How to Care for an Automatic Skeleton Watch: Winding, Cleaning and Servicing
To care for an automatic skeleton watch, wear it regularly so it keeps itself wound, restart it gently if it stops, keep it away from strong magnets and hard knocks, wipe it with a soft dry cloth, and have the movement serviced by a qualified watchmaker when it needs it. Valusis skeleton watches run on self-winding automatic movements behind sapphire crystal, so a few simple habits keep both the mechanism and the view of it in top condition.
Valusis skeleton watches at a glance
These are the specifications Valusis lists for its Volt and Lysium skeleton watches, and what each one means for everyday care.
| Specification | Valusis skeleton watches | What it means for care |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Self-winding automatic (Swiss or Japanese) | Winds itself while worn. It may stop after a few days unworn. |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM / 100 m | Suitable for swimming. Not for diving, and not for hot showers or saunas. |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating | Highly scratch-resistant. A soft cloth keeps it clear. |
| Case | 316L stainless steel | Resists corrosion. Rinse with fresh water after the sea or a pool. |
| Warranty | 5 years | Contact Valusis first if the watch runs badly or stops working. |
How does an automatic skeleton watch wind itself?
Inside the case, a weighted rotor swings as your wrist moves and winds the mainspring. On a skeleton watch you can often see it turning through the caseback. Wearing the watch for a normal day keeps it running, so there's no need to wind it every morning.
If you take the watch off for a few days, it will eventually stop once the stored energy runs out. That's normal for every automatic watch and isn't a fault.
What should you do if your automatic watch stops?
- Get it running: many automatic movements can also be wound by turning the crown gently clockwise about 20–30 times. Check your manual first. Otherwise, move the watch gently from side to side for a minute until the seconds hand starts.
- Set the time: pull the crown out to the time-setting position and move the hands forward to the correct time.
- Push the crown fully back in and wear the watch as usual. Your movement keeps it wound from there.
A watch winder can keep an automatic running between wears, but it's optional. Many owners simply reset the time when they put the watch back on.
How do you clean a skeleton watch?
Clean only the outside: wipe the case, crystal and caseback with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. For the steel bracelet, a soft brush can lift dirt from between the links. After swimming in the sea or a chlorinated pool, rinse the watch in fresh water with the crown pushed in, then dry it. Never open the case or try to clean the movement yourself, because dust and fingerprints inside the case are easy to see on a skeleton watch and hard to remove without the right tools.
Can you swim with a Valusis skeleton watch?
Yes. Valusis rates its skeleton watches to 10 ATM (100 m), which is generally suitable for swimming and snorkelling, but not for scuba diving. To keep the seals working:
- Make sure the crown is pushed fully in before any contact with water.
- Never pull out or turn the crown while the watch is wet or underwater.
- Avoid hot showers, hot tubs and saunas. Heat and steam can affect the gaskets over time.
- Have the water resistance checked whenever the watch is serviced.
How do you protect it from magnets and shocks?
Strong magnetic fields can magnetize the hairspring, which usually makes a mechanical watch run noticeably fast. Keep the watch away from speakers, laptop and tablet magnets, and magnetic bag clasps. If the watch suddenly gains a lot of time, a watchmaker can demagnetize it quickly. Also take it off for impact sports and heavy manual work.
How should you store a skeleton watch?
Store it dial-up, in a dry place out of direct sunlight, ideally in a watch box or pouch that keeps dust off the crystal. Even sapphire can be scratched by harder materials such as diamonds, so keep it apart from other watches and jewellery.
How often does an automatic watch need servicing?
A mechanical movement needs a full service from time to time. Recommended intervals vary by movement, often between about three and ten years. During a service, a watchmaker takes the movement apart, cleans it, re-oils it, adjusts it and replaces worn gaskets. On a skeleton watch they also take care to keep the visible finishing intact.
Valusis watches come with a 5-year warranty. If your watch gains or loses a lot of time, stops while you're wearing it every day, or the crown feels gritty, contact Valusis before taking it anywhere else, and check the warranty terms first.