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Care, warranty & service for your watch

- So that your watch will run reliably for many years - 

A high-quality wristwatch is a piece of fine craftsmanship – precise, elegant, and reliable. To ensure lasting enjoyment of your timepiece, regular care and professional maintenance are essential. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about proper cleaning, recommended service intervals, our warranty conditions, and the process of a professional overhaul.

As an authorized dealer, RM Time offers you a comprehensive watch service in Germany – from water-resistance testing to complete overhauls. Our watchmakers work exclusively with original spare parts and meticulously document every step of the process.

Table of Contents

  1. Digital User Manual
  2. Basic Handling Guidelines
  3. Material-Specific Cleaning & Care
  4. Maintenance & Overhaul – Intervals & Process
  5. Warranty Conditions & Procedure
  6. FAQ – Care & Cleaning
  7. Contact & Service Request

Digital User Manual


Use our digital user manual – directly from the manufacturer. Simply enter your watch’s model number or caliber number to access the latest manual with detailed information on functions, settings, and care. If you need assistance, our RM Time service team will be happy to help.

Basic rules for daily interaction

To ensure your watch remains reliable over time:

  • Avoid cosmetics, creams & perfumes
Residues can damage seals and coatings. After contact with skincare products, we recommend gently cleaning your watch with clear water and a soft microfiber cloth.

  • Avoid heat & temperature fluctuations
Extreme temperatures (e.g. sauna, oven) can affect the case and movement.

  • Keep away from magnetic fields
Electronic devices, magnetic clasps, and similar sources can interfere with timekeeping accuracy.

  • Water & moisture
Even with water-resistant watches: After contact with saltwater or chlorinated water, rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Always ensure the crown is closed before exposing the watch to water.

Watch cleaning and care

To ensure your watch brings you joy for many years, proper care is essential. Our frequently asked questions offer practical tips and helpful advice on cleaning, caring for, and storing your timepiece – straight from the experience of our watchmakers and service technicians.

Watch cleaning and care

How often should I clean a watch?
The frequency of watch cleaning depends heavily on usage. Since a watch is exposed to many stresses in everyday life – it's moved, comes into contact with moisture, heat, or cold – it's advisable to clean it regularly. Especially after sports, it's recommended to wipe the watch with a slightly damp cloth in the evening to remove sweat and dirt. While some owners clean their watches almost daily, others take more time. However, it's important to adapt the cleaning to the material of the strap: Leather strap care: With regular wear, the leather should be gently cleaned and treated with suitable conditioner approximately every two months. This keeps it supple and durable. Stainless steel strap cleaning: For metal straps, a more thorough cleaning is recommended at least every five months. This removes deposits and helps the material retain its shine.
Clean watch case
Whether metal, titanium, or carbon fiber case: it should be cleaned with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. For heavier soiling, a mild soapy solution can be used – harsh detergents should be avoided.
Types of bracelets and their care
Each strap material requires specific care:

Stainless Steel: Clean regularly with a soft cloth or, if needed, with soapy water to remove oils and dust. For stubborn dirt, a very soft toothbrush can help.

Leather Straps: Treat with leather care about every two months and keep away from water to maintain suppleness and prevent cracking.

Rubber and Silicone: Simply rinse with clear water or mild soapy water.

Textile Straps: Gently hand-wash with water and mild soap, then allow to dry completely.

Tip: After cleaning, always let the strap air-dry slowly. Avoid direct heat sources such as radiators to prevent material damage.

IMPORTANT

Water-Resistant Watches: Before cleaning, make sure the crown is properly screwed in. After contact with saltwater or chlorinated water, rinse thoroughly with fresh water to maintain the watch’s water resistance.

Watches with Gemstones: Clean only with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh or chemical cleaning agents, as these can damage the stones and their settings.
How do I properly clean a leather bracelet?
Leather watch straps should not be immersed in water. Instead, wipe them with a slightly damp cloth and occasionally treat them with leather conditioner. Avoid excessive moisture, perspiration, and direct sunlight as much as possible. You can find more information about leather watch straps here.
Is my watch really waterproof?
At RM-Time, we recommend only swimming with watches that have a water resistance rating of at least 20 bar.

While models with a 10 bar rating often offer some water resistance, they typically lack a screw-down crown. This means that moisture can still penetrate the case upon contact with water.

If your watch has a screw-down crown, please always ensure that it is securely screwed down before exposing the watch to water.
What is the best way to store my watch?
Watches should be stored in a box or on a soft cloth, protected from dust, moisture, and sunlight. For automatic watches that are not worn for extended periods, a watch winder can be useful.
Can I remove scratches from the watch crystal or case myself?
Fine scratches on plastic crystals can be treated with polishing paste. For sapphire crystal or stainless steel cases, polishing should only be carried out by a professional to avoid damage.

If you would like to learn more about watch crystals, please feel free to take a look here.

Maintenance & Revision

Regular maintenance and proper overhauls not only ensure the long-term reliability of your timepiece but also play a crucial role in its safety and longevity.

🛡 Minor Service / Check-Up
Recommended: Every 1–3 years

Includes: Inspection of seals and water resistance, function test, cleaning, and battery replacement if necessary

Duration: Approx. 5–10 business days

Cost: From approx. €59 (depending on model)

⚙ Full Overhaul
Recommended: Every 3–7 years, depending on the movement and usage

Process:

  1. Submission (with serial number / proof of purchase)

  2. Analysis & cost estimate

  3. Disassembly & cleaning

  4. Lubrication & regulation

  5. Reassembly & replacement of seals

  6. Function & water-resistance testing

  7. Completion & return shipment with service warranty

Duration: Approx. 2–4 weeks (depending on model / spare parts)
Cost range: From approx. €180, variable depending on complications

Check how accurately your watch runs with one click on our atomic clock page: it shows atomic time live, measures your watch’s rate deviation and explains how to set an automatic watch to the second.


Warranty conditions for your watch

As an authorized dealer, we stand behind the quality of every watch we sell. Should a problem arise, however, we will reliably handle the matter under the manufacturer's warranty – quickly, transparently, and without complications.

How long is the warranty on a watch valid for?
In Germany, the statutory warranty is two years from the date of purchase. Many manufacturers also offer an extended manufacturer's warranty – for this, you usually have to register with the manufacturer.
What does the warranty on a watch cover?
The warranty typically covers the watch movement, meaning defects that occur without external influence.

This includes, for example:
  • Movement defects
  • Timekeeping issues
  • Manufacturing defects in the dial or hands
What is excluded from the warranty?
The following are not covered by the watch warranty:
  • Scratches, broken glass, or damage caused by impacts and drops
  • Wear and tear (e.g., leather strap, gold plating, gaskets)
  • Water damage due to an improperly screwed-down crown
  • Damage caused by improper handling or unauthorized modifications (e.g., opening the case by unauthorized dealers)
How can I report a warranty claim?

First, contact the retailer where you purchased your watch – or directly an authorized service partner of the brand. The following documents are generally required for processing:
  • Warranty card with purchase date and retailer stamp
  • Original invoice
  • Description of the defect

    Warranty or repair service at RM-Time Watches purchased from us can be reported directly here – we will handle the process with the manufacturer. Even if you didn't purchase your watch from us or we don't carry the brand, we are happy to assist you. Our watchmaker can perform repairs regardless of the brand. Simply write to us at support@rm-time.de – we will inform you about the procedure and the next steps. For watches from brands we carry but were not purchased from us, we are also happy to handle the shipping to the manufacturer. We charge a processing fee of €35 for this service.
Is a battery replacement covered under warranty?
No, battery replacement is not covered under warranty, as it is considered routine maintenance.

However, it should always be performed by a qualified technician to ensure proper sealing and maintain the warranty.
Warranty information from your watch brand
Information regarding warranty duration and possible warranty extensions can be found on the respective manufacturer's website.

Simply click on your watch brand's logo below – you will be redirected to the relevant page with all the details.


Contact & Service Requests

Do you need your watch serviced or checked? Our service team is happy to assist you personally. Our customer service is also available by phone, WhatsApp, or email:

 Phone: +49 212 73871660 (Mon-Sat: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 

 WhatsApp: +49 178 635270 

 Email: support@rm-time.de