Pocket grit is the universal enemy of small things. It's the reason my old zippo lighter gets stuck and why my key fob buttons feel crunchy. That stuff is more destructive than a toddler with a screwdriver. I've started treating my pockets like a crime scene, checking for evidence before anything goes in.
Ever feel like your pockets are just sand reservoirs? I once pulled out what looked like a whole beach from mine after a hike, tiny gravel and all. That mysterious grit gets everywhere, like inside my old film camera's advance lever. I'm shocked it still works, honestly. My lesson was learned after finding pocket stuff stuck to some watch gears, you totally have the right idea.