Automatic watches are hot in the United States. Between 1993 and 1995, U.S. imports of Swiss luxury automatics jumped 95%,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica and Ferrari replica watches. Just what are automatics? How do they work? How accurate are they? How often should they be serviced? For answers to these and other questions, read on.
1. What is an automatic watch?
An automatic is a mechanical watch whose mainspring is wound as a result of the wearer's arm motion,all the Rolex watches are automatic,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica and Rolex Yacht-Master replica.
2. Is that the same as a hand-wound watch?
No. Hand-wound is a mechanical watch that the wearer winds by turning the crown by hand.
3. Why do they call it "automatic?"
Because instead of the wearer having to wind the watch to generate power, the watch winds itself "automatically" when worn.
4. What is the difference between an automatic and a self-winding watch?
Nothing. The terms are synonymous. Self-winding means that the watch winds itself.
5. Is that the same thing as a "perpetual" watch, like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual?
Right. Rolex refers to its automatic watches as "perpetuals." Automatic, self-winding and perpetual all mean the same thing: the watch winds itself. (A perpetual calendar, however, is something else.)
6. How does an automatic watch work?
The movement of the wrist and body causes the rotor, a metal weight attached to a winding mechanism, to pivot freely on its staff in the center of the movement. The rotor rotates back and forth in a circular motion at the slightest action of the wrist. The rotor's movement winds the mainspring, a flat coiled spring that powers mechanical watches.
7. Who invented the automatic watch?
The modern rotor system was developed and patented by Rolex and introduced into the Oyster line as the Oyster Perpetual in 1931. Emile Borer, Rolex's technical chief at the time, is credited with inventing the modern rotor system.
The person who first developed a rotor, however, was Abraham-Louis Perrelet (1729-1826), one of Switzerland's greatest watchmakers. Perrelet is considered the father of the automatic watch. He introduced the concept in 1770 and was way ahead of his time since the invention was better suited to wristwatches. Perrelet lived in the pocket watch era and, because the watches did not move much in pockets, the rotor system did not perform so well. The rotor did not move around enough to wind the mainspring sufficiently.
Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) improved self-winding watches; he called them "perpetuelles" (the likely source of Rolex's term). Other watchmaking greats of the 19th century advanced the concept. But it wasn't until wristwatches became popular after World War I and Rolex perfected its system that automatics came into their own.
8. Why do we see more automatics these days?
Like all mechanical watches, automatics fell out of style during the quartz watch revolution of the 1970s. Electronic watches were the rage then and were far more accurate than mechanicals. In the mid-1980s, however, as quartz watch production soared to hundreds of millions of pieces each year, some people, mostly watch collectors, began to appreciate the value of a fine mechanical watch. In the past 10 years, fine mechanical watches have staged a comeback on world markets. Automatics have rebounded as part of the mechanical counter-revolution.
9. How popular are they in the United States?
Very. Between 1993 and 1995, U.S. imports of Swiss luxury mechanical watches jumped 95% in units and 87% in value, according to the American Watch Association. This data also includes hand-wound watches, but the majority are automatics. Data for 1996 is not available yet.
10. Why are they so popular?
Many people appreciate the craft involved in making a mechanical automatic movement. They like the fact that this technology is hundreds of years old, involves many moving parts, yet keeps very accurate time. (Many automatics come with glass backs which enable the wearer to view the action of the rotor and other moving parts.) They appreciate the human element involved in an automatic watch, that the movement is assembled by hand. Others like the fact that automatics run on so-called "clean," natural energy--wrist power--and that there are no polluting batteries to dispose of.
11. How accurate are they?
Mechanical technology, by definition, is inferior to the extreme accuracy of an electronic watch. Automatics are plenty accurate for normal daily timekeeping, though. A normal automatic is accurate to within +30/-5 seconds a day, depending on the quality of the movement.
12. Are they expensive?
They can be, but they are not necessarily. Automatics are available in every price range, starting with Swatch automatics.
13. How much motion does an automatic need to work properly?
A person's normal arm and wrist motion will keep an automatic watch properly wound. People who are inactive--the elderly or patients confined to beds--may need to wind their watch to keep it powered.
14. Is it safe to wind an automatic watch?
Sure. Winding the watch won't hurt it at all. If you haven't worn an automatic in a while, it is best to wind the stopped watch before putting it on. Ten to 15 turns of the crown is usually enough to give full power to the mainspring. Some companies recommend more: Breitling, for example, suggests turning the crown on its automatics 30 to 40 times. But be aware that the barrel in an automatic movement doesn't have a hook so that you won't feel any resistance when the mainspring is fully wound. Don't worry; you can't overwind the watch.
15. How long will an automatic watch keep turning off the wrist?
That depends on the type of movement in the watch and how much power is left in the mainspring when you take it off.
A normal, fully wound automatic movement will keep running from 36 to 48 hours. Frederic Piguet, the Swiss movement manufacturer which specializes in complicated movements, produces an automatic movement which stores 100 hours of power. Bernhard Stoeber, vice president of technical services at the Movado Group, recommends winding an automatic watch when one takes it off so that it will keep running as long as possible when not worn. Stoeber also suggests occasionally winding an automatic that is not worn for an extended period of time in order to keep the oils properly lubricated and distributed.
16. How often does an automatic need to be serviced?
Most companies recommend the watch be checked and relubricated every three to five years. If the wearer regularly subjects a water-resistant automatic to water, the seals should be checked annually.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
How to Make a Clock with Some Old Piano Sheet Music
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This is a fun project that can add a great designer touch to a music room, library, home office, and even a bedroom. You don’t have to play the piano to make this project either! Piano sheet music is a so pretty, especially aged music where the paper has turned yellowish. Whether you have some vintage piano sheet music or even some new sheet music, this is a fun project.You should be able to make this sheet music clock for about $30 or less. The whole project should take you only an hour or two, with a little drying time in between. To Make a Clock Using Sheet Music You Will Need: Sheet of Birch or pie Plywood Power Drill Sheer Music (A few sheets) Decoupage Wood Gel Satin (optional) Clock Kit AA Battery Wood Glue (optional) Small paint brushes 2” Paint Brushes Scissors (optional) Now, the first step is to have your sheet of pine or birch wood cut to size. You are not limited to the exact size of your sheet music, nut you could do that. I think 12”X14” is a great size. This is big enough to have your sheet music clock be noticed, but not overwhelming. Go ahead and predrill a hole through the middle of the board where the arms from your clock kit will go through. Be sure to drill through the entire piece of wood. I also like to go ahead and attach my picture hanging hooks at this point. This way you don’t damage the front o f your clock face after all the time you spend making it. Now, this next step is optional you can rip up your sheet music and apply it with decoupage to the board in pieces. Now, you can also cut it into squares and apply those as well. The other optional is to apply them in whole sheets. You will have to overlap them if your board is larger than your sheet music. Tip: If it breaks your heart to rip up sheet music or you want to use a vintage piece that you can’t use for this project why not take it to Kinko’s and have it photo copied? No one will know what difference and you don’t have to ruin an original.
Maybe you will like the watches with piano sheet music,you can add these music to the replica watches,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica, Ferrari replica watches, Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
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This is a fun project that can add a great designer touch to a music room, library, home office, and even a bedroom. You don’t have to play the piano to make this project either! Piano sheet music is a so pretty, especially aged music where the paper has turned yellowish. Whether you have some vintage piano sheet music or even some new sheet music, this is a fun project.You should be able to make this sheet music clock for about $30 or less. The whole project should take you only an hour or two, with a little drying time in between. To Make a Clock Using Sheet Music You Will Need: Sheet of Birch or pie Plywood Power Drill Sheer Music (A few sheets) Decoupage Wood Gel Satin (optional) Clock Kit AA Battery Wood Glue (optional) Small paint brushes 2” Paint Brushes Scissors (optional) Now, the first step is to have your sheet of pine or birch wood cut to size. You are not limited to the exact size of your sheet music, nut you could do that. I think 12”X14” is a great size. This is big enough to have your sheet music clock be noticed, but not overwhelming. Go ahead and predrill a hole through the middle of the board where the arms from your clock kit will go through. Be sure to drill through the entire piece of wood. I also like to go ahead and attach my picture hanging hooks at this point. This way you don’t damage the front o f your clock face after all the time you spend making it. Now, this next step is optional you can rip up your sheet music and apply it with decoupage to the board in pieces. Now, you can also cut it into squares and apply those as well. The other optional is to apply them in whole sheets. You will have to overlap them if your board is larger than your sheet music. Tip: If it breaks your heart to rip up sheet music or you want to use a vintage piece that you can’t use for this project why not take it to Kinko’s and have it photo copied? No one will know what difference and you don’t have to ruin an original.
Maybe you will like the watches with piano sheet music,you can add these music to the replica watches,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica, Ferrari replica watches, Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is a classic beauty. From old days to the present generation, it never runs out of style. No matter the past or now,people like making watches with gold,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica and Ferrari replica watches.It is a best gift for friends or love ones both young and old since it appeals to the taste of anyone. No matter where you brought your jewelry, may it be from the mall, online stores, from a friend, or wherever, you should know how to distinguish fake from real ones since there are plethora of the later in the market that claim they are authentic only to find out later on that they are not.
Are You Buying Real Gold?
Telling the main difference between fake and authentic may be a little tricky but still, there is something that makes them differ. The easiest way to determine such is to look for the marking of karats. Sad to say, even fakes one are now sold with marking on them so this should not be your main indicator. Also look for the trademark of the manufacturer and check the competency of the retailer. Going for nationally acclaimed brand rather than something you see along the road will give you better chance of getting authentic one. Although there are some small local jewelers and pawnshops that are honest with their work, still it is better to be on safe side rather than regret your decision later on.
Things to Look for when Buying Gold Jewelry
Buyers should also exert their effort in finding if the gold jewelry has a return policy or money back guarantee. If they fail to give these options then do not ever think of buying anything from them since you would most likely find yourself submerged in deep mud later on. Some would learn the hard way; there are other people who would merely know the real state of their jewelry only after they experienced rashes on their skin. Try to also examine the price, if it's too cheap that most products then there are a big chance that it is not solid gold. It may be filled or plated.
24K Gold Jewelry Is Too Soft
Moreover, a buyer should as well realize that not all gold jewelries are alike. If you would want to buy something which can outlast the daily wear and tear then opting for solid gold jewelry rather than coats pieces is a sensible mean to take since the coating of the later would peal off after some time thus causing allergic reaction. If in case you are looking for a ring which will be given as an engagement gift or wedding ring then going for solid pieces would assure you of its resiliency. But given that 24k is normally softer than any other kind, the wearer may always suffer from the scratches it gets though this should not be a problem at all because it can be fixed easily by polishing. Be reminded that the color of 24k gold jewelry is normally bright yellow. Moreover, bringing the person who will wear the jewelry to the shop is a good way to obtain the right fit and to better critic the value of the piece to obtain maximum benefit although there are some online stores that can both give the right fit and the value the buyer is looking for even without going to their place to shop.
In the market,there are some replica watches made of 18k gold,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Are You Buying Real Gold?
Telling the main difference between fake and authentic may be a little tricky but still, there is something that makes them differ. The easiest way to determine such is to look for the marking of karats. Sad to say, even fakes one are now sold with marking on them so this should not be your main indicator. Also look for the trademark of the manufacturer and check the competency of the retailer. Going for nationally acclaimed brand rather than something you see along the road will give you better chance of getting authentic one. Although there are some small local jewelers and pawnshops that are honest with their work, still it is better to be on safe side rather than regret your decision later on.
Things to Look for when Buying Gold Jewelry
Buyers should also exert their effort in finding if the gold jewelry has a return policy or money back guarantee. If they fail to give these options then do not ever think of buying anything from them since you would most likely find yourself submerged in deep mud later on. Some would learn the hard way; there are other people who would merely know the real state of their jewelry only after they experienced rashes on their skin. Try to also examine the price, if it's too cheap that most products then there are a big chance that it is not solid gold. It may be filled or plated.
24K Gold Jewelry Is Too Soft
Moreover, a buyer should as well realize that not all gold jewelries are alike. If you would want to buy something which can outlast the daily wear and tear then opting for solid gold jewelry rather than coats pieces is a sensible mean to take since the coating of the later would peal off after some time thus causing allergic reaction. If in case you are looking for a ring which will be given as an engagement gift or wedding ring then going for solid pieces would assure you of its resiliency. But given that 24k is normally softer than any other kind, the wearer may always suffer from the scratches it gets though this should not be a problem at all because it can be fixed easily by polishing. Be reminded that the color of 24k gold jewelry is normally bright yellow. Moreover, bringing the person who will wear the jewelry to the shop is a good way to obtain the right fit and to better critic the value of the piece to obtain maximum benefit although there are some online stores that can both give the right fit and the value the buyer is looking for even without going to their place to shop.
In the market,there are some replica watches made of 18k gold,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Water Resistance of the watches
Water resistance is a measure of the degree to which a watch will resist the intrusion of moisture. The following chart describes the amount of water measured in feet or meters that each watch can resist.
Nowadays,the replica watches are also good water resistant in the market,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica,Ferrari replica watches Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Fossil Watch
Affordable Fashion
A watch is more than a way to keep track of your day. While neccessary in that function, your choice of a watch tells much about you. Fossil watches offer an affordable way to express yourself while meeting your needs. The styles offered in Fossil Watches are endless, from sporty to profession to classic. Also,you can find many other replica watches in the market,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica and Ferrari replica watches.
There are many types of watches to choose from, such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas,as many designer brands each promise better deals than the other. Only Fossil Watches offer the latest designs at affordable prices from a reputable company.
Fossil Enters the Watch Market
Fossil, an American Company, is relatively new, entering the market in 1984. By this time, other companies had already been in the industry for decades. Yet, Fossil managed to make a name for themselves in a short time by providing quality and style at the best possible prices on the market.
The starting price of a Fossil watch is $49.99, and they go up from there depending on the style. The style is what makes them by far the most affordable designer watches on the market today. Fossil offers you the latest fashion styles with designs coming out every spring and fall, so you always have something new to add to your collection. With their prices you can surely afford to buy couple of watches every year.
Fossil watches are retro, classic, sport and dressy. Whatever you have in mind you can find it in a Fossil. One of their best features is the box that they come in, which is a jewel in itself, as it can be used for many different purposes.
Another great feature of the Fossil watches is the fact that their straps are self adjustable. The straps have clasp links which you can remove yourself in order to fit the watch to your wrist without going to the jeweler and paying extra there as well.
Fossil for Your Friends
Gift giving has never been easier. Since Fossil Watches are so affordable, they make a great gift for any occasion. Everyone needs a watch, and you can never have too many. By giving a friend, your mom, or a loved one a watch, you are providing them with one more accessory for their wardrobe. Giving a fossil watch to a child is an excellent learning tool for telling time, and learning time management skills. Young or old, intimate friend or more casual, Fossil Watches truly make gift giving easy.
A watch is more than a way to keep track of your day. While neccessary in that function, your choice of a watch tells much about you. Fossil watches offer an affordable way to express yourself while meeting your needs. The styles offered in Fossil Watches are endless, from sporty to profession to classic. Also,you can find many other replica watches in the market,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica and Ferrari replica watches.
There are many types of watches to choose from, such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas,as many designer brands each promise better deals than the other. Only Fossil Watches offer the latest designs at affordable prices from a reputable company.
Fossil Enters the Watch Market
Fossil, an American Company, is relatively new, entering the market in 1984. By this time, other companies had already been in the industry for decades. Yet, Fossil managed to make a name for themselves in a short time by providing quality and style at the best possible prices on the market.
The starting price of a Fossil watch is $49.99, and they go up from there depending on the style. The style is what makes them by far the most affordable designer watches on the market today. Fossil offers you the latest fashion styles with designs coming out every spring and fall, so you always have something new to add to your collection. With their prices you can surely afford to buy couple of watches every year.
Fossil watches are retro, classic, sport and dressy. Whatever you have in mind you can find it in a Fossil. One of their best features is the box that they come in, which is a jewel in itself, as it can be used for many different purposes.
Another great feature of the Fossil watches is the fact that their straps are self adjustable. The straps have clasp links which you can remove yourself in order to fit the watch to your wrist without going to the jeweler and paying extra there as well.
Fossil for Your Friends
Gift giving has never been easier. Since Fossil Watches are so affordable, they make a great gift for any occasion. Everyone needs a watch, and you can never have too many. By giving a friend, your mom, or a loved one a watch, you are providing them with one more accessory for their wardrobe. Giving a fossil watch to a child is an excellent learning tool for telling time, and learning time management skills. Young or old, intimate friend or more casual, Fossil Watches truly make gift giving easy.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
watch movements
The majority of the watches sold today have quartz movements,such as The best way to explain the differences between watch movements is to compare them to mechanical watches which were first introduced in 1910,such as Rolex replica,Porsche Design replica,Richard Mille replica,Zenith replica,Hublot replica and Ferrari replica watches.
Mechanical: Watches use a balance wheel for time measurement and a mainspring for power. They require manual winding.
Automatic: Watches are self-winding mechanical watches. They have a rotor which includes an oscillating weight that swings backwards and forwards with every movement of the wrist. The oscillations are converted by means of a gearing into a rotary motion that winds the mainspring.
Quartz: Watches use a quartz crystal for time measurement and a battery for power. They require no winding.
Kinetic Quartz: Kinetic quartz is exclusive technology to Seiko. It is a quartz watch without a battery. The Kinetic quartz generates electrical energy to power itself from the natural movement of the wearer's arm and wrist. It stores the energy in a capacitor. The reserve energy lasts 3 to 14 days in a motionless watch.
Solar Quartz: Watches use a quartz crystal for time measurement. Any light source is absorbed through the crystal and dial. A solar cell converts the light into energy to power the watch.
In our website,there are many top quality replica watches,some are equipped with mechanical movement,somes are quartz movement,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Mechanical: Watches use a balance wheel for time measurement and a mainspring for power. They require manual winding.
Automatic: Watches are self-winding mechanical watches. They have a rotor which includes an oscillating weight that swings backwards and forwards with every movement of the wrist. The oscillations are converted by means of a gearing into a rotary motion that winds the mainspring.
Quartz: Watches use a quartz crystal for time measurement and a battery for power. They require no winding.
Kinetic Quartz: Kinetic quartz is exclusive technology to Seiko. It is a quartz watch without a battery. The Kinetic quartz generates electrical energy to power itself from the natural movement of the wearer's arm and wrist. It stores the energy in a capacitor. The reserve energy lasts 3 to 14 days in a motionless watch.
Solar Quartz: Watches use a quartz crystal for time measurement. Any light source is absorbed through the crystal and dial. A solar cell converts the light into energy to power the watch.
In our website,there are many top quality replica watches,some are equipped with mechanical movement,somes are quartz movement,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Datejust replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica,Patek Philippe replica and Omega replicas.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pocket Watch
Pocket Watches: Classic and Timeless
Certainly one's choice of a timepiece makes a personal statement. Looking into the replica watches,such as Rolex replica,Richard Mille replica,Hublot replica,Porsche Desigh replica,Zenith replica and Ferrari replica watches.Choosing to carry a pocket watch, rather than using a wristwatch or even a cell phone, in this day and age is certainly distinctive. While a pocket watch was common decades ago, it is a rarity now. For this reason, the collection and use of, pocket watches has become a fascination with certain collectors. The unique image projected by anyone who carries a pocket watch today is one of style, sophistication and originality.
Pocket Watches: Variety by Design
Most pocket watches are classified by the maker, design, precious metal, and gems used in it, and also by its functions and movement. The fussee watch, or the key wind pocket watch, is the most sought after by collectors, because they are believed to have been invented by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci. The American Railroad pocket watch is next on the list, as it was used for obvious purposes and was believed to be highly accurate in order to avoid any accidents.
The next on the list is the marine chronometer pocket watch, followed by the Hunter Case pocket watch, which are in demand because they have a protective cover for the face of the watch to save it from scratches. The multi-jewel pocket watch is mainly desired for its beauty as well as its rarity, as it was introduced in the 1800s by very few famous designers such as Omega or Cartier.
Pocket Watch Preservation
It is very important to take the right care of a rare and expensive pocket watch. In order to take care of your watch correctly, you need to learn what material it is made of and if it has any gemstones. Precious materials as well as the gemstones need to be cleaned regularly, therefore it will cost you a trip to the jewelers at least once a year.
All watches need servicing of its mechanism, and therefore a trip to the watch makers as indicated at the time of purchase. Or, if it was mentioned, you can always service the watch when you take it in for cleaning and polishing of the outside material.
Vintage Pocket Watch Fun
Collecting pocket watches can be a fun hobby. Lucky collectors may stumble across well-worn or valuable pieces at garage sales or pawn shops. What a fun gift for a friend with a vintage style who is one of a kind. Pocket watches may serve as an investment, a hobby, or just your personal way of making it to dinner on time. No matter what your need, your choices are many.
If you also want to buy a good wristwatch,maybe you can put your eyes on the replica watches,nowadays there are more and more top quality replica watches in the market,such as Longines replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica and Patek Philippe replica.
Certainly one's choice of a timepiece makes a personal statement. Looking into the replica watches,such as Rolex replica,Richard Mille replica,Hublot replica,Porsche Desigh replica,Zenith replica and Ferrari replica watches.Choosing to carry a pocket watch, rather than using a wristwatch or even a cell phone, in this day and age is certainly distinctive. While a pocket watch was common decades ago, it is a rarity now. For this reason, the collection and use of, pocket watches has become a fascination with certain collectors. The unique image projected by anyone who carries a pocket watch today is one of style, sophistication and originality.
Pocket Watches: Variety by Design
Most pocket watches are classified by the maker, design, precious metal, and gems used in it, and also by its functions and movement. The fussee watch, or the key wind pocket watch, is the most sought after by collectors, because they are believed to have been invented by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci. The American Railroad pocket watch is next on the list, as it was used for obvious purposes and was believed to be highly accurate in order to avoid any accidents.
The next on the list is the marine chronometer pocket watch, followed by the Hunter Case pocket watch, which are in demand because they have a protective cover for the face of the watch to save it from scratches. The multi-jewel pocket watch is mainly desired for its beauty as well as its rarity, as it was introduced in the 1800s by very few famous designers such as Omega or Cartier.
Pocket Watch Preservation
It is very important to take the right care of a rare and expensive pocket watch. In order to take care of your watch correctly, you need to learn what material it is made of and if it has any gemstones. Precious materials as well as the gemstones need to be cleaned regularly, therefore it will cost you a trip to the jewelers at least once a year.
All watches need servicing of its mechanism, and therefore a trip to the watch makers as indicated at the time of purchase. Or, if it was mentioned, you can always service the watch when you take it in for cleaning and polishing of the outside material.
Vintage Pocket Watch Fun
Collecting pocket watches can be a fun hobby. Lucky collectors may stumble across well-worn or valuable pieces at garage sales or pawn shops. What a fun gift for a friend with a vintage style who is one of a kind. Pocket watches may serve as an investment, a hobby, or just your personal way of making it to dinner on time. No matter what your need, your choices are many.
If you also want to buy a good wristwatch,maybe you can put your eyes on the replica watches,nowadays there are more and more top quality replica watches in the market,such as Longines replica,Breitling replica,U-Boat replica,Bell&Ross replica and Patek Philippe replica.
Friday, March 20, 2009
How to choose a men’s watch?
There are essentially 5 important things to look for when purchasing a quality wristwatch in a brick and mortar store or online.First of all,you can choose the top brand watches,such as Rolex New Model replica watches,Rolex Prince replica watches,Rolex Air-King replicas,Patek Philippe replicas and Richard Mille replica watches.
1-Image Does the watch you are about to purchase reflect your personality, your style? Your watch should combine with your true character, not try to show someone you are not. Don't try to elevate yourself by buying a premium, luxury watch, heavy and invasive; thinking it will make you look better, if it does not suit you, the opposite effect will happen. Make sure that if you buy an expensive watch it is for the design and quality. My personality being discreet and classic, I like a slim, elegant design, round dial watch with a leather band. I tried once a heavier Rolex type steel bracelet watch, I felt like everybody was looking at me.
2-Designation
What does Swiss Made means? "Swiss made" constitutes a concept of quality. It includes the technical quality of watches; accuracy, reliability, water-resistance, shock-resistance and its aesthetic quality: elegance, originality, design. It covers both traditional manufacturing and new technologies. Only when it is Swiss, may a watch carry the indications "Swiss made" or "Swiss" on the outside. A watch is considered to be Swiss if: a-Its movement is Swiss b-Its movement is cased up in Switzerland c-The manufacturer carries out the final inspection in Switzerland.Also,there are many top quality replica watches in the market,such as Porsche Design replica watches,Zenith replica watches,Graham replicas,Ferrari replica and Longines replica watches.
What is the difference between a Chronograph and a Chronometer? Chronometer defines an other concept of quality; it is given to automatic and mechanical movement watches (not quartz movement) that have the highest standard of precision. A watch carrying the chronometer certification has passed 15 days rigorous testing (under different conditions) demanded by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC). It carries a premium price over non-chronometer watches.
A chronograph is simply a watch with stopwatch capabilities. It has two independent time systems: one indicates the time of day, and the other measures brief intervals of time. Counters registering seconds, minutes and even hours can be started and stopped as desired.
Scratch resistance The glass or crystal is made to protect the dial. Acrylic crystal is inexpensive, a plastic that does not prevent scratches. Mineral crystal is a glass, it is eight times harder than acrylic crystal. Sapphire crystal is the best and most expensive crystal and is three times harder than mineral crystal.
Waterproof versus Water resistant? A watch is never water proof, it is water resistant or made to prevent water from entering. A quality watch should indicate how much water it can withstand and still works. A good watch will offer resistance from 50m. Beyond that you are surely a professional diver and will need a specialist watch with depth indicator and other technicalities. If you are not, avoid taking your watch into salty water or chlorine, if you must, make sure you rinse it with warm water afterwards.
3-Mechanical, quartz, Automatic Movements
Automatic mechanical watches are the most desirable in terms or practicality and functionality. A mechanical watch uses the energy from a wound spring and keeps time through the highly regulated release of that energy through a set of gears call the wheel train and escapement. Automatic watches, self-winding watch or perpetual (Rolex) are mechanical watches with a balance wheel and escapement, whose mainspring is wound by the motion of the wearer's arm, instead of having to be wound manually every day. It needs no battery. The name comes from the fact that, instead of the owner having to wind the watch to power, the watch winds itself automatically when worn regularly. Quartz watches work with a series of electronic components, all fitting together in a tiny space. Rather than a wound spring, a quartz watch relies on a battery for its energy. Automatic quartz is a combination of a watch movement that combine a self-winding rotor mechanism as used in automatic mechanical watches to generate electricity with a piezoelectric quartz crystal as its timing element. It provides the advantages of quartz and mechanical watches.
4-Price against value
Can the status and prestige of the watch you are planning to buy justify its price? Up to you to decide if the price reflects the overall quality, technology, mechanism (Automatic, Quartz,), designation (Swiss-Made, Chronometer,) design, history behind the watch or just the hype behind the brand. I would differentiate between pure watch brands and fashion houses diversifying into watches. Both offer excellent products.
5-Care and Guarantee
Choose a watch which is easy to care for. A quality watch does not dispense you from caring for it and cleaning it regularly. Wash your watch in warm soapy water occasionally. Have your watch serviced every three years. Store your watch in a soft cloth. Avoid extreme temperatures.
Guarantee. Choose a watch with at least 2 years of International manufacturer warrantee from the date of purchase. It should cover against failure due to defective materials or workmanship, damages caused by water entry into the case, providing the glass, crown, and case back are intact.
Most importantly, take your time, try, compare and investigate,I can promise that you can find a good watch at last.
1-Image Does the watch you are about to purchase reflect your personality, your style? Your watch should combine with your true character, not try to show someone you are not. Don't try to elevate yourself by buying a premium, luxury watch, heavy and invasive; thinking it will make you look better, if it does not suit you, the opposite effect will happen. Make sure that if you buy an expensive watch it is for the design and quality. My personality being discreet and classic, I like a slim, elegant design, round dial watch with a leather band. I tried once a heavier Rolex type steel bracelet watch, I felt like everybody was looking at me.
2-Designation
What does Swiss Made means? "Swiss made" constitutes a concept of quality. It includes the technical quality of watches; accuracy, reliability, water-resistance, shock-resistance and its aesthetic quality: elegance, originality, design. It covers both traditional manufacturing and new technologies. Only when it is Swiss, may a watch carry the indications "Swiss made" or "Swiss" on the outside. A watch is considered to be Swiss if: a-Its movement is Swiss b-Its movement is cased up in Switzerland c-The manufacturer carries out the final inspection in Switzerland.Also,there are many top quality replica watches in the market,such as Porsche Design replica watches,Zenith replica watches,Graham replicas,Ferrari replica and Longines replica watches.
What is the difference between a Chronograph and a Chronometer? Chronometer defines an other concept of quality; it is given to automatic and mechanical movement watches (not quartz movement) that have the highest standard of precision. A watch carrying the chronometer certification has passed 15 days rigorous testing (under different conditions) demanded by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC). It carries a premium price over non-chronometer watches.
A chronograph is simply a watch with stopwatch capabilities. It has two independent time systems: one indicates the time of day, and the other measures brief intervals of time. Counters registering seconds, minutes and even hours can be started and stopped as desired.
Scratch resistance The glass or crystal is made to protect the dial. Acrylic crystal is inexpensive, a plastic that does not prevent scratches. Mineral crystal is a glass, it is eight times harder than acrylic crystal. Sapphire crystal is the best and most expensive crystal and is three times harder than mineral crystal.
Waterproof versus Water resistant? A watch is never water proof, it is water resistant or made to prevent water from entering. A quality watch should indicate how much water it can withstand and still works. A good watch will offer resistance from 50m. Beyond that you are surely a professional diver and will need a specialist watch with depth indicator and other technicalities. If you are not, avoid taking your watch into salty water or chlorine, if you must, make sure you rinse it with warm water afterwards.
3-Mechanical, quartz, Automatic Movements
Automatic mechanical watches are the most desirable in terms or practicality and functionality. A mechanical watch uses the energy from a wound spring and keeps time through the highly regulated release of that energy through a set of gears call the wheel train and escapement. Automatic watches, self-winding watch or perpetual (Rolex) are mechanical watches with a balance wheel and escapement, whose mainspring is wound by the motion of the wearer's arm, instead of having to be wound manually every day. It needs no battery. The name comes from the fact that, instead of the owner having to wind the watch to power, the watch winds itself automatically when worn regularly. Quartz watches work with a series of electronic components, all fitting together in a tiny space. Rather than a wound spring, a quartz watch relies on a battery for its energy. Automatic quartz is a combination of a watch movement that combine a self-winding rotor mechanism as used in automatic mechanical watches to generate electricity with a piezoelectric quartz crystal as its timing element. It provides the advantages of quartz and mechanical watches.
4-Price against value
Can the status and prestige of the watch you are planning to buy justify its price? Up to you to decide if the price reflects the overall quality, technology, mechanism (Automatic, Quartz,), designation (Swiss-Made, Chronometer,) design, history behind the watch or just the hype behind the brand. I would differentiate between pure watch brands and fashion houses diversifying into watches. Both offer excellent products.
5-Care and Guarantee
Choose a watch which is easy to care for. A quality watch does not dispense you from caring for it and cleaning it regularly. Wash your watch in warm soapy water occasionally. Have your watch serviced every three years. Store your watch in a soft cloth. Avoid extreme temperatures.
Guarantee. Choose a watch with at least 2 years of International manufacturer warrantee from the date of purchase. It should cover against failure due to defective materials or workmanship, damages caused by water entry into the case, providing the glass, crown, and case back are intact.
Most importantly, take your time, try, compare and investigate,I can promise that you can find a good watch at last.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
water-resistant
1. What makes a watch water-resistant?
There are several features that help make a watch water-resistant. The most important is the gaskets, or 0 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. if the watch is a chronograph, the chronograph pushers will also have gaskets.
In addition, water-resistant watch cases are lined with a sealant, applied in the form of a quick-hardening liquid, which helps keep water out.
The thickness and material of the case is also a big factor in determining whether a watch can safely be worn underwater. The case must be sturdy enough to withstand pressure without caving in says John Sokol, technical directors at TAG-Heuer USA in general, this means a steel or titanium case or a steel case plated with gold, manufacturers say. Solid gold cases can be water resistant provided they are sufficiently thick.
A screw-in case back, as opposed to one that pushes in, also contributes to a watch's water resistance. A screw-in crown, a feature of many divers' watches, helps prevent water getting into the case through the watch-stem hole. When it is screwed down it forms a water tight seal much like the seal between a jar and its lid.
If you want to buy a watch with good water resistant,Rolex replica watches,Richard Mille replicas,Porsche Design replica watches and Zenith replicas.
2. Why aren't watches ever labeled or described in advertising as "waterproof" even if they can be worn deep-sea diving?
According to guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission, watch marketers are not allowed to label their watches "water-proof." Even watches designed for deep-sea diving cannot claim to be water-proof.
3. My watch is labeled "water-resistant to 50 meters" but the manufacturer's instructions say I can only wear it swimming, not snorkeling or diving. Why is that?
The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless, says Scott Chou, technical director at Seiko Corp. of America. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer's or diver's world. in real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines.
4. What are the various levels of water-resistance? Watches with the lowest level of water resistance are labeled simply "water-resistant." They can withstand splashes of water but should not be submerged. Above that (or below it, literally speaking), the most common designations are
-50 meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet), which means the watch is suitable for swimming;
-100 meters; indicating it can be worn snorkeling;
-200 meters, suitable for recreational scuba diving and, believe it or not,
-1,000 meters (roughly three-fifths of a mile).
Watches in this last category can endure deep-sea diving. Their gaskets are made of materials that can withstand the helium used in decompression chambers. Some have valves that let the wearer release the helium that has seeped into the watch so the case won't explode as the watch and diver adjust to normal atmospheric conditions, says Peter Purtschert, technical director at Breitling USA.
Keep in mind that the depth specified on the watch dial represents the results of tests done in the lab, not in the ocean.
5. I've seen the abbreviation ATM used in labeling degrees of water resistance. What does it mean?
It stands for "atmosphere" and it's equal to 10 meters of water pressure. Another word for "atmosphere" is "bar," which is often used in Europe.
6. Is water resistance permanent?
No. Water resistance depends on several factors (see question 1), some of which can be affected by wear or simply by time. Gaskets can become corroded or misshapen, cases denied or crystals loose or broken. That's why your watch, like your car and your teeth, needs preventive maintenance.
7. How often does water resistance need to be checked?
At least once a year. Most manufacturers say water resistance needs to be tested every time the case back is opened, because opening the case can dislodge the gaskets. This rule applies even to a simple battery change. (Many service centers also change the gaskets whenever a watch comes in for service.) You should take it only to a service center authorized by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise could invalidate your warranty.
8. How is water resistance tested? There are basically two ways of machine-testing water resistance, referred to as "dry" and "wet" testing. In the former, the watch is subjected to air pressure and measurements taken to see whether the case expands as a result of air leaking into the case. If it does, the watch is not water resistant.
In one type of "wet" testing, the watch is first subjected to air pressure, then submerged in water. If air bubbles come out of the watch when it is underwater, it means air seeped into the watch before it was submerged, and it is therefore not water-resistant. In another type, the watch is placed in a small water-filled chamber which is then subjected to pressure from a piston. If water gets into the watch, it's not water resistant (this is obviously the riskiest form of water-resistance testing).
9. Can I wear my water resistant watch in the hot tub?
No. Exposing your watch to heat, whether it's in a hot tub or sauna can cause the gaskets to lose their shape and their ability to keep out water.
10. What besides extreme temperatures will jeopardize my watch's water-resistance?
Some chemicals can corrode the gaskets and make it vulnerable. Heavily chlorinated water can cause problems, as can spray-on perfumes and hairsprays that work their way into the watch's seams and damage the gaskets. (They can also damage your watch's finish.)
11. My divers' watch came with a leather strap. Will the water harm it? It may. Wearing a leather strap in the pool or diving is not generally recommended, says TAG Heuer's John Sokol. "It's like wearing your shoes to go swimming." Instead, choose a metal, plastic or nylon strap, he advises.
However, some manufacturers do offer leather bands which have been specially treated to resist water and are guaranteed safe for swimming. Check your warranty before you wear your leather strap in the water.
There are several features that help make a watch water-resistant. The most important is the gaskets, or 0 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. if the watch is a chronograph, the chronograph pushers will also have gaskets.
In addition, water-resistant watch cases are lined with a sealant, applied in the form of a quick-hardening liquid, which helps keep water out.
The thickness and material of the case is also a big factor in determining whether a watch can safely be worn underwater. The case must be sturdy enough to withstand pressure without caving in says John Sokol, technical directors at TAG-Heuer USA in general, this means a steel or titanium case or a steel case plated with gold, manufacturers say. Solid gold cases can be water resistant provided they are sufficiently thick.
A screw-in case back, as opposed to one that pushes in, also contributes to a watch's water resistance. A screw-in crown, a feature of many divers' watches, helps prevent water getting into the case through the watch-stem hole. When it is screwed down it forms a water tight seal much like the seal between a jar and its lid.
If you want to buy a watch with good water resistant,Rolex replica watches,Richard Mille replicas,Porsche Design replica watches and Zenith replicas.
2. Why aren't watches ever labeled or described in advertising as "waterproof" even if they can be worn deep-sea diving?
According to guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission, watch marketers are not allowed to label their watches "water-proof." Even watches designed for deep-sea diving cannot claim to be water-proof.
3. My watch is labeled "water-resistant to 50 meters" but the manufacturer's instructions say I can only wear it swimming, not snorkeling or diving. Why is that?
The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless, says Scott Chou, technical director at Seiko Corp. of America. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer's or diver's world. in real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines.
4. What are the various levels of water-resistance? Watches with the lowest level of water resistance are labeled simply "water-resistant." They can withstand splashes of water but should not be submerged. Above that (or below it, literally speaking), the most common designations are
-50 meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet), which means the watch is suitable for swimming;
-100 meters; indicating it can be worn snorkeling;
-200 meters, suitable for recreational scuba diving and, believe it or not,
-1,000 meters (roughly three-fifths of a mile).
Watches in this last category can endure deep-sea diving. Their gaskets are made of materials that can withstand the helium used in decompression chambers. Some have valves that let the wearer release the helium that has seeped into the watch so the case won't explode as the watch and diver adjust to normal atmospheric conditions, says Peter Purtschert, technical director at Breitling USA.
Keep in mind that the depth specified on the watch dial represents the results of tests done in the lab, not in the ocean.
5. I've seen the abbreviation ATM used in labeling degrees of water resistance. What does it mean?
It stands for "atmosphere" and it's equal to 10 meters of water pressure. Another word for "atmosphere" is "bar," which is often used in Europe.
6. Is water resistance permanent?
No. Water resistance depends on several factors (see question 1), some of which can be affected by wear or simply by time. Gaskets can become corroded or misshapen, cases denied or crystals loose or broken. That's why your watch, like your car and your teeth, needs preventive maintenance.
7. How often does water resistance need to be checked?
At least once a year. Most manufacturers say water resistance needs to be tested every time the case back is opened, because opening the case can dislodge the gaskets. This rule applies even to a simple battery change. (Many service centers also change the gaskets whenever a watch comes in for service.) You should take it only to a service center authorized by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise could invalidate your warranty.
8. How is water resistance tested? There are basically two ways of machine-testing water resistance, referred to as "dry" and "wet" testing. In the former, the watch is subjected to air pressure and measurements taken to see whether the case expands as a result of air leaking into the case. If it does, the watch is not water resistant.
In one type of "wet" testing, the watch is first subjected to air pressure, then submerged in water. If air bubbles come out of the watch when it is underwater, it means air seeped into the watch before it was submerged, and it is therefore not water-resistant. In another type, the watch is placed in a small water-filled chamber which is then subjected to pressure from a piston. If water gets into the watch, it's not water resistant (this is obviously the riskiest form of water-resistance testing).
9. Can I wear my water resistant watch in the hot tub?
No. Exposing your watch to heat, whether it's in a hot tub or sauna can cause the gaskets to lose their shape and their ability to keep out water.
10. What besides extreme temperatures will jeopardize my watch's water-resistance?
Some chemicals can corrode the gaskets and make it vulnerable. Heavily chlorinated water can cause problems, as can spray-on perfumes and hairsprays that work their way into the watch's seams and damage the gaskets. (They can also damage your watch's finish.)
11. My divers' watch came with a leather strap. Will the water harm it? It may. Wearing a leather strap in the pool or diving is not generally recommended, says TAG Heuer's John Sokol. "It's like wearing your shoes to go swimming." Instead, choose a metal, plastic or nylon strap, he advises.
However, some manufacturers do offer leather bands which have been specially treated to resist water and are guaranteed safe for swimming. Check your warranty before you wear your leather strap in the water.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
WATCH CARE AND HANDLING
1.Watch manufacturers advise people to have their mechanical watches serviced regularly even if they're working fine. Why is that?
Like a car, a mechanical watch needs to be lubricated regularly to keep it running smoothly. Over time, the oil will deteriorate and friction between the movement's part will increase, causing abrasion and making the watch less accurate. In addition, the friction can create a very fine dust that will itself act as an abrasive on the watch movement parts.Especially for the top quality replica watches,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replicas,Richard Mille replica watches,Zenith replica watches and Porsche Design replica watches.
2. How often does a mechanical watch need to be serviced?
Manufacturer's recommendations vary, but most range from every three to five years.
3. What happens to it when it goes in to be serviced?
The watch is taken apart and the bracelet and case are cleaned ultrasonically and polished. The pieces of the movement are cleaned chemically and examined. Worn parts are replaced. The movement is then reassembled, lubricated and regulated. Then, if the watch is water resistant, its water resistance is tested.
4. Where should you take your watch to have it repaired or overhauled?
If the watch is under warranty, the warranty may be invalid unless you take it to a service center authorized by the manufacturer. You can get a list of authorized repair centers from the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired, you can take it either to an authorized center or to a reputable repair shop.
5. How much does an overhaul cost?
It varies a great deal, but consumers can generally expect to pay upwards of $100 - sometimes a great deal upwards- for an overhaul of an uncomplicated automatic watch. As a rule, the more expensive the brand, the more expensive the overhaul.
6. How long does the watch have to remain in the shop?
This, too, varies by repair shop, but turnaround times for overhauls are generally measured in weeks - two or three in many instances.
7. Do quartz watches need to be serviced like mechanical ones?
No. Quartz watch movements do not need nearly as much maintenance as mechanical ones do. You can choose the Breitling replica watches,U-Boat replicas and Omega replica watches in the market,they are cheap and good quality. That's because they have far fewer moving parts -just the gears that move the hands. (A digital watch has no moving parts at all). All that most quartz watches really require is that when the case is opened for a batter change, it be cleaned of accumulated dirt. However, some expensive quartz analog watch movements should have their gear train lubricated ever eight to 10 years. For inexpensive quartz watches, this isn't worth doing.
8.How often does a watch's water resistance need to be checked?
All water resistant watches need to have their water resistance checked ever time the batter is changed or the case is opened for any other reason. That's because when the case is opened, the caskets that keep the water out of the case are dislodged. (These gaskets, or O rings, are located inside the case at the joints where the case meets the case back, crown and crystal.) For this reason it's important that when the battery in a water-resistant watch needs to be changed, the watch be taken to a repair center that has water-resistance testing equipment. In some instances, water-resistance should be checked between battery changes. If the watch is worn in the water, frequently or exposed to a lot of sweat, it should be checked at least ever two years and, if exposure to water is very frequent, ever year, says Efim Khankin, owner of Universal Watch & Jewelry Co., Birmingham, Mich.
9. Do you need to wind a mechanical watch every day?
The watch will run better if you do. "You always get better performance from a watch when it's fully wound than when it's wound down," says Daniel Fenwick, technical manager at Swatch Group (formerly SMH) Customer Service in Lancaster, Pa. It's best to wind it even if you don't intend to wear it. That will prevent the movement's lubricants from congealing.
This doesn't, of course, apply to an automatic, or self-winding watch. This type of watch should be wound initially to get it started. If the wearer is reasonably active and wears the watch for 12 to 15 hours a day, it will remain fully wound, Fenwick says.
10. Does it matter which direction you turn the crown when you're setting a watch?
On most mechanical watches it doesn't. On some, particularly those equipped with calendars, you should only move the hands clockwise. The manufacturer's instructions will include directions for setting.
On quartz watches, it's OK to move the hands in either direction to set them. Manufacturers point out, though, that you can eliminate the free play in minutes hand by setting it in the following way (a quartz watch, unlike a mechanical one, tends to have play in its minutes hands due to the lack of tension in the gear train): Move the minutes hand clockwise until it is a few minutes past where it is supposed to be, then move it counterclockwise back to the correct spot.
11. Will heat and cold affect a watch's accuracy?
Heat and cold will affect the time-keeping ability of a quartz watch. Quartz crystals, whose extremely steady vibrations are responsible for the unrivaled accuracy of quartz watches, are cut so they perform optimally at room temperature, says Fenwick. A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit will throw the timing off by about 1 second a day, as will one of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extreme temperature will also affect the accuracy of a mechanical watch, but not as much as other factors (see below). One reason is that hot and cold cause the metal parts of a watch movement to expand and contract (though advances in metallurgy have made this less of a problem than in the past). Another reason is that heat and cold affect the viscosity of the oil that lubricates the movement, and thereby affect the movement's accuracy.
12. What other factors affect the accuracy of a watch?
In a mechanical watch, wearing habits such as when the watch is wound, how long it's worn each day and what position it lies in when it is not being worn all play a critical role in determining how consistently a watch runs. Although a typical mechanical watch might gain or lose about 5 minutes a month, it's possible, by adjusting the watch to fit a wearer's regular habits, to achieve much higher accuracy than that. "The more consistent your wearing habits, the more consistent the time-telling will be," says Joseph Cerullo, technical director at the Movado Group, Lyndhurst, N.J.
None of these factors make any difference with a quartz watch. With quartz, temperature is the only variable that affects the accuracy of the movement.
13. Can a mechanical watch be worn playing sports?
In general yes, Cerullo says. All or nearly all mechanical watches manufactured today are equipped with anti-shock devices that protect the watch's balance-staff pivots - the part of the watch movement most vulnerable to damage from impact. These devices are usually effective enough to protect the watch from the shock it encounters when you hit a tennis or golf ball, for instance.
Nonetheless, there is a small change that an especially hard knock could damage not only the balance but the rotor axle, which is some automatic movements serves to secure the rotor to the watch movement. So deciding whether to wear your mechanical watch or not while playing sports is a matter of risk assessment. The odds, however, are on your side.
14. Is the same true of a quartz watch?
There is very little chance of damaging the movement of a quartz watch while playing sports -a quartz watch does not contain the delicate balance-staff pivots that make anti-shock devices necessary in mechanical watches. You can, of course, damage other parts of the watch -the crystal of instance- whether the watch is quartz or mechanical.
15. Will anything damage a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal?
Don't be misled by the term "scratch resistant". It doesn't mean "scratch proof". The most scratch-resistant crystals are made of synthetic sapphire, an extremely hard mineral that measures 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamond, the hardest natural substance known to man, measures 10). Despite its high rating, sapphire can be abraded by some materials. Brushing against a synthetic stone surface, like those found on some furniture or walls, for example, could cause a scratch.
Also keep in mind that the more scratch-resistant a material, the more brittle it is, so scratch-resistant crystals are more likely to chip or shatter than non-scratch-resistant ones.
16. Will wearing a watch on the inside of your wrist affect its accuracy?
If it's a quartz watch, no. The position of a quartz watch has no bearing on its time-keeping ability.
A mechanical watch is a different story. Mechanical watches are regulated at the factory to run optimally on a right-handed person who will wear the watch on the outside of his or her wrist -i.e. crown down, dial up. The watch will not run as accurately in any other position, unless it is adjusted to do so. If you want to wear the watch on the inside of your wrist and have it run as well as if it were on the outside, you'll have to have it re-regulated.
17. How long will a quartz-watch batter last?
A silver oxide battery will last two to three years. Lithium batteries will last 10 years or more. (They aren't interchangeable. Watches are designed to use either silver oxide or lithium batteries.)
18. Can you hurt a watch by pulling the crown out too hard when setting it or, in the case of a mechanical watch, winding it too much?
It's unlikely you would hurt a watch doing either of these things. You would have to pull extremely hard on the stem to damage it while setting the watch. It is in theory possible to overwind a mainspring so that it breaks, but watch repairers say this rarely happens.
19. It is true you can preserve a quartz watch's battery power by pulling out the stem if you won't be wearing the watch for a few days?
Pulling out the stem saves 75% to 80% of the watch's energy because the gears and hands aren't turning, says Fenwick of the Swatch Group. However, he points out, the savings is marginal when you consider that a silver oxide battery will lose 5% to 8% of its power a year just sitting unused. Another argument against trying to save battery power this way is that if the gears in the gear train sit stationary for a long time, the lubricants congeal.
Like a car, a mechanical watch needs to be lubricated regularly to keep it running smoothly. Over time, the oil will deteriorate and friction between the movement's part will increase, causing abrasion and making the watch less accurate. In addition, the friction can create a very fine dust that will itself act as an abrasive on the watch movement parts.Especially for the top quality replica watches,such as Rolex Daytona replica,Rolex Yacht-Master replicas,Richard Mille replica watches,Zenith replica watches and Porsche Design replica watches.
2. How often does a mechanical watch need to be serviced?
Manufacturer's recommendations vary, but most range from every three to five years.
3. What happens to it when it goes in to be serviced?
The watch is taken apart and the bracelet and case are cleaned ultrasonically and polished. The pieces of the movement are cleaned chemically and examined. Worn parts are replaced. The movement is then reassembled, lubricated and regulated. Then, if the watch is water resistant, its water resistance is tested.
4. Where should you take your watch to have it repaired or overhauled?
If the watch is under warranty, the warranty may be invalid unless you take it to a service center authorized by the manufacturer. You can get a list of authorized repair centers from the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired, you can take it either to an authorized center or to a reputable repair shop.
5. How much does an overhaul cost?
It varies a great deal, but consumers can generally expect to pay upwards of $100 - sometimes a great deal upwards- for an overhaul of an uncomplicated automatic watch. As a rule, the more expensive the brand, the more expensive the overhaul.
6. How long does the watch have to remain in the shop?
This, too, varies by repair shop, but turnaround times for overhauls are generally measured in weeks - two or three in many instances.
7. Do quartz watches need to be serviced like mechanical ones?
No. Quartz watch movements do not need nearly as much maintenance as mechanical ones do. You can choose the Breitling replica watches,U-Boat replicas and Omega replica watches in the market,they are cheap and good quality. That's because they have far fewer moving parts -just the gears that move the hands. (A digital watch has no moving parts at all). All that most quartz watches really require is that when the case is opened for a batter change, it be cleaned of accumulated dirt. However, some expensive quartz analog watch movements should have their gear train lubricated ever eight to 10 years. For inexpensive quartz watches, this isn't worth doing.
8.How often does a watch's water resistance need to be checked?
All water resistant watches need to have their water resistance checked ever time the batter is changed or the case is opened for any other reason. That's because when the case is opened, the caskets that keep the water out of the case are dislodged. (These gaskets, or O rings, are located inside the case at the joints where the case meets the case back, crown and crystal.) For this reason it's important that when the battery in a water-resistant watch needs to be changed, the watch be taken to a repair center that has water-resistance testing equipment. In some instances, water-resistance should be checked between battery changes. If the watch is worn in the water, frequently or exposed to a lot of sweat, it should be checked at least ever two years and, if exposure to water is very frequent, ever year, says Efim Khankin, owner of Universal Watch & Jewelry Co., Birmingham, Mich.
9. Do you need to wind a mechanical watch every day?
The watch will run better if you do. "You always get better performance from a watch when it's fully wound than when it's wound down," says Daniel Fenwick, technical manager at Swatch Group (formerly SMH) Customer Service in Lancaster, Pa. It's best to wind it even if you don't intend to wear it. That will prevent the movement's lubricants from congealing.
This doesn't, of course, apply to an automatic, or self-winding watch. This type of watch should be wound initially to get it started. If the wearer is reasonably active and wears the watch for 12 to 15 hours a day, it will remain fully wound, Fenwick says.
10. Does it matter which direction you turn the crown when you're setting a watch?
On most mechanical watches it doesn't. On some, particularly those equipped with calendars, you should only move the hands clockwise. The manufacturer's instructions will include directions for setting.
On quartz watches, it's OK to move the hands in either direction to set them. Manufacturers point out, though, that you can eliminate the free play in minutes hand by setting it in the following way (a quartz watch, unlike a mechanical one, tends to have play in its minutes hands due to the lack of tension in the gear train): Move the minutes hand clockwise until it is a few minutes past where it is supposed to be, then move it counterclockwise back to the correct spot.
11. Will heat and cold affect a watch's accuracy?
Heat and cold will affect the time-keeping ability of a quartz watch. Quartz crystals, whose extremely steady vibrations are responsible for the unrivaled accuracy of quartz watches, are cut so they perform optimally at room temperature, says Fenwick. A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit will throw the timing off by about 1 second a day, as will one of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extreme temperature will also affect the accuracy of a mechanical watch, but not as much as other factors (see below). One reason is that hot and cold cause the metal parts of a watch movement to expand and contract (though advances in metallurgy have made this less of a problem than in the past). Another reason is that heat and cold affect the viscosity of the oil that lubricates the movement, and thereby affect the movement's accuracy.
12. What other factors affect the accuracy of a watch?
In a mechanical watch, wearing habits such as when the watch is wound, how long it's worn each day and what position it lies in when it is not being worn all play a critical role in determining how consistently a watch runs. Although a typical mechanical watch might gain or lose about 5 minutes a month, it's possible, by adjusting the watch to fit a wearer's regular habits, to achieve much higher accuracy than that. "The more consistent your wearing habits, the more consistent the time-telling will be," says Joseph Cerullo, technical director at the Movado Group, Lyndhurst, N.J.
None of these factors make any difference with a quartz watch. With quartz, temperature is the only variable that affects the accuracy of the movement.
13. Can a mechanical watch be worn playing sports?
In general yes, Cerullo says. All or nearly all mechanical watches manufactured today are equipped with anti-shock devices that protect the watch's balance-staff pivots - the part of the watch movement most vulnerable to damage from impact. These devices are usually effective enough to protect the watch from the shock it encounters when you hit a tennis or golf ball, for instance.
Nonetheless, there is a small change that an especially hard knock could damage not only the balance but the rotor axle, which is some automatic movements serves to secure the rotor to the watch movement. So deciding whether to wear your mechanical watch or not while playing sports is a matter of risk assessment. The odds, however, are on your side.
14. Is the same true of a quartz watch?
There is very little chance of damaging the movement of a quartz watch while playing sports -a quartz watch does not contain the delicate balance-staff pivots that make anti-shock devices necessary in mechanical watches. You can, of course, damage other parts of the watch -the crystal of instance- whether the watch is quartz or mechanical.
15. Will anything damage a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal?
Don't be misled by the term "scratch resistant". It doesn't mean "scratch proof". The most scratch-resistant crystals are made of synthetic sapphire, an extremely hard mineral that measures 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamond, the hardest natural substance known to man, measures 10). Despite its high rating, sapphire can be abraded by some materials. Brushing against a synthetic stone surface, like those found on some furniture or walls, for example, could cause a scratch.
Also keep in mind that the more scratch-resistant a material, the more brittle it is, so scratch-resistant crystals are more likely to chip or shatter than non-scratch-resistant ones.
16. Will wearing a watch on the inside of your wrist affect its accuracy?
If it's a quartz watch, no. The position of a quartz watch has no bearing on its time-keeping ability.
A mechanical watch is a different story. Mechanical watches are regulated at the factory to run optimally on a right-handed person who will wear the watch on the outside of his or her wrist -i.e. crown down, dial up. The watch will not run as accurately in any other position, unless it is adjusted to do so. If you want to wear the watch on the inside of your wrist and have it run as well as if it were on the outside, you'll have to have it re-regulated.
17. How long will a quartz-watch batter last?
A silver oxide battery will last two to three years. Lithium batteries will last 10 years or more. (They aren't interchangeable. Watches are designed to use either silver oxide or lithium batteries.)
18. Can you hurt a watch by pulling the crown out too hard when setting it or, in the case of a mechanical watch, winding it too much?
It's unlikely you would hurt a watch doing either of these things. You would have to pull extremely hard on the stem to damage it while setting the watch. It is in theory possible to overwind a mainspring so that it breaks, but watch repairers say this rarely happens.
19. It is true you can preserve a quartz watch's battery power by pulling out the stem if you won't be wearing the watch for a few days?
Pulling out the stem saves 75% to 80% of the watch's energy because the gears and hands aren't turning, says Fenwick of the Swatch Group. However, he points out, the savings is marginal when you consider that a silver oxide battery will lose 5% to 8% of its power a year just sitting unused. Another argument against trying to save battery power this way is that if the gears in the gear train sit stationary for a long time, the lubricants congeal.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Changing Your Watch Batteries
As you are probably well aware, watch batteries do not last a life time. They have a life span, and some are rechargeable and some are not.
Most watches sold today use lithium batteries. There are also alkaline watch batteries, but they do not perform as well as lithium watch batteries do. Lithium watch batteries last a very long time and they function best in cold weather unlike other batteries. Rechargeable watch batteries are known to be reliable.
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When you do need to replace the battery, you have basically two options, either replace it yourself or take it to a watch shop to have it replaced. You may have trouble finding a replacement battery and therefore may need to take it to a jewelry or watch shop.
Most people prefer to take their watch to a watch or jewelry repair shop. As professionals know their trade, and watches can be very intricate and can be easily scratched. Also, special tools are required to open and close the back of the watch.
Most shops sell watch batteries and they do not charge for changing watch batteries. So it is in your best interest, to have a professional change it.
If you are having trouble locating a professional, you may need to replace it yourself. However, you need to proceed with caution, so that you do not damage the watch. If the watch is still under warranty and you damage it, you are ultimately responsible for the damage not the manufacturer.
You will need very small tools such as a thin blade, a wrench, miniature screwdrivers, tweezers, a press, and a soft piece of cloth to lay the watch on while you are working on it.
The process really depends on your watch. You may have a case that snaps on or screws on. Snap cases have a tiny edge on the sides of the case. You need to use a case knife to open it. Hatch cases have an edge similar to a notch cut on the back of the case. A small screwdriver would be perfect for opening this.
Screw cases work differently. You can use a wrench to open it and a press is needed to close it once again. Some watches have a rubber gasket to protect it from water. These cases are more difficult to take apart and put back together.
Once the case is opened, you should use tweezers to get the battery out and then replacing it. Be very careful!
If you are interested in replacing your own watch batteries, it really is not rocket science however, you have to have the proper tools and you have to be very careful.
If you are not willing to replace the batteries yourselves,you can choose a mechanical watch,such as Rolex,Omega,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Tag Heuer,Breitling,Bell&Ross,U-Boat and Patek Philippe,and so on,then you don't need to worry about the battery problems.
Most watches sold today use lithium batteries. There are also alkaline watch batteries, but they do not perform as well as lithium watch batteries do. Lithium watch batteries last a very long time and they function best in cold weather unlike other batteries. Rechargeable watch batteries are known to be reliable.
window.google_render_ad();
When you do need to replace the battery, you have basically two options, either replace it yourself or take it to a watch shop to have it replaced. You may have trouble finding a replacement battery and therefore may need to take it to a jewelry or watch shop.
Most people prefer to take their watch to a watch or jewelry repair shop. As professionals know their trade, and watches can be very intricate and can be easily scratched. Also, special tools are required to open and close the back of the watch.
Most shops sell watch batteries and they do not charge for changing watch batteries. So it is in your best interest, to have a professional change it.
If you are having trouble locating a professional, you may need to replace it yourself. However, you need to proceed with caution, so that you do not damage the watch. If the watch is still under warranty and you damage it, you are ultimately responsible for the damage not the manufacturer.
You will need very small tools such as a thin blade, a wrench, miniature screwdrivers, tweezers, a press, and a soft piece of cloth to lay the watch on while you are working on it.
The process really depends on your watch. You may have a case that snaps on or screws on. Snap cases have a tiny edge on the sides of the case. You need to use a case knife to open it. Hatch cases have an edge similar to a notch cut on the back of the case. A small screwdriver would be perfect for opening this.
Screw cases work differently. You can use a wrench to open it and a press is needed to close it once again. Some watches have a rubber gasket to protect it from water. These cases are more difficult to take apart and put back together.
Once the case is opened, you should use tweezers to get the battery out and then replacing it. Be very careful!
If you are interested in replacing your own watch batteries, it really is not rocket science however, you have to have the proper tools and you have to be very careful.
If you are not willing to replace the batteries yourselves,you can choose a mechanical watch,such as Rolex,Omega,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Tag Heuer,Breitling,Bell&Ross,U-Boat and Patek Philippe,and so on,then you don't need to worry about the battery problems.
Monday, March 16, 2009
How to choose a pocket watch
With all the watches available on the market, it is often a hard decision choosing the one that is right for you. Here are some questions that you might want to ask before you buy: Do I want a winder or a quartz movement? What is this watch going to be for? Will I be using this watch, or will it just sit in a closet/cupboard/safe and collect dust?
What is my price limit? What is the availability of this particular model? Do I like how it looks? Do I like the quality? These are all important questions that you must answer before you buy. After all, if you want an extremely high quality watch that is mint condition, I doubt that you will get one for less than $300.
The questions aren't in the order that you should be asking them, but I will explain how to really go about choosing a pocket watch that is right for you:
First off, you should really consider what kind of quality you want and consider the cost that comes along with that quality. I, personally, only like antique pocket watches that meet certain railroad standards and I know that these don't come less than $200 for an OK condition watch. I am willing to pay more than that because I know what kind of standards were set for these watches and the kind of accuracy that comes with them.
Secondly, are you going to use this watch daily? If so or not, than what condition do you want it to be? I prefer to use a good pocket watch, as I trust them more than a battery operated wrist watch, and they also keep better time than a winding wristwatch. If you just want to buy the watch to keep it in a safe, get the best condition one you can afford. It's a better investment, and the better the condition, the more valuable it is in the future if you decide to sell it or pass it on to a family member or friend. If you want to use it, get one that is a little beat up. That way you can't depreciate its value if you drop it or it gets the normal wear and tear from everyday use and abuse.
Third, what is it's availability? If you want a watch that is in high demand, than you might have a problem getting your hands on it for the price you want, as there will be someone else who might be more willing to pay more than you are willing to. If you want a watch that has a good desirability, but no one is really buying it because they want another, you don't really need to consider this step. This step is usually for watches that are rare, have a high value, have a good amount of precious metals made into it, or have an unusually high desirability. If you just want a cheap Elgin, don't worry, there are tens of thousands of them ready to be purchased at any given time.
The most important thing to consider, but it should be the last as it will not usually affect the cost, is whether you like the way it looks. Do you really want a watch that you just can't stand to look at for even two seconds? No one does, and no one probably would. Really consider if you like how it looks, inside and out, because if you don't like it, chances are you aren't going to be as careful with it than if you did like it.
With reaching this last paragraph, you are one step closer to getting that watch of your dreams. Remember this little saying when you go to purchase your first watch, or another watch to add to your collection, "You get what you pay for." If you remember that, than you will never have a watch that you want to get rid of.
Choosing a good watch is a hard choice for you,but there are some top brand watches in the market,such as Rolex,Omega,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Tag Heuer,U-Boat,Bell&Ross and Breitling.
What is my price limit? What is the availability of this particular model? Do I like how it looks? Do I like the quality? These are all important questions that you must answer before you buy. After all, if you want an extremely high quality watch that is mint condition, I doubt that you will get one for less than $300.
The questions aren't in the order that you should be asking them, but I will explain how to really go about choosing a pocket watch that is right for you:
First off, you should really consider what kind of quality you want and consider the cost that comes along with that quality. I, personally, only like antique pocket watches that meet certain railroad standards and I know that these don't come less than $200 for an OK condition watch. I am willing to pay more than that because I know what kind of standards were set for these watches and the kind of accuracy that comes with them.
Secondly, are you going to use this watch daily? If so or not, than what condition do you want it to be? I prefer to use a good pocket watch, as I trust them more than a battery operated wrist watch, and they also keep better time than a winding wristwatch. If you just want to buy the watch to keep it in a safe, get the best condition one you can afford. It's a better investment, and the better the condition, the more valuable it is in the future if you decide to sell it or pass it on to a family member or friend. If you want to use it, get one that is a little beat up. That way you can't depreciate its value if you drop it or it gets the normal wear and tear from everyday use and abuse.
Third, what is it's availability? If you want a watch that is in high demand, than you might have a problem getting your hands on it for the price you want, as there will be someone else who might be more willing to pay more than you are willing to. If you want a watch that has a good desirability, but no one is really buying it because they want another, you don't really need to consider this step. This step is usually for watches that are rare, have a high value, have a good amount of precious metals made into it, or have an unusually high desirability. If you just want a cheap Elgin, don't worry, there are tens of thousands of them ready to be purchased at any given time.
The most important thing to consider, but it should be the last as it will not usually affect the cost, is whether you like the way it looks. Do you really want a watch that you just can't stand to look at for even two seconds? No one does, and no one probably would. Really consider if you like how it looks, inside and out, because if you don't like it, chances are you aren't going to be as careful with it than if you did like it.
With reaching this last paragraph, you are one step closer to getting that watch of your dreams. Remember this little saying when you go to purchase your first watch, or another watch to add to your collection, "You get what you pay for." If you remember that, than you will never have a watch that you want to get rid of.
Choosing a good watch is a hard choice for you,but there are some top brand watches in the market,such as Rolex,Omega,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Tag Heuer,U-Boat,Bell&Ross and Breitling.
Friday, March 13, 2009
How to Choose a Mechanical Watch
Mechanical spring-powered watches are more than luxury items for collectors. Consumer brands continue to have mechanicals in their line up. Quality Swiss and Japanese automatic watches can be had for US $200 or less.
Popular brands include Rolex,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Bell&Ross,Breitling,U-Boat and Patek Philippe.
Mechanical Watch Advantages
Frequent travelers will find it easy to adjust the time for different time zones, more easily than with a digital watch.
With mechanical watches, there are no worries about the battery going dead at a bad time (when camping, traveling in a strange country, fighting off zombies as the last human alive in New York).
Automatic self-winding mechanicals are the most convenient. The only maintenance required is a time adjustment every week, and a date adjustment every two months (for months that have less than 31 days).
What about solar or hand-motion powered quartz watches (Citizen Eco-Drive, Casio Tough Solar, Seiko Kinetic)? Quartz watches need a rechargeable battery or capacitor to store electricity. These batteries last for years, but like mobile phone batteries, will still need to be replaced.
Mechanical Watch Accuracy
Watches with jewels are more accurate. The more the better. Not for decoration, these are low-friction bearings for the gear wheels. The number of jewels is normally printed on the watch dial, or engraved on the back of the watch. Twenty or more jewels is a good number.
Watch repair shops can adjust a 20 jewel mechanical watch to an accuracy of 5 to 10 seconds a day or better: about a minute a week.
New watches need time to break in. Owners should wait a month for the mechanism to settle down before sending the watch for adjustment. Unadjusted watches can run fast or slow from 15 to 60 seconds a day. Anything more is likely a mechanical fault, requiring repair.
Watch Features
Features such as date and day-of-week displays are common. Slightly more advanced features are
· "Hacking" where the second hand stops (that is, the watch stops) when the watch crown is pulled out to adjust the time. This allows the setting of the time to one second precision, allowing the wearer to play "let's synchronize our watches" like in the movies. Non-hacking watches can be stopped with light pressure to turn the watch hands backwards, but this is probably not good for the mechanism.
· Winding without shaking the watch. Not all automatic watches can be wound up by turning the crown (useful to top-up the spring tension after the watch hasn't been worn for a while).
More advanced features include
· Stop watch function.
· Moon phase display.
Maintenance
It is often recommended that mechanical watches be serviced every 2 years. This makes sense for expensive luxury watches.
For consumer watches, the cost of servicing a few times can be more than the cost of the watch. Owners may wish to wait longer: 5 to 10 years, or until a problem develops.
Mechanical versus Quartz and Digital Watches
Mechanical watches were developed to a high degree of refinement a few decades ago, before quartz watches took over the market. While not as accurate as a quartz watch, a shop-adjusted mechanical watch will be accurate enough for most uses.
Their simplicity (no need to read a 10-page manual to use one) and battery-less operation make them an appealing choice, even (or especially) in today's computerized digital world. "Skeleton" mechanical watches with transparent fronts or backs to show the workings of the inner mechanism, are popular.
Nowadays,the mechanical watches have been more and more popular in the whole world,such as Rolex Daytona,Rolex Yacht-Master,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Datejust,Rolex GMT,Omege and Tag Heuer.
Popular brands include Rolex,Richard Mille,Porsche Design,Bell&Ross,Breitling,U-Boat and Patek Philippe.
Mechanical Watch Advantages
Frequent travelers will find it easy to adjust the time for different time zones, more easily than with a digital watch.
With mechanical watches, there are no worries about the battery going dead at a bad time (when camping, traveling in a strange country, fighting off zombies as the last human alive in New York).
Automatic self-winding mechanicals are the most convenient. The only maintenance required is a time adjustment every week, and a date adjustment every two months (for months that have less than 31 days).
What about solar or hand-motion powered quartz watches (Citizen Eco-Drive, Casio Tough Solar, Seiko Kinetic)? Quartz watches need a rechargeable battery or capacitor to store electricity. These batteries last for years, but like mobile phone batteries, will still need to be replaced.
Mechanical Watch Accuracy
Watches with jewels are more accurate. The more the better. Not for decoration, these are low-friction bearings for the gear wheels. The number of jewels is normally printed on the watch dial, or engraved on the back of the watch. Twenty or more jewels is a good number.
Watch repair shops can adjust a 20 jewel mechanical watch to an accuracy of 5 to 10 seconds a day or better: about a minute a week.
New watches need time to break in. Owners should wait a month for the mechanism to settle down before sending the watch for adjustment. Unadjusted watches can run fast or slow from 15 to 60 seconds a day. Anything more is likely a mechanical fault, requiring repair.
Watch Features
Features such as date and day-of-week displays are common. Slightly more advanced features are
· "Hacking" where the second hand stops (that is, the watch stops) when the watch crown is pulled out to adjust the time. This allows the setting of the time to one second precision, allowing the wearer to play "let's synchronize our watches" like in the movies. Non-hacking watches can be stopped with light pressure to turn the watch hands backwards, but this is probably not good for the mechanism.
· Winding without shaking the watch. Not all automatic watches can be wound up by turning the crown (useful to top-up the spring tension after the watch hasn't been worn for a while).
More advanced features include
· Stop watch function.
· Moon phase display.
Maintenance
It is often recommended that mechanical watches be serviced every 2 years. This makes sense for expensive luxury watches.
For consumer watches, the cost of servicing a few times can be more than the cost of the watch. Owners may wish to wait longer: 5 to 10 years, or until a problem develops.
Mechanical versus Quartz and Digital Watches
Mechanical watches were developed to a high degree of refinement a few decades ago, before quartz watches took over the market. While not as accurate as a quartz watch, a shop-adjusted mechanical watch will be accurate enough for most uses.
Their simplicity (no need to read a 10-page manual to use one) and battery-less operation make them an appealing choice, even (or especially) in today's computerized digital world. "Skeleton" mechanical watches with transparent fronts or backs to show the workings of the inner mechanism, are popular.
Nowadays,the mechanical watches have been more and more popular in the whole world,such as Rolex Daytona,Rolex Yacht-Master,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Datejust,Rolex GMT,Omege and Tag Heuer.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mechanical movements
Compared to electronic movements, mechanical watches are less accurate, often with errors of seconds per day, and they are sensitive to position and temperature. As well, they are costly to produce, they require regular maintenance and adjustment, and they are more prone to failure. Nevertheless, the "old world" craftsmanship of mechanical watches still attracts interest from part of the watch-buying public.The perfect design of Rolex Yacht-Master,Rolex New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona are liked by many people all over the world.
Mechanical movements use an escapement mechanism to control and limit the unwinding of the watch, converting what would otherwise be a simple unwinding, into a controlled and periodic energy release. Mechanical movements also use a balance wheel together with the balance spring (also known as Hairspring) to control motion of the gear system of the watch in a manner analogous to the pendulum of a pendulum clock. The tourbillon, an optional part for mechanical movements, is a rotating frame for the escapement which is intended to cancel out or reduce the effects of bias to the timekeeping of gravitational origin. Due to the complexity designing a tourbillon, they are very expensive, and only found in "prestige" watches. The pin-lever (also called Roskopf movement after its inventor, Georges Frederic Roskopf), is a cheaper version of the fully levered movement which was manufactured in huge quantities by many Swiss manufacturers as well as Timex, until it was replaced by quartz movements.
Tuning fork watches use a type of electromechanical movements. Introduced by Bulova in 1960, they use a tuning fork at a precise frequency (most often 360 hertz) to drive a mechanical watch. The task of converting electronically pulsed fork vibration into rotary movement is done via two tiny jeweled fingers, called pawls. Tuning fork watches were rendered obsolete when electronic quartz watches were developed, because quartz watches were cheaper to produce and even more accurate.
Although mechanical watches are not accurate as the quartz watches,they are still popular in the world,such as Richard Mille,Porsche Design,U-Boat,Breitling and Bell&Ross.
Mechanical movements use an escapement mechanism to control and limit the unwinding of the watch, converting what would otherwise be a simple unwinding, into a controlled and periodic energy release. Mechanical movements also use a balance wheel together with the balance spring (also known as Hairspring) to control motion of the gear system of the watch in a manner analogous to the pendulum of a pendulum clock. The tourbillon, an optional part for mechanical movements, is a rotating frame for the escapement which is intended to cancel out or reduce the effects of bias to the timekeeping of gravitational origin. Due to the complexity designing a tourbillon, they are very expensive, and only found in "prestige" watches. The pin-lever (also called Roskopf movement after its inventor, Georges Frederic Roskopf), is a cheaper version of the fully levered movement which was manufactured in huge quantities by many Swiss manufacturers as well as Timex, until it was replaced by quartz movements.
Tuning fork watches use a type of electromechanical movements. Introduced by Bulova in 1960, they use a tuning fork at a precise frequency (most often 360 hertz) to drive a mechanical watch. The task of converting electronically pulsed fork vibration into rotary movement is done via two tiny jeweled fingers, called pawls. Tuning fork watches were rendered obsolete when electronic quartz watches were developed, because quartz watches were cheaper to produce and even more accurate.
Although mechanical watches are not accurate as the quartz watches,they are still popular in the world,such as Richard Mille,Porsche Design,U-Boat,Breitling and Bell&Ross.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
How to Find Cheap Breitling Watches Online
Breitling watches are never cheap, but it's easy to find them for less than retail price if you know where to look.
Breitling Watches are one of the most popular luxury watch brands in the world. They are known for their outstanding quality and long tradition of quality timepieces. Much like any name brand that has proven itself to be reliable and of high quality, Breitling Watches are not for shoppers looking to spend only a little money for a watch. Breitling Watches can cost close to five thousand dollars when purchased new at a retail establishment. Some cost over ten thousand dollars. Fortunately for those looking to find cheap Breitling Watches there are a couple of solutions. If a Breitling watch is truly out of reach financially, there are plenty of online retailers that offer replicas for costs drastically below those of the genuine article. While these watches might still be a little more expensive than most watches, they are a good deal cheaper than authentic Breitling watches. One thing to be wary of when purchasing a replica watch is to make sure the retailer has a good history of customer satisfaction. There is nothing worse than spending your hard earned money online and never receiving what you ordered. Do some homework before deciding on which replica watch website to purchase from. Replica watches are usually of good enough quality to appear to be authentic at first glance. If someone were to carefully study the watch, they might be able to tell it’s not the real thing. Still if you are looking for the look of a Breitling watch without investing a small fortune then a replica watch is the way to go. Now that some replica watches,such as Rolex,U-Boat,Richard Mille,Porsche Design and Bell&Ross are alomost the same as the genuine ones.If, however, you want an authentic Breitling watch for cheap, then check out Save on Luxury Watches. This site offers cheap Breitling watches as well as other name brand watches at discounts ranging from 10-30 percent.
Breitling Watches are one of the most popular luxury watch brands in the world. They are known for their outstanding quality and long tradition of quality timepieces. Much like any name brand that has proven itself to be reliable and of high quality, Breitling Watches are not for shoppers looking to spend only a little money for a watch. Breitling Watches can cost close to five thousand dollars when purchased new at a retail establishment. Some cost over ten thousand dollars. Fortunately for those looking to find cheap Breitling Watches there are a couple of solutions. If a Breitling watch is truly out of reach financially, there are plenty of online retailers that offer replicas for costs drastically below those of the genuine article. While these watches might still be a little more expensive than most watches, they are a good deal cheaper than authentic Breitling watches. One thing to be wary of when purchasing a replica watch is to make sure the retailer has a good history of customer satisfaction. There is nothing worse than spending your hard earned money online and never receiving what you ordered. Do some homework before deciding on which replica watch website to purchase from. Replica watches are usually of good enough quality to appear to be authentic at first glance. If someone were to carefully study the watch, they might be able to tell it’s not the real thing. Still if you are looking for the look of a Breitling watch without investing a small fortune then a replica watch is the way to go. Now that some replica watches,such as Rolex,U-Boat,Richard Mille,Porsche Design and Bell&Ross are alomost the same as the genuine ones.If, however, you want an authentic Breitling watch for cheap, then check out Save on Luxury Watches. This site offers cheap Breitling watches as well as other name brand watches at discounts ranging from 10-30 percent.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Jewelry Watch
Beauty and Time Together
Of course everybody needs a watch. Why a Jewlery Watch? First of all, your watch is more than a timekeeping tool. Your choice in watches makes a statement of who you are. Rolex Daytona,Rolex Datejust,Rolex GMT,Rolex Prince and Rolex Submariner also have jewelry watches. Jewelry Watches can be affordable enough that you can own 2, 3 or more. Some more bold and daring, others understated and simple. Also, you can accessorize your jewelry watches with any mood or outfit. Finally, there are so many types of jewelry watches to choose from, there is certain to be something for everyone,
The Jewelry Watch as an Investment in You
Men's only consistent piece of jewelry is the watch, and it is more than reasonable that they would invest in different types to match every occasion. This is similar to what women do with jewelry.
Many occasions call for a jewelry watch, such as a wedding, anniversary, or a formal dinner. A jewelry watch does not have to be made of a precious gem, though I am sure most women would not object to that. The jewelry can and is in most cases very subtle and elegant. For example, there are designer jewelry watches for men such as Rolex, Omega,Richard Mille,Bell&Ross and Breitling that uses full cut, high-grade diamonds on the dial in the place of the numerals.
There are, of course, many jewelry watches available that are fully covered with gemstones. The strap can be made out of precious metals such as gold or platinum. Those are pieces that are hardly used for their main purpose of keeping track of the time. Mostly, these are used just as another piece of jewelry in itself.
The reason you should invest in a jewelry watch, is that it is a piece of jewelry first and foremost. Therefore, it does not lose its value on the market but, if anything, becomes more valuable with time.
Caring for Your Jewelry Watch
It is very important you insure your jewelry watch as soon as you purchase it for any eventuality. Depending on the designer brand of the watch, you must follow strict service directions provided, and only take it for servicing to an authorized dealer of the brand or the same store if possible.
Having actual gemstones on and in your watch requires care, especially if they are on the outside of the watch. This includes the knowledge of how resistant the gem stones are (their hardness factor), as this information will restrict your activity with watch considerably. For example, a diamond has the highest hardness on the Moh's scale (a full 10 out of 10) and only another diamond can scratch it. However, an emerald is brittle, and if you hit it you may cause internal fractures of the stone.
Like all precious jewelry, you will need to clean and maintain your watch properly. A reputable jeweler will be able to help you with any minor repairs. Mostly, just enjoy your jewelry watch as an outward expression of yourself.
Even if your watch is waterproof, it is not recommended to do dishes with your watch on due to detergents. Never wear magnetic bracelets with a watch as it may cause the watch to not function properly.
Of course everybody needs a watch. Why a Jewlery Watch? First of all, your watch is more than a timekeeping tool. Your choice in watches makes a statement of who you are. Rolex Daytona,Rolex Datejust,Rolex GMT,Rolex Prince and Rolex Submariner also have jewelry watches. Jewelry Watches can be affordable enough that you can own 2, 3 or more. Some more bold and daring, others understated and simple. Also, you can accessorize your jewelry watches with any mood or outfit. Finally, there are so many types of jewelry watches to choose from, there is certain to be something for everyone,
The Jewelry Watch as an Investment in You
Men's only consistent piece of jewelry is the watch, and it is more than reasonable that they would invest in different types to match every occasion. This is similar to what women do with jewelry.
Many occasions call for a jewelry watch, such as a wedding, anniversary, or a formal dinner. A jewelry watch does not have to be made of a precious gem, though I am sure most women would not object to that. The jewelry can and is in most cases very subtle and elegant. For example, there are designer jewelry watches for men such as Rolex, Omega,Richard Mille,Bell&Ross and Breitling that uses full cut, high-grade diamonds on the dial in the place of the numerals.
There are, of course, many jewelry watches available that are fully covered with gemstones. The strap can be made out of precious metals such as gold or platinum. Those are pieces that are hardly used for their main purpose of keeping track of the time. Mostly, these are used just as another piece of jewelry in itself.
The reason you should invest in a jewelry watch, is that it is a piece of jewelry first and foremost. Therefore, it does not lose its value on the market but, if anything, becomes more valuable with time.
Caring for Your Jewelry Watch
It is very important you insure your jewelry watch as soon as you purchase it for any eventuality. Depending on the designer brand of the watch, you must follow strict service directions provided, and only take it for servicing to an authorized dealer of the brand or the same store if possible.
Having actual gemstones on and in your watch requires care, especially if they are on the outside of the watch. This includes the knowledge of how resistant the gem stones are (their hardness factor), as this information will restrict your activity with watch considerably. For example, a diamond has the highest hardness on the Moh's scale (a full 10 out of 10) and only another diamond can scratch it. However, an emerald is brittle, and if you hit it you may cause internal fractures of the stone.
Like all precious jewelry, you will need to clean and maintain your watch properly. A reputable jeweler will be able to help you with any minor repairs. Mostly, just enjoy your jewelry watch as an outward expression of yourself.
Even if your watch is waterproof, it is not recommended to do dishes with your watch on due to detergents. Never wear magnetic bracelets with a watch as it may cause the watch to not function properly.
Monday, March 9, 2009
How to Make Jewelry
Making jewelry is simple but does take some planning, time and effort. When you know what you are doing and have the materials and tools on hand, you can make a pair of earrings in less than 5 minutes.
When you make your own jewelry, you get to make it personalized to you. You get exactly the look you want. In addition, you save money. If you find you enjoy your projects, you can sell them for a profit.
How to Make Simple Beaded Earrings Our first video on making jewelry is: How to Make Earrings. It goes through step by step on how to make simple beaded earrings. I've been complimented for years on pearl and gemstone earrings I have made this way. I have successfully sold these for years at craft fairs and jewelry shows. On our How to Price Your Crafts page it shows pricing for earrings of this type, though your pricing may vary depending on the vendors you use.
How to Make Wire Wrapped Jewelry Here are great instructions on: How to Make Wire Wrapped Jewelry. It goes through step by step how to make a wire wrapped gemstone pendant. It is simple, fun and rewarding to make wire wrapped jewelry. There is more market for this type of jewelry than the simple beaded earrings above and it doesn't take much longer to make.
How to Make Heart Shaped Jewelry Here are great instructions on: How to Make Heart Jewelry. It goes through step by step how to make a wire wrapped heart gemstone pendant. It is beautiful and much more affordable than a jewelry store.
How to Make Wire and Gemstone Bangle Bracelets Here are great instructions on: Making Wire Bracelets. It teaches you step by step on making a wire wrapped gemstone bangle bracelets. It is wonderfully handcrafted and stylish.
Jewelry Making Tools
There are different jewelry making tools desired depending on your project. Be sure you have the specific tools you want for each project. Some basic tools for beading include:
Pliers (usually several sizes & types of pliers come in handy)
Tweezers (straight and bent depending on what you are making)
Mandrels (if making wire wrap jewelry)
Wire cutters (I often use nail cutters)
Bead Board (or good work space)
Clippers (for thread, if beading)
Polishing Cloth (if sterling silver gets tarnished)
If you are doing fancier work, you may need more equipment, so be sure to read the instrucions before attempting to make your project. It goes much smoother with the tools on hand.
After you make the jewelry,maybe later you can add them to your watches,I am sure that your watch will be as beautiful as the watch from top brand.Such as Rolex,Omega,Tag Heuer,U-Boat,Breitling and Richard Mille.
When you make your own jewelry, you get to make it personalized to you. You get exactly the look you want. In addition, you save money. If you find you enjoy your projects, you can sell them for a profit.
How to Make Simple Beaded Earrings Our first video on making jewelry is: How to Make Earrings. It goes through step by step on how to make simple beaded earrings. I've been complimented for years on pearl and gemstone earrings I have made this way. I have successfully sold these for years at craft fairs and jewelry shows. On our How to Price Your Crafts page it shows pricing for earrings of this type, though your pricing may vary depending on the vendors you use.
How to Make Wire Wrapped Jewelry Here are great instructions on: How to Make Wire Wrapped Jewelry. It goes through step by step how to make a wire wrapped gemstone pendant. It is simple, fun and rewarding to make wire wrapped jewelry. There is more market for this type of jewelry than the simple beaded earrings above and it doesn't take much longer to make.
How to Make Heart Shaped Jewelry Here are great instructions on: How to Make Heart Jewelry. It goes through step by step how to make a wire wrapped heart gemstone pendant. It is beautiful and much more affordable than a jewelry store.
How to Make Wire and Gemstone Bangle Bracelets Here are great instructions on: Making Wire Bracelets. It teaches you step by step on making a wire wrapped gemstone bangle bracelets. It is wonderfully handcrafted and stylish.
Jewelry Making Tools
There are different jewelry making tools desired depending on your project. Be sure you have the specific tools you want for each project. Some basic tools for beading include:
Pliers (usually several sizes & types of pliers come in handy)
Tweezers (straight and bent depending on what you are making)
Mandrels (if making wire wrap jewelry)
Wire cutters (I often use nail cutters)
Bead Board (or good work space)
Clippers (for thread, if beading)
Polishing Cloth (if sterling silver gets tarnished)
If you are doing fancier work, you may need more equipment, so be sure to read the instrucions before attempting to make your project. It goes much smoother with the tools on hand.
After you make the jewelry,maybe later you can add them to your watches,I am sure that your watch will be as beautiful as the watch from top brand.Such as Rolex,Omega,Tag Heuer,U-Boat,Breitling and Richard Mille.
Friday, March 6, 2009
History of Jewelry
The rise of the use of jewelry began when early humans ceased being nomadic, and started to settle down in certain areas, and began building communities. This new way of life happened about the same time mineral deposits started to be taken seriously, and put to some kind of use. Prior to this period early men decorated their bodies through some manner other than wearing jewelry. In some early cultures they did wear fishbone or shells, tusks or animal around their necks.
At first, jewelry forms were limited. Priests wore breastplates which had religious or spiritual significance, and it took some time before the upper classes began wearing different forms of jewelry for more decorative purposes. Gradually, craftsman began making special pieces that were meant to be worn on various parts of the body. The religious breastplates remained, but items were manufactured for the neck and torso as well as other parts of the body.
Early neck and torso pieces included necklaces, brooches stomachers, and belts. There were also special ornaments made for the head. These included headdresses, crowns, diadems, and tiaras. Hairpins and combs even had jewels embedded in them. Earrings, nose and lip rings along with earplugs began to make their appearance on the jewelry market. Decorated rings were also worn on the hands and toes, and specially designed armlets were worn on the arm, while bracelets graced the wearer's wrist. There were also thigh and ankle bracelets sported by jewelry connoisseurs in those earlier times. Jeweled shoe buckles made a debut a little later in the historical time line. These earlier traditions still thrive today.
Some of the earliest examples of jewelry were found in 2500 BC among the Sumerians. In the tomb of an ancient queen known as Pu-abi in Ur (Tallal-Mugayyar) which is in modern day Iraq, beautifully preserved jewelry and ornamentations were found. The queen was wrapped in a robe made of gold beaded with silver, lapis lazuli, cornelian, agate and chalcedony. The mummy was richly adorned with amulets, diadems, necklaces, earrings and rings. They found necklaces set in three rows of semi-precious stone, with circular flowers in the middle of them. Many of the artifacts recovered belong to other dignitaries and the queens. attendants. Early Sumerians shared the tradition with some other ancient cultures regarding burial practices. Those who were unfortunate enough to serve someone in the royal household killed themselves following burial ceremonies for that individual.
Archeologists discovered that by this time that the technical processes used to produce jewelry existed. Geometric shapes and animal and vegetable representations were widely used.
When archeologists began excavating Egyptian tombs they found some of the finest pieces of ancient jewelry still in existence. The tomb of Tutankhamen a young Egyptian pharaoh yielded and whole treasure trove of precious items. Somehow, his tomb had escaped being torn apart by grave robbers and the elements for thousands of years. A lot of the pieces that were found there are now housed in The Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The mummy was covered with an array of some of the finest ancient jewels ever discovered. The excavators found other jewels and ornaments spread all over the tomb. These jewels remained truly Egyptian although Egypt had extensive relations with other cultures during that time. Most Egyptian jeweled artifacts reflected the deeply religious nature of the people. Their jewelry was worn, as a rule, for religious purposes, or to convey a definite message. Among the most spiritual designs were representations of the scarab, the lotus flower, the eye of the God Horus, the vulture, the sphinx and the serpent. These and other symbols eluded to the religions beliefs of the pharaohs, and other symbols often referred to a myriad of other Gods. Some jeweled pieces were decorated to give a message about the cult of the dead.
Gold was the predominant metal used with gemstones. Gold was frequently decorated with three colors of cornelian, turquoise lapis lazuli. There was a definite symmetry and a rhythmic repetition of colors and shapes that were employed by the craftsman. They placed everything in alternating colors using cylindrical, spindles, disks and spheres.
The first sign of outside ideas appearing in the Egyptian jewelry trade started to appear in the 18th dynasty when unknown jewels began to be imported by the artisans for use in the jewelry industry. As this continued influence from foreign sources took hold in Egypt the old artistic methods gave way to new Hellenistic designs, and eventually Roman methods. The integrity of Egyptian jewelry eventually died out.
The Greek influence in the history of jewelry found an unforeseen ally in Alexander the Great. As Alexander made incursions into other lands the creativity of the great artisans of the time followed him. Greek jewelry was known by its. sculpture in miniature. Religious, mythological and heroic scenes were the themes they used in production. Just prior to the time of Alexander the Great in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C., technical talents among goldsmiths and gemstone craftsmen reached its highest level. They produced exceptional works of art. They incorporated rich overtones of contrast, harmony, clarity, unity and rhythm in their work. Just after Alexander conquered Persia beautiful diadems began to appear in the upper classes. Often a particular ornament was done in an elliptical shape, and bound together with the famous Hercules knot. The knot was used by ancient jewelry makers because it was supposed to possess mystical and magical qualites. Rome was a thriving center for early goldsmiths, and they built a jewelry trade there that was unrivaled until the Renaissance in Europe. They set up lapidaries, and goldsmiths came from Greece and the Mideast to work in them. At first fine jewelry was meant to be worn by the upper classes, but it is during the height of the Roman period that we see this custom start to change. Persons of lower social rank started to wear jewelry, and soon it became quite a common tradition. Gold was extended to household use: an example was the placing of precious stones in furniture. The Romans used Etruscan and Greek plots and patterns, but eventually began developing their own ideas. The Romans also started using colored stones such as topaz, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls to craft a piece of jewelry. They preferred engraved gems, and these often became popularly collected among the upper classes. Their craftsmen also introduced new techniques. The most important one was the opus interassile, which is where the artisan took a flat or curved metal surface and decorated it with miniscule pierced stones.
The invention of the jewelry is a big event in proples’s lives,later,the jewelry are fixed on the watches,clothes,and so on.With these jewelry,the clothes seem to shine in every places,and the watches are more dignity.Such as the Richard Mille,Rolex,Oris and so on.
At first, jewelry forms were limited. Priests wore breastplates which had religious or spiritual significance, and it took some time before the upper classes began wearing different forms of jewelry for more decorative purposes. Gradually, craftsman began making special pieces that were meant to be worn on various parts of the body. The religious breastplates remained, but items were manufactured for the neck and torso as well as other parts of the body.
Early neck and torso pieces included necklaces, brooches stomachers, and belts. There were also special ornaments made for the head. These included headdresses, crowns, diadems, and tiaras. Hairpins and combs even had jewels embedded in them. Earrings, nose and lip rings along with earplugs began to make their appearance on the jewelry market. Decorated rings were also worn on the hands and toes, and specially designed armlets were worn on the arm, while bracelets graced the wearer's wrist. There were also thigh and ankle bracelets sported by jewelry connoisseurs in those earlier times. Jeweled shoe buckles made a debut a little later in the historical time line. These earlier traditions still thrive today.
Some of the earliest examples of jewelry were found in 2500 BC among the Sumerians. In the tomb of an ancient queen known as Pu-abi in Ur (Tallal-Mugayyar) which is in modern day Iraq, beautifully preserved jewelry and ornamentations were found. The queen was wrapped in a robe made of gold beaded with silver, lapis lazuli, cornelian, agate and chalcedony. The mummy was richly adorned with amulets, diadems, necklaces, earrings and rings. They found necklaces set in three rows of semi-precious stone, with circular flowers in the middle of them. Many of the artifacts recovered belong to other dignitaries and the queens. attendants. Early Sumerians shared the tradition with some other ancient cultures regarding burial practices. Those who were unfortunate enough to serve someone in the royal household killed themselves following burial ceremonies for that individual.
Archeologists discovered that by this time that the technical processes used to produce jewelry existed. Geometric shapes and animal and vegetable representations were widely used.
When archeologists began excavating Egyptian tombs they found some of the finest pieces of ancient jewelry still in existence. The tomb of Tutankhamen a young Egyptian pharaoh yielded and whole treasure trove of precious items. Somehow, his tomb had escaped being torn apart by grave robbers and the elements for thousands of years. A lot of the pieces that were found there are now housed in The Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The mummy was covered with an array of some of the finest ancient jewels ever discovered. The excavators found other jewels and ornaments spread all over the tomb. These jewels remained truly Egyptian although Egypt had extensive relations with other cultures during that time. Most Egyptian jeweled artifacts reflected the deeply religious nature of the people. Their jewelry was worn, as a rule, for religious purposes, or to convey a definite message. Among the most spiritual designs were representations of the scarab, the lotus flower, the eye of the God Horus, the vulture, the sphinx and the serpent. These and other symbols eluded to the religions beliefs of the pharaohs, and other symbols often referred to a myriad of other Gods. Some jeweled pieces were decorated to give a message about the cult of the dead.
Gold was the predominant metal used with gemstones. Gold was frequently decorated with three colors of cornelian, turquoise lapis lazuli. There was a definite symmetry and a rhythmic repetition of colors and shapes that were employed by the craftsman. They placed everything in alternating colors using cylindrical, spindles, disks and spheres.
The first sign of outside ideas appearing in the Egyptian jewelry trade started to appear in the 18th dynasty when unknown jewels began to be imported by the artisans for use in the jewelry industry. As this continued influence from foreign sources took hold in Egypt the old artistic methods gave way to new Hellenistic designs, and eventually Roman methods. The integrity of Egyptian jewelry eventually died out.
The Greek influence in the history of jewelry found an unforeseen ally in Alexander the Great. As Alexander made incursions into other lands the creativity of the great artisans of the time followed him. Greek jewelry was known by its. sculpture in miniature. Religious, mythological and heroic scenes were the themes they used in production. Just prior to the time of Alexander the Great in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C., technical talents among goldsmiths and gemstone craftsmen reached its highest level. They produced exceptional works of art. They incorporated rich overtones of contrast, harmony, clarity, unity and rhythm in their work. Just after Alexander conquered Persia beautiful diadems began to appear in the upper classes. Often a particular ornament was done in an elliptical shape, and bound together with the famous Hercules knot. The knot was used by ancient jewelry makers because it was supposed to possess mystical and magical qualites. Rome was a thriving center for early goldsmiths, and they built a jewelry trade there that was unrivaled until the Renaissance in Europe. They set up lapidaries, and goldsmiths came from Greece and the Mideast to work in them. At first fine jewelry was meant to be worn by the upper classes, but it is during the height of the Roman period that we see this custom start to change. Persons of lower social rank started to wear jewelry, and soon it became quite a common tradition. Gold was extended to household use: an example was the placing of precious stones in furniture. The Romans used Etruscan and Greek plots and patterns, but eventually began developing their own ideas. The Romans also started using colored stones such as topaz, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls to craft a piece of jewelry. They preferred engraved gems, and these often became popularly collected among the upper classes. Their craftsmen also introduced new techniques. The most important one was the opus interassile, which is where the artisan took a flat or curved metal surface and decorated it with miniscule pierced stones.
The invention of the jewelry is a big event in proples’s lives,later,the jewelry are fixed on the watches,clothes,and so on.With these jewelry,the clothes seem to shine in every places,and the watches are more dignity.Such as the Richard Mille,Rolex,Oris and so on.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Mens Watch
Buying a Men's Watch for that Special Guy
Buying the perfect gift for the man in your life can be daunting. How many golf balls or fishing lures can one man use? Luckily, the one gift that all guys can use is a good men's watch. For men, a good watch serves as an important timekeeping tool and often their only accessory. By paying attention to the needs and tastes of your recipient, choosing the perfect watch can be pretty easy.
Matchmaking the Perfect Men's Watch
Consider the following things when buying a mens watch:
What kind of watch is he currently wearing? This will often tell you perferences in type of watchband, how big a dial and so forth.
Does he generally prefer modern, sporty or classic styles? Usually people buy the same style of watch though may choose fancier for formal occassions.
How active is he? Active people generally need more durable, scratchproof watches. Often waterproof is recommended as well.
Is he over 50? If so, an antique watch may be perfect. Otherwise, younger men tend to shy away from antiques
Is he a collector? If so, finding a unque watch not currently in his collection would be great
How much do you want to spend? Staying within ones budget is always wise.
Every Man's Watch
The great thing about giving a mens watch is that you can't have too many watches. Men often use one watch for sports, another for professional dress, and yet another for more casual outings. The great surpise with this present is that you may give the man in your life something he didn't even know he wanted.
If you purchased a men's watch and it turns out that your friend already has a similar one, he just doesn't like it, or just wants a different color dial, you can repair the mistake by purchasing from a store that accepts returns and exchanges. In fact, the right way to do this is to ensure that they do by letting the seller know that there is a possibility you may want to exchange or refund the men.s watch if your friend does not care for it.
Ageless and Timeless
Whether as a tool for your 4 year old nephew to start learning numbers and telling time, or your 70 year old father to time his walks by the river, the gift of a men's watch knows no boundaries. Perhaps your brother will add the watch to his collection, or your boyfriend may gain confidence from looking profession on that job interview. Regardless, your gift will be meaningful. A men's watch is truly a gift which will stand the test of time.
If you want to buy a good watch for a man, Rolex 2008 New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona,Rolex Submariner,Rolex Sea-Dweller,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Yachtmaster,U-BOAT watches,Chopard,Dior,Rado,Richard Mile and Buberry are some good choices.
Buying the perfect gift for the man in your life can be daunting. How many golf balls or fishing lures can one man use? Luckily, the one gift that all guys can use is a good men's watch. For men, a good watch serves as an important timekeeping tool and often their only accessory. By paying attention to the needs and tastes of your recipient, choosing the perfect watch can be pretty easy.
Matchmaking the Perfect Men's Watch
Consider the following things when buying a mens watch:
What kind of watch is he currently wearing? This will often tell you perferences in type of watchband, how big a dial and so forth.
Does he generally prefer modern, sporty or classic styles? Usually people buy the same style of watch though may choose fancier for formal occassions.
How active is he? Active people generally need more durable, scratchproof watches. Often waterproof is recommended as well.
Is he over 50? If so, an antique watch may be perfect. Otherwise, younger men tend to shy away from antiques
Is he a collector? If so, finding a unque watch not currently in his collection would be great
How much do you want to spend? Staying within ones budget is always wise.
Every Man's Watch
The great thing about giving a mens watch is that you can't have too many watches. Men often use one watch for sports, another for professional dress, and yet another for more casual outings. The great surpise with this present is that you may give the man in your life something he didn't even know he wanted.
If you purchased a men's watch and it turns out that your friend already has a similar one, he just doesn't like it, or just wants a different color dial, you can repair the mistake by purchasing from a store that accepts returns and exchanges. In fact, the right way to do this is to ensure that they do by letting the seller know that there is a possibility you may want to exchange or refund the men.s watch if your friend does not care for it.
Ageless and Timeless
Whether as a tool for your 4 year old nephew to start learning numbers and telling time, or your 70 year old father to time his walks by the river, the gift of a men's watch knows no boundaries. Perhaps your brother will add the watch to his collection, or your boyfriend may gain confidence from looking profession on that job interview. Regardless, your gift will be meaningful. A men's watch is truly a gift which will stand the test of time.
If you want to buy a good watch for a man, Rolex 2008 New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona,Rolex Submariner,Rolex Sea-Dweller,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Yachtmaster,U-BOAT watches,Chopard,Dior,Rado,Richard Mile and Buberry are some good choices.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Omega Watch
Omega Watches: The Last Timepiece You'll Need
The necessity of a good watch has spurred an entire industry around the creation and distribution of wristwatches alone. Yet over the years, the Omega Watch has stood out as one of the most versatile and reliable in this industry. Created by Louis Brandt, Omega Watches have kept time for numerous events in history.
The Alpha of Omega Watches
The Omega watch company was founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. From their creation until today, every single Omega watch is a masterpiece. The precision and superior movement of Omega watches soon found recognition worldwide. As early as 1900, it was officially appointed the official watch of the Grand Prix at the Paris World Fair.
A Watch of Olympic Proportions
The Grand Prix was only the beginning of the brand.s involvement in sports, as it was appointed 21 times to be the official time keeper of the Olympic Games. It brought new innovations to the games, such as the electronic watch in 1952 at the Helsinki games. In the very same year, the company received the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding performance and continuous support in the sports industry.
Omega watches are known for their superior movement, and precision. Therefore, they are highly reliable, so it was with little surprise that their Speedmaster model was chosen in 1965 by NASA to be the official chronometer, only to be yet again on the wrist of Neil Armstrong as he stepped on the moon on July 21, 1969.
Even on Earth
Whether you are planning a moonwalk, or just trying to manage your life here on earth, it is comforting to know that Omega's precision craftsmanship is available to anyone. The purchase of an Omega watch is such a wise investment, that collectors aspire to include one in their holdings. Omega watches hold their value, especially the models that have gemstones and precious metals.
With their reputation for accuracy and versatility, it is easy to understand why owning an Omega watch is viewed more as an investment than a purchase. Sporty, professional or elegant, there is an Omega watch that is just right for you.
Now the author is dealing in top quality replica watches,to know more information about the replica watches,please visit the website:http://www.hellorolex.com.
Rolex,Replica Rolex,Rolex 2008 New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona,Rolex Submariner,Rolex Sea-Dweller,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Yachtmaster,U-BOAT watches,Chopard replica,Dior replicas, Richard Mile replicas,Rado replica watches and replicas of Burberry.
The necessity of a good watch has spurred an entire industry around the creation and distribution of wristwatches alone. Yet over the years, the Omega Watch has stood out as one of the most versatile and reliable in this industry. Created by Louis Brandt, Omega Watches have kept time for numerous events in history.
The Alpha of Omega Watches
The Omega watch company was founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. From their creation until today, every single Omega watch is a masterpiece. The precision and superior movement of Omega watches soon found recognition worldwide. As early as 1900, it was officially appointed the official watch of the Grand Prix at the Paris World Fair.
A Watch of Olympic Proportions
The Grand Prix was only the beginning of the brand.s involvement in sports, as it was appointed 21 times to be the official time keeper of the Olympic Games. It brought new innovations to the games, such as the electronic watch in 1952 at the Helsinki games. In the very same year, the company received the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding performance and continuous support in the sports industry.
Omega watches are known for their superior movement, and precision. Therefore, they are highly reliable, so it was with little surprise that their Speedmaster model was chosen in 1965 by NASA to be the official chronometer, only to be yet again on the wrist of Neil Armstrong as he stepped on the moon on July 21, 1969.
Even on Earth
Whether you are planning a moonwalk, or just trying to manage your life here on earth, it is comforting to know that Omega's precision craftsmanship is available to anyone. The purchase of an Omega watch is such a wise investment, that collectors aspire to include one in their holdings. Omega watches hold their value, especially the models that have gemstones and precious metals.
With their reputation for accuracy and versatility, it is easy to understand why owning an Omega watch is viewed more as an investment than a purchase. Sporty, professional or elegant, there is an Omega watch that is just right for you.
Now the author is dealing in top quality replica watches,to know more information about the replica watches,please visit the website:http://www.hellorolex.com.
Rolex,Replica Rolex,Rolex 2008 New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona,Rolex Submariner,Rolex Sea-Dweller,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Yachtmaster,U-BOAT watches,Chopard replica,Dior replicas, Richard Mile replicas,Rado replica watches and replicas of Burberry.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Watch Band
Why Watch Bands?
Once upon a time, Grandpa would pull his well-worn pocket watch out and announce the time. Now that practically every, from grade schoolers on up are wearing watches, there is a more practical method. Thanks to the invention of the watchband, wrist watches have made time management easier for everyone. And the variety of choices available are endless.
Pick Your Fabric
A leather or durable fabric watch band is composed of two pieces with each of the bands being connected to the wristwatch via a pin. The other end of the leather watch band contains a buckle like feature that allows for the other end of the strap to be inserted and latched together by placing the pin into the pre-set hole.
A metallic-like watch band is generally comprised of linked units that move independently of each other. This separate movement allows for a more firm, but comfortable fit when the wrist is moved. The metallic watch band is also attached to the wrist watch through a metallic pin. These two pins hold each end of the watch band firmly to the wrist watch.
Attachment Issues
The style you are looking for is impacted not just by the material used in your watch band, but by the method used to secure it to the watch. There are three separate ways that the attaching pin, that holds the watch band to the wrist watch, can be structured. Those three separate types of pins include the regular release, lever, and screw type.
Regular Method
The regular release type pin that secures the watch band to the wristwatch is long enough to be inserted through the looped ends of the band. Each of the ends of the pins are designed to be inserted into the prefabricated holes that are part of the top and bottom portion of the casing of the wristwatch. Often the retracting of the pin can be accomplished by using a small jeweler's screwdriver or other such apparatus.
When over the hole the tension on the retracted side is released and this allows for the pin to be inserted into the opening. This process is then repeated to affix the other portion of the watch band to the other part of the casing. It is important to remember that the pin is spring loaded. Therefore, if the person inserting the pin is not careful, the pin can be forcefully launched.
The Lever Method
The second style of pin utilizes a lever system. This lever pin is located in the looped area of the watch band and is similar in operation as the regular release pin. However, this type of pin, rather than using a jeweler's screwdriver or other such apparatus, has a lever mechanism.
Simply locate the lever and move the lever inwards towards the opposite end. This will retract the tension of the pin and allow for the easy removal of the end of the pin from the prefabricated hole.
As with the regular release pin, it is important to control the removing of the end of the pin from the casing. This type of pin is still under tension and if released, in an uncontrolled manner, the pin may be lost.
The Screw Method
The final type of pin that is available to secure the watch band to the watch casing is a screw type pin. This type of pin is not of the spring release variety, but is simply a small metal rod that is inserted in one end and fastened securely to the other end of the casing by using a small screw. Thus, the structure of a watch band may seem simple, but it is actually rather complicated in order to provide you with maximum comfort.
Mechanics of Life
It's surprising that the small details of a watch band have such an impact. Most of us give little or no thought to a device that we would be lost without. Yet our choice of a wrist watch often hinges on these small components.
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Once upon a time, Grandpa would pull his well-worn pocket watch out and announce the time. Now that practically every, from grade schoolers on up are wearing watches, there is a more practical method. Thanks to the invention of the watchband, wrist watches have made time management easier for everyone. And the variety of choices available are endless.
Pick Your Fabric
A leather or durable fabric watch band is composed of two pieces with each of the bands being connected to the wristwatch via a pin. The other end of the leather watch band contains a buckle like feature that allows for the other end of the strap to be inserted and latched together by placing the pin into the pre-set hole.
A metallic-like watch band is generally comprised of linked units that move independently of each other. This separate movement allows for a more firm, but comfortable fit when the wrist is moved. The metallic watch band is also attached to the wrist watch through a metallic pin. These two pins hold each end of the watch band firmly to the wrist watch.
Attachment Issues
The style you are looking for is impacted not just by the material used in your watch band, but by the method used to secure it to the watch. There are three separate ways that the attaching pin, that holds the watch band to the wrist watch, can be structured. Those three separate types of pins include the regular release, lever, and screw type.
Regular Method
The regular release type pin that secures the watch band to the wristwatch is long enough to be inserted through the looped ends of the band. Each of the ends of the pins are designed to be inserted into the prefabricated holes that are part of the top and bottom portion of the casing of the wristwatch. Often the retracting of the pin can be accomplished by using a small jeweler's screwdriver or other such apparatus.
When over the hole the tension on the retracted side is released and this allows for the pin to be inserted into the opening. This process is then repeated to affix the other portion of the watch band to the other part of the casing. It is important to remember that the pin is spring loaded. Therefore, if the person inserting the pin is not careful, the pin can be forcefully launched.
The Lever Method
The second style of pin utilizes a lever system. This lever pin is located in the looped area of the watch band and is similar in operation as the regular release pin. However, this type of pin, rather than using a jeweler's screwdriver or other such apparatus, has a lever mechanism.
Simply locate the lever and move the lever inwards towards the opposite end. This will retract the tension of the pin and allow for the easy removal of the end of the pin from the prefabricated hole.
As with the regular release pin, it is important to control the removing of the end of the pin from the casing. This type of pin is still under tension and if released, in an uncontrolled manner, the pin may be lost.
The Screw Method
The final type of pin that is available to secure the watch band to the watch casing is a screw type pin. This type of pin is not of the spring release variety, but is simply a small metal rod that is inserted in one end and fastened securely to the other end of the casing by using a small screw. Thus, the structure of a watch band may seem simple, but it is actually rather complicated in order to provide you with maximum comfort.
Mechanics of Life
It's surprising that the small details of a watch band have such an impact. Most of us give little or no thought to a device that we would be lost without. Yet our choice of a wrist watch often hinges on these small components.
Now the author is dealing in top quality replica watches,to know more information about the replica watches,please visit the website:http://www.hellorolex.com.
Rolex,Replica Rolex,Rolex 2008 New Model,Rolex Datejust,Rolex Daytona,Rolex Submariner,Rolex Sea-Dweller,Rolex Day-Date,Rolex Yachtmaster,U-BOAT watches,Chopard replica,Dior replicas,Rado replica watches and replicas of Burberry.
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