Watches - Technical Information

Kinds of calibers

Quartz: a battery supplies the energy of the watch. The second hand moves ticking.
Automatical: the watch is supplied with energy from movements (or winding by means, of turning the crown). The second hand moves smoothly. A watchwinder is a useful accessory.
Mechanical: the watch is supplied with energy by winding up (turning the crown).

Kinds of materials of the case

Stainless steel: rust-proof and very strong.
Titanium: very strong and ultra light.
Keramiek: scratch proof.
Stainless steel PVD (black coating): rust proof and very strong

Kinds of materials of the strap/bracelet

Stainless steel: rust proof, reliable and very strong. At the same time ideal when sporting.
Leather: light, flexible and chic.
Titanium: very strong and ultra light.
Ceramic: scratch proof.
Rubber: flexible and light.

Kinds of glass

Mineral glass: normal glass (minerals).
Hardened mineral glass: very strong glass.
Sapphire glass: scratch proof glass.

Water resistance

3 ATM (30 meter): resistant to splashing water and rain.
5 ATM (50 meter): a bit better resistant to splashing water and rain.
10 ATM (100 meter): resistant to taking a shower and swimming (not resistant when plunging, snorkeling and diving).
20 ATM (200 meter): resistant to swimming and diving.
From 20 ATM up: resistant to all normal use when in the water.

We advise: a watch with a resistance of 3 ATM or 5 ATM avoid any contact with water. When you have damages from such a contact, they are not covered under any warranty.

Functions

Chronograph: a chronograph is an other word used for stop-watch. With this function you can measure a time exactly.
Power reserve: applied in automatic/mechanical watches and shows the quantity of energy is (still) present
Tachymeter: an instrument in the watch to measure speed e.g. by measuring how long it takes to cover a distance of 1000 meters.
Tritium/Lumibrite: these materials illuminate your watch in the dark (hand and other indicators).
Jewels: these are precious stones or synthetic stones which take care of smooth but especially more durable movements of automatic or mechanical watches. In principle the thesis “the more jewels, the better” holds good.
Bezel: this is the ring on the case. Most of the time it can be rotated. You may use it to measure time.
Screwed crown: the crown is opened by turning the crown. In this way the watch is well water resistant and resistant to other fluids/materials. It mostly applies to watches suitable for diving.
Eco-Drive: a system of Citizen watches by which the watch gets its energy from (sun) light.
Kinetic: a system of Seiko watches by which the watch gets its energy from movements; its stored in a small battery.
GMT-function: a function with which a second indicator of time can be adjusted different times (two time zones).
Date function: a reproduction of the day, the week or the year.
Moon phase: a reproduction of the phase of the moon. The period of a complete rotation of the moon around the earth takes about 29 days and a half (almost one month).
Swiss Made: a watch entitled to bear the predicate “Swiss Made” only when the watch bas been manufactured and checked in Switserland, and the parts of the watch with regard to the assembly of the watch amount to at least 50% of the value. Swiss Made is a seal devoting quality.
Deployment buckle: the closing and the strap are one piece. This closing may be compared to the closing of a stainless steel bracelet.

Usage of watches

Be careful with your watch. As a rule watches are rather vulnerable (especially automatic and mechanical watches).
Prevent from violent shocks, bumping and contact with chemical substances and magnetic influences.
To prevent damp (moisture) in your watch please take care that the crown has been closed, always (read the information about the water resistance) and mind big differences of temperature (then materials expand and water may enter the watch).
If you want to adjust the date of an automatic or mechanical watch, please do not between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. (when the hands indicate a time within this period). This may cause permanent damage to your watch. This adjustment in this period is not under warranty for repair. The right answer to the problem: adjust the time by hand to 6.30 p.m. or 7.30 a.m. and then adjust the date. After this you go back to the right time.
Be careful with the crown. The crown cannot be claimed for warranty because damage almost always had been caused by bumping against something or dropping.