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Jewelry Education
Watches 101
Almost everyone wears a watch or has a clock in their home. In this busy world, we all try to keep up with our hectic schedules. Watches and clocks are part of our everyday life. With that in mind, we’d like to share some simplified information and terms used about timepieces.
Water-resistant
This word can have different meanings when it comes to watches. If your watch has markings that indicate it is water resistant, you may need to understand this term better.
- WR: Splash resistant
- WR50: Suitable for still water swimming (Swimming pool)
- WR100: Suitable for water sports (Wearing in the surf)
- WR200: Suitable for water sports and recreational scuba diving.
Quartz movement
This is the type of watch most people wear. A battery powers quartz movement watches. Batteries vary from watch to watch but typically are a low drain silver oxide style battery. Most batteries should last eighteen months or longer, depending on how many watch functions there are (timer, alarm, light, etc).
Kinetic
Kinetic watches create their own power by transferring energy drawn from movement provided by the person wearing the watch. In this way it is similar to the old automatic watches. The big difference is how long this energy will last. A fully powered Kinetic watch can last up to six months without being worn. The bonus of this technology is that you never have to pay for a battery change.
Solar powered (light powered)
This type of watch uses everyday light to power itself. Light passes through the dial (face of the watch) to a solar cell. Power is then stored in a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. When exposed to normal light in everyday activities, this watch will keep you on time without skipping a beat. As with the Kinetic, solar powered watches never need new batteries.
Wind-up
Centuries old, this style of watch has kept the world on time. For generations timepieces were passed down, and with good reason. After years of trial and error, these watches were masterpieces in time. Perfected by the Swiss, wind up watches are making a comeback because of their durability and practicality.
Caring for your watch
Periodic cleaning of your watch is recommended. No matter how secure the seals of your watch are, it is a good idea to keep it in the best condition possible. Just like a car, watches need maintenance. Metal watchbands also need to be cleaned. These are worn against the skin and can attract a variety of dirt. Cleaning with a dry or slightly damp soft bristle brush will loosen dirt. Wipe with a soft cloth. Leather bands should be replaced if they show signs of wear.