Even the most cherished timepiece, worn daily, will inevitably show signs of age over time. A hint of tarnish on the bracelet or a subtle haze on the dial often signals that it’s time for care.
While many may think of professional servicing when hearing the word “maintenance,” the truth is that with proper attention, much of the upkeep can be done at home—keeping your watch looking impeccable day after day.

The true beauty of self-maintenance lies in its immediacy: the ability to restore brilliance the very moment you notice a change.
In this article, we’ll share essential tips on how to maintain and polish your watch, along with key points to keep in mind—ensuring that your treasured timepiece continues to accompany you beautifully for years to come.

Maintenance Matters: The Secret to Keeping Your Watch Timeless

A watch worn daily is more prone to hidden buildup than one might expect. Left unattended, this not only diminishes its beauty but can also shorten its lifespan.

Common sources of wear and residue include:

• Sweat and natural skin oils
  
  

• Everyday dust and particles
  
  

• Microscopic metal shavings from friction between parts
  
  

• Stains and aging of leather straps
  
  

Neglecting such maintenance can lead to rust, unpleasant odors, and even hygiene concerns—such as staining the cuff of a dress shirt or causing skin irritation.

To enjoy your cherished timepiece for years to come, regular self-maintenance is essential. By learning the correct polishing techniques and making them part of your routine, you can preserve both its beauty and performance. Use this guide as inspiration to begin your own care ritual.

How to Polish Your Watch at Home

Now, let us explore the most effective ways to care for your watch yourself. We will look at specific techniques by part—straps, the case, the crystal, and more—so you can tailor your care to your timepiece.

Polishing the Strap

Straps are crafted from different materials, each requiring a distinct approach. The three most common are stainless steel, silicone or polyurethane, and leather. Below, we’ll outline how to properly clean and polish each type, ensuring your strap complements your watch beautifully for years to come.

1: Stainless Steel
Although stainless steel is naturally resistant to rust, neglecting regular care can still result in corrosion. Perspiration in particular may lead to rust stains that not only tarnish the bracelet but can also soil your shirt cuff or cause skin irritation.
To prevent this, consistent maintenance is key.

Recommended Care for Stainless Steel Bracelets:

• Gently wipe away sweat and skin oils with a soft cloth
  
  

• Wash with mild, neutral soap if needed
  
  

• Dry thoroughly after cleaning
  
  

• Store in a well-ventilated area when not in use
  
  

Since sweat and skin oils can accelerate corrosion, it is advisable to clean your bracelet promptly—especially after a day of heavy perspiration. An ultrasonic cleaner can also be effective for the bracelet alone, though you should always check the watch’s water resistance and condition to avoid internal damage.

2: Silicone and Rubber
Silicone and polyurethane straps are highly resistant to water, making them practical for active lifestyles. Care for these materials is less about polishing and more about wiping them clean on a regular basis.

Be mindful, however, that prolonged exposure to moisture can cause color transfer from fabrics or surfaces. Once stains set in, they are difficult to remove. To avoid this, take care when choosing the cloths and cleaning agents you use.

3: Leather
Leather, as a natural material, is more prone to aging and deterioration compared to stainless steel or silicone. Yet with proper daily care, a leather strap can remain beautiful and wearable for many years.

Recommended Care for Leather Straps:

• Wipe away sweat or moisture with a dry cloth immediately
  
  

• Dab gently rather than rubbing, allowing the cloth to absorb the moisture
  
  

• Use a deodorizing spray designed specifically for leather to neutralize odors
  
  

• Store in a well-ventilated place when not in use
  
  

Be mindful that alcohol-based products can cause discoloration or fading. Take care during hand sanitizing or when applying cosmetics to avoid accidental damage.

How to Polish the Case and glass

The case and glass represent the watch’s face, the part that most immediately conveys its character.. Both require careful attention to maintain their clarity and elegance.

Recommended Care for the Case and Crystal:

• Always use a dry cloth; avoid damp materials
  
  

• Clean the front, back, and sides of the case with a cotton swab
  
  

• Pay attention to hidden areas such as the underside of the lugs, where dust often accumulates
  
  

While it may be tempting to use a damp cloth, moisture can seep into the fine seams of the case or glass and cause internal damage. Always use a dry cloth. Likewise, for detailed cleaning, use a cotton swab rather than sharp tools like toothpicks, which can push dirt deeper inside and risk damaging the mechanism.

Daily Care: The Bezel and Crown

Two areas that require frequent attention are the bezel and the crown. The bezel is the ring encircling the glass, while the crown is the small screw-like piece on the case side, essential for setting the time and adjusting functions.

Because of their shapes, these parts are harder to clean with simple wiping, making brushing techniques especially effective.

Recommended Care for the Bezel and Crown:

• Prepare a dry cloth or cotton swabs
  
  

• Brush gently along the contours of the bezel
  
  

• Clean the case back and any engraved details
  
  

• Pay particular attention to the grooves at the crown’s base, where dirt tends to build up
  
  

The crown’s grooves are especially prone to residue. Carefully trace each groove with a cloth or cotton swab to lift away dirt. Avoid using sharp objects, and do not rotate the bezel during cleaning—doing so may stress the internal springs and reduce the watch’s longevity.

Important Considerations When Polishing a Watch

Polishing is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of watch maintenance. After all, who doesn’t want to restore a flawless shine and erase the small scratches of daily wear?
Yet excessive polishing can have the opposite effect—compromising both the integrity and the value of your timepiece.

Why Over-Polishing Is Harmful
It is true that careful polishing can remove scratches and bring back a like-new brilliance. Many enthusiasts even take pride in restoring their own watches through repeated polishing.
However, one crucial fact must not be overlooked: every polish removes a thin layer of metal, gradually reducing the thickness of the case and components.

The risks of over-polishing include:

1. Reduced Water Resistance
   Thinned areas may allow moisture to seep in, leading to potential damage.
   
   

2. Altered Appearance
   Excessive polishing can reshape components, changing the original form and overall impression.
   
   

3. Loss of Asset Value
   For luxury watches in particular, even slight changes in thickness or profile can significantly reduce their value.
   
   

Experts generally advise limiting polishing to a maximum of five or six times over a watch’s lifetime, with the best results achieved only within the first three or four.

For this reason, entrusting your watch to a professional service is highly recommended. While it may mean sacrificing the satisfaction of doing it yourself, the refined results and attention to detail offered by skilled specialists will preserve both the beauty and integrity of your timepiece—ensuring it remains a treasured companion for years to come.

Leave Internal Care to the Professionals
When it comes to watch maintenance, many wonder about caring for the internal components. This requires a full disassembly and cleaning process—commonly known as an overhaul.

Inside a watch lies a network of intricate parts, each with its own lifespan, supported by carefully applied lubricants. An overhaul involves inspecting these elements, replacing or servicing them as needed, and restoring the mechanism to optimal condition.
Because of its complexity, this is not recommended as a form of self-maintenance. Instead, it should be entrusted to a skilled professional every three to five years.

Beyond servicing the movement, a professional overhaul also provides the benefit of a complete inspection of the entire watch, ensuring that every detail is in proper order. Regular overhauls are one of the most reliable ways to preserve your timepiece for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Storage Is Just as Important as Maintenance
To ensure longevity, how and where you store your watch is just as critical as regular upkeep.

A timepiece is delicate, and poor storage conditions can easily lead to malfunction or damage. Ideally, your storage environment should meet the following conditions:

• A stable, secure surface that minimizes the risk of falling
  
  

• Protection from humidity and direct sunlight
  
  

• A dedicated watch storage box for added safety
  
  

Falls are one of the most common causes of damage, while moisture and UV exposure can lead to deterioration of both the case and strap. Keeping your watch in a secure storage box, away from such risks, will help protect its beauty and performance for years to come.

For a deeper dive into proper storage methods, see our dedicated article on watch storage and preservation.

Conclusion

A fine mechanical watch is more than an accessory—it is a lasting investment in refinement, craftsmanship, and self-expression. With proper maintenance and thoughtful storage, a timepiece can accompany you for decades, gracefully aging alongside its wearer.

Owning a watch you truly admire turns daily care into a ritual of appreciation. Each moment spent polishing or winding it becomes a quiet reminder of discipline, heritage, and personal achievement.

At AV86, we craft timepieces that embody timeless Scandinavian elegance. Designed for longevity and versatility, our watches are built to move seamlessly between boardrooms, private moments, and global journeys—an enduring reflection of character and taste.

Every AV86 watch also offers the possibility of complimentary engraving, allowing you to inscribe a personal motto, a guiding principle, or a discreet symbol of ambition. In this way, your timepiece becomes not only a functional instrument, but also a declaration of your values and aspirations.

For those who view a watch not simply as something to wear, but as a companion in their personal and professional journey, AV86 offers enduring design and uncompromising quality—delivered worldwide.