Reprinted from Perfect Timing

• Find a reputable, professional watch repair center to have your timepiece serviced. If your jeweler doesn't provide this service, ask for a reference in your area.
• Keep all warranties and instructions in a safe place.
• Batteries for quartz movements need replacing about every 1.5 years.
• Clean and shine your watch with a clean, lintless cloth, such as a jewelry cleaning cloth.
• Test the water-resistance of your watch every two years, especially if you frequently swim or dive with it.
• Take your mechanical watch in for an "overhaul" every five to six years. It's important to maintain the lubrication on its inner workings.
• Replace torn, cracked, or deteriorating straps as soon as possible to prevent loss of your timepiece.
• Repair cracked or chipped crystals, or damaged crowns, as soon as possible. Otherwise dust, moisture, or other foreign matter could seep into the movement.
• When storing your watch for long periods, keep it in an airtight sealed box away from heat, direct sunlight, and shock, such as in a safe or safety deposit box.