New Watch Care: Simple Habits to Start from Day One

A new watch is easier to enjoy when you understand how to look after it from the first day. Care does not have to mean an elaborate cleaning kit or a strict ritual. A few consistent habits, together with the instructions for your exact model, can help you avoid common mistakes and recognise when professional advice is needed.

Read the instructions before setting it

Keep the model reference, invoice and supplied warranty information together. Read the setting instructions before operating the crown, changing a date or using additional buttons. Similar-looking watches can have different mechanisms, so a procedure that works on one watch may not be appropriate for another.

Ask the retailer about anything unclear while the purchase is still fresh in your mind. This is particularly useful if the watch has a screw-down crown, a calendar or other functions you have not used before. Do not force a control that resists normal operation.

Make a soft cloth your everyday starting point

After wearing, inspect the watch for surface marks and gently wipe it with a clean, soft cloth. Keep abrasive materials and household cleaners away from the case and crystal. A stubborn mark is a reason to ask for guidance, rather than experiment with increasingly strong products.

Pay attention to the underside as well as the visible face. If you notice a loose fastening, a damaged strap or a pin working out of position, stop wearing the watch until it can be checked. A small fitting problem is easier to address before it causes a fall.

Match care to the strap material

Leather, metal and synthetic straps should not automatically receive the same treatment. For leather, gently blot moisture with a soft dry cloth and allow the strap to air in a ventilated place. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight. Do not assume that a water-resistant watch makes its leather strap suitable for immersion.

For a metal bracelet, routine wiping helps remove surface perspiration and dirt. Before any wet cleaning, check the manufacturer’s instructions and the condition of the watch. If you are unsure, ask the retailer to recommend a suitable method. Avoid treating a manufacturer’s instructions for one bracelet as universal guidance for every finish or material.

Check water-use guidance separately

Read the water-resistance information for the exact reference and follow its stated limitations. A sporty design, rubber-looking strap or substantial case does not establish suitability for swimming. If the rating or guidance is missing, confirm it before exposing the watch to water.

Remember that care requirements can change after damage or service. Report a significant knock, visible condensation or a problem with the crown promptly. Do not open the case yourself to investigate.

Build care questions into your next purchase

When browsing the Bentley collection or the David Guner collection, look beyond the dial photograph. Check the listed strap material, movement information and support terms for each shortlisted watch. Choose something whose ownership requirements fit your routine, rather than assuming all watches within a brand need identical care.

Before checkout, ask how adjustments, battery replacement where relevant, and servicing should be arranged. Keep any removed bracelet links with the watch’s documents. If you need help identifying the right care instructions, contact Labdhi Watches & Premium with the model reference. Clear information at the start makes everyday ownership simpler.