+1 to this - I wear my watch for sport and it gets covered in sweat and grime, so I just wear it in the shower to clean it off.I wear mine in the shower after climbing, as it gets covered in very fine chalk dust. Always comes out sparkly clean.
I thought all "swim mode" did was just basically stop the screen from reacting to finger presses or getting confused by water etc on the screen and the screen reacting. It doesnt waterproof the watch as such, the watch is waterproof whether you turn "swim mode" on or not. You could easily go swimming, have it on in the shower etc with swim mode not activated and it would be fine other than the screen might think its been pressed and open something.Should be fine, but use it sparingly. I'd put it in "swim mode" just to be safe. I've cleaned mine with a soft bristle brush and some dish soap before when it's gotten really dirty. I worked the soap into the brush first until it suds up. No issues.
Probably the best overall practice to follow. I’ve never done the shower thing either. But lukewarm running water with Tiny bit of soap has always worked well, especially if the crown is starting to feel a little sticky when rotating.All the years I've worn an Apple Watch - I just rub it down with my fingers under the faucet. Sometimes I use my fingernail to get anything around the sensor underneath. If it's really dirty, I'll use a very light application of bar soap under running water, then dry it off on a towel. Never had any problems. And yes, they can survive showers but I've never done it myself.
You wash your leather band with warm water and soap? I was worried the soap and water would tear up the finish on my leather bands? I have the Umber color, wonder if it would mess it up compared to a black leather band?About once a month I will rinse mine under luke warm water with a soft bristle toothbrush with a tiny bit of dishwashing soap. Been doing this to every AW I have owned and never had any problems. I use the leather link band and it comes out like new. I have use the black leather link band on my last two watches and it still look like new. I bought a spare but it looks the same as the three year old band.
You wash your leather band with warm water and soap? I was worried the soap and water would tear up the finish on my leather bands? I have the Umber color, wonder if it would mess it up compared to a black leather band?