There are many articles written about choosing and buying a Panerai Luminor mechanical watch but once you have made your choice it is very important to care for your Panerai Luminor mechanical watch to keep it in good condition. A Panerai Luminor mechanical watch is an engineering marvel - in miniature consisting of hundreds of moving parts, finely crafted and all contained within the confines of the watchcase. If cared for properly, a Panerai Luminor mechanical watch can become an investment with an unlimited life expectancy. But how often should your mechanical watch be maintained by a professional and what steps can you take to help keep your watch looking like new?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

A Panerai Luminor mechanical watch should have a full service by a professional every 4 to 5 years. During a full service the watch movement will be taken apart then cleaned and regulated before being re-assembled. In the case of a water resistant watch the seals will be replaced as the watch back has been removed and the water resistance will be checked. Cosmetic changes such as replacing the sapphire crystal can also be done.

Take care when winding a Panerai Luminor mechanical watch. Winding should never be done while wearing your watch as this can damage the mechanisms so remove it before winding or adjusting. Wind your watch fully until you can feel resistance. An automatic or self-winding Panerai Luminor mechanical watch which is wound by the movement of the wearer will also need to be hand wound in this way if it has not been worn for 35 hours and it is advisable to fully hand wind an automatic watch once each month.

To reset the time on your watch first remove the watch and gently pull out the crown and set the hands to the correct time. To adjust the date pull out the crown to the first notch and turn until you reach the required date. If you miss the required date you will have to keep going until it comes round again as most watches only advance forwards, so take it slowly. If possible do not change the date between 10pm and 2am as the date changing mechanisms in your watch operate between these times.

When not being worn your watch should be stored in a dry environment away from direct heat and dust sources. Do not rest your Panerai Luminor mechanical watch on the crown or push pieces when you put it down as this can cause damage. Purpose built watch boxes which can be seen make the perfect gift for the watch enthusiast as they store multiple pieces safely. Watch winders are a great storage solution for automatic watches. They contain a rotating mechanism the movement of which mimics that of the wrist to keep the watch working. If you want to buy a Panerai Luminor mechanical watch or just want to know more about the watch you wear then see the "Resource" section.