A Maintenance Primer

When a watch is worn regularly, it should be cleaned every two to three months. For a leather band, swab the back with vinegar to remove any sweat or smell and wipe down the rest of the watch with a soft, dry cloth. If the watch has a metal bracelet, wash it with a toothbrush dipped in warm, soapy water and rinse before wiping it down with a clean, dry cloth.

Mechanical and automatic watches (basically anything not labeled "Quartz" and running on a battery) need to be serviced by a respectable repair shop. A tune-up is recommended every three years or so—even if the watch is keeping time—to ensure everything is clean, oiled and ready to keep on ticking for years to come. (Just ask the aficionados at Hodinkee.)

When not wearing your watch, store it in a drawer or closet. This protects the face and band from sunlight, dust and other environmental dangers. Another option, for automatic watches, is to keep it in a watch winder. These electric boxes are designed to keep a self-winding watch running on time when it's not being worn.