Congratulations! As the proud owner of a fine Swiss timepiece, you are now responsible for the care of a piece of history. Think about it…even if you are purchasing a brand new timepiece, the actual concept and design of the movement inside the beautiful case has been many decades and in some cases centuries in the making. An item of this prestige deserves to be cared for appropriately.
 
One thing to keep in mind when you initially receive your timepiece is if you need to reset your date or time on your new timepiece: never use the quick set for setting the date between the hours of 9:00PM and 3:00AM. This could cause serious damage to your timepiece. To determine whether your watch is in AM or PM, pull the crown out fully and rotate the hands in clockwise direction. As you turn the hands watch for when the date changes. This will indicate when your timepiece is at midnight. From this point advance the hands past 3:00AM, adjust the crown to the position indicated by your instruction manual to now safely adjust your date. With complicated calendar timepieces this becomes increasingly important. It is also important to note that
Two points to consider as you wear your new timepiece are what activities you will be doing while wearing your watch and what the environment is like. If you have an automatic winding or manual winding timepiece it is not recommended to wear them while golfing or playing tennis as the impact can jar the movement. Most (but not all) timepieces are water resistant to at least 30 meters so hand washing should not affect your timepiece. Keep in mind though that prolonged exposure to hotter water such as from a shower or a hot tub can cause the gaskets to expand and contract which may lead to water entering the case. Chronograph timepieces should never be operated under water with only a few exceptions.

For basic appearance a soft cloth is ideal for cleaning smudges and fingerprints off of the case and crystal. Although, there will come a time that through daily wear scratches may appear. Not to worry, most cases and bracelets can be refinished to appear as new. Depending on the textures and finishes, this will cost anywhere from $100.00 to $300.00. Metal bracelets can be removed periodically and cleaned as lotions and environmental elements can find their way in between the links. Animal leather straps will darken with time and care should be taken not to get them wet. Rubber straps are extremely durable and can be cleaned and rinsed with a mild soap and water.
 
Servicing of the movement of you timepiece should always be done through an authorized retailer or service center of the manufacturer. When battery changes are done on quartz movements, make certain the gaskets are inspected for integrity.
 
With proper care your timepiece will become a family heirloom that will last generations. If you have any questions about the care of your new timepiece, please consult your Morays expert.

 Timepiece Repair Basics: What you need to know

A timepiece is something most people have and wear every day.... to the office, to scuba dive or to the opera. A watch is one of the few devices that we most rely on in our daily lives. But the inner workings of a mechanical watch are more intricate than most people think and as such require some care and maintenance.

It’s important to understand the purpose and limitations of your timepiece. A knowledgeable sales person at an authorized retailer is most suitable to answer all of your questions. Please note that buying your timepiece from an authorized retailer is the only way to ensure that you will get the proper manufacturer’s warranty. If you choose to buy your watch from a non-authorized source, you will likely be promised a "warranty" provided by the retailer themselves and sent to a local watchmaker as opposed to proper factory service. Service on timepieces can be expensive so having a proper warranty can usually outweigh the savings you think you’re getting from buying from a "non-authorized" source. Servicing on your timepiece can be a lengthy and expensive, sometimes 3-4 months and be in the range of €300 - €400.

Watch Preventative Care Guidelines

·         Timepieces with water resistance under 100 meters, shouldn't be considered for regular water submersion.

·         If you have a screw down crown, always check that it is completely screwed down before getting the timepiece wet. If you get your watch wet regularly, make sure the seals are tested when serviced and a pressure test is performed.

·         Never press any buttons or adjust the crown when the watch is wet or underwater.

·         Realize that if you wear a timepiece with a leather strap in hot weather, perspiration will require you to replace it more frequently.

·         If you have a chronograph (stopwatch), NEVER, push both buttons at the same time.

·         Most automatic watches have a 40-44 hour power reserve, when fully wound, if you don't wear your watch for a day or two, make sure you wind it 20-30 times before wearing it.

·         If you put your watch on a winder, keep in mind that some watches need a more aggressive winder regimen to keep them wound. Also, some watches have rotors that only wind in one direction, if the winder isn't keeping the watch wound, it may be the winder and not the watch.

·         Numerous watch companies have a close marketing affiliation with the sport of golf. Golfing while wearing a mechanical watch and the shock that occurs can often cause the watches to become very inaccurate. Take your watch off for golf or wear your Timex Triathlon Watch

Preventative Care For Complicated Watches

·         These watches by definition are more delicate and deserve special care. As a rule, do not subject these timepieces to any aggressive activity.

·         With very few exceptions, NEVER wind the hands of a perpetual calendar watch backwards, advance the hands clockwise only.

·         If you are setting a perpetual calendar, check the instructions, but as a rule, make sure the hour hand is in the bottom hemisphere of the dial before using quick-set features

·         Avoid exposing Minute Repeaters (or any mechanical chiming watch) to any shock. Also when engaging the Chiming function, pull the lever completely and do not repeat more often than every 30 seconds.

Enjoy your timepiece! If properly cared for, it should provide you, and perhaps your children, with years of enjoyment.



The Watch Aficionado

24-06-2013 om 17:01 geschreven door The Watch Aficionado