Care Instructions for Bausele Watches & Straps

General Care Instructions for your Bausele Watch

1.Check water resistance rating as per table below & only use according to its water resistance rating. 

Water Resistance Level

Bausele Watches with this ATM

Suitability

Recommendations

Water resistant 50m (5 ATM)

Vintage 2.0

Chrono S models 

Pilot Automatic

Suitable for washing hands and light splashes.

Not suitable for swimming or diving

Water resistant 100m (10 ATM)

Airfield models 

Fokker 

Suitable for recreational surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and water sports.

Not suitable for diving

Water resistant 200m (20 ATM)

Aviator models

Oceanmoon III, IV & V 

Suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports. Not all water activities. Ensure the crown is screwed down completely before use. 

Suitable for diving


2.Its important to always screw down the watch crowns completely before swimming otherwise water can get inside and damage the watch! 

Suspect there's Water Damage inside your watch?

Here are some signs your watch may be water damaged:

1.Condensation - Condensation on a hot day is normal due to a temperature change, however if it forms droplets inside and lingers it is a worry. 

2.Broken Seal - Ensure to screw down the crown completely to the case to ensure water resistance for waterproof watches 200m. 

3.Damaged Watch Glass - a scratch (even a small crack) can allow water to seep through and damage the watch inside. 

4.Battery corroded - Battery corrosion can happen when the battery terminals aren’t adequately insulated from water or because they're not in contact with a conductive material. Another reason why you should never open up the back cover of your watch yourself and always let a professional check its condition.

5.Sweat - Only wear a watch in the shower or working out if it is water resistant above 200m. 

6.Accidents - take to a professional watch servicer as soon as possible before it rusts, within 2-3 days. 

 If your watch is water damaged, some important steps to follow:

1.DO NOT: press any buttons, heat up your watch, shake or spin your watch. 

2.Visit a professional watchmaker within 2-3 days for service before the damage is beyond repair. The watchmaker will separate the movement straight away, disassemble everything and dry all the hundred components individually. These parts will be put into a cleaning machine to remove oils and rust. 

PLEASE DON’T TRY REPAIR YOUR WATCH YOURSELF, allow a professional. It might cause irreversible damage!

3.Check the glass your watch is made with, know the durability level & treat accordingly. See table below.

Type of glass/crystal

Bausele Watches with this glass 

Properties

Recommendations

Sapphire Glass

Aviator models

Oceanmoon I, II and IV 

Airfield models 

Vintage 2.0 

Fokker

Anti reflective, extremely strong and scratch resistant. It has a much lower chance of breaking. 

Storage of the watch in its original case (when not wearing), will contribute to the longevity of the timepiece in general. 

Nano-ceramic glass

Oceanmoon III

Scratch-resistant, NANOCERAMTM glass is 
30 percent more shatter-proof than standard timepiece sapphire glass. 
Storage of the watch in its original case (when not wearing), will contribute to the longevity of the timepiece in general. 


4.Do not force anything! If unsure how to use please see our instruction manuals and tutorial videos. Click here to access.

5.Its recommended to take your watch off during the shower (even if water resistant) as the pressure and high temperature of the water can impact the watch. Keep watch away from any humid conditions. 

6.Be careful of Magnetization. A watch can become magnetized when it comes into range with levels of a magnetic field. Magnetic fields can be found in everyday items eg. speakers, magnetic bracelet, radio waves, microwaves or X-rays (metal objects/devices). The most common effect of a magnetic field on a watch is to cause it to run fast. The magnetic field can actually cause the individual coils inside a watch to stick together, therefore shortening the spring and causing the watch to 'speed up.' Most of the time it will be quite dramatic change, to where the watch could be minutes fast in a day rather than seconds. If you suspect your watch may be magnetized contact us and we can have our expert watchmaker to de-magentize it. 

Preventative Care and Maintenance 

1.A long-lasting watch is a watch that never fails to get wound. If you have an automatic watch, you should keep in mind that wearing it every day is the best way to wind it. Remember that wearing is caring. Your automatic watch needs more time on your wrist than storing it inside a box.

But what if you forget to wear it and it stops? The best thing to do is to wind it carefully by yourself. See instructions here for more help. The Aviator, Oceanmoon IV, Airfield and Fokker are all automatic models. 

2.For maintenance, a professional service is recommended every 5-7 years. We have after-sales service care with Max Schweizer, who is very experienced in the watch service industry & knows our Bausele watches well. We also have servicing partners overseas (in the US, the UK and Switzerland), contact us for more information. Please note accidental damage caused by the customer/external servicer is not covered under warranty. All watches have a 2 year warranty. Learn more about warranty activation here

3.Storage: Store your watch in a cool, clean, dry place away from sunlight and sources of UV to avoid degenerative damage and/or discolouration. Stationary sapphire crystal surfaces can potentially intensify sunlight/heat which may adversely affect the oils within a movement.

4.HOW TO CLEAN THE WATCH ITSELF

With a non water-resistant wristwatch (50 -100 ATM), gently clean the bracelet and casing with a soft brush, then polish with a soft, lint-free cloth. Keep watches that are not water-resistant dry to prevent rust.

For water-resistant wristwatches (200 ATM), use a mixture of warm water and a very small amount of mild soap to clean the casing. Use a soft cloth to clean leather straps; do not use water on the strap, it may cause the leather to crack.

For further information on Product Care and Watch Servicing see typical "Qs and As" at the bottom of this page. 

How to clean your watch straps

It is recommended to clean all straps at least once a week, more frequently in summer months/humid environments due to increased sweat. 

1.RUBBER/FABRIC STRAP CLEANING

  • Add a few drops of dish soap into a bowl of warm water. Dip the cloth in the soapy water and use it to wipe down your watch band. If that doesn't totally clean it, remove the band from your watch, put it in the water and submerge it for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
  • Remove the band from the soapy water and lay it on the cloth. Use the toothbrush to scrub the band, using a soft, circular scrubbing motion. Your watch band has been good to you, so no need to punish it with overly-aggressive scrubbing.
  • Address any stubborn spots or stains with a little bit of baking soda. Sprinkle it on your band or toothbrush and give the affected areas another once over with the brush. Note: Don't use harsh abrasives or scouring pads on your band. It's overkill and can damage the material.
  • Rinse off any remaining soap and/or baking soda and dry your band with a cotton or microfiber cloth. Make sure your band is completely dry before wearing it again, or you might invite odours onto your strap
To reduce a smell occurring:
  • More frequent cleanings
  • Less time submerged underwater
  • Taking your watch off periodically to let your skin "breathe."
2. LEATHER STRAP CLEANING
Leather is a unique material that requires special care for cleaning it. Leather absorbs the sweat and dirt that come with regular wear and can be sensitive to liquids. The material is also sensitive to other elements, such as direct sunlight or heat, which can cause cracking.


a)Remove the strap from the watch before cleaning it. This helps protect the watch case and dial.

b)Wipe the leather with a dry cloth
Before getting any liquids involved, wipe down the strap with a dry cloth. This gently removes any grainy dirt or debris that has collected on the strap that could potentially scratch the surface of the leather during more intensive cleaning. Choose a soft cloth – microfiber or jewelry polishing cloth are your best bets.

c)Wash the leather with soap 
The next step is to clean the strap more thoroughly with soap. A gentle soap is best, as stripping formulas found in harsher soaps can dry out the leather. Dampen a separate microfiber or jewelry cloth and apply a small amount of the soap to it. The cloth should be damp, but not sopping wet, to avoid causing water damage to the leather. Gently rub the inside and outside of the leather band with the damp cloth, using small circular motions across the material.

d)Remove soap residue.
After cleaning the strap, rinse the cloth under running water until all of the soap is gone. Squeeze out any excess water from the cloth. Then lightly wipe the leather strap with the clean damp cloth to remove all soap residue from the band.

e)Let band dry 
Once the soap is removed, let the strap air-dry. Do not put the strap in direct sunlight or use a hair dryer to dry the strap.

f)Use leather conditioner
Once the strap has dried, apply the number of drops of leather conditioner specified on the package to a clean cloth. Always do a patch test first! Gently rub the leather strap with the cloth and let it dry. Be sure the conditioner you use is for jewellery, watches, clothing or accessories: leather conditioner for furniture and industrial items will likely be too harsh for contact with your skin.

3.RECYCLED PLASTIC STRAP CLEANING

All our recycled plastic straps are made from polyester and can be washed and cleaned like any standard polyester textile. But since watch straps have pin and stitching holes you have to be extra careful not to drop them into a direct stream of water or a bath. We recommend rubbing the straps with a damp towel. If water goes into the strap construction, the glue and microfiber material can get wet and become difficult to dry.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a history of skin conditions/ sensitivities like eczema, recycled plastic straps MAY irritate very sensitive skin. Wearing straps wet (after being in the ocean etc.) will worsen friction OR the likelihood of having a reaction. 

Approved cleaning materials/methods for recycled plastic straps:

  • Alcohol-based disinfectants / surgical spirit can be used without damaging the textile or changing the colour. Concentration should be between 70–85%. 
  • Household bleach and chlorine based cleaners can be used without damaging the textile. Concentration should be 1000 – 1200 ppm. Ready-to-use sanitizers, spray or wipes  can also be used. It is recommended to rinse with clean water after disinfection. 
  • Bleach disinfectants can be used without damaging the  textiles. Use a 5% bleach concentration, mix 1 part bleach to 10 times water. It is recommended to rinse with clean  water after disinfection. 
  • Steam can be used for disinfecting however be aware that  textiles must be exposed to steam for minimum 2 min. Water based glue might therefore be dissolved. 
  • Upholstery textiles made of polyester can be washed in temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius. Be aware of increased shrinkage. 
  • Warning – do not rub the material hard because this could result in loss of colour or potentially damage the surface. 
  • Be careful when using solvents; these could dissolve the padding beneath. Never use concentrated detergents or bleach, ammonia or soap intended for hard surfaces.
Please note straps are not covered under warranty, as they experience wear & tear from general use. The above care instructions can prolong their life.