SAVOIR FAIRE How to take care of your TAG Heuer when you’re not wearing it ?
5 min
When you decide to wear a different one, the TAG Heuer watch that you are not wearing needs to be maintained. The main risk if you don’t: it will get damaged much faster. Why ? For several reasons, which we’ll discuss below. And that’s obviously not what you want when you invest in such a beautiful timepiece. So here’s what you need to do to keep it in tiptop shape, inside and out.
Keep it in a safe and dry place
Whatever type of watch you store, it will need to be protected from accidental shocks and blows that may cause damage. So keep it in a safe secure place, and above all, make sure it is dry. Controlled temperature will prevent humidity from condensing on the glass surface.
Although each TAG Heuer model undergoes rigorous waterproof testing in the laboratory, zero risk doesn’t exist. If humidity gets inside the case, it can, at best, disfigure the dial, and at worst, corrode and rust the steel components of the movement. So if you see condensation drops, wipe the surface immediately with a soft dry cloth, and if you notice a timekeeping problem, have it checked by a professional to make sure no humidity has leaked inside.
Protect it from dust
The other concern, dust, can also cause harm if it gets inside the case and onto the movement; one tiny speck can “clog” a wheel. And even if it remains on the dial without entering the movement, once it’s there you will see only that spot every time you look at your dial, so have it removed, and better yet, prevent it from happening. Both humidity and dust can be avoided with a tight seal.
Keep it away from magnetism
Also, keep your watches away from magnetic sources that may alter the timekeeping or even stop an automatic or manual mechanical movement. Quartz watches are also sensitive to the magnetic waves, so avoid close contact with computers, telephones and tablets.
Which brings us to the question of the type of watch you need to store for a while: is it mechanical — automatic or manual wind, quartz, solar powered, or connected
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph (reference CBS2216.BA0041)
For mechanical watches
If you are the owner of, for example, a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph, you know they are powered by in-house self-winding movements with an oscillating winding rotor. In this case, it is best to keep the automatic movement in motion either with a watch winder, or by hand-winding it regularly, at least once a week, to make sure the lubricating fluids that keep your movement performant do not become sticky or dry up, which then necessitates professional intervention. Remember to unscrew the crown, or position it to neutral before winding a minimum of 40 times for your Carrera Chronograph to keep them in smooth running order.
A manual-wind mechanical movement also requires regular winding for the same reason, to ensure the lubricating oils in the movement remain fluid. And even with all your perfect care, remember to have these watches serviced by a professional every 5 to 7 years to ensure optimal performance.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Red Bull Racing (reference CAZ101AL.BA0842)
For quartz watches
Many of us have at least one quartz movement watch, such as the ultra-sporty TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing special edition. On average, a new battery lasts 2 to 3 years, depending upon the type of watch. For a chronograph watch, battery life could deplete faster if the functions are used frequently. What’s good is that most batteries have a way of letting us know it’s time for a change, with an End of Life system (EOL) that makes the second hand start to jump in 2 to 5 second leaps, even though the correct time is still displayed. When this happens, or when the second hand stops completely, or the indicated time is too slow or fast, it is urgently time to change your battery to avoid rupture and leakage of corrosive chemicals into the internal components of the watch with potential damage that can not be repaired. During storage, you can pull out the crown, stopping the watch and saving battery life.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph (reference WBP1114.BA0000)
For solar quartz watches
Some batteries are solar-powered, such as the TH50-00 that equips the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph. Recharged by simple exposure to sunlight, it requires just two minutes in the sun to keep it running for a whole day; 20 hours will charge it for six months! When not exposed to light, it enters into a power-saving mode, conserving energy until the next light exposure. And if you’ve not worn it for a very long time and it has stopped, just ten seconds in the sunlight will bring it back to life.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 x Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition (reference SBR8A80.EB0365)
For connected watches
For your TAG Heuer Connected watch, equipped with a lithium battery for a full day’s use of energy, it simply needs to be charged every night to be ready for a new power-packed day.
And remember to give your watches a gentle wipe with a soft dry cloth before putting them back in their safe place to maintain their overall beauty and glow.
But no worries. If, despite all these tips, your TAG Heuer were damaged, the experts at TAG Heuer’s after-sales service will be able to give your watch a new lease on life.
