How to Set, Wind and Care for Your Raymond Weil

A good Swiss watch asks for very little, but what it does ask matters. This is our owner's guide to how to set, wind and care for a Raymond Weil watch, from the first time you set one to the day it's due for a service. It covers the three kinds of movement we sell, from the quartz Toccata 5925-STP-00300 to the hand-wound Toccata Heritage 2280-PC5-60001, and the everyday habits that keep a Swiss watch in good order.

Before You Start: Know Your Movement

Everything else in this guide depends on what's ticking inside your watch. Raymond Weil uses three kinds of movement across the collections we carry, and each needs slightly different handling.

Quartz watches run on a battery. Our Toccata ladies' models, the Toccata Heritage 5250 and 5280, and the 30mm A.R.T. models are all quartz, so they're ready to wear whenever you pick them up. Automatic watches, such as the Freelancer, the Millesime Jubilee and the 38mm A.R.T., wind themselves as you move. Manual-wind watches, such as the Toccata Heritage 2280, need you to wind them by hand.

If you're unsure, the product page and the booklet that came in the box will tell you, and so will we. If you can see the movement at work through a clear case back, the watch is mechanical.

The A.R.T. 1250-ST-97081 is a good example of the quartz side: a 30mm steel case on an integrated bracelet, with a mother-of-pearl dial. Beyond the odd battery, it asks for nothing but a wipe with a soft cloth.

How to Set the Time and Date on a Raymond Weil

The crown does all the work, so treat it gently and always put it back where it started. On most models you pull the crown out to one position to change the date and to the next to move the hands. Your watch's booklet shows the exact positions for your calibre, and it's worth a look before you first set a date.

Some models have a screw-down crown. If yours does, unscrew the crown until it springs free before you pull it out, then push it back in and screw it down firmly once you're done. This matters more than anything else in this guide: a crown left pulled out or loose is how water and dust get into the case.

Winding an Automatic or a Manual-Wind Watch

An automatic winds itself on your wrist. A manual-wind watch needs a moment of your attention each day.

Caring for Leather Straps

Leather straps need a little more care than steel. Don't wear one buckled too tightly, and keep it out of water unless the strap is made for it. Perfume, cosmetics and solvents can mark leather and can also damage the gaskets and finishes on the case, so let them dry before you put your watch on.

Everyday Care: Water, Heat, Scent and Magnets

Most wear and tear comes from habits, not accidents. Good care comes down to a few simple rules:

• Keep the crown fully pushed in or screwed down at all times.
• Avoid hot water, steam and sudden changes in temperature, so leave it off in a hot shower or a sauna.
• Rinse the watch in fresh water after any contact with salt water.
• Keep it away from magnets and strong magnetic fields.
• Take it off before heavy physical work or an intense workout.
• Clean it with a soft cloth, and store it somewhere cool and dry when you're not wearing it.

A word on water resistance. The figure engraved on the case back isn't a depth you can safely dive to, and it only holds while the crown is closed and the seals are sound. Check your model's rating before you swim, and ask us if you're unsure.

Batteries, Servicing and Warranty

Batteries last up to three years. A full service is due every three years. When a quartz watch like the Toccata 5925-STP-00300 stops, have the battery replaced promptly. A dead cell left in the case can damage the movement.

For mechanical and quartz watches alike, the recommended service interval is three years, with a seal check at least every two years, and every year if you swim or bathe with the watch on. Battery changes, servicing and repairs should go through an authorised retailer or an authorised service centre. Work by anyone the brand hasn't authorised can void the warranty.

Every Raymond Weil we sell comes with the full manufacturer's warranty. Keep the completed warranty card and your receipt together, because you'll need both for any warranty claim. The serial number, one letter followed by six digits, is engraved on the case back.

Frequently Asked Questions