How to clean a watch?

Regular cleaning is more than cosmetic; it preserves gasket integrity, protects finishes and keeps the movement running as designed. Follow this workshop-grade routine to refresh your Longines timepiece safely at home—whether it wears stainless steel, titanium, leather or rubber.

Daily wear leaves behind perspiration salts, fine dust and airborne pollutants. As residue accumulates in bracelet joints and around caseback gaskets, it can abrade metal, reduce water-resistance and dull the crisp facets that make a Swiss watch sparkle. A monthly deep clean for water-resistant models—and a quick rinse after salty or sweaty activities—maintains both performance and appearance.

Always check rated resistance first. Ratings apply only if the crown is fully secured and the crystal is free of damage. If your watch hasn’t passed a pressure test within two years, limit care to surface methods.

1. If fitted with quick-release bars, remove the bracelet or strap; this allows a more thorough clean and protects leather from water.
2. Lay a towel on a sturdy table under bright, indirect light.
3. Ensure the crown is fully screwed or pushed in.
4. Close the clasp and place the watch on a soft cloth to avoid caseback scratches.

Before starting, confirm that your watch is water-resistant to the depth required for immersion. 

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a single drop of neutral dish soap. 
2. Submerge the head and bracelet for one minute, swishing gently to loosen dirt.
3. Lift onto the towel and brush away from the case with the damp toothbrush, concentrating on clasp, bezel flutes and end-link recesses.
4. Rinse under a gentle stream of cool water, crown pointing down so water doesn’t pool around the stem. Ensure the crown is securely screwed down or fully pushed in, as cleaning may have loosened it.
5. Pat dry with microfiber, then use the air-puffer to expel moisture from crevices.
6. Buff along the grain—never in circles—to avoid micro-swirls on polished facets.

1. Wipe with a barely damp microfiber cloth.
2. Work a pea-size dab of leather balm specifically formulated for watch straps into the grain using light, linear strokes, avoiding any products that could cause damage or discoloration.
3. Rest away from heat or sunlight for twenty minutes, then buff lightly.
4. Let the strap cure overnight before re-fitting; trapped moisture weakens stitching.

Rinse under cool running water after swimming or workouts. For persistent odour, lather a drop of dish soap directly on the strap, rub gently with fingers, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Avoid hair-dryers—heat can warp rubber or shrink nylon.

Inspect the crystal and bezel for residual soap; a final microfiber pass removes haze. Spin the crown and pushers to confirm smooth action; any grinding suggests trapped grit and calls for professional service. Finish by cleaning the clasp fingerprint-free before storing in a dedicated watch case away from moisture and magnetic fields.

Most solutions contain ammonia or acids that tarnish brushed finishes. Stick to mild dish soap and water.

Sports models benefit from a monthly wash; dress pieces on leather need weekly cloth wipes and quarterly conditioning.

External care does not void warranty, but water damage from an unsecured crown is considered misuse.

Seek a Longines certified watchmaker if you notice condensation, gritty pushers or uncertain gasket age—especially on vintage timepieces.

A disciplined cleaning ritual keeps your Longines watch performing as flawlessly as it looks. By matching technique to water-resistance and strap material—and by using the gentlest tools—you extend service intervals and preserve showroom aesthetics. Treat cleaning as part of the horological craft, and your watch will continue to reward you with decades of refined precision.