You’ve completed your research. You’ve finished your comparisons. You’ve finally made your purchase. Your next challenge will be to properly maintain and care for your wooden watch.

Many of us younger folk scoff at the notion of wearing a watch. Why wear one when we have our smartphones to tell us the time? Besides, aren’t they so 1990s? Perhaps. But, in addition to the technological updates to the centuries-old device, it has also been given a physical transformation. Forget leather. Ditch the velcro. Stop with the resin already. How about some good old-fashioned wood?

That’s right. Wooden watches have become the latest trend in today’s fashion landscape. They combine the old with the new, and they give a 21st century update to a 20th century design. The hardest part of owning one is properly caring for the item – and that’s where we come in.

Here are five maintenance tips for your wooden watch:

1. Replace the Battery Every Two Years

Have you noticed that the typical battery in your normal watch doesn’t last very long?

With a wooden watch battery, you will only need to replace it every two years. Depending on the make, you may need to switch the battery after about 12 months. That’s still better than now.

2. Avoid the Extreme Temperatures

Wooden watches are fragile in extreme temperatures.

Whether it is extremely hot (40 degrees Celsius) or extremely cold (-40 degrees Celsius), you need to keep your wooden watch out of these types of weather conditions, otherwise the material could splinter, dry out or become brittle.

Also, if the wooden watch is exposed to these temperatures, then the movement of the watch could slow down, which means you’ll be too early or too late to an appointment. Of course, depending on the situation, that may not be such a bad thing!

3. Do Not Submerge Your Watch in Water

It is true that wooden watches are capable of withstanding water. But you still need to apply some common sense. You can’t dive into a swimming pool with your wooden watch. You can’t go scuba diving with it on. You won’t be able to take a shower wearing the watch.

On the other hand, for instance, you could do the dishes with the wooden watch wrapped around your wrist. That’s about it, if you wish to be on the safe side.

4. Properly Store Your Watch When Not in Use

Want to know the secret to expanding the lifespan of your wooden watch? It’s simple: storage.

During those moments or days you are not sporting your wooden watch, you need to properly and correctly store your device. This can be achieved by placing the watch in a pouch or a watch box, either in your bag or in your dresser.

By doing this, you know your wooden watch will last a long period of time.

5. Eliminate Dirt and Dust

The wood is susceptible to dirt and dust. Therefore, you need to keep the wooden watch clean and free from these kinds of conditions. That is, if you want to wear for years to come.

Debris can seep into the crevices, dirt can accumulate in the gaps, water can get inside the watch itself. But all of this can be avoided if you clean it on a regular basis with a cotton swab, a cloth and regular attention.

Once you incorporate this into your routine, then it will remain in good condition.

After all of your due diligence, comparisons, research and physical inspections and investigations, you don’t want it to go to waste. So, unlike your previous watches, be sure that you pay a little more attention to your wooden watch moving forward. You won’t be sorry that you did!