patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
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7 Sins in Handling ANY WATCH
These 7 Sins were originally published by A. Lange & Sohne, but I find that it's applicable to almost all watches...
1. Don't swim in a watch that hasn't been checked for waterproofness. Rubber seals do degrade over time! Watches should be checked annually for watertightness. Even some sports watches have exposed rubber seals (like the Patek Philippe Nautilus has a rubber seal between the bezel and the case which will leak over time).
2. Don't wear bracelets or chains next to a watch, this scuffs up the bracelet and the watch! Poor bracelet! Poor watch! It's a lose lose situation!
3. Don't subject the watch to repeated shocks or big swinging forces. Big caliber fire arms, golfing, mountain biking, hammering, etc. will all create additional wear for the watch and upset its precision. The swing of a golf club exhibits multiple Gs of force on the watch components. Running while wearing a watch can cause excess wear on both the movement and the bracelet.
4. Don't expose your watch to extreme temperatures and to big temperature changes. This definitely hurts the lubricants and other chemicals in the watch (such as the lume). Lubricants also gel up as they age.
5. Be careful with whom you entrust your watch for service. A lot of butchers out there. And even be careful with authorized service centers, they screw up all the time!
6. Don't correct the date nor calendar mechanism during 9PM to 3AM. Varies between brands. Patek Philippe moonphase is in action around 10AM on some models.
7. Always turn the crown backwards by a full revolution after winding a watch to seat the mainspring barrel catch lever. Otherwise it will be left in the "raised" position.
A great manufacture! Thank you Lange for the ultimate expression of German watchmaking!
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7 Sins in Handling ANY WATCH
These 7 Sins were originally published by A. Lange & Sohne, but I find that it's applicable to almost all watches... 1. Don't swim in a watch that hasn't been checked for waterproofness. Rubber seals do degrade over time! Watches should be checked annuall...
Okay, authorized service centers.
JLC for example, I wanted my Master Geographic to be sent to Switzerland, they would only allow to go to US service center. OMEGA, I don’t think I would trust their US service ever again, I sent in a 300, which bracelet was perfect, just wanted regulation...
Too bad we can't tip the authorized service people!
Tipping really is a crazy mentality found in USA. Maybe we should go to Japan to service our watches. The Japanese have a very strong work ethic and they strive for good results.
If you're in NYC, visit Alkis, he's the official servicer for Lange. But he can do some other watches too or point you to another good watchmaker.
Alkis is such a great guy. I want to own a Lange just to enjoy his work!
I have a great watchmaker in NYC I would recommend to anyone.
Anyone is welcome to PM me for his contact.
Agreed...it was weird at first when we lived there...
...but we soon came to see the positive side of it...it was all about taking pride in doing a good job. Tipping is insulting because it implies you aren't always doing your best.
I do not...but I first met KiH when there and we've stayed in touch...
...via email and when we/he visits.
If they have the equipment...
If you are a client and they have the equipment, they should charge you $0. But they should do it at their convenience. It's kind of like how all jewelry stores offer free cleaning. It's a perk jewelry stores give clients so they come in. If you didn't bu...
Interesting insight ...
If only using watches in the real world was so straight forward ;-)) Thanks Patrick !
Tennis
Play tennis is not good for a mechanical watch. Breitling have a system which setting the date at any time do not ruins the mechanism. Do not try! Read the manual first if you have such a Breitling. The 7 sins. My guide to handle a watch are: Be careful. ...
I think those rules are too esoteric - in my experience damage is often done in much simpler ways
1. Don't go swimming with any watch if you haven't screwed in (or pressed in) the crown (Tommi) 2. Don't drop your watch on the tile floor in the locker room when you take it off before playing golf, racquet ball, etc. (Len) 3. Don't put your watch in you...
I have received the "Don't you dare take a watch into a hot tub!" Lecture several times now!
I'm innocent, I guess I have resting takes-watch-into-hot-tub face.
Makes total sense!
I don't take a watch into a hot tub, but now I'll doubly warn others when they attempt to do so!
I am a self proclaimed WIS and I did not know about #7.
I would add one more, putting on top of your Polk Audio speaker tower when I made dinner one night. This was a decade back but learned the hard way=)
Numbers 3 and 4. Guilty.
I have to salute the fine people at Rolex for making watches that can thrive in extreme conditions.
Number 7 is interesting, I did not know that.
Presumable it would apply to watches in general, not just Lange? (You did include 'any watch' in the title of the post.)
Oh yes! Definitely a good rule for any watch, especially a manual wind watch from just about any brand.
Basically there's a clip that prevents the barrel from unwinding. The clip lives in the barrel gear teeth. This clip is "lifted" out of the teeth when winding the watch. So it's important to do a half backwards turn so that way the clip sits back into the...
Hopefully this gives you the right idea.
Basically there's a clip that prevents the barrel from unwinding. The clip lives in the barrel gear teeth. This clip is "lifted" out of the teeth when winding the watch. So it's important to do a half backwards turn so that way the clip sits back into the...
Thanks for this insight mate
Certainly learn something new today and will incorporate this into the winding routine. Cheers!
