As we approach Father’s Day, I’m becoming more aware of the things the men in our lives value the most. Sure, there’s family which they love and care for; their friends who they stand by for; the children that they’d do anything for. But a man’s world isn’t so simple contrary to popular belief. They have certain things that make them tick.

Like watches. I don’t know of a man who was not taught by their fathers the value of a good watch. Most guys have at least one heirloom piece they got from their family, or at least have invested in one that they plan to pass on. In this highly-technological age, I still see the value of a good watch, especially for men who have it as their only accessory. It speaks of reliability and taste. And hey, don’t you notice it’s a good hobby too?

A good investment piece watch isn’t just about choosing one and then wearing it. A lot of care goes into making sure the watch lasts and can be beneficial to the one who inherits it. If you’re a watch enthusiast or if you’re just about to venture into buying your first timepiece, here are some things to keep in mind.

1) Invest in a winder
If you have several winders in rotation, a watch winder will keep them on time all the time. Leaving them steady on a table and the drawers means that so many complicated hand gestures need to be made before they are up to speed. Plus well-made, premium watches ironically last longer when they are used. So if you are putting a piece like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 Men’s Watch on park, make sure you’ve got a nice swing for it.

2) Clean with care
Because watches are companions to everyday life, they can get go through a lot. So you need to clean them well. Audermars Piguet’s website specifies that you have to clean your watches with warm water. You then rinse with fresh water, and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid using corrosive substances to clean your watch and also avoid subjecting your watch to abrasive substances like perfume.

3) Visit the watchmaker
Since a watch is something special, you need to bring it to a specialist every now and again. A professional watch service visit is due at least every two to three years for something like the Patek Philippe Calatrava Mechanical Ivory Dial Leather Men’s Watch. It will make sure all the gears are still in good condition and they are cleaned properly too.

4) Know how deep it can go
The water resistance of a watch is a must to know and to remember. This is why you should get a watch that matches your lifestyle, especially if you are active. If you can, have different watches with different levels of water resistance so you can mix and match according to your outfit and your activities.

5) Keep it where it came from
When traveling or for temporary storage, the best place for the watch is the box where it came from. Make sure the band isn’t too tight around the mold and the watch mechanism itself if rested balanced on it. Watches can be tough but just like people, they need to be handled with care.

6) Avoid magnets
Unless you have a watch like the Omega Master Chronometer, you have to make sure you stay away from magnets. They will mess up the gears and make you lose minutes, literally.

Ria Prieto is an editor, columnist and consultant who loves all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle. To read more of her musings, log on to www.riarecommends.com.

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