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10 Mistakes That Could Destroy Your Timepiece

At Naviforce, we've spent years crafting precision timepieces and witnessing how small mistakes can dramatically impact a watch's performance and longevity. This guide reveals the insider knowledge our experts want every watch owner to know.

 

Pulling out the crown to save battery

1. Pulling out the crown to "save battery"

The Misconception: Some users believe pulling out the watch crown saves battery life, especially when not wearing the watch.

What Really Happens: Pulling out the crown on a quartz watch doesn’t significantly extend battery life. While it disconnects the movement from the hands, the battery still drains, albeit 30% slower. However, leaving the crown out for too long can allow dust and moisture to enter, potentially damaging the internal mechanism. Therefore, it’s not a reliable long-term solution.

Smart Approach:

 Keep the crown in its normal position

 Use Watch Battery Stoppers keep dust out, secure the crown, and also stop power consumption

 Remove batteries from watches stored long-term to prevent leakage

2. Over-rotating the crown

The Misconception: Many believe aggressive crown rotation ensures precision timekeeping.

What Really Happens: Excessive force can devastate delicate internal mechanisms. Continuing to rotate the crown when you feel resistance can wear down critical components like gears and balance wheels, compromising accuracy and shortening the watch's lifespan.

Pro Tips:

 Rotate the crown gently until you feel resistance

 Stop immediately when you encounter natural stopping point

 Schedule professional servicing annually

Adjusting the date and time at any time

3. Adjusting the date and time at any time

The Misconception: Many people think they can adjust the date and time whenever the date is incorrect.

What Really Happens: For mechanical watches, especially those with date functions, adjusting between 8 PM and 4 AM is dangerous. During this period, the date mechanism is actively engaged, and forced adjustments can cause internal stress and potentially irreparable damage.

Correct Procedure:

 Adjust dates and times only during safe daytime hours

 Adjust time first to avoid impacting the date mechanism

 Follow manufacturer's specific guidelines

4. Misunderstanding Water Resistance

The Misconception: Assuming water resistance means that as long as the watch is water-resistant, it can be worn in any water environments

What Really Happens: Water resistance isn't a free pass for all wet environments. Even high-end water-resistant watches shouldn't be worn in saunas or hot pools. Extreme temperatures and steam can compromise the seal, potentially allowing moisture into the delicate internal mechanism.

Water Resistance Guide:

 3 ATM / 30m: Basic - Splash resistance, hand washing.

 5 ATM / 50m: Enhanced - Light swimming, household tasks.

 10 ATM / 100m: Swimming - Swimming, snorkeling.

 20 ATM / 200m: Professional - Diving, high-impact water sport

Misunderstanding Water Resistance

5. Placing the watch near magnetic fields

The Misconception: Some people ignore the impact of strong magnetic fields on watches, thinking that if the watch looks fine externally, the movement is unaffected.

What Really Happens: Watch internals, especially the balance spring, are incredibly sensitive to magnetic fields. Prolonged exposure to smartphones, TVs, and speakers can distort the spring, causing significant timekeeping errors or complete failure.

Protective Strategies:

 Regularly check timekeeping accuracy

 Seek professional demagnetization if performance suffers

6. Improper Cleaning Techniques

The Misconception: Some people use hard brushes, dishwashing detergent, or other strong cleaning agents to clean the strap, thinking this will remove dirt more effectively.

What Really Happens: Using hard brushes or harsh detergents like dish soap can damage the strap and surface of the watch. For leather straps, moisture and strong cleaning agents may deform, discolor, or crack the leather. Hard brushes can scratch metal bands or damage other materials.

Cleaning Guidelines:

 Leather Straps: Use specialized leather cleaners, gentle wiping

 Metal Bracelets: Lukewarm water with mild soap, soft brushes

 Rubber Straps: Gentle cleaning, avoid prolonged sun exposure

Improper Cleaning Techniques

7. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

The Misconception: Assuming a watch that keeps good time doesn't need servicing.

What Really Happens: Mechanical watches rely on internal lubricants to ensure smooth operation. Over time, the lubricants dry out, increasing friction, which affects timekeeping accuracy and can even damage the movement. Quartz watches need periodic battery changes to prevent leakage and damage to the movement.

Maintenance Schedule:

 Mechanical Watches: Professional lubrication every 2-3 years

 Quartz Watches: Battery status check annually

 Address any performance anomalies immediately

8. Overlooking Daily Wear and Tear

The Misconception: Believing stainless steel watches are "scratch-proof" and ignore the effects of daily wear.

What Really Happens: While stainless steel and precious metal cases are durable, they are not immune to wear and tear. Even a stainless steel or precious metal case can show signs of wear over time, especially from contact with hard surfaces like desks.

Preservation Tips:

 Avoid unnecessary harsh friction

 Regularly clean with soft cloths

 Consider professional polishing when needed

9. Excessive Pressure on Crown and Buttons

The Misconception: Thinking forceful manipulation improves precision.

What Really Happens: Excessive force damages precision mechanical structures. Both mechanical and sports watches require gentle, controlled adjustments.

Proper Handling:

 Use light, precise movements

 Avoid applying unnecessary force

 Respect the intricate mechanical components

Overlooking Daily Wear and Tear

10. Improper Battery Management

The Misconception: Continuing to use a nearly depleted battery.

What Really Happens: Batteries near the end of their life can leak, potentially causing irreversible damage to the watch's internal mechanism.

Smart Battery Care:

 Regularly check battery status

 Replace batteries proactively

 Choose professional repair services to ensure proper sealing

Final Thoughts

At Naviforce, we're more than watchmakers—we're guardians of timekeeping precision. Each watch is a masterpiece of engineering that deserves careful attention. By avoiding these common mistakes, your timepiece will remain accurate, elegant, and reliable for years to come.

Naviforce — Precision Timing, Gentle Care

Global Watch Customization & Wholesale Service

Ready to transform your watch vision into reality.

Global Watch Customization & Wholesale Service

Post time: Mar-20-2025

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