You just bought your first Alba watch or probably received one as a gift from a special someone. You open the box and try it on right away, appreciating its beauty and the quality of Japanese Engineering behind it. What’s next? How can you maintain its quality and performance throughout the years?
Just like with cars, everyday watches, despite their good quality and durability, still need to be taken care of. Cleaning watches properly is important for maintaining watch quality, just like how you’d take your car for weekly cleaning and regular maintenance.
No matter how well-designed or durable they may seem, and whether it’s a mechanical or quartz movement watch, caring for watches is a necessity if you truly want them to last a lifetime. Accidents can happen, sure, but today, we’ll walk you through watch maintenance basics as well as watch care tips for a comprehensive, but simple watch longevity care guide that everyone can easily follow.
Alba watch care – the fundamentals
Caring for your everyday watches is easier than you’d think. Even the basics go a long way for maintaining watch quality, and there are also a few differences between caring for mechanical watches and non-automatic ones, which we’ll get to later on.
Regular cleaning
- Cleaning watches properly is simple. Remove the bracelets or steel clasps and use warm water with soap, then gently brush with a toothbrush, especially the hinges and links, to remove debris, oil, and dust that settle in those tight spaces from daily use. This also works for rubber and silicone straps.
- Use microfiber cloth dampened with warm water to clean the watch casing, removing excess oils and other cosmetic residues. Make sure that the crown is closed and properly sealed before you clean the casing and dry with tissues or paper towels as needed.
- Leather straps should not be soaked in water, as it can damage the leather; therefore, using a microfiber cloth with a leather cleaning solution is recommended.
Replace batteries as needed
Batteries in Quartz Movement watches typically last 2-3 years before they require replacement. It is also important not to leave dead batteries in watches, as they can leak acids over time, which might cause irreparable damage.
Avoid heavy impacts and shocks
While Alba everyday watches are crafted using durable and quality materials, shocks from excessive physical impacts can still disrupt the inner mechanisms of your watch, and more so if you’re using mechanical movement watches.
Proper storage
Storing your everyday watches properly when not in use is also an important part of watch longevity care. Exposure to magnetic fields can disrupt your watch movement, so avoid storing your watches near devices with magnetic components such as speakers or TVs. Chemical exposure from cosmetics and beauty sprays can also cause surface wear. Lastly, never leave the crown open, as moisture can still get inside your timepiece despite its water resistance, since the seal in the crown is also open. Likewise, keeping small desiccant packets inside your storage boxes greatly helps prevent moisture from permeating inside.
Reaching out to a professional or Alba watch care specialist
Both mechanical and quartz movement watches require professional servicing every now and then. Having your everyday watches checked and serviced by a qualified professional every 3 – 5 years ensures that gears and other delicate parts inside are lubricated and properly calibrated to maintain accurate movement.
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to check these excellent everyday watches. These are perfect for first-timers in the Alba brand or simply those looking for new additions to their collection.
AT3K85X1 Active Luminous: Stylishly spectral
The AT3K85X1 takes Alba’s expressive take on dial designs further with a fully-luminous dial, standing out in low-light environments with a spectral glow.
The VD53 Quartz Movement housed inside the 43mm steel casing, combined with mineral glass, is protected from moisture and splashes thanks to the 10 Bar water resistance rating. This timepiece also features accurate chronographs up to 1-second split time, and a date window, just like its other counterparts in the Alba Active lineup.
This timepiece offers substantial presence without looking bulky due to its 11.28mm case thickness, providing great balance for both casual fashion and formal wear, making it a compelling choice among everyday watches.
AH8895X1 Fashion Blue Women’s: Simply sophisticated
The meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese engineering is showcased in a sophisticated, yet minimalistic modern design with its blue ‘Mother of Pearl’ dial and rose gold indices – A combination of colors that perfectly complement a wide range of skin tones and fashion styles.
With a case thickness of just 6.8mm and a diameter of 35mm, the stainless steel case and equally slim stainless steel snapback strap are guaranteed to fit even the most delicate of features without looking disproportionately awkward on the wrist.
The VJ21 Quartz Movement ensures accuracy at all times, while the 3 Bar water resistance rating and mineral glass make this timepiece a refined choice in everyday watches, even for the most discerning ladies.
AL4763X1 Mechanical Black: Striking and snappy
Look sharp with the AL4763X1 Mechanical Black and effortlessly command respect during your next business meeting.
This bold timepiece uses the Caliber Y676 Automatic Movement – A renowned Japanese horological marvel that features the Etachron regulator for that self-winding mechanical accuracy. Combine that with a durable stainless steel casing, mineral glass, and a 20 Bar water resistance rating, and you’ve got a reliable everyday watch for all seasons. Never miss important events with the day & date window.
The 43mm case diameter, sitting at 13.02mm in thickness, along with the two-way rotating bezel, makes this watch a versatile match for casual wear as well.
Caring for watches the Alba way
Aside from understanding the fundamentals of watch care, it’s imperative that you don’t neglect regular professional servicing and maintenance when it comes to prolonging the lifespan of your trusted everyday watches. Visit an authorized Alba watch care professional near you today and give your timepiece the lasting care it deserves.