In the realm of urban professionals, wearing a watch is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a

In the realm of urban professionals, wearing a watch is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a part of daily life. Yet, many are unfamiliar with when to wind their watch, how to set it, or where to turn for repairs. Today, let’s unravel some common queries to enlighten watch enthusiasts.

1. Regular Maintenance: Even if your watch keeps time perfectly, experts advise routine maintenance for mechanical watches. Like cars needing oil, watches require lubrication to run smoothly. Over time, lubricants degrade, increasing friction and wear among components. Dust produced by friction can also wear down the movement.

2. Maintenance Frequency: Recommendations vary, but most manufacturers suggest every three to five years.

3. What Happens During Maintenance? Watches are dismantled, bands and cases ultrasonically cleaned and polished. Movement parts are chemically cleaned and inspected, with worn parts replaced, then reassembled, lubricated, and timed. Waterproof watches undergo water resistance tests.

4. Where to Repair or Refurbish? For in-warranty watches, only official service centers ensure warranty validity. Post-warranty, consider reputable service centers or large repair shops.

5. Cost of Maintenance? Costs vary significantly but expect to spend over 500 yuan for basic mechanical watch servicing. The rule of thumb: the higher the brand’s price, the higher the maintenance cost.

6. Duration of Stay in Shop? Typically, two to three weeks, though it varies by shop.

7. Do Quartz Watches Need Regular Maintenance? Not in the same way as mechanical movements, due to fewer moving parts. Most need only dust removal during battery replacement. However, high-quality quartz movements might require lubrication every 8-10 years.

8. When to Test Waterproofing? After every battery change or case opening. Opening the case compromises the sealing gaskets found at critical junctions. It’s crucial to test water resistance at a service center, especially if frequently exposed to water.

9. Daily Winding Necessary? For mechanical watches, daily winding ensures optimal performance. Even if not worn, winding prevents lubricant solidification. This doesn’t apply to automatic or self-winding watches.

10. Does the Direction of Crown Rotation Matter? Mostly no for mechanical watches. However, for those with calendar functions, clockwise adjustments are advisable. For quartz watches, either direction works, but manufacturers recommend a specific method to eliminate hand gap.

11. Do Temperature Changes Affect Accuracy? Yes, for both quartz and mechanical watches, extreme temperatures can impact accuracy due to component expansion or contraction and lubricant viscosity changes.

12. Other Factors Affecting Accuracy? For mechanical watches, wearing habits play a crucial role. For quartz watches, temperature is the only significant variable.

13. Can You Wear a Mechanical Watch During Sports? Generally, yes, thanks to shock-absorption devices protecting fragile components. However, minor impacts can still cause damage.

14. What About Quartz Watches? Less likely to be damaged during physical activity, lacking fragile parts like the balance staff pivot.

15. Can Anything Scratch Sapphire Crystals? Despite being “scratch-resistant,” not “scratch-proof,” sapphire crystals can be scratched by certain materials and are more prone to shattering due to their hardness.

16. Battery Lifespan in Quartz Watches? Typically two to three years for a silver oxide battery.

17. Can Overwinding or Forceful Adjustment Damage a Watch? It’s unlikely unless excessive force is applied. Overwinding can theoretically damage the mainspring.

18. Does Pulling Out the Crown Save Battery Life? It can save up to 75-80% energy, but considering the natural yearly depletion rate of a battery, the savings are marginal. Also, long-term inactivity can cause lubricants to solidify.