Soap or dishwashing liquid and manufacturers' advice

Watch manufacturers often advise cleaning your watch with soap and water. However, this is precisely not advisable. Soap often contains ingredients such as glycerin, sodium hydroxide (lye), fats, and oils. These can accumulate in the small crevices of your watch and over time form a sticky layer. This layer eventually spreads to larger surfaces, which can make your watch appear dull.

Additionally, soap can be harmful to your watch's waterproof gaskets, as it can dry them out. Soap is simply made for other applications, such as cleaning skin or dishes – not for luxury watches.

Why then do manufacturers still recommend soap? Simple: they usually do not make recommendations for specific maintenance products and prefer to keep the instructions general. "Soap and water" sounds easy and safe, but it is not the best choice for the long-term health and appearance of your watch.