A good watch is only as good as the care you give it, and I believe a few simple habits will keep your Tempus Tailor automatic watch running accurately and looking new for many years. Whether you wear the Open Work Classic Automatic “Primer Movimiento” every day or only on special occasions, these are the habits I recommend.
Keep it running and set it the right way. An automatic watch is powered by the motion of your wrist, so wearing it regularly is the best way to keep it going. If it has stopped, wear it for a while or give the crown a few gentle turns if your model supports hand winding, then set the time. In addition, avoid changing the date between roughly 9 pm and 3 am, since on most automatic movements the date mechanism is working during those hours.
Keep it clean. Wipe the case with a soft, dry microfiber cloth after wearing it to remove sweat, oils and fingerprints. The leather strap needs a little more attention, so keep it away from water, sweat and direct sunlight, since leather dries out and darkens over time. I can assure you that a strap you let air out after each day will last much longer.
Protect the movement. Strong magnets, such as the ones in speakers, tablets and magnetic cases, can affect the accuracy of an automatic watch, so keep it a little distance away from them. I’ve also found that heavy impacts, extreme heat and cold, and sports like tennis or golf are the fastest way to shake a movement out of its best performance, so take the watch off for those. Unless the water resistance of your watch has been confirmed, keep it away from water completely.
Store it and service it. When you are not wearing your watch, keep it in its box in a dry place away from direct sunlight. If it sits for a few days it will stop, which is completely normal for an automatic, and you can simply set it again. As a general rule, a watchmaker should service an automatic watch every three to five years to keep the movement clean and well lubricated.
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