Your old watch as new; 5 tips from our watchmaker

You're in doubt; New year, new watch, or not? The old one may not look so good anymore, but it can still last a while. That is wehere we lend a helping hand.  Because in addition to brand new watches, we also sell watch straps, batteries and much more to make your watch shine again. And with the tips of our watchmaker you have everything you need to keep your watch beautiful.

A new look in an instant with a new watch strap

Tired of your old watch? Do you think the colour is a bit boring? Are you ready for something new? Freshen up your watch with a new watch strap, in a different colour or material! We have the largest watch strap database in Europe, where you can easily and quickly find a suitable strap for your watch brand. Is the original strap no longer available? Then we also offer a large collection of universal watch straps in different colours and materials.

Watchmaker's Tip: The part of a watch that is most susceptible to wear and tear is the strap. It comes into contact with your skin, perfume, hits the table's edge all day long and is opened and closed several times a day. With a little maintenance you can keep your strap looking good for longer. In these blogs about leather and metal straps and bracelets, we show how you can easily do this yourself.

This way your watch will continue to run smoothly

Whether you have a quartz watch, automatic watch or solar watch, after a certain time, if not recharged, the watch will stop running. With watches - just like with people - stagnation is deterioration. Just as you have to keep moving for your health, exactly the same applies to your watch. An old battery can leak and damage the watch, or the oil in the cogs of the movement can become thick and cause the watch to jam. So make sure your watch keeps running.

With a solar watch, you place it under a strong light source, for example in the sun by the window, or under a bright lamp until the watch starts running again.

Quartz watches run on a battery that lasts an average of one and a half to two years. Are you not wearing a quartz watch for a long time or is the battery empty? Then have the watchmaker or jeweler remove or replace the battery. He or she has the training and tools to properly open the case and install the battery. Because only then will dust or moisture particles have no chance to damage your watch.

You can do a battery change yourself, but first read the warranty conditions for your watch carefully. Opening your watch yourself can void the warranty! In addition, you can unintentionally cause damage to the electronics or damage the gaskets that keep the watch water resistant.

With Swatch watches, replacing the battery is super easy. This brand has a "hatch" at the back of the case that you can easily open with a coin.

Watchmaker's tip: Especially with automatic watches, maintenance is important to keep the movement running smoothly. Do you not wear the watch for longer periods of time? Then invest in a watch winder. This device mimics the movements of your wrist and keeps the watch running. And bring your automatic watch to a watchmaker for a service every two or three years. Then you know for sure that the watch will last a lifetime.

Getting rid of (and preventing!) scratches 

Scratches and damage to the strap, case or glass of your watch make it look worn. Fortunately, something can be done about that! The watchmaker can polish a steel case or strap so that it looks good again. If your watch has a plastic (plexi) glass, it can also be polished or replaced if necessary. 

You can also remove light scratches from the strap and case yourself. In our shop we offer special cleaning sets for watches and jewelry, with which you can polish your watch.

Preventing scratches completely is not possible, but if you handle your watch with care, you can prevent a lot of damage. Always protect your watch against shocks and bumps. So do not wear the watch if you play a sport or do odd jobs. Do you still wish to wear a watch during these activities? Then choose a plastic sports watch or a watch from a brand with high shock resistance such as G-Shock.

Watchmaker's tips: Never lay your watches face down. Better keep them on a stand, or even better, in a special watch box. By keeping your watches in a luxury watch box, you prevent dust from entering the case. (Sun) light can discolour the case or strap. A light-tight box also protects against this. The inside of a watch box is lined with fabric and the watches lie on soft cushions.

Water damage? Prevention is everything

Prevent your watch from coming into contact with water, unless it is at least 100 meters water resistant. Moisture causes rust in the movement and this can lead to your watch malfunctioning. Extreme temperature changes are also risky, as this can lead to condensation. Do not go straight into the cold water from the warm sun on the beach. On our page about water resistance of watches you will find all the information that tells you what to do with your watch.

Are you going swimming or showering while wearing your watch? First check whether the crown is properly closed, otherwise water could run into the movement.

Watchmaker's tip: If you think that moisture has entered your watch despite all precautions, you can test it by carefully placing an ice cube on the glass for a few minutes. If the glass fogs up on the inside, the movement contains moisture.

If you think there is some moisture in your watch, you can place the watch in a container of dry, uncooked rice overnight to draw the moisture out. If this does not help, take the watch with moisture damage immediately to a watchmaker to prevent worse.

Issues? Never force your watch!

Watches are complex precision instruments with many, often tiny, parts. Sometimes, unfortunately, something gets stuck. If that happens, please don't force it. The pin of the crown could break. Or rough switching back and forth will damage the mechanism. When in doubt, always visit a watchmaker. During the warranty period of the watch, a repair usually costs you nothing. Fortunately, this type of malfunction does not happen often, and with the following tip from the watchmaker you can prevent damage to your watch.

Watchmaker's tip: The date mechanism of an analog watch (with hands) is very sensitive. It is recommended not to change the date between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Because, in this period of time, the watch mechanism usually resets the date itself. If you disrupt this process, it can damage your watch.

Welcome to the Watch Specialist

With the tips in this blog, you already know about what you can do to give your old watch a new life. Do you have any other questions? You can always contact our customer service department at 012 968 400 15