FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
• Shocks. Although some watches are tested for impact resistance, you should still avoid violent shocks to your watch. Apart from damaging its appearance, this can cause premature wear in materials and components, which may affect the performance of the watch.
• Magnetic fields. Avoid leaving your watch close to equipment that can produce strong magnetic fields such as speakers, refrigerators, mobile phones, or magnets on bags or boxes, etc. as these may affect the performance of your watch. We also recommend that you remove your watch when you go through the body scanner at the airport.
To determine whether your mechanical watch is magnetised, place it near a traditional compass (not an electronical one) and see if the needle starts to move around. If it does, your watch is magnetized. In such cases we recommend you take it to Watchworks, where they will put your watch on a special device to restore it to working condition.
On a quartz watch, the effects are temporary: the watch stops when in contact with the magnetic field, continuing again when away from the field. But effects on an automatic watch are more damaging: the watch could stop altogether or have timekeeping difficulties until it is expertly repaired. Try and keep your watch at least 5cm away from magnetic devices.
| Object | Watch touching object | Watch more than 5cm from object |
|---|---|---|
Television | 40 Gauss | 4 Gauss |
Mobile phone | 85 Gauss | 4 Gauss |
Portable radio | 120 Gauss | 10 Gauss |
Magnetic handbag clasp | 120 Gauss | 4 Gauss |
Magnetic Refrigerator door | 850 Gauss | 100 Gauss |
Key: No disturbance, Possible disturbance
• Extreme temperatures. In cold conditions keep your watch on your wrist so that it remains close to your body temperature. Avoid exposing your watch to extreme temperatures (above 60℃/140℉, below 0’C/32’F) or to sudden temperature changes. A sharp change in temperature can cause condensation under the crystal of your watch. This will disappear shortly and does not affect your watch’s performance. If the condensation persists, please bring it to the nearest authorized service center.
• Strong sunshine. We recommend avoiding direct exposure to the sun’s rays because the temperature of the watch can rise above 60’C, risking damage to the movement. Prolonged UV exposure can also alter the colours of some parts (leather strap, dial).
• Chemical products. Contact with chemical products (solvents, detergents, cosmetics, etc.) may damage the external part of the watch as well as the water-resistance gaskets.
• Sand. Sand includes small minerals and can scratch the anti-reflective coating on a sapphire crystal, or the steel case/bracelet.
• Water. If you’re going to be in humid or wet conditions:
○ Check that the crown is fully pushed in (and screwed down, depending on the model) against the case.
○ Ensure that your watch is water-resistant, and has passed a water-resistance check during the last 12 months at one of our Service Centres.
○ If you have leather strap, we recommend that you prevent it from coming in contact with water, which can discolour or deform leather.
○ After exposure to salt water, rinse the watch carefully in fresh water then dry it.
It’s a good idea to clean your watch every 2 to 3 months to maintain its appearance and keep it in good working order:
If it is water-resistant, make sure the crown is fully pushed in (and screwed down, depending on the model) against the case, and the seals have been changed or tested at Watchworks within the last 12 months. Only then is it safe to wash in slightly soapy water, using a soft brush. Rinse and dry with a dry soft cloth.
If you have any doubts about the water-resistance of your watch, simply clean it with a soft brush.
Straps in fabric, leather and alligator or python should not come into contact with water. Remember, leather is a natural, living material and its colour will fade a little over time.
After each exposure to salt water, rinse the watch carefully in fresh water then dry it with a dry soft cloth.
How should I care for my watch when I’m not wearing it?
If you do not regularly wear your automatic watch, we recommend either winding the mainspring manually using the crown unscrewed or in neutral position of purchasing an automatic watch winder. This will ensure that the lubricating oil in the movement remains fluid. As with every micro-mechanism that operates continuously, an automatic watch movement requires regular maintenance.
Do not leave an old inoperative battery in your quartz watch. If it has stopped or the EOL* system is activated, bring it to the nearest service center.
*Certain models are equipped with an End Of Life system (EOL) to notify you that the battery is nearly flat. The second hand starts making four-second jumps but your watch continues to display the exact time until the battery is exhausted.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
What is a quartz movement?
A quartz movement is powered by a battery (energy source), with a quartz crystal regulator (time-measuring device). The electric tension from both the battery and the integrated circuit causes the crystal to vibrate consistently at very high frequency – at 32’768 times per second. This gives the movement almost perfect precision (only a few seconds per month variation). Quartz watch dials can display hands (analogue), numbers (digital), or both.
Troubleshooting your quartz watch
• The second hand is jumping every 4 seconds
Certain quartz watches have the added security of an end of life battery indicator (EOL). When the battery runs down, the second hand starts making-four second jumps but your watch continues to display the exact time until the battery is exhausted. Bring your watch to Watchworks for battery replacement.
• The second hand isn’t hitting the markers
Don’t worry if your watch’s second hand isn’t aligned to the markers on the dial. This is normal and is due to the play required for proper working of the movement gear train. You may notice a different level of side shake for each second impulse.
Before using your water-resistant watch in water, there are several ways to ensure its protection:
• Verify its water-resistance by bringing it to Watchworks within past 12 months.
• Ensure the crown is fully pushed in (and depending on the model, screwed down) against the case in order to preserve its water-resistance.
• Leather straps are not advisable as they can be deformed/discolored by water. For frequent or prolonged use in water, we recommend a metal bracelet or rubber strap.
• After exposure to salt water, rinse the watch in fresh water then dry it.
• The table below indicates appropriate activities for the water-resistance of your watch. These figures are meant as a guide only, and don’t show maximum immersion depths.
| Water-resistance / Activities | Splashes | Surface water sports | Waterskiing, snorkeling, scuba diving | Deep sea diving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
30 m / 100 ft | V | X | X | X |
50 m / 165 ft | V | V | X | X |
100 m / 330 ft | V | V | V | X |
> = 200 m / 660 ft | V | V | V | V |