Watch storage - optimise longevity!

tobdom

Hi all,

First time (I think) posting in this forum. I have a query about the best way to store watches, with the aim being to get the best possible longevity from a watch (as well as generally 'minding them'); particularly those of the likes of Solar, Eco-Drive etc. type power sources.

I'm asking now as I have just purchased my latest watch (nothing too fancy, a nice 'trendy' Citizen eco-drive) and I have also decided to buy a glass-topped storage/display case (more for safe stoarge than display). I already have a Seiko solar watch, so I will now have 2 'light powered' watches. I also have a couple of Tissot's and a Casio Ediface, all of which are standard battery powered.

So, a few queries for those more in the know that are willing to share their input:

• I assume when not wearing a solar type watch, it's best to leave it somewhere in the light (rather than in a drawer), so that it stays continuously charged?
• Does pulling out the crown on a solar watch have any effect in terms of the battery/cell?
• For a standard battery watch, I assume it's best to always pull out the crown (to preserve the battery) when you're not going to be wearing it for a while?
• I don't (yet) have one, but any tips on the likes of a kinectic (movement powered) watch, obviously there's nothing you can really do with one of these other than wear it for a while periodically in order to maintain the battery/cell?
• Do the higher end watches typically just use a standard battery, or do they also use the other types of power? (I've yet to spend more than a few hundred on any inidividual watch)

Thanks in advance for any input!

The main thing with watches using rechargable lithium cells is not to let them run completely down too often. It will shorten the cell life.

Also don't let them run completely down and then leave them in that empty state for an extended period. Over time the cell voltage will get lower and lower - if it goes too low (or stays low for too long) the cell can suffer irreversible damage, you'll never get it charged back up. This typically takes years and is more of an issue with forgotten watches or old inventory. This applies to most types of lithium rechargeables including the ones in your phone, laptop etc.

Lastly you don't want to subject the cell to high temperatures. Sometimes this is unavoidable - you may need to give them a good blast of sunlight to get the battery up. In the long term though - as tempting as it might be - you don't want the watch baking on a windowsill 24/7... especially during the summer months. A few feet back from the window will give it more than enough sunlight without baking it. This is something you can judge for yourself intuitively (or by touch), will be different for everyone depending on what direction the room is facing etc.

Alanstrainor

I have two Eco-Drive watches, one is about 13 years old or so and the other maybe 8 or there abouts. Both have incredible battery life, even after this amount of time. I would wager that they would last a year without any sunlight, I've seen 6 months + for the oldest which fell out of favour and was left in a drawer. But the points above about letting them run down completely are true, and worth considering. I just thought I'd note my experience of my Citizens.

As for kinetic watches, there's a lot of varience here in terms of what the movement is actually doing. Some do charge batteries and can have months of battery life. But if you include automatic mechanical watches in this category, then they do not have batteries and typically will run for 1 or 2 days without wearing before they stop. They are spring driven, and there is no harm in letting them stop.

I do not pull the crowns on my quartz battery powered watches. If the battery needs changing then so be it, I'll do it myself. So it's not a concern of mine.

Higher end watches tend not to be quartz or battery powered. But it depends on what you mean by high end, there are plenty of expensive watches that are battery powered I suppose, but I wouldn't expect they run anything too fancy in terms of battery.

Pulling the crown to save power is a standard feature in most modern movements, it will be listed in the caliber manual if it has it. Back in the day it was specifically recommended in many (quartz) Rolex manuals without any warnings re humidity etc.

If you live on the surface of the earth in an ordinary climate there is no risk of moisture entering the watch. Even with crown out a modern watch is still good to several atm. You have 1 atm in the watch, 1 atm outside the watch, gaskets good for several atm, there is no mechanism by which moisture should be forced past the gaskets ... and if it does it can exit by the same mechanism.

If you live 30m under water like Aquaman then yes, you should not store your watch with the crown out.

funkyouup

I just got a toolkit and im tempted to take out the batteries from 2 watches i know i wont wear in a long time.

Pretty comprehensive (and cheap) toolkit i got here -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BVG3JMS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

funkyouup

Im only getting a chance to look through it now but the quality isnt too bad. Screw drivers are poor, thankfully the tools i hoped would be decent are:D

Cienciano

Deleted User wrote: »

If you live 30m under water like Aquaman then yes, you should not store your watch with the crown out.

Shít, that's me out then.

OmegaGene wrote: »

I got a similar kit when I first started from China for about €5, I slowly upgraded each tool out of sheer boredom but there’s nothing wrong with the cheaper ones, plastic tweezers might be worth getting.

I got the same china kit, it does the job but I wouldn't mind getting something half decent. Hard to find stuff that isn't the same cheap Chinese kit and isn't crazy expensive.

Further to the question above, a useful sticky regarding storing a quartz watch with crown out:
https://watchintyme.com/showthread.php?199-REFERENCE-Crown-Out-for-battery-savings&

Basically we have the Swatch group technical director, Ronda, Eta, Tag, Tissot, Raymond Weil, Certina etc specifically recommending and endorsing to leave the crown in the out position when storing a quartz watch for a long period. For those who are unfamiliar with watch construction or don't understand the laws of physics, there is also a detailed explanation on why the moisture/dust concerns are unfounded.

Suffice to say, check your manual. Not every quartz movement has a power save feature, but most modern ones do.

Cienciano

Mine are thrown in a drawer, was thinking of getting a box. A few cheap options on DHGate

https://www.dhgate.com/product/professional-12-grid-slots-jewelry-watches/408501855.html#lp_201809fashionwatches-0-|auto|

Lorddrakul

Never heard of the crown out thing before and I do have one or two quartz movement watches it would be worth doing it with.

I got a cracking deal a while ago on a tool set, and the quality actually seems pretty good.

I'm currently waiting on a hand pusher to do a movement transplant from one case and dial to another to create a franken-watch. The big hands are ok, but the Chrono hands are just too fiddly for my mits.

Kintarō Hattori

OmegaGene wrote: »

Yes the screwdrivers are terrible, worth picking up a decent set they aren’t too expensive
Burgeon have a good springbar tool and they are cheap on eBay these days

Any recommendation for a good quality set of screwdrivers or more ideally a complete kit such as was linked to on Amazon?

funkyouup

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-05073675001-Kraftform-Micro-Set-Multi-Colour/dp/B009ODV0PI/ref=sr_1_9?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1548950540&sr=1-9&keywords=precision+screwdriver+kit