Vintage watches are a great fashion statement. Their minimalist designs, combined with a sense of history, have a classic appeal that makes them irresistible. It is no wonder that they are currently in high demand.
However, while old vintage watches can make almost anyone look great, they are not as robust as modern watches like the ones on About Vintage. This is has nothing to do with the craftsmanship taken to build the watches. It all has to do with the fact that legitimate vintage watches were created at a time when the technology wasn’t advanced enough to shield them from the shocks and elements that they can be potentially exposed to in daily life.
Therefore, if you own a vintage watch, it is advisable that you treat it with more care than you would a modern watch. They are fragile, and if you want to keep them in good condition, you have to treat them with the utmost care.
Water
Most vintage watches were manufactured before technology could guarantee water-resistance. And even for those that were manufactured with water resistance in mind, their gaskets are likely already dried out. As a result, they are unlikely to survive water exposure.
If you are planning to go swimming, you should consider leaving your watch in a dry place. You should also consider leaving your watch if there are signs of a downpour. In short, if you want to keep your watch safe, you should avoid moisture at all costs.
Winding
Mechanical watches need regular winding. This is something that you should do in order to maintain your watch’s accuracy. Even if your vintage watch is self-winding, it too will need the occasional winding especially in cases where it stops.
When winding your watch, it is important to remember that it is old. And since with age comes fragility, there is always a risk of breaking something if you push it too far. To avoid damaging your vintage watch, make sure that you stop as soon as you feel the slightest resistance. Winding it past that point might break the mainspring.
Shock
As stated before, vintage watches are generally fragile. They were not made with the benefit of today’s technology and as such, are more prone to damage. As a result, you should always take off your watch any time you engage in strenuous activity.
What this means is that any time you plan to go to the golf course, you should leave it at home. Even activities as basic as running can pose a risk to your watch. Therefore to be safe, you should take it off before you begin your workout.
Storage
Any time you are not wearing your vintage watch, it should be in a box. The box should then be placed in a dry place, and preferably, on a flat surface. It should also be able to protect the watch from dust.
While storing watches in a watch winder is a trend that most people have adopted, it is not advisable for vintage watches. This is because these watches weren’t designed to withstand the constant pressure of being eternally wound.
A watch winder is not good for your vintage watch’s mainspring. Therefore, opting for a simple box or drawer is better as far as storing it is concerned.
In addition to these tips, you should also service it regularly. Servicing will give it a new lease of life as it will ensure it gets new oils, and that it is cleaned to enable more efficient operation. However, it is important to remember not to go overboard when it comes to servicing. There is no need for you to remove the scratches on your vintage watch. This is because scratches are a badge of honor for a vintage piece as they tell a story in the digital publication doe . Also, for as long as your watch functions, avoid replacing old or worn-out dials.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy your vintage watch for longer, you should be gentle with it.
