Keep your Patek Philippe watches running smoothly and looking brand new with these simple care tips, so the next generation can continue to enjoy them in the future.
For collectors, a Patek Philippe watch, be it a fine or high watchmaking timepiece, is a gem to be treasured. While some collectors try to keep their watches in mint condition, these timepieces are meant to be worn and used, like a luxury automobile. It’s important to care for your watches as you use them regularly, to keep them in optimal condition. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind.
1. Maintain your watches regularly.
Many watch owners think that watch servicing is unimportant, especially if they are not using these watches all the time. However, the moving parts of a mechanical watch require lubrication and care, even when not in use, especially after years. In addition, frequent use of these watches, especially the automatic winding components, can wear over time.
The Patek Philippe Seal is the only standard in watchmaking that also covers service for the entire lifetime of the watch in its totality.
Regular servicing of your watches can prevent potential issues from cropping up and keep your timepieces in tip-top shape. At Patek Philippe, every watch comes with the Patek Philippe Seal, its own standard of quality and excellence defined around 65 quality criteria in watchmaking. These include internal standards, homologation tests, production controls and International Customer Service specifications.
In fact, the Patek Philippe Seal is the only standard that covers service for the entire lifetime of the watch in its totality, including their maintenance, repair and restoration. You should service your watches every 5 years to ensure they are in excellent working condition, and batteries for quartz watches should be replaced every 2 to 3 years by an authorised Service Centre or a retailer that’s accredited to provide Essential Maintenance.
The sporty, chic Ref. 5968G-010 is the first white gold version of the self-winding Aquanaut Chronograph model, water resistant to 120m with a matching composite strap.
2. Avoid high impact situations when wearing your watch.
The Patek Philippe Seal ensures the quality of its watches, including their resistance to shock. Its movements are also designed with shock absorption in mind, whether it’s the Aquanaut or the Calatrava. In addition, the final rate-accuracy tests on each watch is done on kinetic simulators to ensure precision.
However, that’s not all. Whenever Patek Philippe introduces a new watch model, they conduct in-depth testing to ensure reliability. This includes the ChronofiableⓇ test, which is one of the most rigorous in the industry. While these quality assurances ensure every Patek Philippe watch can handle ample amounts of shock, including accidental shocks of up to 15,000Gs, taking the watches to the extreme is ill-advised. It may be tempting to wear a Calatrava during your tennis match, but you should avoid it if possible.
3. Follow the maintenance instructions carefully.
All watch straps wear over time and use. However, this can be affected by your environment as well, such as humidity in tropical countries and other conditions. Make use of protecting sprays and wipe down your strap after wearing to reduce the absorption of sweat that can cause leather stains.
4. Avoid wearing your watch in extreme environments.
All mechanical wristwatches are designed to operate across typical weather conditions. However, during winter or the height of summer, such extremes in temperature can affect the performance of the watch’s movement. If possible, try to keep your watch in consistent conditions and avoid going from one extreme to another.
Featuring the Calatrava Ref. 6119R-001, powered by manually wound movement Caliber 30-255 PS with a 65-hour power reserve.
5. Get your timepieces insured.
As we often say in Patek Philippe, you merely look after it for the next generation. Every single Patek Philippe timepiece is made with loving care, and every detail thoughtfully crafted. The Ref. 6119R-001 Calatrava shown above with the Clous de Paris guilloché pattern is an excellent example of the finesse it takes to create this watch. To ensure it remains in perfect condition for the next generation, it’s ideal to consider a watch insurance policy.
While the Patek Philipe Seal is a big assurance to owners of their watches, you may want to get it insured for extra peace of mind. These policies cover the cost of everything from damage to loss and even repair. These policies can be purchased for annual premiums and start from a few hundred dollars onwards, depending on the value of your watch(es).
Discover the Patek Philippe watch collections online or locate the nearest boutique for a visit.
Related read:
A Guide to Patek Philippe’s Calendar Complications (Part I).
A Guide to Patek Philippe’s Calendar Complications (Part II)
