Your mechanical timepiece from RAW is made of small, delicate mechanisms that work in harmony to keep time. To derive the most enjoyment and pleasure from owning your timepiece, here are some tips on how to look after it.

• To maintain your timepiece's appearance, it should be cleaned regularly. This can be done by wiping your timepiece completely with a soft dry cloth regularly to remove dirt from the case, mineral, band and attaching areas.
• When storing timepieces together, they should be kept slightly apart from each other. This is to ensure that they do not rub against each other which can cause scratches and hasten signs of wear.

• To maintain its appearance and durability, use a soft dry cloth to wipe off dirt and sweat from your timepiece's leather strap frequently.
• To reduce or eliminate perspiration that may sometimes lead to skin rashes, wear your timepiece slightly loose on the wrist. For sensitive skin, it is advisable to opt for steel bracelet instead.
• To prevent the leather strap's texture from deteriorating, it should never be soaked in or exposed to water.
• To prevent discolouration of your leather strap, avoid exposing your watch to direct sunlight for prolonged time periods.
• Store your timepiece in a well-ventilated area and never keep it in storage when it is still damp.
• When strapped on the wrist, there should be some allowance between strap and wrist. This to avoid any skin irritation, a good gauge is half a finger spacing.

• Accumulated dirt can sometimes cause rust, even on stainless steel or gold electroplated bracelets.
• Non-water resistant timepieces with metal bracelets should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly with a soft dry cloth.
• Water resistant timepieces with metal bracelets can be gently cleansed with plain water.
• Caution must be exercised to ensure that the delicate, non-water resistant parts are not drenched. After washing, the metal bracelet must be dried thoroughly with a soft dry cloth.
• Avoid the use of cleansing liquids as these can reduce shine or luster.
• While mechanical watches are not powered by batteries, we have included a section on battery care for your information.

• When batteries need to be changed, entrust your timepiece only to an authorized agent to maintain the standards set by the original watchmaker.
• Never leave a drained battery inside your timepiece as it may leak and damage the movement.
• Avoid leaving your timepiece for a long time in a place of extremely high or low temperatures. This will damage the timepiece and shorten the life of the battery.

• Gemstones add beauty and value to a watch. To prevent them from losing their luster and color, avoid exposure to elements such as perfume, soap, cosmetics, hairsprays and acids.
• Tap water is best for cleaning gemstones.

By Scott A. Ekleberry - Watchmaker (Itsabouttimeonline.com)
For wrist watches, it's recommended that it gets checked, oiled, and serviced every 2-10 years depending on the watch and how much it is worn. If you have a vintage wrist watch that is not sealed and is not dust and water resistant that you wear daily then the 2 year figure may be appropriate. If you have a more modern wrist watch that is sealed and is marked as being dust and water resistant then the 10 year figure may be appropriate even if the watch is worn daily.

Between servicing
We have heard wild claims of 20 years between watch servicing, but please don't attempt this unless you like large repair bills. Even the best oils will dry-up over time, once that happens you get wear, a lot of wear. If you stop to think that a mechanical watch balance wheel makes at least 18,000 vibrations each minute (more modern watches can be 28,800-36,000) then you see that it will not take long for parts to start wearing once the lubrication is gone. It's like comparing it to running your car 20 years without an oil change (although we are sure that has been done!). We also do not recommend that any mechanical watch be put in a safe or lock box for years, even if it has just been serviced. A mechanical watch needs to be wound and run from time-to-time if for nothing else but to keep the lubrication in the watch from congealing.

By Scott A. Ekleberry - Watchmaker (Itsabouttimeonline.com)
No manufacturer or watchmaker will guarantee your watch to be waterproof or water resistant (unless he is insane). Why? Well, they once did, but then if we remember correctly, someone died in a diving accident or something around 1970. There was major litigation and then it was "open season" on any watch that said "waterproof" and leaked. In other countries, many watchmakers and even some watch manufactures were forced out of business after they were sued as the consumer protection laws are very strict in a lot of other countries. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission mandated that no watch ever be labeled "waterproof" again. So, when the old stock was sold-off, "water resistant" became the keywords. Does that mean your watch won't stand up to the water? Not really, but it keeps all of us in the trade from being sued because the responsibility now rests with the consumer.
As a general guide, if the watch says "water resistant", it may be suitable for washing your hands but we probably wouldn't go swimming or wash the car with it on. If your watch says "water resistant to 50-100 meters" (5-10 ATM), it is suitable for some swimming and you can probably go snorkeling with it. If it is rated for 200 meters or more (20 BAR), then you can probably go diving with it. In any event, if you plan to do any "water sports" with the watch, have the water resistance checked regularly. Spending S$30 to have it checked is a LOT cheaper than having to buy a new watch!

Two important points
• Do NOT shower with your watch on. The soap and shampoo, and so on, can eat the gaskets and turn them into "goo"!
• Do NOT pull out the crown or use ANY buttons on the watch while under the water (or in the water). To do so will instantly allow water to enter the watch! There is ONE exception to the pusher rule, some of the just released watches use magnetic switches in their pushers and hence, do not have any way for water to enter when the pushers are used. This feature is only on a few watches (and they are VERY expensive).