Archive for October, 2009

Watches Without Batteries

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Who had thought that we will step into an era where watches will run without batteries? But its fact, today we have faster, newer and better watches that work without batteries. Seiko was the first company to officially launch such watches. Following the routes of Seiko, another company SMH launched its own battery-less watches. And soon we saw battery-less watches under the tag of Omega and Longines. Meanwhile, Seiko has continued to input more innovations in such technology.

There are scores of advantages of having a battery-less watch and that is why such demands are highly demanded worldwide. The wearer never requires worrying about batteries. One does not even need to spend money on testing the battery or replace it. In addition, no need to get shocked to see watches getting automatically stopped. Also, one need is not subjected to the risks of environmental pollutions that occur due to the disposal of the used batteries.

The arm’s movement empowers the battery-less watches. In the process, to and forth motion makes a micro-generator spin, which produces electricity. Watch-less batteries generally work as a normal quartz watch. The best thing about such batteries is that these watches are same accurate as normal watches.

Seiko and SHM have emerged as the major player in the market of batter-less watches. Citizen has also evolved as one of the prominent brands in this market. The prices of such watches are somehow equivalent to the normal watches. Different brands have different rates. But you can get a battery-less watch in reasonable rates.

Explore more on watch batteries

Watch Restoration Process

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

If you wish a longer life of your watch, you ought to get it maintained after specific period of time. Sometimes watches require restoration in order to give it a fresh life. The restoration helps in restoring watches, as the term suggests, gives in ‘like-new’ glaze and condition. There are abundance of service providers in the market that offer watch servicing and restoration process.

What An Ideal Watch Restoration Process Entail:

Step I: Disassembling: This is pretty meticulous task. The process includes unscrewing the watch without damaging it or losing its tiny particles. One must use proper tools to carry out this process, as different watches have different ways to get opened.

Step II: Replacement: In the process, the damaged or flawed part of the watch is repaired and replaced with a new one.

Step III: Cleaning: Using suitable chemicals, the watch particles are cleaned. The process goes as follows: Clean– Rinse—-Rinse—-Dry. This is important as dust accumulates at sensitive areas and choke the watch functionality.

Step IV: Assembling: This is a crucial part of the restoration process. It requires a lot of patience and attention to carry out. This process is best carried out by an expert.

Step V: Regulation: When you’re through with assembling, watches are then placed in a machine. This machine basically measures the movement for amplitude, timing and beat. If the test is successful, then watches are cased. Otherwise, the restoration process is repeated until the watch passes the test.

Step V: Case Tightening: The case is then tightened using the right kind of tool.

Well the restoration process is not restricted to aforementioned steps only. The watches also undergo pressure checking, steam check and so on.

Explore more on watch repair

Watch Battery Professionals

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Whosever is a watch freak knows the value of a good quality battery and need to maintain it! The batteries provide life to the watches and any hassle with them can put a full stop to the watch. But do not worry. Batteries can be easily replaced and are available at every watch stores. Many people decide to change or replace the battery on own in order to save the money and time. But you cannot always take the risk, especially when the watch is of high quality or designer one. In that case you can get the watch battery replacement from an expert, also known as watch battery professionals.

You must be thinking what exactly does a watch battery professional. The battery professional, as the term suggests, replace, change and resolve all the problems related to the watch batteries. Watch battery professionals perform tasks such as battery testing, replacing the battery and many more. There can be scores be problems related to the battery and that is why such professionals are very vital.

Watch battery professionals, thanks to Internet, are easily available and can be found in your locality as well. The professionals brief about their work specialty, service USPs, and price quotations on their online portfolios. But as a smart customer, you need to have some kind of one-on-one interaction with the professional. This will help you in explaining what exactly you want. In addition, go through some of the previous jobs that professional has performed.

Many will suggest you to go for automatic watch battery replacement or so. But do not forget that manual repair is still better and highly effective. They may charge bit higher but taking note of their hard work and dedication that goes through…you should not mind paying some extra penny!

How To Repair A Watch In 20 Minutes

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

The watches are one of the most intricate devices man has invented so far. And like every manmade items, the watches get wear and tear. But it does not mean that people have stopped putting on watches, fearing they may get worn out. In fact, the demand of the watches has always been sky-high. Thanks to ceaseless innovations and varying needs of the public, the watches have continued to be part of our lives. Watch repair industry is one of the streams of the watch industry that is too progressing at a decent rate. The reason behind their boom is the need of a skilled mind and hand to repair a watch.

If you just thought that watch repair was a lengthy task, then check the below mentioned methods through which one can repair in just 20 minutes. Yes you are right! In less than half-an-hour, your watch, irrespective of its make, type and design, can be mended in just 20 minutes.

‘First get the kit ready, which is comprised of every important tool that may be required for different purposes.

‘In case of battery replacement or address any other problem, place the battery facing down on a soft piece of cloth.

‘Open the cover carefully and remove/replace the battery. Make sure you do not damage other parts in the process.

‘Reassemble the watch

‘In case of changing a glass cover, remove the glass carefully, without cracking it. Place the new one as the first one was placed. Again, take care of the glass.

‘In case of changing the strap, using any of the appropriate tools unscrew the strap. Attach another strap that well goes with the watch face and so on.

In the market including online, you will see several watch makers claiming to mend the watch in minutes. Yes it’s true you do not have much of time, but do not risk your watch by availing a low quality service for watch repair.

Switch a watch battery

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Has your watch stopped telling time? In most of the cases, when a watch stops telling time, you need to change the battery. A watch battery is mostly small round metallic shaped. It is generally placed in a frame inside the watch. The batteries are used in digital watches and analogue watches. Changing a watch battery is not a herculean task but requires loads of skills and watchfulness to do it perfectly. The basic fundamental for switching a watch battery is ‘understand the intricacies of watch’. At least understand the way how to open it and reassemble.

Step I: Place the watch facing down on a soft cloth. This helps in averting scratches or any other kind of damage.

Step II: Using the appropriate tool such as screwdriver and remove the cover. Analyze the merit of the cover before opening it, as different watch covers require different ways to open.

Step III: Once the watch is opened, you now locate the watch. The watch, as aforementioned, is tiny round metallic pill placed inside the watch. While taking out the battery, do not damage other parts of the watch. You can use a screwdriver to wedge out the battery.

Step IV: After taking out the battery, test the battery. In case the watch is dead, replace with it a new one. Make sure that the new battery is compatible with the watch.

Step V: Carefully place the new battery, without damaging other parts of the watch.

Though switching a battery is relatively easier task but you if you are not sure then may take help of the a watch expert—watch makers or horologists.

Should I repair it or buy a new one?

Monday, October 5th, 2009

One day I looked at my watch and realized it wasn’t working. I thought to get it repaired but at the same time I felt that I should buy a new one.

You might have gone through such circumstances once in your life. Repairing a watch is better idea or getting a new one is much exciting? Whatever! Both the options have their own merits and demerits.

When we talk about repairing a watch, we think on saving our money. After getting a watch repaired, it starts working like before. Another biggest thing you get while repairing it is that you don’t have to throw away your watch outside if your watch has some sentimental value to you, you can keep it with you and wear it regularly. Make sure to get it repaired by an experienced technician. Most of the time watch receives scratches on its body when you give it for repairing. Sometimes, local technicians replace the original parts with low quality ones which do not work for long and provide damage to the watch as well. Watch is worth repairing if the watch repair cost is less than the replacement cost.

Whereas, buying a new watch is always exciting. You can get a watch in latest colour, design and style. You can add style to your persona by wearing a watch matching to the colour of your attire. New watch offers you guarantee of 1 or 2 years, depending on the range, price and brand of the watch. Buying a new watch demands huge amount of money and going for an expensive one will disturb your monthly budget as well.
So, unless your watch can not be repaired and do not recuperate working condition like before, avoid buying a new watch. If you really want to buy a new one, keep a check on its cost while focusing on its style and design.

Watch Battery Grades

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

Watch batteries are manufactured in different grades specifically meeting the needs of specific watches. A wrong battery used may lead to a serious damage to your watch. A technician should ensure replacing a battery with the right one in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Do not replace just one battery and use the second one partially exhausted. The whole set of the battery should be changed at a time. Watch batteries of different grades should not be mixed or used together. Browse through the huge variety of watch batteries to find a right battery well fitted to the make and model of each of your watches.

The silver-oxide button cell batteries start with model 315 and goes all the way up to model 399. The energizer 315 watch battery has a capacity of 20mAh and button shaped 399 model is multi-drain. Silver-oxide batteries should be pre-tested before it is used in a watch. These are featured in low drain (LD) as well as high drain (HD) to fit all kinds of watch. An HD watch battery is basically digital but is some time analog as well. It is also used in alarms, chimes and back lights. LD watch battery is always analog and they are not featured to require high currents.

A wrong watch battery grade used in your watch may lead it to reach beyond its normal exhaustion point and leads to the leakage, thereby damaging your precious watch. Also, one should avoid attempt to recharge battery by heating or other such means. Batteries of any grade should not be exposed to moisture, sunlight or high temperatures to be used for longer time and to keep your watch in ideal working condition.