6 Tips To Keep Your Sports Watch In High-Caliber Condition

There is no denying that clocks and watches have been a part of our lifestyle. Ever since the Greeks created the sundial, society has depended on watches and clocks. Today, watches are even more sophisticated and ingrained in our lives that it became difficult to function without one. Watches especially shine the most in sports and outdoors because of their action-packed nature. In sports and outdoor activities, time is essential. Whether you are jogging or diving in the Bahamas, a watch is your trusty companion. 

But like everything else, watches need to be taken care of — this is especially true for sports watches like the Longines Hydroconquest ladies watches. They are great outdoor companions, but without proper care, they grow old and become dysfunctional. If you want to keep your sports watch in top shape, below are some tips you can use.

1. Check water and shock resistances regularly

Many sports watches have incredible water and shock resistance. But without regular maintenance, relying on these resistances could end up breaking your sports watch. 

To make a sports watch shock and water-resistant, watchmakers use sealants and shock-absorbing materials to keep the mechanism intact. However, these can dry out over time, and shock-resistant materials get worn out. When this happens, the watch loses its ability to resist environmental pressures it used to handle effortlessly. 

Many high-class watchmakers are aware of these and offer regular maintenance for their sports watches at little to no cost. If you do outdoor activities often and want to keep your sports watch in excellent condition, have your watchmaker check your watch’s resistance levels every couple of months.

2. Clean your watch often with a polishing cloth

A dirty watch is a bad watch. Not only does it look unkempt when worn, but dirt also disrupts the watch’s mechanical parts, causing your watch to move slower and out of sync. 

It is a good practice to clean your watch twice a month using a polishing cloth; if a polishing cloth is not available, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a microfiber cloth. Clean your watch with a little warm water, but avoid using soap. 

If you are cleaning a watch with a leather strap, avoid wetting the watch strap as much as possible because this will ruin the leather coating. And if you are cleaning a metal watch strap, clean between the links to remove dirt.

3. Don’t push your watch beyond the limit 

If you are into sports, you know that pushing your body beyond its limit can strengthen you. But that’s not the case with watches. Watchmakers designed sports watches to endure some extreme environments only to a certain extent. If you go beyond your watch’s capacity, you will end up destroying it. 

The inner workings of high-quality watches are very delicate and sophisticated. Any significant amount of disruption can cause them to break out of synch and destroy the sports watch. While watchmakers put high-quality protective materials to ensure sports watches can endure strenuous activities, they eventually fall apart as they approach their limits. If you want your wristwatch to function for a long time, make sure to avoid pushing it beyond its prescribed limit.

4. Avoid magnets at all times

If you love your watch, this is one piece of advice you need to take into heart. Magnet is one of the devious enemies of any sports watch and can cause damage to their internal mechanism. Watches, especially mechanical watches, run on a precise vibration and oscillation. The mechanical vibration and oscillation keep watches in sync with the general flow of time.

Magnets are the number one disruptor of that vibration and oscillation. Though magnets rarely leave permanent damage on the watch, prolonged exposure to magnetic fields can cause your watch to run faster or slower than other watches, making it inefficient in its primary function. Never store your watch near speakers, refrigerators, laptops, and other magnetic devices to avoid having a desynchronized watch.

Many high-class sports watches come with a box. If you have not thrown it out yet, make use of it as it keeps the watch safe and protected from magnetic fields and other environmental pressures.

5. Be careful when changing straps

Changing your watch straps may sound like something you can do at home during your free time. After all, it is just removing the straps, right?

Changing the strap of your sports watch can be easy — provided you have the right tools. If you plan to change your watch strap using improvised tools around your home, it would not be easy. Changing the straps of your watch with household tools can do two of the most horrible things any watch collector can do to a watch: one, scratch the surface of the wristwatch; and two, jug the watch out of sync. 

Number one does not sound bad since a few scratches would not hurt the watch overall. But it can wear down the integrity of the watch’s resistance. Watches with major resistance levels are sealed and built to withstand large amounts of pressure, but when scratches are present, it can cause weakness in the watch’s exterior. And with the right amount of pressure, break through the watch’s protection. 

6. Avoid harsh chemicals

Lastly, harsh and corrosive chemicals are always bad for your watch. Chemicals in perfumes, detergents, and even cosmetics can be harmful to the outer casing and strap of your watch and cause discoloration or fades. Also, avoid exposing your watch to sunlight and heat for long periods as this can also damage the casing and internal mechanism of your watch. 

Conclusion

Sports watches are splendid companions for people who love the outdoors. It has high resistance levels, designed to be taken outside, and has features to be a great outdoor companion. But it also comes with high maintenance to ensure that it works at its best. So, if you want to keep your watch running like the best athlete, take our advice and follow the tips above.