Mechanical watches are wonders of tradition, meticulousness and craftsmanship. That’s what makes them loved, prized and coveted. Luxury watch brands, such as Rolex, often grow in value as time goes by. But this is only if you take good care of them. There are a few things that you should be careful about after buying your Rolex in San Diego stores, and we’re listing them here. Feel free to visit us in store to get more first-hand information about the care and maintenance that premium-quality watches require.

Adjust the day and date at the prescribed time

In general, adjusting the day and date shouldn’t be done when the watch reads between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. This time window varies from one manufacturer to another, but the point is that you shouldn’t do this a few hours before or after midnight. Even though the day and date functions do the changeover at midnight, the gears that perform this engage earlier. If you don’t follow your instructions manual when it comes to changing the day and date, these indicators could get misaligned and some components might get broken.

Carefully screw down the crown

Some professional watches, like diving models, have a crown that has to be screwed down. This gives the watch added waterproof capacity. The crown should screw between 1.5 and 3 full turns to only finger-tightness. However, owners sometimes cross thread the crown in this process or to screw it back too tightly. Cross threading could cause permanent damage, whereas forcing the crown back could make it almost impossible to unscrew. If you ever feel resistance while doing this, stop, carefully unscrew the crown and start again.

Check the underwater functions

Chronographs are generally water-resistant, to varying degrees. While there are some chronographs that are fully operation even while submerged (such as the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph, Omega Seamaster 300m Chronograph, and TAG Heuer Aquagraph), you want to check this before you do it. You can refer to the manual or ask the seller/manufacturer. If you are not sure whether you can use the chronograph underwater, better not to risk it. When the pushers are pushed into the case, water may enter, depending on the watch’s structure. Needless to say, this turns into major water damage very quickly.

Avoid resting your watch around magnets

Don’t rest your hand with the watch on large stereo speakers, clock radios, an iPhone, an iPad, an iPhone or Kindle cover, etc. The magnetic fields inside these appliances and objects can magnetize the watch, causing it to run ahead or late. You can check this by placing your watch under a compass and moving it slowly. If the compass needle reacts and moves likewise, you can be sure the watch got magnetized.

Want to buy, repair or service a Rolex in San Diego?

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is your go-to place for anything related to Rolex in San Diego. Our in-house Swiss factory-trained technicians are at your service, as well as our friendly and knowledgeable staff. Stay ahead of our best deals by subscribing to our mailing list or visit us regularly in store. We are San Diego’s largest independent jewelry and watch store and we’d love to show you what we’ve got!