Basic Care for Manual Winding Watches

If you own a manual winding mechanical watch, you really want to know that it is a delicate timepiece. Unlike its automatic winding counterparts (which are designed for continuous winding for as long as they are worn on the wrist), they usually do not come with a slip clutch mechanism that allows winding beyond a full wound without damage. So wind it gently, feel the resistance on the crown as the tension builds up, and be watchful of the 'hard-stop' indicating a full wound. Failure to observe this might damage the winding gear trains and/or break the spring within the barrel assembly.

A typical spring and barrel assembly
that powers all mechanical watches

Red arrows indicating 
broken sections of the spring

Some of these mechanism of vintage collection is not even contained in a water resistance case! They are dust proof at best. Expect perspiration to seep in as moisture, especially on hot and humid days. If your precious timepiece belong to those era, do limit it for occasional use at ballroom. After all, they are meant as heirloom, not really for boardroom, and definitely not for the bathroom.

Even with all due care considered, it is advisable to service a mechanical time piece every 3 to 5 years with the authorized dealer or any reputable workshop (e.g. www.horolab.com in Singapore); as seals hardens, lubrication degrades/dries up and dust invades, they ran the risk of water seepage, component wear and inaccuracy at the very least. If you speculate that something is already broken within, do not despair, the watch makers can probably replace or repair any renown movement to its original glory.

Without getting too much into the technicalities, I hope you'll find my simple sharing useful. It is my wish that non of you have to go through the heart wrenching experience of seeing a treasured timepiece demise like my first love...