90 Seconds to Watch Brilliance

Summer in Zurich is unbeatable. Even on packed workdays, I find ways to soak it in—whether it’s hopping on my gravel bike to a meeting, catching up with colleagues over lunch by the lake, wrapping up emails outdoors on  a café terrace and of course lots of swims in the lake and at the local pool to cool down.

But spending so much time outdoors does come at a cost, especially for the watches I wear daily. Between sunscreen smudges, daily sweat and dust from the occasional sprint to catch a tram, my timepiece collects plenty of marks and dirt. Nevermind the residue from the swims in the lake and the pools. 

Still, I want it looking sharp, always. That’s why I keep a simple habit in my pocket—literally.

Finding my 90 seconds

I might be biased, but most days and certainly on trips, I carry one of our ChronoPen and ChronoCloth in my bag or backpack. It means I can fit a quick watch clean into whatever life throws at me. Around the cold season I also wear more watches on leather straps, hence, then I’ll also carry a ChronoLeatherPen, to keep my straps fresh. 

This also means that I can constantly reset my watches and straps to ‘factory level cleanliness’ which gives me, personally, a lot of joy to see whenever I glance at my wrist. I have always been a bit of a clean freak, preferring to have ironed shirts, clean shoes (preferably a white pair of sneakers) and of course a clean timepiece. And as the watch is my only jewellery item, I take extra pride in keeping it looking at its best. 

Cleaning my watches and straps is one of those small rituals that makes me feel put-together again—like smoothing down your collar or straightening your shirt. And in under two minutes, my watch is gleaming, ready for wherever I head next.

Why it matters, even if you’re not traveling

Most people think about protecting their watch only on vacation. But honestly, I’ve found daily life is just as tough on them—especially in summer. Corrosion and all the additional wear and tear through the added substances of salt water, chlorine, sun creams and perfume all add to the mix. A quick clean keeps all of that from building up, preserving the watch’s finish and feel.

Plus, there’s just something satisfying about seeing your watch catch the light again. It’s a small confidence and happiness boost, like a freshly polished pair of shoes or a fresh haircut.

So here’s to sunny city afternoons, impromptu terrace dinners, and never missing a moment (or a minute) because your watch is ready for it all.

Clean and go.

With care from Zürich,

Said