As a general rule, TUDOR watches don’t require a lot of maintenance for day-to-day use. However, TUDOR care tips are still useful to know for regular upkeep purposes, especially in hot and humid Thailand. These tips come in handy even if you live in breezy coastal areas, as your investment will be exposed to sea air and salt corrosion. For those who wear their TUDOR watches during swims and dives, these tips are essential. Here, we will walk you through how TUDOR maintenance works, what to do and what to avoid while you’re cleaning your watch.
TUDOR Maintenance: Why It Matters
Crafted for the bold, TUDOR timepieces are often the constant companions of those who dare to venture into life’s uncharted territories. Whether your calling is riding towering waves or fighting fires, here’s how your TUDOR watch will benefit regular maintenance and care:
- Preserves aesthetic and mechanical longevity
- Prevents corrosion or damage in wet and humid environments
- Protects resale and heirloom value
- Ensures your watch stays water resistant
How to Clean a TUDOR Watch at Home
1. Check if the winding crown is screwed down properly
If the winding crown isn’t secure, this could mean that your watch is no longer water resistant. Do not proceed if that is the case.
2. Rub your watch gently with a clean microfibre cloth or a soft brush and soapy water
Put your watch in a bowl under a running tap and rotate the bezel to free your watch from sand and salt. Alternatively, you can use a soft toothbrush and dip it in soapy water before gently scrubbing your watch. While the running water method works just fine, brushing may be required if your watch has become gritty after a day at the beach.
3. Rinse your watch in fresh water, especially if you’ve gone for a swim in the sea
Sea water contains salts and ions that speed up electrochemical reactions, leading to corrosion of stainless steel and anodised aluminium bezels. Rinsing your watch prevents buildup of these corrosive elements.
4. Are there TUDOR watches you should not clean?
Generally speaking, you can always give your timepiece a quick rinse if needed. Exceptions should be made, however, for vintage models where water resistance levels can no longer be ascertained. Bringing your vintage chronograph to a TUDOR official retailer may be your best bet, as they will be able to connect you with professionals skilled in TUDOR maintenance.
TUDOR Watch Cleaning & Restoration Don’ts
With an illustrious history in exceptional craftsmanship, TUDOR watches are also known for their robust construction. Still, you want to avoid accidentally damaging your watch by employing the wrong TUDOR care tips. Always treat your TUDOR watch gently. For safe and reliable restoration, visit our Siam Swiss TUDOR Boutique in Siam Square, Bangkok or Mega Bangna, Samut Prakan.
- Do Not Use Ultrasonic Cleaners: While TUDOR does use ultrasonic cleaners for their refinishing services, we do not recommend that customers do this on their own. This is because professionals are able to disassemble your timepiece safely and ensure that only the watch’s case and bracelet are cleaned ultrasonically.
- Do Not Use Alcohol, Harsh Chemicals, or Abrasive Cloths: We often respond to stubborn stains and dirt by bringing out heavy-duty cleaning agents. When it comes to your TUDOR watch, this can do more harm than good. If a gentle rinsing or brushing session as detailed above fails to get rid of stains, it’s time to send your chronograph to the professionals.
- Do Not Open the Caseback: The winding crown should always be properly secured. If you are concerned that some foreign material may have made its way into your watch, do not attempt to resolve this by yourself. Instead, contact our TUDOR boutique in Siam Square.
How Often Should You Service Your TUDOR Watch?
Typically, we recommend that our clients send their TUDOR watches for servicing every 5-10 years. If you live in a humid climate, however, you may have to service your watch every 4-5 years instead. You should also service your chronograph on a more frequent basis if it is frequently exposed to deep or sea water.
What Does Professional Cleaning Include?
- Relubrication: Your TUDOR watch is disassembled, allowing for all moving parts to be carefully lubricated. This enhances the longevity of your watch by reducing wear and tear.
- Calibration: Did you know that the balance wheel in your TUDOR chronograph is a precision powerhouse? In fact, it rotates up to 690,000 times a day to keep time. During servicing, this precision is reinforced by calibration and electronic verification.
- Refinishing: Meticulous polishing and ultrasonic cleaning is used to keep your TUDOR watch’s case and bracelet pristine. Any worn-out parts will be replaced by TUDOR at this point.
- Reassembly and Waterproofing: Now it’s time to put your chronograph back together, but not before conducting a vacuum test and a pressure test. These rigorous waterproofing tests ensure your watch is ready for its next adventure with you.
- Final Check: A final quality control test is conducted to determine if the power reserve, timing precision and aesthetic appearance of your watch meets TUDOR’s exacting standards.
One final word from us on professional TUDOR maintenance — while prices can vary depending on whether full servicing is required, it’s best to contact an authorised TUDOR retailer and request for a detailed estimate.
How Should I Store My Watch When It’s Not in Use?
Place your TUDOR watch in a cool, dry and dark environment. Sounds like the opposite of Thailand, you say? While challenging, it’s not impossible to provide ideal storage conditions for your timepiece.
- Watch Box or Watch Roll: Placing your TUDOR watch inside can help protect it from dust, moisture and scratches. If you still have your original TUDOR box, that can be an option too.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a cool but not freezing environment that’s away from direct sunlight. Temperatures between 15-24°C are ideal.
- Humidity Control: A dehumidifier may be necessary to bring humidity levels down, so that it stays around 40-60%. For reference, Thailand’s humidity averages 70-80%, though this varies significantly by region and time of year. In Bangkok, for example, the humidity level can reach as high as 90% during the May to October monsoon season.
Post-Beach Day Checklist
Live for days out on the beach? Here’s a handy checklist so you know what to know and what not to do with your TUDOR watch.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
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Habitual swimmers and divers in Thailand can prolong their watch’s lifespan with professional cleaning services at a Siam Swiss TUDOR Boutique near them.
Frequently asked questions about TUDOR watch cleaning and care
Can I clean my TUDOR Black Bay at home?
First, you need to ensure that the winding crown of your watch is properly secured. Then, gather your supplies: you’ll need a clean microfibre cloth, a bowl and access to running water. Rinse your watch under lukewarm water and then gently wipe it dry with the microfibre cloth.
How to clean my bronze TUDOR watch?
The cases of bronze TUDOR watches, such as those in the Black Bay Bronze collection, develop a natural patina and may darken over time. This is completely normal, as the way your bronze TUDOR develops character over time reflects on your lifestyle. Those striking colours that shift from full-on blues, to greens and purples result from factors such as the ambient moisture in your environment, as well as the natural oils on your hands. If necessary, you may clean your bronze TUDOR watch in much the same way as you clean other TUDOR watches: gently and with caution. If you notice any excess discolouration, feel free to contact a TUDOR official retailer for advice.
Is it safe to wear my TUDOR watch in the shower or ocean?
Yes. TUDOR diving watches are world-renowned. The Black Bay series, for instance, has a water resistance of 200m, making these chronographs suitable for snorkeling, recreational diving and swimming. The Pelagos series takes water resistance to the next level with a rating of 500m, making it the ultimate diver’s watch. As always, be sure to rinse your TUDOR after contact with sea water.
How do I remove scratches from my TUDOR bracelet?
You can try gently buffing your TUDOR bracelet with a soft microfibre cloth. If the scratches still remain, do not overcompensate by polishing harder. Instead, contact your trusted local official retailer for expert advice.
Should I polish my TUDOR watch?
Regular maintenance and care of your TUDOR watch is never a bad thing. You may gently polish your watch after each cleaning session, but take care to not overdo it to avoid wearing down the finish over time.
