One of the best things about owning an automatic watch is how little it asks of you. No battery swaps, no winding ritual, no app to update. But a little basic knowledge goes a long way toward keeping your watch running beautifully for years — and in some cases, generations.
Wear It
Automatic movements are powered by the motion of your wrist. As you go about your day, a rotor inside the watch spins and winds the mainspring — the coiled spring that stores energy and drives the movement. The short version: wearing your ORA watch is the best thing you can do for it. Most automatic movements, including the Seiko NH05 used in our collection, have a power reserve of around 40–50 hours, meaning the watch will keep running for up to two days after you take it off.
What to Do When You Haven't Worn It in a While
If your watch has been sitting unworn for more than a couple of days, it may have stopped. That's completely normal. To restart it, give the watch a gentle shake or wear it for a few hours — the rotor will do the rest. You don't need to wind the crown unless you want to set it going immediately; in that case, unscrew the crown (if applicable), turn it gently clockwise 20–30 times to build up the power reserve, then set the time and push it back in.
Water Resistance: What You Can and Can't Do
ORA watches are water resistant, but it's worth understanding what that actually means in practice. Water resistance is rated by pressure, not activity:
- Everyday splashes and handwashing — no problem at all.
- Rain, sweat, a quick dip in the pool — fine, within rated limits.
- Diving or high-pressure water jets — not recommended unless your specific model is rated for it. Check your model's specs page for the exact rating.
One important note: water resistance degrades over time as gaskets age. If your watch has seen a lot of water exposure over several years, it's worth having it pressure-tested by a watchmaker when it's next serviced.
Cleaning Your Watch
For routine cleaning, a soft toothbrush and warm (not hot) soapy water works well for the bracelet and case — metal accumulates grime in the links and lugs over time. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. For the crystal, a microfiber cloth is all you need; avoid anything abrasive. If you notice scratches on the case or bracelet after regular wear, a watchmaker can polish them out, though many owners prefer to leave them — a worn-in watch tells a story.
Storage
When you're not wearing your watch, keep it somewhere it won't roll around or get scratched — the box it came in works great. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV exposure can affect certain dial colours over time. Strong magnets (like those in some phone cases or speaker equipment) can temporarily affect movement accuracy; if your watch starts running fast or slow after being near a magnet, a watchmaker can demagnetize it quickly and inexpensively.
Servicing
Mechanical watches benefit from periodic servicing — cleaning, oiling, and inspecting the movement — roughly every 5–7 years under normal use. You'll know it might be time if the watch starts losing or gaining more than a minute or two per day, or if it stops more frequently than expected. Any reputable local watchmaker can service a Seiko NH05 movement; parts are widely available and the calibre is well-documented, which keeps service costs reasonable compared to proprietary luxury movements.
The Exhibition Case Back
All ORA watches feature an exhibition case back — a clear sapphire window on the reverse of the watch that lets you see the movement in action. It's one of our favourite details. If you've never taken a close look, flip your watch over the next time you put it on: you'll see the rotor swinging as the watch moves, and the regulated rhythm of the escapement ticking away. It's a reminder that what's inside is a genuine mechanical instrument, not a battery-powered display.
The Basics, Summarised
- Wear it regularly — motion keeps it wound.
- If it's stopped, a gentle shake or 20–30 crown winds will restart it.
- Handwashing and rain are fine; avoid submersion unless your model is rated for it.
- Clean the bracelet periodically with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Service every 5–7 years for lasting performance.
If you have any questions about your ORA watch specifically — movement behaviour, water rating, or anything else — feel free to reach out at itsora.co@gmail.com. We're happy to help.
New to ORA? Browse the full collection, or read our beginner's guide to Seiko mods to start from the beginning.
