A watch is an everyday companion. It’s worn on the skin, exposing it to sweat, dust, lotion, and all the daily grime of the world. Regular, gentle cleaning not only keeps your timepiece looking its best but also helps maintain its longevity, especially its bracelet and seals. The good news is that you don’t need to be a professional to do this.
This guide will provide a safe, step-by-step process for cleaning your watch at home using simple tools you likely already have.
Before you start: Two crucial safety checks
Before any water comes near your watch, you must perform two simple checks. Getting these wrong can lead to expensive damage, so do not skip this step.
1. Know your watch's water resistance
This is the single most important factor that determines how you can clean your watch. A watch with a high water resistance rating and a screw-down crown can be safely rinsed under a tap, while a dress watch with a low rating should only be wiped with a damp cloth. If you are in any doubt about your watch's water resistance, always choose the safest option and assume it should not be submerged.
2. Identify your strap material
Different materials require different cleaning methods. The golden rule is simple but absolute: leather straps should never be submerged in water. Water can cause leather to stretch, discolor, and degrade. Metal bracelets and rubber straps, on the other hand, can be washed thoroughly.
What you will need: Your simple home cleaning kit
You don’t need any expensive equipment. A simple and effective cleaning kit can be assembled from items found around the house.
- A bowl of lukewarm water
- A few drops of mild soap (standard dish soap is perfect)
- Two soft, lint-free microfiber cloths
- A very soft-bristled toothbrush
- A wooden toothpick for hard-to-reach areas
The cleaning process: A step-by-step guide
Once you’ve confirmed your watch's water resistance and gathered your tools, you are ready to begin.
Cleaning the watch case (the head)
For a watch with high water resistance (100m+):
First, ensure the crown is pushed in or screwed down completely. Dip the soft toothbrush in the soapy water and gently scrub the watch case. Pay special attention to the areas where dirt and grime collect, such as around the lugs, the bezel, and on the case back. Once clean, rinse the watch head under a gentle stream of lukewarm tap water. Pat it dry thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth.
For a watch with low water resistance (50m or less):
Do not submerge the watch or place it under running water. Instead, dip a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wring it out until it is just damp. Carefully wipe down the case to remove smudges and dirt. For tight spots like the lugs, you can use a dry, soft brush or a wooden toothpick to gently dislodge any grime.
Cleaning a metal bracelet
Metal bracelets are notorious for collecting dirt, skin oils, and dust between their links. You can either remove the bracelet from the watch head for a very thorough cleaning or clean it while it is still attached.
Dip the soft toothbrush in the soapy water and scrub the entire bracelet, focusing on the small gaps between each link. You will often be surprised at how much hidden grime comes out. Once you are done, rinse the bracelet under lukewarm water and dry it completely with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning a rubber, silicone, or nylon (NATO) strap
These are the easiest straps to clean. They are durable and designed for contact with water. Simply wash the strap thoroughly with soap and water, using the soft brush if needed, then rinse it and let it air dry or pat it dry with a cloth.
Caring for a leather strap
As mentioned, never submerge a leather strap in water. The best way to care for it is preventative. Simply wipe it down regularly with a dry, clean microfiber cloth to remove surface dust and oils. This will help maintain its condition for a long time. For deeper cleaning, specialized leather cleaning products should be used according to their instructions.
Beyond cleaning: Long-term care tips
- Wipe it down: Get into the habit of briefly wiping down your watch with a microfiber cloth at the end of the day. This removes corrosive sweat and oils and takes only a few seconds.
- Proper storage: When you are not wearing your watch, store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade dials and degrade leather straps over time.
- Avoid magnets: Keep your mechanical watch away from strong magnetic fields found in speakers, laptops, and tablets. Magnetism can harm its accuracy.
- Avoid shocks: Remember that a watch is a precision instrument. Protect it from hard impacts and shocks during sports or other rough activities.
When to see a professional: The limits of home care
This guide is for external, cosmetic cleaning only. The internal mechanism of a watch, the movement, is a complex machine that requires professional servicing every 5-7 years for mechanical watches, or a battery change and seal check for quartz watches.
If your watch is losing time, if you see condensation under the glass, or if it has stopped working, it is time to see a professional watchmaker. No amount of external cleaning can fix an internal problem.
Conclusion: A simple routine for a lasting timepiece
A few minutes of regular, gentle cleaning can make a huge difference in the appearance and longevity of your watch. It’s a simple and rewarding routine that removes the daily grime, restores the shine of the steel, and shows care for a valuable personal object. By following these safe and easy steps, you can ensure your watch remains a beautiful and reliable companion for years to come.