Dr. Ito's thorough analysis of mechanical watches!! Vol.3 ~How to store your watch~

Good evening, everyone!

Welcome to the third installment of this column, where we discuss mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective.

"How should I store my mechanical watch?"

We'll be exploring this topic today. We often receive questions from customers like, "What should I be careful about when storing my watch?" To answer this simply, there isn't one "correct" storage method for all watches. The best way to store your watch depends on how you use it and the specific model you own.

So, how exactly should you store your watch? We'll explain it step-by-step, so we hope this article helps you find the right storage method to enjoy your watch for many years to come. Please read to the end.

Mechanical Watch Storage Methods

Let's take a look at them in order.

1. Simply placing it down

Some people simply place their watch on their desk at home after taking it off. Of course, this alone won't break the watch, but accumulated minor damage can shorten the watch's lifespan or lead to earlier overhaul cycles.

Also, for those who routinely take off their watch and place it in a designated spot every day when they get home, are you getting careless with how you place it down? Especially with heavy watches made of solid materials or with large cases, carelessly placing them down can negatively affect the internal movement, so be very careful. There are also several other points to consider.

If you carelessly place a bracelet-type watch face up, the case back and buckle will rub against each other, causing scratches. If possible, place something cushioning between the case back and buckle.

Also, some people intentionally store their watches in direct sunlight to accelerate the aging of the dial, but please understand that this is entirely "at your own risk"!

After seeing all this, many of you might think that simply placing it down is not recommended, but there is actually a "trick" that can only be enjoyed when storing it on a table, without using a case or anything similar.

That is, fine-tuning the accuracy by utilizing "positional variation."

Mechanical watches, no matter how precisely adjusted, have "positional variations."

Positional variation refers to the fluctuations in accuracy depending on the orientation of the watch. For example, if you place it with the dial facing up, it might gain 5 seconds overnight, while if you place it on its side, it might lose 10 seconds overnight; these differences occur.

When placed face up, the daily rate is "+8 seconds," but

If the position is changed, the daily rate becomes "-5 seconds."

Among long-time watch enthusiasts, some might be correcting the watch's deviation by cleverly utilizing this "positional variation."

The method is as follows: if your watch is "+20 seconds" off compared to the time signal, store it in a position where it tends to run slow. Conversely, if it's "-20 seconds" off, store it in a position where it tends to run fast.

By understanding the quirks (positional variations) of each individual watch and adjusting the orientation in which you store it when you take it off, you can maintain its accuracy. This can be an effective storage method, especially for those who own vintage watches, which often exhibit significant positional variation.

2. Storing in a case

Cases that can hold multiple watches, sold at watch stores and online, are very convenient for those with many watches. I also use a watch case; when I get home, I take off my watch, wipe it clean with a cloth, and then store it. This method reduces the risk of accidental scratches or drops to valuable watches and is space-efficient, making it a strong option for those with multiple watches. Also, as long as the case is not placed in an environment that is "hot and humid" or "extremely cold," it can be considered a low-stress storage method for the watch.

However, when storing in a case, the watch will usually be "face up," so it's important to understand that you won't be able to enjoy the benefit of improving accuracy by utilizing "positional variation" as mentioned earlier.

3. Using a watch winder

A watch winder slowly moves automatic watches to keep them wound. This is a very convenient item for those who own models that don't have a quick-set date function and are troublesome to adjust.

However, various types of watch winders are available, each with different characteristics, so they are not recommended for everyone. It's important to understand the drawbacks as well.

For example, if the wrong model or program is selected, the mainspring may not be fully wound even when the watch is set, or conversely, the mainspring may continue to slip even when fully wound. This can lead to problems such as "the watch stops quickly even when set in a winder" or "it's not keeping good time even though it was just overhauled."

By the way, some people seem to believe that "oil will solidify if the watch is left stopped," and I sometimes get questions like, "Should I keep my mechanical watch running continuously rather than letting it stop?" However, the lubricating oils used in watches today are very resistant to temperature changes and aging, so I don't think there's any particular problem even if it's left unworn for several months.

Summary

Even for something as simple as watch storage, there are methods that suit or don't suit different users and watches. Therefore, I hope you'll store your watches using the method that is best for your usage pattern, the number of watches you own, and the specific models. However, one thing I can say with certainty is that whether you simply place your watch down or not, always be gentle and careful, and try not to forget to wipe it dry daily! Please adhere to this!

I hope this article provides valuable information for everyone, and I would be delighted if it sparks even a little interest in luxury watches! Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask us directly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.

Stay tuned for the next installment! See you then!