Let’s Prepare Your Watch for Autumn

September always has a certain feeling in Zürich. The evenings get cooler, the light shifts, and you can sense the city slowing down after the high energy of summer. For me, it’s the moment I naturally take stock—not just of life and work, but also of my watches.

This year was no different. My daily sports watch had been through it all: long summer days, rooftop dinners, and even a few sudden rain showers. As I looked down at it last week, I noticed the subtle signs of the season—tiny salt marks around the bracelet links, a faint film from sunscreen, some buildup on the caseback and the way the finish just didn’t catch the light as it once did.

That’s when I knew: it was time for an autumn watch cleaning routine.

What Summer Leaves Behind

Summer is wonderful, but it isn’t always kind to watches. If you look closely, you might see the same things I did:

➪Salt residue tucked into bracelet links and case crevice

➪Sunscreen buildup around the crown and pushers 

➪Dulled finishes from sun and daily wear  

➪Moisture marks on the crysta

➪Dried or faded leather straps from heat exposure

These are common after a season of wear, but the good news is this: most issues are easily fixed with the right watch cleaner and some consistent care.

 

My Autumn Watch Cleaning Ritual

For me, watch care is never about rushing through steps. It’s about creating a ritual—a small moment of attention that brings both the watch and myself into a new season.

Here’s my personal watch cleaning routine:

✨ Deep Clean with the ChronoPen
This Swiss-made watch cleaner uses a fine brush and safe formula to remove every trace of salt, sunscreen, and daily wear without risk to your case or bracelet.

✨ Detail Attention
The crown, pushers, and engraved areas are where summer hides. A good watch cleaning kit makes it easy to restore precision and shine.

✨ Strap Care with the ChronoLeatherPen
Leather straps need gentle conditioning after summer heat and sweat. The ChronoLeatherPen is designed specifically to clean and nourish straps without drying them out.

✨ Polish with the ChronoCloth
That final step transforms the whole watch—restoring a boutique-level finish that feels like a reset for both watch and wearer.

By the end, my watch felt refreshed, ready for autumn mornings instead of lingering in summer wear.

 

Why Proper Storage Matters in Autumn

Cleaning is only part of seasonal maintenance. Autumn brings cooler nights, higher humidity, and more time indoors. This makes watch storage especially important.

Our ChronoSphere provides the perfect environment: protection from humidity and temperature swings, plus a design that’s display-worthy. Made with sustainable Tide Ocean® and Chamel Recycled® materials, it reflects the care we put into every detail at AIS Collective.

Seasonal Watch Care as a Ritual

At AIS Collective, we believe watch cleaning should feel like a ritual, not a chore. Seasonal transitions—like moving from summer into autumn—are the perfect reminder to pause, reset, and care for the pieces that accompany us through every season.

So as summer fades, take a moment for your watch. Clean away the traces of warm-weather adventures with a safe watch cleaner, refresh your straps, and store it carefully. The result isn’t just a timepiece that lasts longer—it’s a rhythm of care that makes ownership more meaningful.

Here’s to crisp Zürich evenings, polished watches, and the small rituals that keep them shining.

With care from Zürich,
Ivan