How to store your Type E watch day to day
Storing your Type E watch well between wears plays almost as important a role as the maintenance itself. A few simple habits go a long way toward limiting wear and protecting the dial, that genuine, non-reproducible fragment of automotive bodywork.
A dry place, away from direct light
Store the watch somewhere dry, at a stable temperature, away from a window in direct sunlight or a heat source like a radiator. Humidity and repeated temperature changes put strain on the water resistance gaskets over time, and prolonged sun exposure can slightly alter the tone of the leather strap.
The case for a dedicated storage box
A dedicated case or box protects the watch from dust and from knocks against other objects, particularly if you store it alongside jewellery or other watches. It also prevents the micro-scratches that appear easily when several metal pieces rub against each other in the same drawer. If you have the Atelier Jalaper travel case, it works just as well for daily storage as it does on the road.
Do you need an automatic watch winder?
A watch winder isn't necessary for the AJ-003. With a power reserve of around 56 hours, the watch can sit unworn for several days before stopping, and restarting it manually takes only a moment via the crown. A winder is useful if you rotate between several automatic watches and prefer to always find them set correctly, but it's by no means necessary to protect the movement.
Avoiding contact with other objects
When you take the watch off, avoid placing it directly on a hard surface such as tile or glass, which can scratch it at the slightest slip. Avoid storing it in a pocket with keys or coins too, a common habit that quickly wears both the case and the strap.
The leather strap at rest
If the watch is going to sit unworn for several days, leave the leather strap slightly loose rather than fastened on itself, to prevent it from setting in a tight loop. Our strap cleaning guide also covers how to prepare it before a longer period of storage.
Storing several watches together
If you own several watches and store them in the same drawer or box, separate them with individual compartments rather than letting them touch. Metal against metal always ends up leaving micro-marks. In humid climates, a small silica gel sachet placed in the storage box helps limit ambient moisture, a simple detail that protects both the case and the leather strap over time.
Avoid resting the watch near a smartphone or wireless speaker too. These devices contain magnets that can, over time, subtly affect the movement's accuracy.
One last simple habit : avoid leaving the watch unworn for months without occasionally winding it. Even well stored, a watch left completely still for a long period can see its internal lubrication stiffen slightly. An occasional wind, even without wearing it, is enough to prevent this.
If you're heading away for several weeks without taking the watch, consider winding and setting it before storing it rather than coming back to find it stopped. That way you avoid having to go through the setting steps again on the first day back.
A simple routine to build
Take the watch off at the end of the day, give it a quick wipe, and store it in its case away from heat and dust. That routine takes a few seconds and makes a real difference over time. Paired with our general care precautions and regular case cleaning, it covers the essentials for keeping your Type E watch in excellent condition, year after year.