7 Tips to Extend the Life of a Military Style Watch

Military style watches are crafted for both functionality and durability, designed to withstand the harshest environments.

Whether you use it for daily tasks, outdoor activities, or as a tool for adventure, these watches are built to endure.

However, even the toughest watches need maintenance to keep them performing at their best. This article provides you with 7 actionable tips to extend the life of your military style watch, ensuring it continues to serve you for years.

Regular Cleaning to Preserve the Durability of a Military Style Watch

Military style watches are often subjected to harsh conditions—whether it's dirt, dust, sweat, or water exposure. These elements can easily build up over time and cause damage to both the appearance and functionality of the watch.

Cleaning your watch regularly prevents these elements from wearing down the watch over time. Dirt, sweat, and grime can accumulate in places like the crown, buttons, and case back.

This buildup can cause internal damage or corrosion, especially if the watch is exposed to moisture. Additionally, dust and particles can scratch the surface of the watch, including the glass or case.

How to clean your watch:

• Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dirt and moisture. For regular maintenance, this is usually sufficient.
• For deeper cleaning, dampen the cloth with warm water and mild soap. Avoid using harsh detergents or chemicals as these can deteriorate the watch's materials over time.
• If your watch is especially dirty, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the nooks and crannies around the crown, pushers, and strap.
• For mechanical watches, make sure not to get water inside the case. If unsure, consult a professional cleaner to avoid damaging the internal components.

This simple task can go a long way in maintaining the integrity of the watch, ensuring the watch's features (like water resistance) remain intact.

Proper Storage to Protect the Military Style Watch

When you're not wearing your military style watch, storing it correctly can significantly extend its lifespan. Storing your watch improperly can expose it to various elements like humidity, direct sunlight, or physical damage that could affect its performance.

Exposing a watch to extreme temperatures, moisture, or constant movement (if left loose in a drawer) can cause the seals to degrade, leading to water leakage or dust getting inside the watch. Storing your watch incorrectly can also lead to scratches and dents from accidental impacts.

How to store your watch:

• For mechanical watches: Store them on a watch winder if you don’t wear them often. This keeps the gears inside the watch properly lubricated and prevents them from seizing up.
• For quartz watches: Keep them in a cool, dry place. Ensure the battery compartment is sealed tight, and if possible, remove the battery if you're not planning to wear it for an extended period.
• Avoid humid areas: Always store the watch away from bathrooms or other moist environments, as humidity can cause internal damage to both the movement and the watch face.

By storing your watch properly, you prevent long-term damage and maintain the durability and functionality of the watch’s internal mechanisms.

Ensuring Water Resistance in Military Style Watches

Water resistance is one of the primary features that make military style watches suitable for rugged environments. Over time, however, the seals and gaskets that keep water out can deteriorate, reducing the watch's ability to resist water.

If the water resistance is compromised, water can enter the case and cause internal rust, corrosion, or malfunctioning of delicate components like the movement and battery.

How to ensure water resistance:

• Check the crown: Always ensure the crown is properly screwed in before exposure to water. If it’s a screw-down crown, make sure it’s fully secured to prevent water from entering.
• Pressure testing: If your watch has been through heavy use or has had the case opened (for battery changes, for instance), have it pressure-tested by a professional to ensure its water resistance is intact.
• Seal inspection: Seals and gaskets naturally degrade over time, especially if the watch is exposed to saltwater or extreme temperatures. Have these checked every few years during a professional service.

Maintaining water resistance ensures that your watch will continue to perform in wet conditions without internal damage.

Regular Servicing and Inspection of a Military Style Watch

No matter how rugged a military style watch is, internal components need regular attention to keep everything working smoothly. A professional servicing ensures that the movement is well-oiled and all internal parts are functioning as intended.

Worn-out parts, dried-out lubricants, and dust buildup can compromise the accuracy and performance of the watch. For mechanical watches, regular servicing ensures the movement stays lubricated and prevents unnecessary wear, which can lead to costly repairs.

How often to service your watch:

• Mechanical watches: Have your watch serviced every 3 to 5 years. A watchmaker will clean the movement, replace old lubricants, and check for any signs of wear.
• Quartz watches: Quartz watches generally require less maintenance but should still be checked every 3 to 5 years, especially for battery replacements and seal inspections.

Servicing your watch ensures that internal components are working harmoniously and extends its lifespan.

Protecting a Military Style Watch from Magnetic Fields

Strong magnetic fields can affect the timekeeping accuracy of mechanical watches, even those designed for military use. The magnetic fields can magnetize the internal components, which disrupts the movement's ability to function correctly.

Magnetic fields can cause the metal parts inside the movement to become magnetized, which leads to inaccurate timekeeping or even complete failure of the watch.

How to protect your watch from magnetic fields:

• Avoid placing your watch near strong magnets, such as those in speakers, smartphones, and magnetic clasps.
• If your watch is affected by magnetism, a watchmaker can demagnetize it using special equipment.

Some military style watches come with anti-magnetic features, but it’s always best to be mindful and keep your watch away from potential sources of magnetism.

Managing the Battery and Movement in Military Style Watches

For military style watches, proper battery care is essential to ensure it keeps running smoothly. Always replace the battery before it runs completely dry. A dead battery can leak and damage the movement inside.

For mechanical or automatic watches, it's important to keep the movement running by either wearing the watch regularly or using a watch winder. If left unworn for extended periods, mechanical watches can stop, which may lead to internal wear.

Regularly managing the movement or battery ensures that your watch continues to work as intended.

also read: Which Smartwatch for Welders Offers the Long Battery Life in Heat and Sparks?

Proper Handling to Prevent Damage to a Military Style Watch

Even though military style watches are designed to endure tough conditions, improper handling can still cause scratches, cracks, or internal damage.

Accidental bumps or drops, especially on hard surfaces, can cause scratches on the watch face or even crack the case or glass. Continuous impacts can also cause the internal components to shift or get damaged.

How to handle your watch:

• When engaging in physical activities or outdoor sports, consider using a rubber strap or protective case for extra protection.
• Avoid placing the watch face-down on hard surfaces to prevent the glass from cracking or scratching.

By taking extra care when handling the watch, you reduce the chances of damage that could affect its appearance and performance.

Conclusion

By following these 7 in-depth tips, you can ensure that your military style watch will last for many years and continue to perform at its best.

Regular cleaning, proper storage, water resistance checks, professional servicing, and careful handling all contribute to maintaining the longevity of your watch.

With a little attention and care, your military style watch will remain a reliable companion for all your adventures and daily tasks.

FAQs

How often should I clean my military style watch?

Clean your military style watch every few weeks or after exposure to dirt, sweat, or moisture to keep it in top condition.

Can I wear my military style watch in water?

Yes, but make sure it has proper water resistance. Regularly check the seals and the crown to prevent water damage.

How can I protect my military style watch from scratches?

Handle it carefully, avoid rough surfaces, and consider using a protective case or rubber strap during intense activities.