Taking Care of Your Watches – Windup Watch Shop

Storing Your Watches

We all know that one collector with watches scattered between five or six different surfaces. Once you own more than one or two, it’s a slippery slope — but there’s a better way. Take the watch box for example. It comes in a variety of forms, from classic, wood-grained finishes to avant-garde designs. Find one that suits your style and budget, and your collection will become an interior design fixture too.

Winders offer another type of storage. Combining a watch box with a revolving motor to keep movements, they strike a unique balance when it comes to watch storage. If there are pieces that get just enough wear to where setting and winding are an inconvenience (we don’t judge), a winder or two can be the perfect solution to keep your prized collection on time.

The most compact option is the humble watch roll. Also the most affordable, these provide an easy way of keeping your collection all in one place. They are often the most expressive — just think of the different roles that appeared at the last meetup you attended (and if you haven’t been to one recently, be sure to check out the Windup Watch Fairs happening this year!). As a bonus, the roll makes for the perfect traveling companion.

Traveling with watches is a careful calculus. Where are you going? For how long? Are you carrying on or checking bags? As a general rule of thumb, less is more — after all, you’re on vacation! With a good travel pouch and a carefully curated selection in tow, you’re set to enjoy a well-earned holiday.

Proper Tools

Another part of protecting your watches is ensuring you use the right tool for the right job. A quality spring bar tool can turn swapping straps from a burdensome endeavor to an easy mid-day task, allowing you to effortlessly change up the look of your favorite piece to suit any mood or occasion. Check out the Windup Watch Shop’s keychain spring bar tool for an easily carried option that will always be with you.

Cleaning watches 

It may not be pleasant to think about but watches get dirty. Think about it. Particularly when it comes to daily worn pieces, dirt, grime, and detritus build up. Regular cleaning can help prevent that unfortunate accumulation of, shall we say, biological matter. First, remove the strap — grime tends to accumulate on small surfaces like between the lugs and under bezels. For something like a bracelet, a quick dip in an ultrasonic cleaner — after it has been removed from the watch head — can revitalize it. When it comes to your favorite nylon straps, particularly if they’ve seen hard use in aquatic environments or on steamy summer days, a rinse with some soap can revive the easy-wearing favorites. Or clean with a nice microfiber cloth.

Servicing watches 

Last, and perhaps most important, is servicing your watches. Like any engine, movements are assisted by a series of lubricants that break down over time. Without these oils, the movement will eventually slow or even completely stop due to the friction caused by the lack of lubrication. Each manufacturer has their own recommendations for service intervals — check out the information included with your watch and on the manufacturer’s websites for more. Additionally, if you purchased your watch from an authorized dealer, check out the warranty to see if you still fall within its window.

We hope these brief guidelines offer a helpful starting point for caring for your collection. To check out some of our favorite watch care accessories, dive into the carefully curated travel and storage accessories in the Windup Watch Shop. As always, the Windup Watch Team is available via consultation to answer any questions you have. In addition, all of these products are eligible for free domestic shipping across the US.