How to clean and maintain wooden watches?

Throughout history, people have always turned to natural wood for stylish accessories. Now, wooden watches are all the rage, and there’s a treasure trove of them to pick from. Keeping a wooden watch in tip-top shape matters just as much as owning one. Wood, unlike some materials, stands the test of time with solid care. Regular attention keeps its texture looking grand. No matter if the watch is fancy or simple, wearing it a lot means taking extra care to keep it looking spiffy.

Are you new to wooden watches and don’t know how to care for them? Or are you thinking about getting a wooden watch, but are unsure how to maintain it the right way? Don’t worry, taking care of your natural wood watch couldn’t be simpler! This quick guide will walk you through the best ways to keep your wooden watch in pristine condition!

1. Avoid Getting Water On Your Wooden Watch

Wooden watches are not waterproof. Sure, some are splash resistant, you don’t have to worry about it coming into contact with water when washing your hands or in the event of sudden rain. However, these watches will sustain damage if immersed in water. Don’t shower or swim when wearing a wooden watch.

2. Avoiding the effects of extreme temperatures

Frigid or extremely hot temperatures and humidity can damage the wood that makes up your watch. Since it is a living and natural material, wood can degrade if it is exposed for long hours to these harsh conditions. For example, avoid leaving your watch in your car on hot or very cold days. Prolonged exposure to these conditions can cause cracks in the wood that makes up your watch. Overexposure to UV rays from the sun can also affect wood staining.

3. How to clean wooden watches?

1. On a small platter, mix a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice together.
2. Take a Q-tip (or other soft cotton cloth) and apply the mix to the exterior wood parts of your watch, including the bezel and links. Be careful not to apply too much, just enough to wipe down the wood.
3. Wipe away any excess residue with a clean, dry cotton cloth afterward. 

4. Repair & Maintenance

Use natural and protective oils to lubricate your wooden timepiece.

Wood gets dry, which can result in cracks. It is needed to be appropriately moisturized to preserve the wood sheen. To lubricate your wooden watch, you can apply natural and protective oils. You may find these oils in your home. You can choose from the following natural oils:

• Almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Mineral oil
• Nut oil
• Walnut oil

Note: If you are allergic to nuts, you may disregard the last two oils mentioned and use the others above. 

The application of oil helps in the lamination of the wood pores. It also cleans the dirt in your timepiece as well as repelling the water from entering it.

Repair scratches

In the daily wear of a wooden watch, it is difficult to avoid bumps and bruises that sometimes break the wood, and that’s when we need to prepare tools to fix it:

• Sanding stick
• Beeswax
• Cleaning cloth

Step 1: Polishing Scarring

Step 2: Apply beeswax or care oil

Step 3: Clean surfaces

Finally, enjoy every piece of your wooden watch!