Why I Decided to Care For My TAG Heuer
My Carrera started acting up last month – the second hand stuttered like a tired old car. That’s when I realized I’d been wearing it daily for years without proper care. Dust bunnies lived in the links and sweat stains haunted the clasp. Felt terrible treating a luxury watch like a cheap plastic toy.
The Deep Clean Experiment
Grabbed my grandma’s toothbrush (the soft-bristled one she never used) and warm soapy water. Dunked the watch for three minutes max – remembered water resistance ain’t forever. Scrubbbed every nook: bracelet gaps, case back grooves, even between lugs. Brown gunk floated in the bowl like swamp water. Shockingly gross.
The Magnet Nightmare
Left it drying near my laptop charger like an idiot. Next morning, time ran five minutes fast. Panicked and Googled – turns out speakers and chargers are magnet suicide for watches. Had to drive forty miles to the only demagnetizer in town. Cost me two fancy coffees.
My Homebrew Service Routine
Now every Sunday after breakfast:
1. Wipe with microfiber cloth (stolen from my glasses case)
2. Check for new scratches during weekly wind-up
3. Store crown-up in an old sock when not wearing
4. Avoid hand sanitizer like poison – that stuff eats seals
Eight Months Later
It’s not perfect – desk diving scars still haunt the clasp. But the timekeeping? Spot on. That satisfying smooth sweep is back. Best part? Saved hundreds delaying professional service. Just replaced the tiny seal behind the crown myself last week using a toothpick and silicone grease. Felt like a watch surgeon.