Category: Wristwatch Articles

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Things to Remember in Buying Online Watches

Online shopping is fast and easy. Aside from items being relatively cheaper online, they are also delivered right at your doorstep. You do not go through the hassle of preparing, travelling and lining up in the cashier’s counter just to get your goods. However, this also created an opportunity for some web merchants to sell high quality homage watches. Online watches and other designer items are those that are often sold to look and function similar to the original, but for a more affordable price. Therefore, it is important that as a consumer, you should make sure that this kind of watches are from quality manufacturers.

Before purchasing a watch online, you should be certain about the specific item that you want and need. You can also look for the particular brand you have in your wish list to narrow down your choices.

· Decide whether you want a dress watch, sports watch, diver’s watch or chronograph watch.

· Then choose whether you want a mechanical or a digital watch. If you want very accurate movement, you can settle for quartz.

· Choose the strap that you like. Make sure that you are not allergic to the rubber or metal straps of the watches.

· You can also be specific with the glass window used in the watches. Sapphire and mineral crystal is the most common materials used. They don’t easily scratch and they also don’t shatter instantly.

· Quality homage watches from proven manufacturers are not even more expensive from newly established manufacturers.  So there is no need to bother with a new company.

In order to make sure that the online merchant is a reliable source for online watches, here are some things that you need to consider.

· Make sure that the online seller is an authorized dealer for the watch that you aim to buy. Some companies and manufacturers do not allow their items to be sold through the any old vendor. So if you are looking for such items, you may find the need to go to an authentic dealer to buy one.

· Check the warranty and services provided. Most if not all have manufacturer warranty that comes with the watch. If it is not included with the package, then think twice about buying it.

· The item should come with the original packaging. Whether it comes in a box, bag or a tin can, it should be included because you are also paying for it. This also ensures that the item is unused.

· Money back offer is also important. If your merchant does not accept return, then it should raise a red flag for you. Make sure that there is no restocking fee in case you need to return the watch to the store.

· Another important thing that you need to consider is to make sure that you online merchant has several positive feedbacks. This will make you more confident in purchasing items from people you do not personally deal with.

Buying online watches is a great way to do your shopping. However, always remember that you need to do precautionary measures in purchasing these items so that you will not be a victim of bogus sellers. These watches are not easy to replicate. Therefore, make sure that you do an intensive research about the difference between quality homage watches with off brand low quality watches and likewise, read reviews and feedbacks about the seller.

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Understanding the Automatic Movement in Wristwatches

Despite the current digital revolution, it is interesting to note that classic timepieces designed with automatic movement are making a comeback in today’s market. Still, there are those new breed of aficionados who are so much used to electronic quartz watches that they often find it difficult to understand the mechanism of a self-winding timepiece. In order to avoid confusion and mistakes in ticino_aquachrono_001handling, it is necessary that you know its difference from the battery-operated rivals.

Automatic vs. Quartz Watches

When it comes to convenience, people think that automatic watches are nothing compared to the more modern quartz timepieces. While this provides a good point for a debate, it is somehow worth noting that self-winding watches uses a technology which dates back to centuries ago. It is that old-time charm which serves as the best selling point for automatic watches.

Self-winding wristwatches typically have some 200-300 gears and parts, all moving without battery juice. The winding mechanism supplied by the natural movement of the wrist is delivered to the hands in the dial through a series of mechanical rotations. This is made possible by a winding rotor, which swings back and forth like a pendulum in order to make the mainspring rotate.

On the other hand, a quartz watch has less moving parts. The crystal provides a constant signal in an oscillating electric circuit, thereby keeping the movement accurate. Still, no matter how practical it is for daily use, the quartz timepiece just doesn’t sit well on discerning fans of horology. They prefer the “clean energy” in automatic watches—that is, no battery needed for its operation. Furthermore, they appreciate the craftsmanship behind the complex clockwork in self-winding watches. In fact, many of today’s prestige timepieces are designed to be automatic; with the back case revealing a “skeleton” of the inner workings.

Tips for Finding the Ideal Automatic Watch

Today’s market offers a wide variety of automatic watches to fit most timekeeping requirements. Here are some useful tips when shopping for your self-winding timepiece:

  • High Power Reserve – A fully wound automatic watch typically runs for 48 hours in continuous rotation. Consider buying a model that has a decent power reserve to maintain accurate timekeeping.
  • Convenient Winding – An automatic watch still needs to be manually wound, especially if it is not regularly worn. Choose a timepiece that has a perfectly ridged crown (preferably bigger than usual) for easier winding.
  • Luminous Dial – This will make it easier for you to wind and set the automatic movement of your watch even in the dark.
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Automatic Stop Watch – The History and How it Works

An automatic stop watch (or “mechanical stop watch”) is a watch that makes use of automatic mechanisms in determining time passage, in opposite to quartz stopwatches which functions electronically. Automatic stopwatches are driven by “mainsprings” and its force is transmitted in a range of gears to upgrade the balance wheel.

Similar to quartz stopwatches, the mechanical ones can be quite accurate depending on the manufacturer. However, the automatic stop watch can be expensive. Mechanical stopwatches are often worn as a visual attribute, accessory or simply a statement of individual style.

The Automatic Stop Watch Was Born

Peter Henlein is considered as the father of mechanical stopwatches. He was the first person to invent the “Nuremberg Egg” and “Pocket Watch”. Although both were invented in 1510, it was only in the 19th century when they were introduced.

The 1960s became a significant decade for production of stopwatches, since this was where the Quartz Revolution took place. Back then, all timepieces were deemed mechanical. Early creations meanwhile were appallingly imprecise – like a good quality watch can vary for about 15 minutes per day.

The method of “Modern Precision” (a few seconds for each day) was not attained by any timepiece until John Harrison invented his own Marine Chronometer in 1760. Modern Precision was only attained later in 1854 when Watcham Watch Co. pioneered the industrialization of manufacturing mechanical stopwatches.

How the Automatic Stop Watch Works

The mechanical automatic stop watch is considered a “mature technology”, and all ordinary timepiece movements have the same parts as that of the quartz ones.

The spiral-like mainspring powered by the stopwatch is attached inside the cylindrical barrel. The latter has a “gear teeth” found on the exterior part and turns the “center wheel” once every hour. The center wheel on the other hand controls the “third wheel”. The “fourth wheel” drives both the third and center wheel.

In quartz stopwatches, the “second hand” is located in the 6 o’clock position. Here, the fourth wheel is geared to rotate once per minute and the second hand is directly attached to the wheels’ arbour.

The fourth wheel also drives the “escape wheel”, which are alternately attached on two opposite arrows called “pallets”. The pallet is located within the pallet lever which automatically operates back and forth. The lever’s end part has a “fork” which triggers the “impulse pins” on the balance wheel’s shaft. Every time the balance wheel swings towards its center position, the automatic stop watch’s lever unlocks – releasing one tooth of the wheel.

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Automatic Watch Movements: What Makes Automatic Watches Move?

Automatic watch movements refer to the internal mechanism of a wristwatch that enables the clock to move and tell time. Throughout history, there have been a number of automatic watch movements that have been used, from the old mechanical movements to the more recent quartz movement, and the automatic movement. In comparison with the standard quartz-operated watches, how do automatic watches work?

A Quick Look at Quartz Watches

Before people can understand how an automatic watch works, they must first get an idea of how standard watches work. Today’s standard watches typically use quartz movement. This is the battery-operated watches people have used and loved for years.

It is called quartz watch because the mechanism has a quartz crystal inside. The battery emits electrical pulses through the crystal that enables it to drive a motor that is essentially what causes the hands at the top of the clock face moving at a constant rate. This means that each second is exactly the same as all the rest of the seconds it will make for as long as it is running.

Self-Winding Watches aka Automatic Watches

Automatic or self-winding watches, on the other hand, require no batteries to power up its clock face hands. Instead of a quartz crystal that oscillates when passed by electric currents from a battery, an automatic watch uses the wearer’s natural arm movements to automatically wind up an internal spring that powers the rotor which makes the hands on the top part of the clock face move.

Remember what was stated with a quartz watch movement being equal every single time? This is particularly important in self-winding watches, because their hands’ movements are not regulated as those of the hands of a quartz watch. As a result, the watch can be delayed by a minute or more after some time, and will require manual resetting once in a while.

There are two countries that specialize in watches: Japan and Switzerland. Preference over one of the two depends on each person, as both countries produce exceptional watches.

Which Movement is Better?

Both of these movements are efficient, and both of these movements have their own strengths and weaknesses. For automatic watches, however, the main advantage lies in the fact that their self-winding movement enables the watches to not rely on batteries ever. These watches will only need the wearer to wear the watch—which is technically what the wearer will do anyway. Another advantage is that automatic movement watches will ensure durability, as each watch must be assembled by hand. This will ensure the quality and artisanship of each watch.

On the other hand, non-regulated movements create minute discrepancies in an automatic watch; however, these discrepancies are minimal and can be easily readjusted and compensated. Self-winding watches can also wear down in time, especially if left standing for long periods. If that is the case, though, repair is quick and easy, usually requiring no more than oiling up the gears.

Automatic watch movements are a fusion of the old mechanical movements with the more recent quartz, giving its owners a sense of vintage charm but with the touch of modern technology.