CHANEL Watches care and maintenance
CHANEL gives the greatest importance to the quality of the materials used in its watches. Creations with delicate components, perfectly arranged in a very small space to allow the mechanism to function, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
By observing a few precautions for use and care, you will be able to keep your watch looking great and working perfectly.
CHANEL watches undergo rigorous testing in the CHANEL Manufacture laboratory in Switzerland to meet the highest standards of watchmaking excellence.
Regular servicing is essential to preserve the longevity of the watch, as well as its aesthetics and performance.
Clean your watch once a month
Avoid wearing your watch with a bracelet on the same wrist, (with the exception of J12 watches whose ceramic is virtually scratch-proof)
Keep mechanical movement watches away from any magnetic source to guarantee the precision of the movement (e.g., magnet on a handbag clasp or on a smartphone or tablet cover)
For a mechanical watch, ensure that it is worn at least once a month to prevent the oils from oxidising
For timepieces that can be submerged in water, always rinse your watch with clean water after swimming in the sea or pool to remove any residual chlorine, sand or salt.
Five years
Recommended time between two movement services
Five years
Recommended time between two water-resistance services
Each year if watch is regularly immersed in saltwater and chlorine.
Five years
Recommended time between two movement services
Five years
Recommended time between two water-resistance services
Each year if watch is regularly immersed in saltwater and chlorine.
Five years
Recommended time between two movement services
Five years
Recommended time between two water-resistance services
Each year if watch is regularly immersed in saltwater and chlorine.
Two to seven years
Battery life
Power reserve
Watches with mechanical winding must be in movement at least once a month. When they are not worn, they have a power reserve of 38–70 hours, depending on the model. Beyond this autonomous period, manual winding becomes necessary. Turn the watch crown clockwise around 10 times to reactivate the movement before wearing.
Manual winding
Mechanical movements with manual winding should be wound daily. Turn the watch crown clockwise around 10 times to reactivate the movement before wearing.
Minimum 40-hour power reserve
Once wound, your timepiece has a 40-hour power reserve.
Changing the battery
If your battery is completely flat or shows signs of running out (on some models, the second hand makes four-second jumps), we recommend that you bring it in immediately for examination by our watchmaking experts.
Discover the battery changing serviceRemoving a used battery
Never leave a flat battery inside the watch for more than three months, it could leak and permanently damage the movement.
We recommend cleaning your watch once a month.
Bracelet type
White ceramic bracelet
Ceramic is a stainless material designed to be scratch-proof. However, deposits of materials resembling scratches can form through contact with other materials that are less hard than ceramic, such as gold or titanium.
Stages of cleaning
01
First check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down.
02
Clean with soapy water and a soft bristle brush, then rinse well.
03
Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
Black ceramic bracelet
Ceramic is a stainless material designed to be scratch-proof. However, deposits of materials resembling scratches can form through contact with other materials that are less hard than ceramic, such as gold or titanium.
Stages of cleaning
01
First check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down.
02
Clean with soapy water and a soft bristle brush, then rinse well.
03
Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
Matte ceramic bracelet
Ceramic is a stainless material designed to be scratch-proof. However, deposits of materials resembling scratches can form through contact with other materials that are less hard than ceramic, such as gold or titanium.
Stages of cleaning
01
First check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down.
02
Clean with soapy water and a soft bristle brush, then rinse well.
03
Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
Metal bracelet
First check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down.
Stages of cleaning
01
Clean with soapy water and a soft bristle brush, then rinse well. Dry with a soft cloth.
02
Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
03
For PREMIÈRE watches with a leather ribbon, follow the recommendations for watches with leather straps.
Leather, Satin and Fabric
Stages of cleaning
01
Polish your entire watch, bracelet and case, using a soft cloth. Do not use water to avoid damaging the strap.
02
03
White rubber bracelet
Stages of cleaning
01
In the case of persistent marks such as dye stains and ingrained dirt, clean with warm water and baking soda.
02
Brush gently with a medium bristle brush.
Make sure to protect the case with a cloth.03
For the case, first check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down. Clean the case with soapy water and a soft bristle brush, then rinse well. Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
Rubber bracelet
Stages of cleaning
01
First check that the watch crown is completely pushed in and/or screwed down.
02
Clean the watch with soapy water, then rinse well.
03
Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use the crown until the watch is completely dry.
External pressure applied to the crystal increases as the watch is immersed, making it more vulnerable to dust and water entering the mechanism. The water-resistance properties are engraved on the case back of your watch, next to a fish symbol.
Respect the levels provided to prevent any deterioration and do not swim while wearing your watch unless it indicates a depth of over 100 metres.
Water-resistance level
Most CHANEL watches are water-resistant. Their water-resistance level is engraved on the watch case back, symbolised by a fish. The depth differs according to the model.
Checks when the watch has been immersed in water
It is also advisable to test your watch case's water resistance if the case has been opened, and every year if it has been exposed to seawater or pool water for long periods of time.
Servicing every five years
Watches are water-resistant thanks to their seals. To ensure optimal water resistance, we recommend having the protective seals in your timepiece replaced every five years.
Preserving the seals
Rinse your watch with clean water after swimming in the sea or pool to remove any residual chlorine, sand or salt.
In watchmaking, magnetisation refers to the negative effect of magnetic fields on the functioning of a watch.
The magnetic fields that have the greatest impact on watches are magnets. Magnets on handbag clasps or smartphone cases are some examples.
10 cm*
Recommended distance from highly magnetised objects*.
15 min*
The effects of magnetism may persist after prolonged exposure. Result: your watch may be fast or slow*.
*This data can vary depending on the intensity of the magnetic field. Our calculations have been carried out on a range of everyday objects (smartphones, tablets, radio speakers, etc.)
What effect does magnetisation have on watches?
When a watch encounters a magnetic field, the movement may be disrupted, causing it to accelerate or stop completely. In most cases, the watch will work normally as soon as it is removed from the magnetic field.
Increased sensitivity of mechanical movements
Despite sophisticated equipment, mechanical movement watches are more susceptible to magnetisation than watches with quartz movements. Indeed, certain components can become magnetised (such as the balance spring and barrel spring) and disrupt the operation of the timepiece.
What can you do if magnetisation occurs?
To detect if the watch is magnetised, place it next to a compass. If the watch is magnetised, the compass hands will spin erratically. To demagnetise your watch, visit a CHANEL boutique or CHANEL-authorised dealer of your choice.
Make an appointment at a boutique or see the section relevant to your situation for more information on the possible causes and solutions.
Type of movement
issues
Try winding your watch manually. If it still does not start, there are two possible reasons:
01
The automatic system is disconnected: a diagnosis carried out at one of the workshops will determine if maintenance or complete revision is required.
02
The oil in the movement has dried out, the movement is dirty or has been damaged by shock or water infiltration: complete revision is required to replace the movement.
Two possible causes:
01
Your watch has been magnetised or the setting needs to be adjusted: demagnetisation or maintenance is required.
02
The oil in the movement has dried out, the movement is dirty or has been damaged by shock or water infiltration: full servicing is required to replace the movement.
Water has infiltrated the movement: complete revision is required, and the oxidised parts need to be replaced. Please take your watch to a CHANEL boutique or to an authorised CHANEL retailer of your choice. Your watch will be sent to our workshops for a detailed assessment.
Try winding your watch manually. If it still does not start, there are two possible reasons:
01
The system is disconnected: a diagnosis carried out at one of our workshops will determine if maintenance or complete revision is required.
02
The oil in the movement has dried out, the movement is dirty or has been damaged by shock or water infiltration: complete revision is required to replace the movement.
Two possible causes:
01
Your watch has been magnetised or the setting needs to be adjusted: demagnetisation or maintenance is required.
02
The oil in the movement has dried out, the movement is dirty or has been damaged by shock or water infiltration: complete revision is required to replace the movement.
Water has infiltrated the movement: complete revision is required and the oxidised parts need to be replaced. Please take your watch to a CHANEL boutique or to an authorised CHANEL retailer of your choice. Your watch will be sent to CHANEL workshops for a detailed assessment.
Two possible causes:
01
The battery in your watch is flat: a battery replacement is required
02
The movement of your watch is damaged (leaky battery, water infiltration, etc): complete revision is required to replace the movement.
The movement of your watch is damaged: complete revision is required to replace the movement.
Water has infiltrated the movement: complete revision is required, and the oxidised parts need to be replaced. Please take your watch to a CHANEL boutique or to an authorised CHANEL retailer of your choice. Your watch will be sent to our workshops for a detailed assessment.
Find a boutique
Drop off your watch at a CHANEL boutique or CHANEL-authorised dealer for maintenance.
The most frequently consulted services
For more information, consult our