Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures Another key way in which you can take care of your automatic watch is by keeping it away from extreme temperatures, i.e. extreme heat or cold. By exposing the watch to these temperatures, the internal parts expand and contract, causing functionality issues.
Temperature : Do not place the watch where the temperature is extremely low / high (less than 5ºC or more than 35ºC) Mechanical watch parts are metal and slightly expand and contract with changes in temperature, and this influences accuracy.
The most important thing to remember, though, with a mechanical watch is not to overwind it. Stop winding as soon as you feel resistance on the crown. If you overwind it, you could damage the mainspring.
It must not be allowed to overheat (don't leave it in a vehicle or out in the sun for too long depending on your current weather).
Subjecting Watches to Extreme Temperatures
High heat can cause watch batteries to leak and lubricants within the movement to degrade, affecting functionality. Conversely, extreme cold can make metal components contract and reduce the elasticity of lubricants, leading to decreased accuracy or movement failure.
Depending on the water temperature, it is recommended that the watch be removed for these types of activities, such as wearing it in a hot tub. For example, heating the watch to elevated temperatures can also lead to increased failure and expand the water seals.
This period is called the 'danger zone' which refers to the time when the automatic date change mechanism is actively engaged, usually between 9 PM and 3 AM. During this period, attempting to adjust the date manually may disrupt the delicate gears responsible for the date change, leading to misalignment or damage.
Leaving your watch in an area hotter than +60°C for long periods can lead to problems with its LCD. The LCD may become difficult to read at temperatures lower than 0°C and greater than +40°C.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Don't leave your Rolex in the car! Extreme temperatures can negatively affect the performance of your preowned Rolex. High temperatures can cause the lubricants to break down, while low temperatures can affect the oils' viscosity.
The best way to store an automatic watch is via a designated box. This box could be the one the piece originally arrived in or a new box designed explicitly for timepieces. The primary motivator is keeping the watch protected, and only a box can sufficiently do this.
When it comes to the watch's lifetime, an automatic watch could last for a very long time and even forever as long as it is well-taken care of. If the watch gets a regular service and is kept properly, it would be by your side for decades.
Unlike a quartz watch, which will maintain the same accuracy, as long as it is running, an automatic watch will tend to lose accuracy over time as the fine watchmaking oil used to lubricate it dries out and thickens. Both quartz and automatic watches are widely considered to be accurate for most practical purposes.
Of course, the great caveat with any of this is that a dirty movement with grit or debris inside can jam up and break if wound roughly, so if you're winding your watch and it feels rough, DON'T power through it. Remember, you're strong enough to break a watch, so be gentle.
The very design of an automatic watch means it can be affected by gravitational pull and the wearer's movements throughout the day. If you're someone who leads a more sedentary lifestyle, your watch may stop working if it isn't worn for an extended period.
Simple Steps to ensure your watch stays in good shape.
By that we mean, during summer months, it is not wise to leave your watch in your car or glove compartment when outside temperatures are in the 90's plus.
Rolex watches are designed to withstand normal temperature variations. However, exposure to extreme temperatures can impact their performance. It is advisable to avoid exposing your Rolex to temperatures above 60°C (140°F) or below 0°C (32°F).
While leaving a Rolex unwound for an extended period may not cause catastrophic damage to the watch itself, it is certainly not the most prudent course of action as this can compromise its accuracy and functionality.
High temperatures can damage the water protection seals of a watch. This exposure can also reduce the service life of the battery on a quartz watch and affect the viscosity of the lubricants.
The original Explorer was nothing more than a straightforward and well-built sports watch with temperature–resistant lubricants that allowed it to operate accurately under conditions ranging from -4° to +104° Fahrenheit.
Some watches (especially old watches) have what is called the death zone. This is simply a period of time (often between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.) during which they cannot be wound, in which case their mechanism may be affected.
Automatic movement and date change: If you have an automatic watch, do not change the date during the period known as the "death zone", the time between 9pm and 3am.
Avoid severe collisions: Rolex watches are usually composed of precision mechanical structures. Avoid exposing the watch to severe collisions or impacts to avoid damaging the internal mechanical structures.