The 7 Best Ways to Take Care of Your Watch | The Classroom S02: Episode 7

So you just dropped all that money on a new piece but want to know how to make sure it stays in tip-top shape? Mike Michael's got you covered! Our master watchmaker is on deck to talk about preventative practices that help maintain a watch over the long haul such as avoiding automatic winders and staying out of the way of drastic temperature changes. Even if you're just looking how to properly clean your watch, Mike knows what to tell you! So stick around and maybe you'll learn something in the newest episode of "The Classroom"!
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[@inabit1956]

"You're not letting your watch winder enjoy the watch, you're letting yourself enjoy the watch" Love that statement. Well said!

[@MrZZooh]

I love the professionalism and seriousness with which Mr. Michaels talks about watches. He's another level. He's a watch doctor.

[@Stephenberry0]

Thanks for another informative video. I appreciate when you’re the one hosting.

[@macoyupadoodle]

Hahahahahahaha the dog ate my Rolex

[@michaelmichaels471]

Marc Yaptinchay True story 🐕

[@macoyupadoodle]

Michael Michaels . Hahahahahahaha i believe it . My dog ate my homework once and my teacher did not believe me ........ until i gave her what was left

[@nightknight9415]

Holy crap, this dog shits Rolex!

[@almoscola8684]

Awesome video and very informative, thank you for taking the time to put it together!!!

[@ttgsct]

I can confirmed the advice is solid. I've been applying most of these tips on my Rolex Datejust I've got since 2011 (12 years ago). Just got it checked with the machine yesterday and the guy at the shop said It's in great condition (rate: +5 s/d, amplitude: 299, error: 0.0ms). No winders. Cleaned with hand soap and a soft toothbrush every few months. Wear it at least every 2-3 months (sometimes the whole month straight, sometimes once every few months). Never I dropped it once in 12 years. Only wear it in the office or on light-activity days, no crazy adventures (it's a dress watch for my anyway). The only thing I have not done is doing the Rolex service (I'm saving up for that now, better late than never).

[@kevorknourian5442]

Thank you for the valuable information

[@deannoble673]

Excellent video. Essential viewing for any watch enthusiast. Nice job.

[@the1916company]

Thanks for your kind words Dean! - WatchBox Team

[@carlomarzot9654]

Excellent advice. Thx

[@oxysoxos]

Every video with Mike Michael is very educating. Keep them coming, please. ;-)

[@gilliebrand]

Great advice, I was going to buy a watch winder. Excellent video!

[@Samhawk88]

Straight to the points.

[@halebopp5332]

Thank you Sensei, good stuff.

[@phillipleety]

Wow. Thank you. Great advice

[@OttawaInHD]

Very organized and great information.

[@dialttante]

Excellent advice, all watch owners should see this!

[@WuBloodKin09]

Very informative, thanks!

[@bubbab7792]

Great tutorial Mike Michaels. I always learn something from his vids. No self-winders for me or leaving my Rolex lying around for my dog to eat. Dayum! Mike is day bomb! 👍👍👍

[@the1916company]

Mike is one of the most knowledgeable and genuine people we know! We're beyond glad to have him on our team! Thanks for watching Bubba! - WatchBox Team

[@RealExpertsPro]

Wow so many things I've never thought of. Thanks.

[@batmanarkham5120]

Thank you for the extremely informative video 🙏

[@the1916company]

Thank *YOU* for your support! - WatchBox Team

[@dougm659]

hmm, that's two watchmakers now who have advised strongly against watch winders...seems I have been doing the WRONG thing keeping my expensive toys running constantly...just switched them both off, so they're now rather expensive....er...boxes!

[@the1916company]

Glad we could shine a light for you! Now you know! Thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@UXXV]

Excellent- this is the video I send to folks who keep asking about winders

[@michaelmichaels471]

UXXV 🙏

[@markgisi1838]

Great video!

[@simplyhack7683]

nice explanation man

[@gregbe2269]

I rarely add comments, but this was an excellent video. Keep up the good work!

[@the1916company]

Glad our video moved you to leave us some kind words! Thank you so much! - WatchBox Team

[@imranchowdhury4972]

Just need to clarify two points: How about cleaning the watch in an ultrasonic cleaning machine for the watches having 100m water resistance and second how often can you wind out automatic watch if you are using multiple automatics at the same time. I like to thank you for saving my money on watch wider I was planning to buy, a very well explanation how it harms your watches. Thanks for your good suggestion.

[@rarts2000]

Great Advises, Thanks Mike, keep it up

[@jjannon]

Very very useful!

[@the1916company]

Glad we could help you Peter! - WatchBox Team

[@kgrasi]

Love these informative videos! Any plan to have a quick note about the watch being worn in the videos, just for us geeks?

[@nigelsingleton6601]

Much needed to know for us collectors

[@the1916company]

Glad we could help you Nigel! Thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@nootka213]

Wow, what a great posting! This was my first exposure to the channel - I’ll have to find the webpage url to get caught up on other tips.

[@TheLezwoymn]

Very informative

[@outtagoodnamesdangit]

The dog ate a Rolex watch and pooped it out? Well, that's one way to pass the time!

[@the1916company]

Oof! 😂

[@jeremykydd2149]

Hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿 Fantastic bunch of tips Thanks so much I've just subscribed as well

[@amintaslneto]

Great tips Mike. Thx!!

[@the1916company]

Glad Mike was able to give you guidance Amintas! Thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@amintaslneto]

@@the1916companyMike is the man!!

[@ksjdhg]

The date "quick set" procedure is just a good habit to get into, despite some calibers not requiring it.

[@claudioterjanian4427]

The greatest American watchmaker, putting on a clinic 🙌 Hate winders too, it’s like keeping your car constantly running on neutral. Save money, buy more watches.

[@ericweis9771]

Thanks

[@PhilipWing]

The production of these WatchBox videos are the fucking bomb. Keep it up guys, this stuff is sick. Love Mike too!!

[@the1916company]

Thanks for your support Philip! Glad you love our content! Stay tuned for more! - WatchBox Team

[@dailjr3721]

Subscribed 👍🏻

[@amenhotep7704]

"I saw a Rolex that got eaten by a Dog" lmfaooo😂😂🤣😭

[@surfside75]

I'm new to collecting automatic watches '18+ .. I've felt that just letting the watches wind down was better than keeping it on a winder. I feel ok with this decision now. I have 10 autos 5 are doubles.. I will wind them up every 6months and feel fine about storing them.

[@batmanarkham5120]

Can you please do a video on signs of a defective automatic movement

[@wills9142]

What he said kinda makes sense about winders, I don’t have a huge collection of watches ( only 4 ) and I wear each one after winding and setting for a week but when I was putting them in the winder it was still off just alittle bit as we all know non quartz watches don’t keep perfect time and I realized why put undue wear on a watch when not wearing so now I store them in a safe and just wind and set before wearing and I realized that’s part of the allure of these types of watches is the swinging and setting part

[@alexanderkamerbeek9693]

I have a watch which does not have quickset day adjustment and my winder does not bring the watch to full main spring tension because it stops winding for 6 min and only winds for 1. If I stop my winder the watch has stopped in a couple of hours at most. I doe agree it gives a bit more wear on the components because it's running more or less all the time

[@m.p.2482]

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CROWN IS SCREWED DOWN AT ALL TIMES!!! I'm surprised he did not stress this point seeing that unscrewed crowns may be the #1 cause of water penetration for watches with crowns that pull out.

[@TheLezwoymn]

Yes, I'm surprised as well.

[@stevetownsend1389]

Very good video. Thanks for all the great info.

[@the1916company]

Sure thing Steve, thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

i always set the date at 6 am

[@andrebudiman4506]

Hello, iam very curious if you are vaping does the vape will broke the material or movement over time?

[@jeremiahdagcutan7759]

is it better always wind the watch on mechanical watch even if its not used or should i leave it not running and just set the time if ill use it?

[@ulysses26]

Can you recommend a way of finding a reliable watchmaker? Is there a certification I should be looking for or a professional organization that maintains a database?

[@slackdaddy1912]

Best way to keep your watch looking like new, buy I, store it for twenty years, pull it out and have it serviced, go ahead and wear it.

[@lapizza7206]

The first tip is pretty bs if you have a quality watch and it breaks from working correctly?

[@Runoratsu]

How about a watch winder that's swiched on only a few hours every day (with a timer, etc.) to juuust not net the watch run down completely, e.g. for watches with moonphases and/or complex date complications that take some time to set again? Still problematic?

[@alter3go411]

Do modern rolexes also have this date set issue that it is best to avoid setting the dear between 10:00 and 14:00 ?

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Ok how about a watch going through the mail in a box that goes across the country being scanned at several post offices and airports , can that magnetize it ?

[@salvadorcano4494]

Great information. Will stop using my watch winder

[@the1916company]

Glad our content was of value to you! Thanks for watching Salvador! - WatchBox Team

[@salvadorcano4494]

Also thanks for the advice regarding adjusting the date on the quickset, Will definitely keep those issues in mind.

[@isoSw1fty]

So on a flat top grill a mechanical watch could have its lubricants dried out?

[@seltenfotog3115]

Wait, so to be clear, run a 3atm under a faucet is ok too?

[@BORN2LOSE13]

I don’t understand what he meant by setting the date and putting a strain. So how do i set the date safely

[@gammondog]

I've always been doubtful about the watch winders. Not only from the standpoint of wear but mostly out of concern about spring fatigue. Nature always wants to return to a lower energy state. And if you keep a spring under tension those atomic bonds are going to break and rearange themselves to the nearest atoms rendering the strained orientation into a relaxed one. Come to think of it, how difficult is it to change the date and day on most watches. I say let it run down and when you want to wear it, slap it on and reset it after it starts up. We all have mobile devices on us to use to reset the watch when it gets going through natural wrist motion. It ain't rocket surgury! ;-}.

[@giulioairaga1165]

With regard to mechanical pieces. Giving the parts a rest makes sense for ware. What about; how long should you let your Auto rest for before recharging it? If the watch is left for too long without its parts moving does that effective the watch negatively in anyway?

[@johnporras9647]

What about a winder that pauses for some amount of time? That would be almost like wearing it.

[@frankbruce6889]

How do you find a good local watchmaker to service your automatic watch? Can't find anyone in salt lake city area that actually does the service.

[@hellotabasco]

Interesting video! So, how many times should we wind an automatic and a manual watch?

[@michaelmichaels471]

Santos Wind a manual timepiece till you feel resistance and depending on the number of barrels (or power reserve) you can wind an automatic forever and a day as the mainspring will “slip” along the inside of the barrel due to the incorporation of the bridal attachment. I’ll have to address this in a later episode 👍🏻

[@hellotabasco]

@@michaelmichaels471 thanks Michael for replying! keep the good work, all the best! cheers!!!

[@Niro_Hero]

If you buy an co axial omega you don’t need to worry about magnets. Their not anti magnetic, the a magnetic. It means that you can literally get an MRI while wearing it.

[@TheLezwoymn]

Yes, but no MRI tech will allow you to wear it when getting an MRI.

[@nicosanjaya4759]

Is it better to let mechanical watch turn off by itself or is it better to pull out the crown to stop it if I don't wear it daily?

[@jonathanlloyd2306]

Some watches have a clasp magnet on the box they come in!

[@VicksWezaleff]

Is it safe to use soap and running water on a vintage watch that's not waterproof?

[@dubstepah]

well I now know what to do if my watch becomes a doggy treat.........Great advice !

[@the1916company]

Glad we could be of assistance! - WatchBox Team

[@nerminsalkic6360]

Automatic winders can you overwind a watch

[@daniellennard6525]

great video. what watch are you wearing?

[@michaelmichaels471]

daniel lennard My own creation, thank you!

[@daniellennard6525]

Its beautiful. really caught my eye. congrats! @@michaelmichaels471

[@ariyas6481]

what is his watch?

[@JustRobHere]

Great video. Thank you. Is there a rule of thumb for how long you should go before changing gaskets? Say on a Seiko dive watch or maybe a Hamilton field watch.

[@barreltech8949]

Rob i would do it every 2-3 years. It’s never a bad thing to get it done as often as possible to avoid the risk and to keep it lubricated. I know some people that do it every year in the summer when they go on vacation because of all the heat and moisture.

[@JustRobHere]

Thank you for the reply

[@michaelmichaels471]

Rob agreed, somewhere in the 3 year range, but it’s also dependent on where you live and how much UV you are regularly subjecting the watch to. Plus it’s ALWAYS important to have your watch tested each and every time that it’s opened, I’ve seen this shipped and you’d be surprised what isn’t seated correctly.

[@derekshearer9049]

Very nice, base on a true story with quite a bit of opinion thrown in for filler. The video is a little to dark as well.

[@eugeneescoiii3752]

I have an automatic winding watch that I use every week or every other week my question is is it bad for the watch to be left Unwound and stopped for a couple of weeks even if I have it stored in a dry cool place?

[@EverDayBest]

No that's fine. You can leave it for much longer than that

[@eugeneescoiii3752]

@@EverDayBest Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it very much!

[@johngentile6814]

good info. Watch winders are always a cause for debate. Someone put their watch in the disherwasher?! What's next - the microwave?

[@jokervile4423]

Not even gonna worry about the date it’s wrong most of the time haven’t changed mine in minute for sure

[@ernie1060]

What are the quick sets he's talking about??

[@edwardb7811]

Some watches change the date in seconds when the time reaches midnight. Other watches change the date over several minutes or more. The quick set feature is a complication found in more expensive watches

[@Obama1120102]

Great Video, all was good and dandy until he said "Dog eating the Rolex and Pooping it out" WTF 🤣🤣😂😂

[@simoncrawford350]

Hope she didn’t have dishes in that dishwasher at the same time (& ran it through some cleaning cycles, before using it again) 🤔😂👍 Some great tips, thanks for sharing 👍🍻

[@cavaliericorey]

How often should you change the gaskets on a watch you swim with?

[@oxysoxos]

Every 3 to 4 years. In addition to that, have it checked by a qualified watchmaker every year if you really rely on the water resistence of your watch.

[@macoyupadoodle]

oxysoxos damn , took mine diving past that (i was ignorant ) now i do not even take it swimming anymore

[@oxysoxos]

@@macoyupadoodle I totally understand that. Yes, it's a diving watch. It's actually a tool made to use in the water. In good condition, it's perfectly capable of doing that. But in reality, we don't look at it as a tool anymore. We wear it as a piece of jewellery nowadays. We wan't it to look shiny, prestine and as perfect as possible. Chlorine or salt water just doesn't help with that in the long run.

[@macoyupadoodle]

oxysoxos , the watch i took scuba was my 8 year (at that time )old Explorer 2 , hahahahahahahaha stupid me . I really use my watches , i don't intend to sell them (pass on to my kids ) . But i do understand the price of watches now makes you want to keep it in a safe. Im not as carefree with them as before though .

[@AtilioEscobar]

10pm to 2am?

[@m.p.2482]

Most of my manuals advise not to use the quick change date function between 10 and 3. I always set the date with the watch at the 6 o'clock position.

[@CrimFerret]

One thing that's becoming more and more common, do not put your mechanical watch down on or near an induction recharging pad. What's good for your phone and Apple Watch is not so good for your mechanical watch. Being eaten by the dog was probably less potentially harmful than the dishwasher treatment after.

[@the1916company]

Good advice! Thanks for adding one to the list! --Team WatchBox

[@batmanarkham5120]

What about laptops, should we be careful when dealing with laptops

[@Emilioh888]

Yeah I’m keeping it far from my wireless charger. It’s too bad because it’s on my bed table but what can you do. I wonder if handling an iPad or iPhone affects the watch too..

[@SHARPGFX-dc9gj]

I wear Casio digital watches.

[@freddycz3732]

I don't agree with what he said about watch winder, its not keeping the watch in fully wound but rather at half wind since the watch winder has the feature to rest for some times before start circling again, I know this because I use 2 watch winders for my watches and none of them keeping my watches at fully wound since when I take off the watch from winder and manually wind it, it still take some wind like around 20 wind before it fully wound. I put my datejust 16234 on watch winder most of the time for last 1 year and up to now it still run around -0.7 to -1 second per day.

[@EverDayBest]

Freddy freddy either way it's unnecessary wear and watch winders are still a cookie cutter item in 99% of cases. If it has to be used for a complex watch, so be it but I certainly wont be picking one up any time soon...

[@edwardb7811]

There are different kinds of watch winders. Some run continuously; others, more expensive, can stop occasionally to give the watch a rest. More importantly, if you don't have a watch winder, save your money and don't buy one for the reasons mentioned in the video There is no problem letting a watch go awhile without wearing or winding it. If you eventually need to wind it,set the time, or change some of the functions such as a date, view that as a way to bond with your watch and marvel at its existence.

[@yakumotatsuro4886]

1 choose wich watch you want to wear that day 2 pop it in a watch winder for 10 minutes in the morning 3 set the watch time 4 wear it

[@vickyalexandersieto]

Many cal doesn’t have prob with changing date between 2-10 anymore.

[@michaelmichaels471]

Vicky Sieto true, however there are literally millions of 7750’s out there that do have an issue so be careful!

[@freddycz3732]

and also ETA bro

[@Mark-kj4xd]

More watches then not are susceptible to failure if the date is adjusted between 10 PM and 2 AM. There are exceptions such as the Breitling B01 or any derivative thereof as well as NOMOSs in house movements to name just two. There are more of course, but if you aren't sure, play it safe and adjust the date between 10 and 2.

[@isfandyarsaeed7551]

Hey everyone I really hope someone can answer this for me Does sweat damage your watch in any way? Thanks

[@derky09]

yes and no depending on the material of the watch. if you wear a watch everyday without cleaning it once and awhile then yes.

[@vincentwiberg5862]

Like what derky09 said, it's probably only an issue if you wear the watch a lot without cleaning it. I would say probably most wach cases are 316L stainless steel which has fairly good corrosion resistance all around, and personally I would be surprised to see any kind of damage from sweat alone. I hope this is helpful!

[@SGM805]

Also don’t put your watch near your mobile phone , if the phone rings it will magnetised the watch

[@MountainStandardTime]

Placed a Rolex in a dishwasher!? Ugh! Glad everything "came out" ok

[@BenTramer]

Great video. I have a couple of questions: 1) What is the minimum height that constitutes a drop? 2) Would you "jump" into a pool with a watch with 100m water resistance? 3) What service interval do you recommend? It seems some brands suggest 2 years, others up to 5 years. Thank you! Best, Mark

[@vivekv27990]

For your service interval query, it is usually 4-5 years if the watch is new and 2-3 years if it is vintage.

[@michaelmichaels471]

I wear vintage watches that I regularly maintain and have no issues diving into a pool or using them to actually dive.

[@crossbones8956]

Winders are great. I love having the watch ready to go when I want to wear it. If the watch is dead, and I want to wear it that day, I don’t even bother setting the date, I set the time and go. I never use quick sets, it takes way too much to fiddle with that. So, the more complications a Watch has, if it does from not wearing it, I don’t bother resetting anything other than the date.

[@michaelmichaels471]

Postwar Ocean just be careful if you keep you Watches on a winder for long durations as the components DO wear out much faster than if you let everything naturally relax.

[@crossbones8956]

Michael Michaels I usually put them in the winders the day before I plan to wear them. Not constantly running all the time, rather setting them up to wear in the next day or so. I’ll take them off, set in the wonder but not turn it on. I go mostly by the power reserve of each. So, if a watch has a 44 hour power reserve, I’ll let it run on its own for 36 of those 44 hours. I do let them “rest” from time to time, especially if I don’t plan on wearing them for quite a while.

[@Cyime]

That Rolex that came out the dog was a actual shitter.

[@JMNTN]

I don't know what's dumber, putting a rolex in a dish washer or putting an object that your dog pooped out in your dishwasher. Either way this woman did both.

[@outtanyc2812]

Just buy a Omega Co-Axal Seamaster with a Wolf winder.

[@sebastiennovakovic5044]

Adam Sandler from Uncut Gems is that you?

[@JUSTPOOPOO]

That chair is friggin huge.

[@dubstepah]

Its the MASTERMIND chair.

[@the1916company]

Its comfy too...

[@DMBVR4]

I was hoping you'd get into properly cleaning a watch with little to no water resistance.

[@michaelmichaels471]

Matt McLoughlin That’s just so difficult to answer without causing damage, however using a soft, DRY toothbrush will often do the trick when it comes to removing skin cheese and soap.

[@watchpanda8062]

The poor dog must be crossing the rainbow bridge by now

[@michaelmichaels471]

skykoh sky No doubt, it was some time ago!

[@TwentyOne_Five]

7:59 wut?