<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1204737666323810&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1" alt="facebook">
Skip to content

Resources

Q Report Resources

Explore Q Report's Content Centre for expert advice on jewellery insurance. You can also read e-guides and blogs, watch videos and more.

Explore Q Report's Content Centre for expert advice on jewellery insurance. You can also read e-guides and blogs, watch videos and more.

Jewellery, engagement ring & watch advice, plus insurance tips & industry insights. 

Watch expert tips, discover insurance benefits & hear real customer stories. 

Find answers to common questions about jewellery, engagement ring & watch insurance. 

Click here to access important policy documents - Product Disclosure Statement, Financial Services Guide, and Policy Wording.

Click here to access the Target Market Determination (TMD) document.

Get Your Quote

Cleaning Luxury Watches: Do’s and Don’ts

Q Report Team

Updated on March 12, 2025
Related Posts
Featured Posts
form-profile
Jewellery Insurance

Instant Quote
play-audio
Listen to article
/

 

 

Today’s luxury watches live mostly in boardrooms and parties. But their forebears handled the dirty work. For example, IWC’s original Big Pilot Watch saw action over the battlefields of WWII on the grimy wrists of both Allied and Axis fighter pilots. 

And although your IWC (or Rolex or Omega) hopefully won’t face enemy fire, it probably gets dirty occasionally. After all, if you love your watch as much as we do, it goes places. So between your skin’s oils and the air’s dust, your once-pristine timepiece can start to look old.

But given a good shine, it will be ready for action once more--perfect for that dinner with your future father-in-law.

The good news is that it’s pretty easy to keep a luxury watch clean. 

 

How to Clean a Luxury Watch: The Do’s

Do - Know Your Watch

It sounds so simple that you might wonder why we’re saying it, but you should understand your watch’s condition in a specific way. You need to know how water-resistant it is, for one. And it’s critical to know the general condition of your watch. That way, you’ll be alerted to any change in its condition and know when to take it in for professional help.

Do - Make a Cleaning Kit

As with any project, everything goes more smoothly when you have the right tools. Fortunately, watch-cleaning paraphernalia is simple and easy to come by. Here’s what you need:

  • A watch-specific brush or soft-bristled toothbrush. If you use a toothbrush, it should be a used one (extra soft) that’s been thoroughly cleaned and dried before being introduced to your watch. 
  • Toothpicks
  • A clean microfiber cloth 
  • Anti-bacterial and sanitary wipes 

Do - Inspect Your Watch Thoroughly

Every time you clean your timepiece, get up close and personal. A simple magnifying glass is perfect for this job. Inspect for damage and the ingress of moisture, and pay particular attention to the condition of the crown and other moving parts.

Additionally, look at the edge of the crystal for chips or nicks. If you notice that any of the edges are not firmly sealed to the case, you’ll want to take it in for service before the interior sustains any damage.

Do - Remove the Bracelet or Strap

If you’ve never removed your watch’s bracelet or strap, ask your jeweller to teach you how. A spring bar tool is the best implement for handling this task. By removing the strap, you’ll have access to one of the dirtiest parts of your watch--the inner side of the lugs and the last link of the bracelet. In addition, by removing the bracelet or strap, you make both the bracelet and the watch easier to clean. 

Do - Wipe the Watch

Using one of the wipes, carefully clean every edge, facet, nook and engraving. This once-over doesn’t take long, and it helps you to see the more stubborn dirt deposits.

Do - Use the Toothpick or Brush for Sticky Grime

If you find any dirty spots that don’t come off with the wipe, cut off the brittle end of a toothpick. Then, wrap the toothpick in an edge of the wipe and gently work the border into the problem areas. Keep an eye on the toothpick; you don’t want it to tear through the wipe. 

As you disrupt the detritus, gently sweep it away with the detailing brush. But, again, know your watch well. If it’s made from a softer metal like 18k gold, it’s best to be as thorough as you can with just the wipe and seek professional cleaning for severe messes.

Do - Finish with the Microfiber Cloth

A soft, clean microfiber cloth finishes the job beautifully. It wicks away excess moisture and provides a great shine. For best results, wrap the fabric around your finger, and use your nail to push the cloth into hard-to-reach spots like the inner lugs, case back seam, crystal edge and bezel.

So that’s it for the do’s. Pretty straightforward. But before you dive in, take a minute to read the don’ts, too.

New call-to-action


Cleaning Luxury Watches: The Don’ts

Don’t - Clean It While It’s On Your Wrist

With all the extra hand-washing we’re doing these days, soap scum can build up on wristwatches, but you should avoid trying to clean your watch while you’re wearing it. First of all, it’s nearly impossible to do a decent job when the strap or bracelet is clasped and you can’t reach the backside. But also, the one-handed approach is too fumbly to be safe.

Don’t - Use Anything Abrasive

When your watch is extra dirty, it’s tempting to use abrasive cleaning materials. But don’t, just don’t. Anything that could scratch your watch, from a dish scrubber to a paper towel, should be wholly avoided.

Don’t - Use Toothpaste

You might come across recommendations to use toothpaste as a solvent for removing dirt and grime from your watch. But toothpaste is abrasive. It has a hardness of around 3 or 5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. In contrast, 14k gold has a hardness level of 2.5 to 3. So toothpaste can scratch and damage a gold watch.

Don’t - Use Alcohol on Leather Straps

Leather is absorbent, so it can gather an unpleasant smell. Instead of turning to an alcohol-based cleaner, add a dab of hand soap to your cleaning cloth and gently dry and buff the leather band. You might also want to use a leather conditioner occasionally, especially if you live in a dry climate. To be safe, read the instructions that come with your luxury watch for additional information about leather straps. 

Insurance for Your Luxury Watch

You don’t have to be a World War II fighter pilot to put your timepiece at risk. Even when you care for it religiously, it just takes one second for a watch to clatter to a tile floor or be stolen from your hotel room.

For the ultimate protection, cover your timepiece with a Q Report policy. Whether you’re at home or overseas, your IWC will be protected from theft, damage and loss. Get an online quote, or if you’re more of a talker, call us at 1300 882 018. Talk soon! 

Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

OK
Related Posts
Featured Posts
avatar_light
Jewellery Insurance

Instant Quote
play-audio
Listen to article
/

 

 

Today’s luxury watches live mostly in boardrooms and parties. But their forebears handled the dirty work. For example, IWC’s original Big Pilot Watch saw action over the battlefields of WWII on the grimy wrists of both Allied and Axis fighter pilots. 

And although your IWC (or Rolex or Omega) hopefully won’t face enemy fire, it probably gets dirty occasionally. After all, if you love your watch as much as we do, it goes places. So between your skin’s oils and the air’s dust, your once-pristine timepiece can start to look old.

But given a good shine, it will be ready for action once more--perfect for that dinner with your future father-in-law.

The good news is that it’s pretty easy to keep a luxury watch clean. 

 

How to Clean a Luxury Watch: The Do’s

Do - Know Your Watch

It sounds so simple that you might wonder why we’re saying it, but you should understand your watch’s condition in a specific way. You need to know how water-resistant it is, for one. And it’s critical to know the general condition of your watch. That way, you’ll be alerted to any change in its condition and know when to take it in for professional help.

Do - Make a Cleaning Kit

As with any project, everything goes more smoothly when you have the right tools. Fortunately, watch-cleaning paraphernalia is simple and easy to come by. Here’s what you need:

  • A watch-specific brush or soft-bristled toothbrush. If you use a toothbrush, it should be a used one (extra soft) that’s been thoroughly cleaned and dried before being introduced to your watch. 
  • Toothpicks
  • A clean microfiber cloth 
  • Anti-bacterial and sanitary wipes 

Do - Inspect Your Watch Thoroughly

Every time you clean your timepiece, get up close and personal. A simple magnifying glass is perfect for this job. Inspect for damage and the ingress of moisture, and pay particular attention to the condition of the crown and other moving parts.

Additionally, look at the edge of the crystal for chips or nicks. If you notice that any of the edges are not firmly sealed to the case, you’ll want to take it in for service before the interior sustains any damage.

Do - Remove the Bracelet or Strap

If you’ve never removed your watch’s bracelet or strap, ask your jeweller to teach you how. A spring bar tool is the best implement for handling this task. By removing the strap, you’ll have access to one of the dirtiest parts of your watch--the inner side of the lugs and the last link of the bracelet. In addition, by removing the bracelet or strap, you make both the bracelet and the watch easier to clean. 

Do - Wipe the Watch

Using one of the wipes, carefully clean every edge, facet, nook and engraving. This once-over doesn’t take long, and it helps you to see the more stubborn dirt deposits.

Do - Use the Toothpick or Brush for Sticky Grime

If you find any dirty spots that don’t come off with the wipe, cut off the brittle end of a toothpick. Then, wrap the toothpick in an edge of the wipe and gently work the border into the problem areas. Keep an eye on the toothpick; you don’t want it to tear through the wipe. 

As you disrupt the detritus, gently sweep it away with the detailing brush. But, again, know your watch well. If it’s made from a softer metal like 18k gold, it’s best to be as thorough as you can with just the wipe and seek professional cleaning for severe messes.

Do - Finish with the Microfiber Cloth

A soft, clean microfiber cloth finishes the job beautifully. It wicks away excess moisture and provides a great shine. For best results, wrap the fabric around your finger, and use your nail to push the cloth into hard-to-reach spots like the inner lugs, case back seam, crystal edge and bezel.

So that’s it for the do’s. Pretty straightforward. But before you dive in, take a minute to read the don’ts, too.

New call-to-action


Cleaning Luxury Watches: The Don’ts

Don’t - Clean It While It’s On Your Wrist

With all the extra hand-washing we’re doing these days, soap scum can build up on wristwatches, but you should avoid trying to clean your watch while you’re wearing it. First of all, it’s nearly impossible to do a decent job when the strap or bracelet is clasped and you can’t reach the backside. But also, the one-handed approach is too fumbly to be safe.

Don’t - Use Anything Abrasive

When your watch is extra dirty, it’s tempting to use abrasive cleaning materials. But don’t, just don’t. Anything that could scratch your watch, from a dish scrubber to a paper towel, should be wholly avoided.

Don’t - Use Toothpaste

You might come across recommendations to use toothpaste as a solvent for removing dirt and grime from your watch. But toothpaste is abrasive. It has a hardness of around 3 or 5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. In contrast, 14k gold has a hardness level of 2.5 to 3. So toothpaste can scratch and damage a gold watch.

Don’t - Use Alcohol on Leather Straps

Leather is absorbent, so it can gather an unpleasant smell. Instead of turning to an alcohol-based cleaner, add a dab of hand soap to your cleaning cloth and gently dry and buff the leather band. You might also want to use a leather conditioner occasionally, especially if you live in a dry climate. To be safe, read the instructions that come with your luxury watch for additional information about leather straps. 

Insurance for Your Luxury Watch

You don’t have to be a World War II fighter pilot to put your timepiece at risk. Even when you care for it religiously, it just takes one second for a watch to clatter to a tile floor or be stolen from your hotel room.

For the ultimate protection, cover your timepiece with a Q Report policy. Whether you’re at home or overseas, your IWC will be protected from theft, damage and loss. Get an online quote, or if you’re more of a talker, call us at 1300 882 018. Talk soon! 

Table of Contents

Introduction
Understanding the 4 Cs of Diamonds
Diamond Shapes
Choosing a Ring Style
Selecting a Ring Retailer

Understanding Mechanical Movements

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Statistic Heading

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Common Diamond Alternatives
for Engagement Rings

Tanzanite

Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Aquamarine

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in

Sapphire

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum voluptate velit esse.

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

“Knowing your engagement ring is insured brings peace of mind. Accidents can happen, and insurance coverage alleviates the worry and stress of potential loss or damage.”

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Export
Expert Tip

Budget Considerations

Diamond shapes can vary in price due to popularity and demand. Round brilliants, for example, tend to be more expensive than other shapes due to their high demand. If budget is a concern, consider alternative shapes or prioritise other aspects, such as cut quality, over the shape itself.

Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet. Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.

Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.

Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.

Jewellery Insurance FAQ

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
Home Security Fortification

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Travel Savvy

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Social Media Caution

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Regular Valuations

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

bulb
0%

Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Home Security Fortification

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

OK

More Articles