Traveling with an automatic watch – Holidays are often the best moments to wear your favourite automatic watch. Photos at the beach, city tours, and fine dining all feel more complete with the right timepiece on your wrist. However, many owners forget that the intricate mechanics of an automatic watch need special attention when travelling.
As an official retailer of Rolex and other leading luxury watch brands in Indonesia, The Time Place has seen many watches come back from holiday with issues, from water ingress to magnetisation. This article highlights the key things to consider when traveling with an automatic watch, and when to entrust your timepiece to Time Care and the Rolex Service Centre.
Before a long trip, make sure your watch has undergone a complete check-up so it can perform optimally throughout your journey.
Understanding Your Automatic Watch Before You Travel
Before diving into practical tips, it’s important to understand how an automatic watch works.
An automatic watch is powered by a rotor that moves with the motion of your wrist. The energy generated is stored in the mainspring and drives the entire mechanism. Because it relies on highly precise mechanical components, an automatic watch is particularly sensitive to:
- Strong shocks and hard impacts
- Powerful magnetic fields (speakers, magnetic phone cases, tablet covers, etc.)
- Sudden and extreme temperature changes
- Prolonged contact with water if the watch does not have sufficient water resistance
By understanding these characteristics, you will be better prepared to anticipate the risks your watch may face during your trip.
Preparing Your Automatic Watch Before You Leave, Traveling with an automatic watch
Just like your luggage and passport, your automatic watch also needs to be “prepared” before a holiday.
1. Check the service history and overall condition
If your watch has not been serviced for 3–5 years, it is advisable to schedule a full inspection first. Signs that your watch may need servicing include:
- Timekeeping that deviates significantly
- Noticeably reduced power reserve
- A crown that feels stiff or rough when setting the time
In Indonesia, you can bring your watch to Time Care for initial checks and regular servicing, or to the Rolex Service Centre for Rolex watches, where they are handled directly by certified watchmakers using original spare parts.
Want your watch to perform at its best on long journeys? Speak to the experts.
2. Check the water resistant rating
Holidays often involve pools, beaches, spas, and other water activities. Don’t rely only on the “Water Resistant” wording on the dial or caseback, always confirm the actual rating:
- 30 m / 3 bar: suitable only for light splashes, not for swimming.
- 50–100 m: generally safe for casual swimming.
- 200 m and above: more suitable for intensive water activities such as snorkelling or diving (always refer to the specific model’s specifications).
If you are unsure, have a water-resistant test done at Time Care before you leave. Aged or worn gaskets are one of the most common causes of water ingress.
3. Choose straps that match your destination
Consider the environment you will be in:
- Beach holidays: rubber straps or metal bracelets are more ideal than leather.
- City trips: leather straps offer an elegant look for dining and formal events.
- Active outdoor holidays: durable, easy-to-clean materials like rubber or NATO-style straps are recommended.
You can prepare one watch with several strap options, neatly stored in a dedicated watch travel case.
4. Use a quality travel case
When your watch is not on your wrist, store it in a sturdy travel case with a soft lining. Avoid throwing the watch loosely into a bag together with keys, glasses, or other hard objects that can scratch the case or sapphire crystal.
5. Consider a light repolish before your trip
If your watch has been worn frequently and has accumulated fine scratches, you may want to consider a light repolish before travelling so it looks crisp and camera-ready in your holiday photos.
- For watches with a combination of polished and brushed finishes, repolishing should be done at an authorised service centre so the original lines and edges of the case remain true to the factory design.
- Avoid random polishing at non-specialist places, as this can round off the lugs, fade logos, and alter the character of the original finishing.
Post-Holiday Care & Official Service in Indonesia
Once you return from your holiday, take a moment to check the condition of your automatic watch:
- Is there any condensation or fogging under the crystal?
- Is the watch still keeping good time?
- Are there deep scratches or dents on the case or bracelet?
If you notice anything unusual, such as moisture, fogging on the crystal, or a drastic change in accuracy, take your watch to an authorised service centre as soon as possible. Delaying service can cause damage to spread to other components, making repairs more complex and costly.
As an official retailer of luxury watches in Indonesia, The Time Place provide a trusted after-sales network:
- Time Care – for regular servicing, complete cleaning, water-resistance checks, and ongoing care for your favourite automatic watches.
- Rolex Service Centre – dedicated to Rolex owners, with global service standards, original spare parts, and stringent post-service testing.
