3 Basic Tips to Maintain Your Chronograph From a Watch Expert
Have you ever noticed your prized chronograph watch losing its precision? These intricate timepieces, with their complex movements, demand a little extra care. Many watch owners unknowingly make simple mistakes that can lead to costly repairs. In this guide, we'll reveal the essential secrets to maintaining your chronograph watch straight from our expert watchmakers.
1. The Date Adjustment Dilemma: Protecting Your Gears
BEWARE OF THE DATE: Most watch salesmen will never tell you about one of the most essential DO NOTS when it comes to chronograph watches, but it is best to NEVER change the date function on a chronograph watch when the time is between the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Why? During this window, the gears responsible for the date change are actively engaged. Forcing a manual change can strip these delicate gears, leading to significant damage and inaccurate timekeeping.
The Technical Explanation: Within the movement, the date change mechanism involves a series of gears that engage and disengage. When the date is changing, these gears are interlocked. Manually forcing the date change during this period can cause the teeth of these gears to break or bed.
The Safe Zone: Always adjust the date when the hour and minute hands are positioned in the lower half of the dial, ideally around 6:30. By following this simple step you will avoid the mistake of stripping gears within the chronograph movement and provide better precision over time.
Is your chronograph watch's date function acting up? Schedule a complimentary diagnostic with our certified watchmakers.
2. The Power of Winding: Keeping Your Movement Alive
Whether you own an automatic watch or a manual winding chronograph, consistent power is essential.
Automatic Chronographs
These watches self-wind through the motion of your wrist. However, when not worn, they lose power. A watch winder simulates this motion, ensuring the mainspring remains wound and the lubricants within the movement stay evenly distributed.
Benefits of a Watch Winder: Prevents oil congealing, maintains accuracy, and reduces the need for frequent servicing.
Choosing a Winder: Consider a high-quality winder like the WOLF 1834 series, known for their precision and reliability.
WOLF Watch Winders To Keep Your Chronograph Watch On Time
Manual Winding Chronographs
Wind your watch daily, typically by turning the crown clockwise 20-30 times, or until you feel slight resistance.
Avoiding Overwinding: Overwinding can damage the mainspring. If you feel resistance, stop winding.
Why Winding Matters: Ensures optimal power reserve, maintaining accuracy, and preventing premature wear.
3. Wear and Care: The Foundation of Longevity
The most basic maintenance of a chronograph watch, and all watches for that matter, is to wear and care for your timepiece. Think of your chronograph movement as a sports car engine that you need to keep well lubricated and full of energy. It’s best to frequently run these high performance engines, but in the case of timepieces that don’t get much use, consider investing in a good and affordable watch winder such as a Wolf Designs winder that will wind your watch for you when not being worn and keep all of the oils and lubricants fresh, thus requiring less maintenance in the long run.
Shop Chronograph Watches at King Jewelers
Discover chronograph watches from the top luxury watch brands including Blancpain, Breguet, Carl F. Bucherer, Girard Perregaux, Glashütte Original, Hamilton, Hublot, IWC Schaffhausen, Longines, Montblanc, NORQAIN, Oris, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Tissot, TUDOR, Zenith, and Zodiac.
Find Expert Chronograph Watch Repair in Nashville, TN
We hope our 3 step guide to maintaining your chronograph watch has prepared you with all the knowledge you need to care for your timepiece. Whether you are looking to have your watch serviced, or are in need of expert watch repair, King Jewelers has certified European watchmakers in-house. Visit our Green Hills showroom for authorized watch repair services to keep your Swiss watch running on time. Looking to purchase a chronograph watch? Browse our selection of chronograph watches from over 20 luxury watch brands. Online orders of chronograph watches include free 2-day shipping.
