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To help all our watch enthusiast friends out there, we have put together the most frequently asked watch related questions in one place so you can resolve all your horology queries in just one click.

Don’t see your question below? Simply fill out our ‘Ask Us’ form and our team of watch experts will get back to you in a matter of days. Whether you need some advice on a watch you are looking to purchase, want some background history on a brand that fascinates you or you can’t seem to work the timepiece on your wrist, please feel free to ask away!

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Chronometer and a Chronograph?

A chronograph and chronometer are two very different things, despite their similar sounding titles.

A chronograph is a feature on a watch that allows you to measure elapsed time, almost like a stop watch on the wrist. Chronographs can come in many different styles, with some watches having two or three sub dials. Chronograph watches are distinctive not only by their sub dials but also from the buttons found on the side of their case which control the stopwatch features. You can find some examples of chronograph watches here.

A chronometer, on the other hand, refers to an official certification. If a watch is a chronometer it has passed an intense range of tests over a 15 day period and obtained an official COSC certificate, also known as the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. This certification validates the watch as having a high standard of accuracy, since in order to receive such a qualification the watch must remain within the +6 and -4 seconds per day. If you are looking for a timepiece that is exceptionally reliable, then look out for this COSC certificate. You can find some examples of COSC certified watches here.

Why Does My Watch Keep Stopping?

There could be many reasons why your watch may stop working and this will depend largely on the type of watch you have.

If you have a quartz watch, it is very likely that it’s time to get a new battery for it. You can get one of these by visiting any of your local jewellers.

If you have a mechanical watch, make sure you have wound it sufficiently. The power reserve of a watch will vary depending on the model, but if you have taken your watch off your wrist for a length of time and not wound the movement back up, it will of course run out of power and stop.

If the problem still persists, it may be that you need to get it repaired. Authorised retailers like Jura Watches will be able to assist you with all your repair and servicing needs.

Can I Swim in My Watch?

Whether or not you can use your timepiece while you swim will depend on the water resistance of your watch. Some watches will specify the water resistance on the dial or case back, while others will inform you in the manual.

The water resistance is usually displayed in terms of metres, but it is useful to note that this is in terms of pressure rather than the depth of water.

For use while swimming, it is generally recommended to have a watch with a water resistance of 100 metres or more. You can find all the water resistant boundaries below.

30 metres (3 ATM) is splash proof and protected against accidental exposure to water.
50 metres (5 ATM) can be submerged in water and be used for swimming.
100 metres (10 ATM) suitable for swimming and shallow diving
200 metres (20 ATM) suitable for non-deep sea diving.
500 metres (50 ATM) can be used for deep sea diving.

How Often Should I Get My Watch Serviced?

A common question that many watch retailers are asked is how often someone should get their watch serviced. This of course will depend greatly on the type of watch you have and how often you wear it. For specialist advice it is best to contact an authorised retailer.

As standard, it is recommended to get your watch serviced every 3-4 years. This usually entails a full overhaul of the watch, including the disassembly of the movement, a full clean, and special oils applied to lubricate the essential complications.

For further information about watch servicing, visit www.jurawatches.co.uk.

Can I Wear My Watch in the Shower?

Whether or not you can use your watch in the shower will depend on the water resistance of your watch. Some watches will specify the water resistance on the dial or case back, while others will inform you in the manual.

The water resistance is usually displayed in terms of metres, but it is useful to note that this is in terms of pressure rather than the depth of water.

For use in the shower, it is generally recommended to have a watch with a water resistance of 50 metres or more. You can find all the water resistant boundaries below.

30 metres (3 ATM) is splash proof and protected against accidental exposure to water.
50 metres (5 ATM) can be submerged in water and for swimming.
100 metres (10 ATM) suitable for swimming and shallow diving
200 metres (20 ATM) suitable for non-deep sea diving.
500 metres (50 ATM) can be used for deep sea diving.

What’s the Best Way to Clean My Watch?

For an affordable and easy way to keep your watch clean and shiny, simply use a watch cleaning cloth like this one.

Or check out an authorised watch retailer like Jura Watches who will be able to send your watch to the brand’s repair centre for a full service and clean for an immaculate finish.

How Do I Change the Strap on My Watch?

We always recommend going into one of your local jewellers to get the strap of your watch changed over, but if you are feeling confident enough to give it a go, feel free to follow the below advices.

First off, you will need a spring bar remover. These are super affordable and you can buy them separately or as part of a watch toolkit.

Lay your watch on a flat surface, preferably on something soft like a towel to protect your watch from any resulting scratches. Once the watch is in position, look closely at the area where the strap connects to the lugs or shoulders of the watch case. The strap should be connected to the watch by something known as a spring bar. Spring bars pass through a loop in the band and connect into the shoulders of the watch.

To remove the strap, you need to detach the spring bar. Start by taking your spring bar remover and inserting the pronged end between the band and watch. Gently apply pressure to the spring bar so it springs downwards, releasing the strap from the case. Once you have does this on both ends of the strap, you will now be able to fit the new one.

To fit the new strap onto your watch, simple thread the original spring bars into your new strap and place them in position on the case. Use your spring bar remover to pull the bar down and slot it back into the watch shoulders. Repeat these steps on both ends of the strap to finish.

What Is a Gmt Watch?

A GMT watch is a timepiece with a 24 hour hand that lets you have a second time zone alongside the local time. The GMT watch was first designed for pilots flying from country to country so they could efficiently tell the time of each destination.

You can find some examples of GMT watches here.

Why Is My Mechanical Watch Making a Noise?

The majority of mechanical watches will make some sort of noise. Why? Because mechanical watches are powered by movement and as the automatic rotor spins around the case or the mainspring slowly unravels, you are likely to hear a gentle sound.

When we say noise, we don’t mean something that can be heard from the other side of the room, but if you were to put your ear against your watch you will be able to hear the intricate complications hard at work.

How loud the movement is will of course depend on the model you have and the material of the case. Some materials stifle out the sound completely while cheaper watches made of weaker metal will be easier to hear.

How Do I Know if My Watch Is Genuine?

It’s not always easy to spot a fake watch but there are some things you can do to keep yourself distanced from knock offs and replicas.

ALWAYS make sure to buy from an authorised retailer. We cannot stress this enough. If a store or website is authorised, it means that all their watches come direct from the brand with the official warranty, box and paperwork. If a retailer is not authorised, you cannot guarantee that you are getting a genuine product and you will not be able to get the watch repaired by the official brand repair centre.

If you think you may have purchased a fake watch then get in touch with the brand. They will have records of all the models they sold to authorised retailers and will be able to tell you if your timepiece is one of their own.

Another thing that raises the red flag is unreasonably low prices and quick deals. All authorised dealers will display their watches with their full retail price alongside any sales that they may be having. But it is always worth checking the validity of the retailer before being sucked in by the massive discounts they are offering. Never be afraid to ask an authorised dealer if they are prepared to discount slightly even if they are not offering any discount on their website. Watch retailers love to hear from their customers and will often be willing to negotiate.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy a Watch?

There are many fantastic websites and stores to buy watches from that are both reputable and trustworthy, but we always recommend keeping an eye out for three key things when you’re in the process of buying a watch.

ALWAYS make sure that the retailer you are purchasing from is authorised to sell watches. We cannot stress this enough. If a store or website is authorised, it means that all their watches come direct from the brand with the official warranty, box and paperwork. If a retailer is not authorised, you cannot guarantee that you are getting a genuine product and you will not be able to get the watch repaired by the official brand repair centre.

Great customer service is another key quality you want to look out for. It is always great to have an expert team to talk you through using and looking after the watch after the sale is completed. Owning a watch is a lifetime responsibility so find a company who will assist you with every detail of ownership including servicing and repairs.

There are not many watch retailers who can offer great benefits alongside the purchase of your watch, so keep your eye out for those that offer interest free finance options, free delivery and free gifts with the purchase.

Jura Watches are a specialist luxury watch boutique with an unrivalled selection of highly sought after watches and they tick all the right boxes when it comes to bring the ideal watch retailer. Not only are they an authorised dealer of all the brands shown on their website, but they have a fantastic customer service team and offer some unmissable benefits. For more information on Jura Watches, head over to their website www.jurawatches.co.uk.

What Does the Water Resistance on a Watch Mean?

Most watches are equipped with some level of water resistance but the extent of this will vary depending on the model. Some watches will specify the water resistance on the dial or case back, while others will inform you in the manual.

The water resistance is usually displayed in terms of metres, but it is useful to note that this is in terms of pressure rather than the depth of water.

30 metres (3 ATM) is splash proof and protected against accidental exposure to water.
50 metres (5 ATM) can be submerged in water and used for swimming.
100 metres (10 ATM) suitable for swimming and shallow diving
200 metres (20 ATM) suitable for non-deep sea diving.
500 metres (50 ATM) can be used for deep sea diving.

Can You Overwind a Mechanical Watch?

All mechanical watches are different and so the movement inside will differ. In most cases, you cannot over wind the movement but this may not always be the case with some older or cheaper watches.

Most mechanical watches are equipped with something called a winding limiter which means that once the mainspring is full the winding stem will stop or you will begin to feel some resistance.

What Is a Quartz Watch?

A model with a quartz movement is a watch that is powered by a battery.

Quartz watches are generally cheaper than those with mechanical movements and also more accurate. Beside from needing to replace the battery every 2-3 years, battery powered watches also require very little maintenance.

What Is a Mechanical Watch?

Unlike a quartz watch which is powered by a battery, mechanical watches are powered by something called a mainspring which has to be wound up before the movement will work. The spring stores and transfers the energy through a series of gear components, regulating a release of energy to power the watch.

There are two types of mechanical watches available: a self-winding mechanical watch and an automatic mechanical watch.

With a self-winding movement you have to physically twist the crown of the watch to power up the intricate components inside. Depending on the model you have will depend on how often you have to wind the watch.

The automatic movement quite simply means that the watch becomes powered automatically through the movement of your wrist. Every time you move, energy is created by the oscillating rotor which spins around and powers the watch.

Mechanical watches are generally more expensive than quartz, but the movement is much more impressive and it means that you don’t have to worry about getting the battery changed every 2-3 years. You can find some examples of mechanical watches here.