It is not so important what brand or design your watch is, where it was made - the very fact of choosing and using a high-precision mechanism in everyday life speaks of you as a punctual and responsible person. In order for a wristwatch to perform its functions properly and, what is equally important, to look presentable, it needs care: it is better to entrust the case and internal parts to a specialist, but you can handle cleaning the strap or bracelet yourself.
Leather belt
A wristwatch on a leather strap looks respectable and is comfortable to wear. But, unfortunately, genuine leather is a rather capricious material and not very durable. To maximize the life of the strap, you need to follow a few simple rules: protect from moisture, dry in the open air, avoid direct sunlight and open sources of heat, wear the watch so that there is a finger-sized distance between the strap and the wrist, once a week wipe with a slightly damp cloth.
Advice. Before cleaning the strap or bracelet, disconnect it from the watch case - accidental impact, chemicals or moisture can damage the mechanism.
This weekly care will benefit the appearance of your watch strap, but will not completely eliminate the possibility of complex stains. To remove them, there are several effective methods that are easy to use at home.
Method # 1
One of the best is using a paste of baking soda and water (it’s worth noting that this method is suitable for dark-colored straps). Mix these components in equal parts, carefully apply the resulting mixture to the entire surface of the strap and rinse it off after 30-60 minutes under running water. Dry the product at room temperature.
Method # 2
If the strap of your watch is light, then you should change the composition. Place the white of a raw egg into a glass of milk and stir vigorously. Soak a piece of fabric in the mixture and wipe the strap thoroughly. As in the first case, rinse it and dry it.
Method # 3
You can also immerse the leather product in a mild soapy warm solution and gently clean it, for example, with a soft toothbrush, then rinse with water, blot with paper napkins to remove excess moisture, and dry naturally in the open air. It is better not to use household detergents, since it is impossible to predict their effect on the material.
Method # 4
Some manufacturers advise purchasing a special composition for cleaning leather from dirt and stains; it works effectively and gently. Simply apply the product to a cloth and wipe the strap thoroughly. It is quite expensive, but the effect will exceed all expectations.
Method # 5
A watch strap made of rare exotic materials (for example, ostrich, stingray, snake skin) requires especially careful care. Experts do not recommend using detergents or soapy water; for such straps, only gentle cleaning with a cloth or soft brush in the direction of the scales is suitable.
Metal bracelet
Metal is much more practical than leather, this is a fact, and therefore it is easier to care for a watch with a metal bracelet. The main thing, if possible, of course, is to avoid scratches and regularly clean it of dirt and dust at the joints of the links. The choice of method depends on the type of alloy.
Method # 1
It is enough to immerse the steel bracelet for 15-20 minutes in warm water, in which you must first dissolve a few drops of any mild detergent. After the time has passed, the links are cleaned with a cloth and a soft brush, then washed with water and wiped dry.
Method # 2
Ammonia will also help in cleaning a steel bracelet. To do this, you need to dissolve 2-4 drops of liquid in a glass of warm water and immerse the bracelet in it for 20 minutes, then remove it, rinse under running water, wipe with a cloth and dry.
Method # 3
Another effective method, which is suitable, including for products made of precious metals, is a paste of soda and vinegar. Mix them in equal parts, carefully apply the resulting paste to the links and wipe them with a soft cloth.
Titanium watch bracelets durable and lightweight. Caring for them is not difficult: you need to rub the product with a rubber eraser, then apply a little toothpaste, clean out the dirt between the links and polish the bracelet with a lint-free cloth.
Advice. Please note that watch bracelets with IP, PVD or DLC coatings must be cleaned very carefully so as not to damage the protective layer, so we recommend that you entrust the cleaning of such products to professionals.
Rubber and fabric straps They are quite unpretentious - a solution of any detergent is enough to make them look like new. And the original fabric NATO straps can even be washed in a washing machine, just place them in a fabric bag so that the buckle clasp does not touch the drum during washing and does not ring.
