How to clean a watch

Whether you wear your watch every day or save it for special occasions, you’re going to want to keep it in top condition. It’s only natural that over time your watch will build up with dirt, as well as receiving a slight scratch or mark the more you wear it. Here at Miltons Diamonds, we keep our watches in pristine condition so that our customers are completely satisfied with their purchase. There’s nothing quite like a new watch, but there are ways you can maintain your existing collection.  Here we’ve shared some of the most effective watch cleaning tips so you can get the very best from your favourite timepiece.  

Store your watch correctly

First things first, storing your watch correctly is a great first step in caring for your watch in the long term. So, rather than just removing your watch at the end of the day and placing it on your bedside table, where it is likely to gather dust or get scratched, it’s wise to invest in a specially designed watch box. Get into the habit of wrapping your watch in a soft cloth and placing it here overnight – you will reap the benefits. 

Clean your watch regularly

Wearing your watch daily will inevitably predispose it to general ‘wear and tear’. From small scratches to simple grime which can build up over time, it’s worthwhile taking note of the best ways to care for your watch. Even if you save a designer watch for special occasions, it can still benefit from a quick wipe clean to keep it in top condition.

How to clean your watch face

1. Make a mild soap and water mixture. 

Don’t apply bleach or any chemical substance as you may cause serious damage to your watch. 

1. Polish the face of the watch. 

Polish with a lint-free cloth, chamois cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush. Be careful not to brush or rub too hard as it may scratch the face of your watch. Rub to remove any fingerprints or smudges from the glass or crystal.

1. Clean between the watch band and watch face. 

Use a toothpick to get into the small spaces between the watchband and the watch face. 

How to clean a watch strap

Watch wrist straps can have an effect on the overall appearance of the watch itself, so it’s a good idea to include them when cleaning or maintaining the condition of your timepiece.

How to clean a leather watch strap 

The leather aspect of a watch wrist strap means that it will require some careful attention to avoid smells and discolouration. So when it comes to cleaning your premium leather wrist strap, avoid using a chemical cleaner as this can damage and alter the look of the surface of the leather. To aid this, use a lukewarm water and soap solution or purchase a specialist leather cleaner product, and use a clean, white cloth to rub over the leather. A white cloth will ensure no dye from the fabric is transferred onto the leather. For effective leather strap watch cleaning, rub the damp cloth on the inside and outside of the strap and leave to dry naturally.

How to clean a stainless steel watch strap 

Whether you own a stainless steel watch or a gold watch, a regular clean to avoid unsightly dirt build-up which can accrue over time will do it the world of good. Use a dampened cloth again to clean the metal strap inside and out thoroughly. Aim to get in between any gaps and rivets as these areas are notorious for trapping dust and grime build-up. A Cotton bud may be helpful for these areas. An important final step to remember is to dry the watch with a dry cloth thoroughly so that there’s no water left sitting on the metal.

How to clean a stainless steel watch 

The best way to clean stainless steel watches is to use a slightly damp, clean cloth to rub over the watch face and bracelet, being especially careful near any crown. This will remove the top layer of any built-up dirt or grease from fingerprints. Avoid immersing your watch in water, even if you know its water resistance, as it could damage the internal components if the winder has not been screwed down correctly.

How to clean a gold watch 

Cleaning a solid gold watch 

1. Use a gold cleaning product and apply it to a cloth and rub it gently into the case and bracelet.
2. Gently rub over any marks or spots, starting with the wristband and moving onto the watch itself. 
3. Dampen a clean cloth and rub off any excess gold cleaning product.  

Cleaning a gold plated or rose gold watch

When it comes to cleaning a gold plated watch there are a few different methods you can try: 

• Use the same gold plated method as you would for a solid gold watch, but be aware not to scrub too harshly as it can remove the gold plating. 
• Wet a soft toothbrush with soapy water and delicately rub the band of the gold plated watch. Then remove any soap residue with a moist washcloth. 

Please take caution when cleaning your watch. Miltons Diamonds cannot be held accountable for any damage sustained to the watches during any of these processes.

Professional watch cleaning service

If you’ve got a luxury watch or a sentimental family heirloom, then you may want to consider a professional watch cleaning service. Professional jewellers will have the tools and expertise to know the best way to clean your watch safely and effectively. A professional watchmaker will clean and polish your luxury brand watch so as to preserve its unique qualities while producing a clean and luxurious finished product.

If you’re looking for a new watch, then you’ll find functional yet sophisticated watch designs here at Miltons Diamonds. Choose from impressive watches from popular designer watch brands such as Rolex and Breitling in our second-hand watches department and explore our luxury collections of ladies’ watches and men’s watches today for designer watch inspiration.