depending on the orientation of the watch. For example, if you place the watch with the face facing up, it will gain 5 seconds overnight, but if you place the watch upright, it will lose 10 seconds overnight.
When viewed from the position shown on the dial, the daily difference is +8 seconds.
If you change your position, the daily difference will be -5 seconds.
Among long-time watch enthusiasts, there are some who make good use of this "position difference" to correct the misalignment of their watches.
The method is that if the difference between your watch and the time signal is "+20 seconds", store it in a position that causes it to be late, and if it is "-20 seconds", store it in a position that causes it to be fast.
By understanding the quirks (position differences) of each watch, you can remove the watch and adjust the orientation for storage. This is an especially effective storage method for those who own vintage watches, which tend to show large position differences.
2. Store in a case
Cases that can hold multiple watches at once are sold at watch stores and on the Internet. They are very convenient items for people who have many watches. I also use a watch case, and when I get home I take off my watches and wipe them dry with a cloth before storing them. There is little risk of accidentally scratching or dropping your precious watches, and they are also space-efficient, so they are a great option for people who have multiple watches. Also, as long as the environment in which the case is placed is not "hot, humid" or "extremely cold," it can be said to be a storage method that puts less strain on the watches.
However, if you store it in a case, the dial will basically be facing up, so you should understand that, as mentioned above, you will no longer be able to enjoy the fun of improving accuracy by taking advantage of the difference in the position of the watch.
3. Use a winding machine
A winding machine slowly winds up the mainspring of an automatic watch when it is set. It is a very useful item for those who have a model that does not have a fast-forward date function and requires a lot of effort to adjust .
However, there are many different types of winding machines on the market, each with different features, so they are not recommended for everyone, and it is important to understand the disadvantages.
For example, if you choose the wrong model or program, the spring may not be fully wound even though the watch is set, or conversely, the spring may continue to slip even when fully wound. This can lead to problems such as "my watch stops immediately even though it's set on the winding machine" or "my watch doesn't seem to be working properly even though it was recently overhauled."
Incidentally, some people seem to think that "the oil will harden if the watch is left stationary and not moving," and we are sometimes asked, "Is it better to keep a mechanical watch moving without stopping it?" However, the lubricants used in wristwatches in recent years are very resistant to temperature changes and deterioration over time, so I don't think there is any problem even if you leave the watch stationary for several months.
summary
There are different ways to store your watches, depending on the person and the watch, so we hope you will find the best way to store your watches depending on how you use them, the number of watches you own, and the model. However, one thing is for sure: even if you leave your watch lying around, be gentle and careful, and don't forget to wipe it dry every day if possible! Please do this thoroughly!
We hope that this article has been useful to you and has piqued your interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us directly, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Look forward to the next one! See you next time!