As summer approaches, it’s essential to ensure that your watch is ready to handle the challenges posed by warmer weather, increased activity, and outdoor environments. Whether you’re wearing a luxury mechanical watch, a durable dive watch, or a smartwatch, summer can have a significant impact on their performance. From exposure to sweat, humidity, and the sun to potential exposure to water, taking proper care of your watch during the summer months will help maintain its functionality and longevity. In this article, we’ll discuss how seasonal changes affect watch performance and provide essential maintenance tips to prepare your timepiece for the warmer months.
How Seasonal Changes Affect Watch Performance
Watches are finely tuned machines designed to keep accurate time, but environmental factors like heat, humidity, and moisture can affect their performance. Here’s a breakdown of how seasonal changes impact your watch:
- Heat and Temperature Variations One of the most significant effects summer can have on your watch is exposure to heat. High temperatures can cause metal components in your watch to expand, potentially affecting its accuracy. For mechanical watches, the oils inside the movement can become thinner and lose their lubricating properties, leading to friction and a decrease in performance. This can cause your watch to run faster or slower than usual. For quartz watches, extreme heat can also shorten battery life. Some smartwatches may overheat and suffer from reduced battery performance if exposed to prolonged periods of intense sunlight or excessive heat.
- Humidity and Moisture Increased humidity in summer can also affect your watch’s performance. Even though many watches are water-resistant, sweat and moisture can seep through worn-out seals, leading to condensation inside the case. Humidity can damage the movement, circuitry (in the case of digital watches), and even the dial, causing rust or corrosion. Leather straps are particularly vulnerable to moisture and can become damaged or discolored. For diver’s watches, summer often means more frequent exposure to water, so it’s essential to check the integrity of the seals and gaskets to ensure that the watch remains waterproof. Even small leaks can cause serious damage over time.
- Sunlight Exposure Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can have various effects on your watch. UV rays can cause discoloration, fading, and degradation of leather straps, while plastic or rubber components can become brittle and deteriorate. Crystal dials, especially on older watches, can also fade or become scratched if exposed to harsh sunlight regularly. Additionally, the heat generated from direct sunlight can lead to battery drain in quartz watches or smartwatches, especially when left outside or in a hot car.
- Increased Physical Activity In the summer months, people tend to be more active, participating in outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, cycling, and running. While many watches are designed to withstand physical activity, excessive sweating, shocks, and vibrations can still take their toll on a timepiece. Constant movement can also lead to increased friction in mechanical movements, leading to potential inaccuracies over time.
- Saltwater and Chlorine For those who spend a lot of time in the water, exposure to saltwater and chlorine can be particularly harmful. Saltwater is highly corrosive, and if it enters the case of your watch, it can cause significant damage to the internal components and gaskets. Chlorine, commonly found in swimming pools, can weaken rubber seals and straps, leading to potential leaks. It’s important to rinse your watch thoroughly with fresh water after swimming or diving in either saltwater or chlorine to avoid any long-term damage.
Essential Summer Watch Care Tips
With the challenges that summer presents, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure your watch stays in optimal condition. Below are some essential maintenance tips to help you prepare your watch for the summer season:
1. Check and Maintain Water Resistance
Before you take your watch on your summer adventures, it’s essential to ensure that the water resistance is intact. Water resistance tends to degrade over time due to the wear and tear of gaskets and seals. If you’re planning to swim, dive, or engage in water-related activities, have your watch tested for water resistance by a professional watchmaker. If necessary, have the seals replaced to ensure that your watch remains fully protected.
Additionally, avoid submerging your watch in water if you’re unsure about its water resistance level. Even if the watch is labeled water-resistant, it doesn’t mean it’s suitable for swimming or diving.
2. Regularly Clean Your Watch
Sweat, dust, and other environmental debris can build up on your watch over time, affecting both its appearance and functionality. In the summer, increased physical activity means that your watch will likely come into contact with sweat and dirt more frequently. Clean your watch regularly using a soft cloth to wipe off any residue.
For metal bracelets, use a mild soap solution and a soft brush to gently clean between the links. For leather straps, avoid excessive exposure to water. If your leather strap gets wet, blot it gently with a clean towel and allow it to dry naturally, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
3. Store Your Watch Properly
After a long day in the sun, store your watch in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving it in areas that are prone to heat, such as a hot car or directly under sunlight. Consider investing in a watch box or a watch winder for mechanical watches to keep them protected when you’re not wearing them. If you have a smartwatch, ensure it’s stored in a ventilated space to allow any residual heat or moisture to dissipate.
4. Avoid Overexposure to Heat
Keep your watch out of direct sunlight for long periods, especially on hot summer days. As mentioned earlier, heat can affect both the accuracy of mechanical watches and battery life in quartz or digital models. Avoid leaving your watch on a hot surface, such as the dashboard of a car, where temperatures can skyrocket.
For mechanical watches, it’s also advisable to store your watch in a temperature-controlled environment to avoid any damage from temperature fluctuations.
5. Rinse After Swimming
If you’ve been swimming in a pool or the ocean, always rinse your watch with fresh water to remove any chlorine or saltwater residue. Chlorine can cause rubber straps and gaskets to degrade over time, while saltwater can be corrosive to the internal components. Dry your watch gently using a soft, lint-free cloth after rinsing.
6. Check and Adjust the Movement
For mechanical watches, ensure that the movement is running accurately by checking the time periodically. Positioning can affect the rate at which your watch runs, so it’s a good idea to store your watch in a consistent position when not wearing it. If you notice any time discrepancies, it’s best to have the watch professionally serviced before it leads to further issues.
7. Protect the Strap from Excessive Sweat
Summer heat often means more sweating, and sweat can cause damage to your watch strap over time. Leather straps, in particular, are susceptible to staining and degradation from prolonged exposure to moisture. Consider switching to a rubber or metal bracelet if you know you’ll be sweating a lot during the summer months.
8. Monitor Battery Life in Smartwatches
Smartwatches often experience faster battery depletion during the summer due to increased usage and exposure to heat. Keep an eye on the battery level and charge your smartwatch regularly to avoid sudden power loss. In addition, make sure to update the software and check for any bugs that may cause unnecessary battery drain.
Conclusion
Summer can be both an exciting and challenging time for watch enthusiasts. Exposure to heat, humidity, water, and increased physical activity can all take a toll on your timepiece. By following these essential watch care tips, you can ensure that your watch performs at its best throughout the warmer months. Whether it’s checking the water resistance, cleaning your watch, or protecting it from the elements, proper maintenance will help extend the life of your watch and keep it running accurately all summer long.
