Do not manipulate the crown underwater
When submerged or in water, never manipulate the crown or pushers. Immediate water penetration is a risk.
Watch care
Watch Care
Watch Care and Maintenance
Proper watch care significantly extends their lifespan, accuracy, and overall condition. We have prepared a clear information brief for customers explaining water resistance, winding, date setting, service intervals, and the most common usage errors.
Important
Watch water resistance is not a permanent feature. Seals age due to UV radiation,
chemicals, temperature changes, and mechanical stress. We recommend regular
water resistance checks by a certified service technician.
Information Brief
Luxury watches require proper handling.
Just a few bad habits, such as setting the date in the forbidden zone, manipulating the crown underwater, or neglecting service, can lead to costly damage.
2–3 years
Recommended water resistance check
9 PM–3 AM
Forbidden zone for date setting
3–6 years
Typical mechanical watch service
+5 to +35 °C
Standard operating temperature
Water resistance is not forever
Seals age, so it's advisable to regularly check water resistance.
Date has its rules
Do not set the date between 9 PM and 3 AM, when the date change mechanism is active.
Service saves costs
Regular service helps prevent wear, loss of accuracy, and expensive repairs.
Basic Rule
A watch is a precise instrument, not a common, maintenance-free accessory.
The mechanical movement, seals, crown, crystal, bezel, bracelet, and leather strap all react to water, impacts, chemicals, magnetic fields, and temperature. Proper use is therefore crucial not only for appearance, but also for maintaining functionality and warranty.
01 Water Resistance
What individual water resistance values mean
Watch water resistance is indicated in ATM or meters. These values refer to static laboratory pressure, not the actual diving depth under normal conditions.
| Designation | Real-world Use |
|---|---|
| 3 ATM / 30 m | Resistance to splashing water. Definitely remove before washing. |
| 5 ATM / 50 m | Brief contact with water, such as hand washing. |
| 10 ATM / 100 m | Swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. Still not for scuba diving. |
| 20 ATM / 200 m | Recreational diving and freediving. |
| 200+ m / ISO 6425 | Professional certified diving watches. |
⚠️ Important
Water resistance decreases over time. Seals age due to UV radiation, chemicals, and mechanical stress. We recommend checking water resistance every 2–3 years by a certified service technician.
Crown must be tightened
A screw-down crown must always be fully tightened before contact with water.
Rinse after sea exposure
After contact with saltwater or chlorine, rinse the watch with fresh water and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid hot water
Saunas, hot showers, and hot tubs accelerate seal degradation and can reduce water resistance.
Beware of thermal shock
Jumping into cold water with a watch heated by the sun can damage the case's water tightness.
Address internal moisture immediately
If water or condensed moisture appears inside, have the watch checked immediately.
02 Winding
How to properly wind a watch
Each movement type requires a different approach. Proper winding protects the crown, stem, and the mechanism itself.
Mechanical watches with manual winding
- Wind daily at approximately the same time, ideally in the morning before wearing.
- Wind gently until you feel slight resistance.
- Never overwind forcefully.
- The average number of turns is 20–40, depending on the caliber.
- Do not wind the watch on your wrist, as this can strain the crown and stem.
Automatic watches
- With regular wear of 8+ hours a day, they wind themselves with wrist movement.
- For longer periods of non-wear, a watch winder with the correct rotation direction can be used.
- If stopped, wind them manually for approximately 20–30 turns.
- Excessive winding can wear out the slipping clutch.
Quartz, solar, and kinetic watches
- Quartz watches do not require winding.
- The battery needs to be changed approximately every 2–4 years depending on the movement type.
- Address a dead battery as soon as possible to prevent leakage into the movement.
- Solar watches should be regularly exposed to light, ideally daylight.
03 Date Setting
The forbidden zone is critical
🚨 Never set the date between 9 PM and 3 AM. Within this time frame, the date change mechanism is active, and manual intervention can cause permanent damage to the date wheel.
Correct Procedure
- First, set the time to 6 AM, which avoids the forbidden zone.
- Then set the date.
- Finally, set the correct time.
For watches with moon phase, day of the week, or annual calendar, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Complications may have their own specific setting sequence.
04 Temperatures
Temperatures and operating conditions
The standard operating temperature range for watches is approximately +5 °C to +35 °C.
Extreme temperatures
Temperatures above +50 °C or below −10 °C can cause the watch to run slow or shorten battery life.
Sudden changes
Do not expose watches to sudden temperature changes, for example, from direct sun exposure directly into cold water.
Storage
Avoid saunas, clothes dryers, and direct sunlight when storing.
05 General Care
Cleaning, chemicals, magnetism, and physical stress
Regular maintenance helps preserve the watch's appearance, case functionality, movement accuracy, and strap lifespan.
Cleaning
After each wear, wipe the watch with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Water-resistant watches rated 10 ATM and above can be cleaned with lukewarm water and a soft brush.
Leather strap
Never soak a leather strap. Water damages leather, deforms it, and accelerates its wear.
Perfumes and cosmetics
Put on your watch only after applying perfume, creams, and sunscreens. Chemicals can damage seals, dial lacquer, and the strap.
Magnetic field
Do not expose watches to strong magnetic fields, such as speakers, electric motors, magnetic buckles, or MRI machines.
Storage
Store watches in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. For long-term storage, use the original box or a quality case.
Impacts and physical stress
Avoid strong impacts, drops, contact sports, shooting, chopping wood, or intense vibrations from bicycle or motorcycle handlebars.
06 What Never to Do
The most common mistakes that can damage your watch
We recommend adhering to the following principles for all types of watches, regardless of brand, price, or declared durability.
❌ Do not open the watch yourself.
❌ Do not submerge the watch in water if you do not know its current water resistance.
❌ Do not set the date between 9 PM and 3 AM.
❌ Do not manipulate the crown or pushers underwater.
❌ Do not use the watch in hot water, saunas, or hot tubs.
❌ Do not expose the watch to sudden temperature changes.
❌ Do not leave a watch with a dead battery.
❌ Do not use ultrasonic cleaners on the entire watch.
❌ Do not expose the watch to strong magnetic fields.
❌ Do not postpone service; neglected movement lubrication leads to costly repairs.
07 Service
Recommended service intervals
Service includes disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, seal replacement, rate regulation, and water resistance testing.
| Watch type | Recommended service interval |
|---|---|
| Mechanical watches with manual winding | Every 3–5 years |
| Automatic watches | Every 4–6 years |
| Quartz watches | Battery replacement every 2–5 years and water resistance check |
| Sports / diving watches | Water resistance check every year |
| All types, water resistance | Every 1–2 years |
08 Legal Disclaimer
Limitation of seller's liability
This information leaflet is part of the sales documentation and has been handed over to the customer together with the watch.
1. Water resistance is guaranteed by the manufacturer at the time of sale, provided the seals are intact. The seller is not responsible for damages caused by water penetration due to worn seals, mechanical damage, use in hot water or saunas, sudden temperature changes, manipulation of the crown while submerged, or neglect of regular water resistance checks.
2. Mechanical damage resulting from failure to follow date setting instructions, overwinding the crown, unauthorized opening of the watch, dropping, or excessive impact is not covered by the warranty.
3. The battery in quartz watches is not covered by the movement warranty. The customer is obliged to ensure timely battery replacement to prevent damage caused by electrolyte leakage.
4. Damage by chemicals, solvents, cosmetics, detergents, paints, or effects of magnetic radiation is not covered by the warranty.
5. Warranty repair is excluded in cases of intervention by an unauthorized person, mechanical damage, water damage due to non-compliance with water resistance instructions, chemical damage, temperature damage, or normal wear and tear, such as straps, crystals, or surface finishes.
6. The customer confirms that they have been familiarized with this brief and that they were given sufficient time to study it.
7. This brief does not affect the customer's right to statutory warranty under applicable legislation of the Czech Republic, especially Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code, and Act No. 634/1992 Coll., on Consumer Protection.
Issue Date: May 2026 | The document is valid in its current version available from the retailer.
Need advice?
Not sure about water resistance, battery, or service?
If you are unsure about the condition of your watch, do not force adjustments or attempt to open it yourself. Contact us and we will advise you on the next steps.