As the late Steve Jobs noted, “The most precious resource we have is time.” How do you stay on top of the time we all have? How do you choose to spend every single second of it?

For some, a wrist watch is an essential item in their everyday wardrobe. Old-time watches have risen in popularity in recent years. Despite their unique beauty over modern-day counterparts, these timepieces require special attention and care. Read through our list of the three top tips for caring for your vintage or antique watch.

Be Gentle With Touch, Motion, and Wear

When caring for your vintage or antique watch, practical gentleness is the key. These old timepieces are not as durable as modern models crafted with today’s knowledge and technology. Due to this vulnerable fragility and susceptibility to scratching, you should take care to avoid any accidental dings or cracks during wear.

If you plan to do vigorous activities that involve wrist motion—or getting your arms or hands sweaty or dirty—take off and carefully store your delicate watch beforehand. It’s better to be safe than sorry when protecting decades’ worth of beauty and utility.

Always Keep the Piece Safe, Clean, and Dry

Take careful precautions to prevent possible moisture intrusion. Do not expose the watch to sources of moisture or wear the piece in the shower, bathtub, or pool. These pieces are not as water-resistant as their modern equivalents tend to be. For this reason, you should do your best to steer clear of water—exposure can cause fog to generate under the crystal.

Dust and dirt are also enemies of yesteryear’s watches. Clean the case back, dial, crystal, and outside of the watch with a soft cloth and avoid working dirt, dust, grime, or fibers into the movement. When not wearing or cleaning the watch, let the piece rest in a cool, dry place that prevents potential damage.

Be Careful With Mechanical Maintenance

Compared to today’s timepieces, which can be digital, automatic, quartz, or mechanical, antique and vintage watches that were crafted before the 1970s are mechanical. These types of accessories require routine maintenance, servicing, lubrication, and winding. Remember that winding the mechanism too tight or too hard can break the mainspring. If any component or function appears amiss, bring the watch to a professional for evaluation or repair.

The right care and attention to these details will ensure that any precision timepiece from the past will be reliable for years to come. If you’re looking for a fascinating vintage timepiece to suit your tastes and style, you’ve come to the right place. Solvang Antiques carries the finest selection of antique, vintage, and estate watches for sale. Browse our curated collection of wrist watches and pocket watches to invest in, collect, or pass on to future generations.