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No matter how handy you are, don't attempt
"do-it-yourself" watch repairs. Only an expert
jeweler/watchmaker should be trusted to put your watch back into working
condition.
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Give your watch a quick check on a regular
basis, making sure that the strap or bracelet is securely attached to the
watch face.
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A mechanical watch should be check regularly
by your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized dealer and serviced according
to the manufacturer's guidelines.
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Wind your watch in a clockwise direction,
preferably about the same time each day. Remove the watch from your
wrist when winding so as not to place undue pressure on the stem.
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Replace broken or scratched crystals
immediately. Even a hairline crack can let dust and moisture into
the time-keeping mechanism, threatening its accuracy.
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Unless the degree of water-resistance is
clearly specified when you purchase your watch, do not wear it into the
show or pool, or on a moist wrist.
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Have your jeweler/watchmaker or an
authorized watch dealer replace the battery in a quartz watch before it
runs out. Dead batteries left in the watch can leak or corrode,
ruining the timepiece. Do not attempt to change the battery in a
watch yourself. If your watch is water-resistant, a water-resistance
test should be performed after the battery has been replaced to ensure
that water will not leak into and damage the watch.
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Batteries run for about two to three years.
Those in some less expensive, multi-function digital watches have shorter
lives, as little as six months. Using extra features such as a
calculator or game can shorten battery life.
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Oils from your skin can build up on a watch.
If you watch is water-resistant, you can give it q quick cleaning with a
mixture of warm water and either a mild soap or a dish detergent.
Dry the watch with a soft cloth after cleaning. If your watch has a
strap made out of leather or another material, you should clean only the
watch face and not the strap.
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If your watch is not water-resistant, or
you're not sure, do not immerse it in water. Clean the piece with a
slightly damp cloth and then dry.