Tips for care and maintenance
Particular care has been taken in the conception and manufacture of your Baume & Mercier watch. It is composed of numerous very delicate parts, which is why we encourage you to take care of it and protect it from shocks and extreme situations.
Moreover, a watch mechanism works non-stop, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. To ensure optimal working efficiency and to preserve its precision and air/water-resistance, a watch should be serviced regularly:
- "Battery replacement service" every 2 to 6 years depending on the model
- "Maintenance service" every 3 to 4 years
- "Complete service" every 5 years
In addition, in order to assure optimal functioning of your watch for many years, we recommend that you read the following tips for care.
End-of-life battery warning
A quartz watch is powered by a battery which generally lasts between 2 to 6 years depending on the model. Most of our quartz watches featuring a center seconds hand are equipped with an end-of-life (EOL) battery warning indicator. Approximately two weeks before battery replacement is necessary, the center seconds hand jumps every four seconds to indicate that the battery is running low.
We advise that you never leave a worn battery inside your watch, because there is a risk of its deterioration damaging the movement.
Self-winding mechanical watch
A watch with a self-winding mechanical movement is automatically wound as its wearer performs certain everyday movements while the watch is on the wrist. Because of this, the watchband must be correctly fitted to the wearer’s wrist. If the watchband is too loose, the watch may lose some of its autonomy.
A fully wound watch has a power-reserve of approximately 40 to 68 hours (depending on the model) without being worn. Beyond this time, the watch will stop. You will then need to wind it manually by turning the crown clockwise (approximately 20 turns) to provide it with the necessary power reserve.
If your watch is not used for several months, we recommend that you wind it regularly to prevent the oil from thickening thus preventing the correct functioning of the movement.
Hand-wound mechanical watch
A watch with a hand-wound movement is wound by turning the crown in a clockwise direction. The watch is wound when the crown can no longer be turned. Do not wind a mechanical watch beyond its pre-determined locking point.
A fully wound watch has a power-reserve of approximately 40 hours without being worn. Beyond this time, the watch will stop. You will then need to wind it manually by turning the crown clockwise (approximately 20 turns) to provide it with the necessary power reserve.
We recommend that you wind your watch everyday. If your watch is not used for several months, we recommend that you wind it regularly to prevent the oil from thickening thus preventing the correct functioning of the movement.
Date change & water-resistance
It is extremely important that you do not change your date between 8pm and 2am as this may damage the movement.
The water-resistance of a watch protects the movement from dust, moisture and from any deterioration when fully immersed in water. The gaskets keep the watch water-resistant. However, as they are constantly exposed to several forms of outside aggressions (cosmetics, perspiration, temperature changes), the water-resistance of a watch may decrease over time. Therefore, we advise you to have the water-resistance of your watch checked every 12 months. Moreover, ensure the crown of your watch is correctly in place (pushed in or screwed in depending on the model) to stop water from entering into the mechanism.
Important: do not adjust the position of the crown or press on the push buttons to change the time, date or any other functions when the watch is immersed in water, as water may seep into the case. If condensation appears in your watch, you should take it to an authorized Baume & Mercier retailer or After-Sales Service Center as this may indicate a water-resistance problem.
Daily care
To preserve the appearance of your watch and its metal bracelet, if need be, we recommend gently cleaning it with a soft brush (e.g. soft toothbrush), dipped in slightly soapy lukewarm water. After this operation, carefully rinse your watch in fresh water and wipe with a soft cloth. This must be done each time you go swimming in the sea or in chlorinated water (swimming pool). We advise you clean the metal bracelet of your watch every two months if you wear your watch everyday.
Before any cleaning, ensure the crown of your watch is correctly in place (pushed in or screwed in depending on the model).
Leather strap
The lifespan of a leather strap depends on condition and frequency of use. In order to preserve it as long as possible, we recommend that you avoid contact with water, dampness, greasy substances, cosmetic products and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
We recommend that you only have your leather strap changed by an authorized Baume & Mercier retailer. This ensures the use of a strap that fits your watch perfectly.
Rubber strap
The lifespan of a rubber strap depends on condition and frequency of use. In order to preserve it as long as possible, we recommend that you avoid contact with greasy substances, cosmetic products and prolonged exposure to sunlight or any other heat source. Moreover, you may clean your rubber strap with soapy water.
We recommend that you only have your rubber strap changed by an authorized Baume & Mercier retailer. This ensures the use of a strap that fits your watch perfectly.
Magnetic fields
Our environment is increasingly subject to disturbances due to magnetic sources. These disturbances can have an effect on the working of your watch whether mechanical or quartz.
A quartz watch can be affected when it enters a strong magnetic field, however it works normally again when no longer in it. This disturbance therefore lasts as long as your watch is at the heart of the magnetic field.
A mechanical watch is also sensitive to strong magnetic fields. The resulting disturbance could, in some cases, magnetize steel parts in the movement and more particularly the main spring. Some parts are likely to adhere to one another and the watch could advance considerably or stop. In this case an authorized Baume & Mercier retailer or After-Sales Service Center must undertake a de-magnetization intervention.
Chemical products
Please avoid any direct contact with solvents, detergents, perfumes and cosmetic products that could damage the bracelet, case or gaskets.
Temperature
Please avoid extreme temperatures as well as drastic temperature changes.
