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| WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WATCHES | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Why you should buy your watch from reputable Jewelers and Watchmakers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Why can similar looking watches vary so much in price? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Case materials | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type of movement, accuracy and reliability What is the main difference between mechanical and quartz watches? Can extreme temperatures upset accuracy? What else determines accuracy? What is the life of a quartz watch battery? Can I wear my watch while playing sport? |
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| Service Where do I take my watch to be serviced or repaired? What happens during the overhaul or complete service? Do I need to take my quartz analogue watch to be serviced as often as a mechanical one? |
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| Types of glass Which watch crystal is best? |
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| Band materials | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Water resistancy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| What features make a watch water resistant? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Should I take water resistance for granted? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How is water resistance tested? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How permanent is water resistance? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Guarantee | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wearing time on our wrist is a very recent invention. Although the
wristwatch made a few appearances at the turn of the century, it wasn’t seriously
developed until the 1920s.Until then, most people considered it foolish to wear a watch
where it was so exposed to movement, shocks and the elements. The watch had only mechanical movements until the arrival of quartz technology in the early 1970s. But from the outset wristwatches, like their pocket watch predecessors, have not been confined to telling the time. They have also indicated the days, weeks, months and even the phases of the moon. The watch is so commonplace today that many people have a wardrobe of watches they can pick from, to match an outfit or suit an occasion. For daywear, watches are more likely to be simple and practical. For dressy evenings they become jewellery bracelets and the sports models are multi-functional and rugged. |
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| 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Why you should buy your watch from reputable Jewelers and
Watchmakers.
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| 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Features The old saying "you only get what you pay for" is very applicable in the watch and clock industry. Therefore, before buying a watch it is important to know the characteristics and advantages of each brand, as well as the benefits of the more expensive model. A basic knowledge of the features of the product will help you make your choice. These may include time, date, month, alarm, stopwatch, lap counters, memery recall, dual time zone, wourl time, duo display etc. Mechanical watches are usually associated with tradition, technical know-how, emotion and prestige. Analogue and digital quartz watches are usually associated with precision, reliability, price and compact case size. |
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| 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Why
can similar looking watches vary so much in price? Sometimes watches can look similar, but one is of superior construction (steel case vs chrome or brass etc) and some expensive brands may have a large promotional content. Your jeweler or watchmaker can usually advise on the best value for money watch. |
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| 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Case
materials The most common are: Chrome plated – used for economic reasons on less expensive watches. Gold plated – electroplated a few thousandths of a millimetre thick of pure gold over a base material or steel. Plastic – very popular for both sports and coloured fashion watches providing a light weight, durable, low cost alternative to metal cases. Stainless steel – a practical and durable material. When shaped into a water resistant case it provides maximum protection for the movement so that the watch achieves maximum longevity. Titanium is an alternative material, being very light, strong and completely non-allergenic. Check either the back of the case or the documents accompanying the watch for disclosure of metallic content. |
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| 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type
of movement, accuracy and reliability Regardless of the materials used in any watch, accuracy and reliability are the two most important elements to bear in mind when choosing a watch. What is the main difference between mechanical and quartz watches? Accuracy. The accuracy of mechanical watches is measured in so many seconds per day, but that of quartz watches is measured in so many seconds per month or per year. Quartz watches use quartz as the source of oscillation, instead of a mechanical balance wheel. The accurate signal generated is converted into a mechanical revolution by a step motor to turn the hands. Can extreme temperatures upset accuracy? Heat and cold can affect the precision of both mechanical and quartz watches. Oscillation of the quartz oscillator varies according to temperature and this does affect the accuracy of the quartz watch very slightly. But this change is very small compared to the effect of temperature on mechanical watches where the consistency of the lubricant influences accuracy. What else determines accuracy? Consistency is the key with mechanical watches. Accurate time telling can be enhanced by winding the watch at a certain time every day, wearing the watch for a certain period every day and the way a watch is left lying when it is not on the wrist. Quartz watches are pretty trouble free – temperature extremes are the only variable here. What is the life of a quartz watch battery? Watches are designed to use either silver oxide or lithium batteries. A silver oxide battery will last two-five years. Lithium batteries have a life of two-seven years depending on the use of the watch functions, for example, the light and alarm which use a much larger current than that which activates the watch itself. Can I wear my watch while playing sport? Modern mechanical watches are equipped with anti-shock devices that protect vulnerable parts, however, a really hard knock can cause harm. Quartz and Digital Watches are usually designed to be shock resistent, but care should be taken to avoid dropping or striking the watch on hard surfaces. |
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| 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service Where do I take my watch to be serviced or repaired? You can assured of professional service from a reputable jeweler or watchmaker. If you have special requirements, for example, regarding the water resistancy of your watch please discuss this with your jeweller or watchmaker before the service. Also check if your watch is still covered by its guarantee. What happens during the overhaul or complete service? The watch is dismantled and the case and bracelet are cleaned and polished. After the movement parts are cleaned by chemical means, a close inspection reveals if any parts need to be replaced. The movement is reassembled and lubricated and adjusted if appropriate. The watch’s water resistancy is also tested if appropriate. Do I need to take my quartz analogue watch to be serviced as often as a mechanical one? Quartz watches usually need less maintenance because they do not have as many moving parts. They generally need to be serviced when they stop or lose time and the battery is not the problem. |
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| 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Types
of glass A glass or watch crystal is the transparent cover that protects the watch face. It is made of either acrylic, "mineral" glass, or sapphire crystal. Some crystals are made of both mineral and sapphire glass, covered with a layer of synthetic sapphire. Which watch crystal is best? Acrylic is the cheaper option – it is break resistant, but scratches relatively easily. Mineral glass is more scratch resistant than acrylic but, because is a harder material it is more likely to shatter. The more expensive sapphire glass is the most scratch resistant and is second in hardness only to a diamond. |
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| 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Band
materials Genuine leather or synthetic, nylon, rubber or plastic, metal plated, stainless steel, Kevlar and polyurethane ... natural or man-made, the choice is endless. Thanks to new technology many materials offer improved durability and antiallergenic qualities, as well as the latest in fashion and colour. Band types can influence watch prices considerably. Leather and exotic skins can range from $10 to hundreds of dollars. Similarly metal bracelets can range from inexpensive base metals to precious metals, to specially-developed tungsten carbide or titanium. |
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| 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Water resistancy According to current valid standards, a wristwatch may be termed "water resistant" if it is able to withstand perspiration, water drops or rain. It is not suitable for swimming. Higher resistance values are usually indicated on the dial or case, for example, in the form of the test pressure in bar or in metres. |
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| 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| What
features make a watch water resistant? The watch’s most important property is the gaskets or O rings, made of rubber, nylon or Teflon, which form watertight seals at the joints where the crystal, case back and crown meet the watch case. Another factor to consider is the sturdiness of the case, which must withstand pressure without distorting. A steel or titanium case or a steel case plated with gold can be worn safely underwater. Gaskets are also lined with a sealant to keep water out. A screw-in case back is also preferable to one that is pushed in. |
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| 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Should
I take water resistance for granted? No. All water resistant watches should have their water resistance checked every time the battery is changed or the case is opened and the gaskets dislodged. That’s why it is important to take your watch to a repair centre with water resistance testing equipment. If you wear your watch often while swimming or expose it to a lot of sweat, it should be checked at least every two years. |
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| 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How is water resistance tested? Two methods are used – "dry" testing using air pressure measurements to see if the case expands as a result of air leaking into the case – if it doesn’t the watch is water resistant."Wet" testing – the watch is subjected to air pressure, then submerged in water. Emerging air bubbles will point to air seepage into the watch before it was submerged. |
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In time, the seals on your watch may deteriorate. We recommend that you have the water-resistance of your watch checked once a year by a watchmaker who will replace the seals if necessary. Jewellers and Watchmakers do not recommend using any watch whilst in the shower, spa or hot pool. |
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| 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How
permanent is water resistance? Any manipulation of the case or ageing of the sealing material may allow water to penetrate even cases with good water resistance. Gaskets can become corroded by chemicals or crystals loosened or broken. Hairsprays, perfume sprays and heavily chlorinated water can also cause damage. |
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| 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Guarantee Your guarantee covers defects in material and workmanship for a certain period from the date of purchase. When purchasing your watch make sure the conditions of the guarantee are explained and the appropriate form is filled in by the vendor. Well-known brands often come with an international guarantee. Keep your guarantee in a safe place. |
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