How to Keep Your Automatic Watch Healthy Between Wears

A fine automatic watch is built to last generations, but how you store and care for it between wears makes a real difference. After 25 years helping Canadian collectors, here are the habits I recommend most.

Keep it moving. Automatic movements are happiest when they run. If a watch will sit for more than a day or two, a watch winder keeps the mainspring wound and the lubricants evenly distributed, so the movement isn't starting cold every time.

Mind your complications. Resetting the date or day repeatedly — especially in the “danger zone” between roughly 9 PM and 3 AM on many movements — risks the date mechanism. A winder keeps complications ticking along so you avoid unnecessary resets.

Stay away from magnets. Phones, laptops, speakers, and tablet covers can magnetize a movement and throw off accuracy. Store your watch and your winder away from these everyday sources.

Service on schedule. Even a perfectly stored watch needs periodic servicing — typically every few years, depending on the manufacturer — to refresh seals and lubricants. A winder complements servicing; it doesn't replace it.

Store it properly. Keep your watch in a clean, stable spot, out of direct heat and excessive humidity. A quality winder or case protects against dust, scratches, and knocks, and keeps everything organized in one place.

Do these consistently and your watch will reward you with reliable timekeeping for decades. If you'd like help choosing a winder that fits your collection, our team at Watch Winders Canada is always happy to advise.