# Help get rid of the stink under my watch! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846 "2001-06-14T21:22:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/1 "2001-06-14T21:22:24Z")
First, let me say that I am _not_ a stinky person by nature. I guess I’m just blessed that way or something. :rolleyes: 😉 Ok, so here’s my predicament: Near the end of a typical workday, I can occasionally catch a whiff of a…strange odor, emanating from my left wrist area. Upon closer inspection, (moving my watch down a bit and sniffing) I discover the odor is coming from under my watch. Now, because of my job, I wash my hands/wrists (including watch) with antimicrobial soap appoximately 25 times a day. I also use an antiseptic gel on my hands/wrists about 5 times a day. So, it’s not because it’s dirty under there. Also, I could understand a cheap, imitation leather or platic band collecting bacteria and smelling, but this is a stainless steel Swiss Army watch. I don’t believe there are any places for bacteria to hide in there. So, what do I do? Should I use deodorant on my wrist?! Stop wearing a watch? Cut my wrists off? Oh wait, perhaps I’m getting a bit melodramatic here. Can ya help me? ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/2 "2001-06-14T22:06:47Z")
Alas… watch stink. The bane of many a good man. You have to admit though, its a fasinating smell… very compelling. You find yourself sniffing it over and over again. However, at the same time it would be a horrible thing to smell someone ELSES watch stank wrist. Don’t fight the stink man, revel in the stink. Thats the price of watches and summer days. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/3 "2001-06-14T22:14:35Z")
The smell is likely occurring because the base metal bezel back of the watch is sealing itself against your skin and the sweat and bacteria is building up there. Unless the soap and water you use can get up under the skin-metal seal there isn’t much cleaning going on there. Some things to do. Assuming your Swiss army watch is water resistant with a SS band wash the watch with a mild soap and water solution. If it’s rated to be _under_ water resistant you may just let it soak in some room temperature (NOT WARM OR HOT!) water for a few minutes then dry it off and spray it down with rubbing alcohol. If possible expand the band by adding some links back into the band/or adjusting the latch so it hangs more loosely and air can occasionally get between your skin and metal back. Swap watches with a different watch every other day to let the SA watch surfaces air out a little bit between wearings. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/4 "2001-06-14T22:17:19Z")
**Demo** I used to have this problem when I worked in the food industry. What I found works is to do some dishes at home, and wash your watch like a dish, using _really_ hot water. I didn’t have one of the leather bands so I could get away with it, but it did pretty much kill the stink. Also, try going a day or two without your watch to “air out” your wrist and watch band. . . Sometimes some ice cream would get under there and wooo! :eek: Tripler Just about anything will work. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/5 "2001-06-14T22:19:10Z")
Damn keyboard. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/6 "2001-06-14T22:30:20Z")
How about wearing a wrist sweatband under the watchstrap. Change regular and often. ---
**Author:** ![Apricot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Apricot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apricot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/7 "2001-06-14T22:33:25Z")
I think its probably fungus. Maybe you should try to wash your wrist less often. The moisture may be getting trapped under the band and creating the perfect place for some friends to take up residence. With that as my theory, I’ve got a few suggestions: Anti-fungal creams: try the nail ones, or the athlete’s foot ones Try some moisture absorbing powders, like Dr. Scholl’s Foot powder, or Gold-Bond. Try putting some clear nail polish on the underside of the band and watch back. The metal may be irritating your skin, and facillitaing breakdown. (TMI dept: I sometimes have problems with my navel piercing…it can be a real sexy) Jane ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/8 "2001-06-15T03:20:38Z")
I’m with the crowd that says, get another watch, alternate days. Two days on, one day off, one day on, two days off, etc… That’s what I would do, that or stop wearing a watch. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/9 "2001-06-15T03:38:04Z")
ahh, I went 10 years as watch free. Although I did it so I wouldn’t have that durn tan line. Basically I just stopped caring if I was late, worrying wouldn’t get me there quicker. Plus I usualy left much earlier then I needed too. As for you, you could get a pocket watch. Learn to swtich it back and forth between right and left. Keep it in your pocket most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/10 "2001-06-15T06:47:30Z")
I get a weird smell under my wedding ring sometimes… and the skin there is white and looks bloated. Ew. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/11 "2001-06-15T06:54:53Z")
Uh … I’m getting a picture here of folks washing with their watches _on_ – ?? That’s weird, to me, if so. IMHO. I just don’t wear my watch all the time now. When I used to (except when I slept or washed), my wrist used to turn to green streaks. Not anymore. ---
**Author:** ![eirroc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f1d935/32.png) [@eirroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eirroc)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/12 "2001-06-15T06:57:07Z")
I’m with **Apricot** my first thought was with you washing so often, the watch is not getting a chance to dry out. I would make sure it’s completely dry and try some of the anti fungul creams. **Opal** it’s funny how that happens to some people and not others, my SO has the same problem and he has to wash and apply cream to it sometimes. Thing is he also suffers badly from athlete’s foot and he’s the most regimented person I know about keeping his feet clean and making sure his toes are completely dry in between. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/13 "2001-06-15T07:20:01Z")
I’m wondering if this barbeque in August is such a good idea – will **Demo** ’s watch stink drip into the meat and poison us all? BADs, beware! ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/14 "2001-06-15T07:46:11Z")
Two words: Pocket Watch. No stink, no one asking you “what time is it?”, and you look cool. After all, they install that little pocket in your jeans for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/15 "2001-06-15T13:13:29Z")
If your watch is waterPROOF, then a good scrubbing of the inside of the bracelet and back of the watch with a toothbrush and baking soda, while taking a shower, works wonders. Just make sure you rinse it thoroughly. How about switching wrists every day. Day 1, left wrist. Day 2, right wrist. Day 3, left wrist. etc. Maybe try an anti-fungal foot spray, or jock-itch spray. Or powder, or spray-on powder. \ son \ “Dad, ever have those days when your wrist just doesn’t smell… well… fresh?” dad \ “Oh yes, son. I know just what you mean. When I have ‘those days’, I use new and improved Frell!” \ \ voice of announcer “Men… when ‘funky forearm’ is a problem, try new and improved Frell! Now with menthol!” \ ---
**Author:** ![frobozz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed8c4c/32.png) [@frobozz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frobozz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/16 "2001-06-15T13:28:03Z")
I haven’t worn a watch in 10+ years, but when I used to, I got watch-stink as well. I was able to sovle the problem simply by loosening the band one notch so it was not hald as tight against the skin. If the next notch out is too loose for your liking you might try making a new notch with a leather punch. ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/17 "2001-06-15T13:37:47Z")
Asked Hubby about this, hes a Jeweller. Even the cleanest of people will experience the dreaded Watch Lurgi. The reason is, you have something wrapped quite tightly around your wrist, this will rub slightly, and dead skin will be removed along with bacteria. Also having something wrapped tightly around a part of your anatomy for any length of time can cause you to sweat un-noticed. With a metal link braclet, the skin and gung gets trapped between the links, so an normal hand wash wont help. (Leather straps should just be replaced when they pong) 2 solutions… DIY Get some warm water and a little washing up liquid and scrub away carefully with an old toothbush. Or Let the professionals do it, take your watch to a good jewellers and get them to stick in in the ultrasonic bath, which literally shakes the much out with the help of a clensing agent. - Better make sure your watch is waterproof!!! ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/18 "2001-06-15T14:57:42Z")
I just wanted to thank everyone who replied. Tonight I’m going to give my watch a thorough scrubbing and see if that helps. Wearing my watch on the other arm just isn’t an option. That would be like wearing your underwear backwards! If the scrubbing doesn’t help, I will just have to reduce the time I wear this watch. Anyway, that would give me a good reason to go watch shopping! Snoop: Don’t worry, I won’t get watch-stank in the burgers, I promise. 😉 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jjsimard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed655f/32.png) [@jjsimard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjsimard)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/19 "2016-05-30T15:05:57Z")
The best way I’ve found so far to get rid of my nylon wristwatch band smelling bad is : cover the band with toothpaste all the way, let it work for some 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly your watch under running water. You will have a watch with fresh breath, that’s no joke 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846/20 "2016-05-31T11:09:08Z")
I think the OP’s rotting flesh overwhelms any smells that emanate from the watch at this point, you know, with him being a zombie and all. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-get-rid-of-the-stink-under-my-watch/68846.md?page=2)