Allergy
The main cause of allergies caused by watches is nickel. Tissot/Certina/Mido watches do not use nickel.
- titanium watches;
- gold watch;
- watches with a coating applied by vacuum deposition.
This will completely prevent allergy related problems.
In the event of an allergic reaction, Tissot/Certina/Mido are not obliged to replace the watch.
What is an automatic watch?
An automatic watch is a mechanical watch whose spring is wound by the movements of the hand on which the watch is worn. This differs from manually wound watches, which are wound by the owner by rotating the crown.
Why are these watches called "automatic"?
Because they do not require manual winding, but wind up “automatically” when worn on the hand.
How does the automatic winding mechanism work?
When the watch is worn on the wrist, the rotor rotates freely in the center of the watch mechanism - a metal weight connected to the watch winding mechanism. The rotor turns forward or backward with the slightest movement of the wrist and winds the flat spiral mainspring, which stores the energy to operate the watch.
How many movements are required for an automatic watch to function properly?
Normal movements of the hand and wrist are sufficient to wind an automatic watch normally. People who are sedentary, such as the elderly or those on bed rest, may need to wind the watch manually.
Can you wind an automatic watch manually?
Yes, manual winding will not cause any harm to the watch. For a complete plant it is usually sufficient
10 - 15 turns of the crown.
How long will an automatic watch last after being removed from my wrist?
This depends on the type of watch movement and the energy reserve of the mainspring at the time the watch is removed from your hand. Typically, the power reserve of fully wound automatic watches is 36 to 48 hours.
How often should an automatic watch be serviced?
Automatic quartz watch
This is a watch that simultaneously has the advantages of QUARTZ and MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC watches, and is devoid of their disadvantages. The advantages include:
Full autonomy, like an automatic watch;
Impeccable accuracy like quartz watch;
There is no need for a battery, which is replaced by a battery that is recharged when the watch moves.
Operating principle: the movement of the watch worn on the hand leads to the rotation of the inertial load. Each rotation of the load causes the microgenerator to work, which in turn charges the electric battery.
Batteries
What batteries should I use?
The Tissot/Certina/Mido international warranty applies only to Renata batteries. Buyers receive a Tissot/Certina/Mido watch with a Renata battery installed, the service life of which is at least 24 months.
Battery replacement must be carried out in service center Tissot/Certina/Mido or at the official sales office of the company.
What is the battery life?
From two to five years, depending on the type of watch, its size and the energy required to perform various functions. For example, a chronograph will use more power than a watch that only displays hours and minutes.
Most Tissot/Certina/Mido watches are equipped with a power reserve indicator of sorts: when the second hand begins to move in four-second increments, you should take the watch to a qualified watchmaker to have the battery replaced.
The theoretical service life of special lithium-iodine batteries reaches ten years.
Fineness in carats
A measure of the purity of gold. An alloy with a purity of 1 carat contains 1/24 of gold. An alloy with a purity of 12 karat contains 12/24 parts gold, and an alloy with a purity of 18 karat contains 18/24 parts. Pure gold corresponds to 24 carats.
What is the difference between a chronometer and a chronograph?
These similar terms actually have nothing in common. A chronometer is a timekeeping device of the highest quality.
A chronograph (chronoscope) has a central seconds hand that makes a full revolution in one minute. Another one is that the minute counter counts the number of revolutions of the second hand. The counters can be started, stopped and reset using pushbuttons. This is a watch with a stopwatch function.
What is a chronometer?
A chronometer is a high-precision watch. The name comes from the Greek words "chronos" and "metron", which mean "measurement of time". The Tissot/Certina/Mido chronometer is a watch whose accuracy has been verified by the independent Swiss chronometer certification office COSC. This organization issues a special certificate for watches. The name "chronometer" is a recognition of the merits and confirmation highest quality hours.
What does it take for a watch to deserve the name “chronometer”?
Within 15 days, the clock mechanism must undergo many serious tests. The accuracy of its movement is checked in five positions at different temperatures, thereby simulating the operating conditions of the watch.
Who conducts the tests?
Official Swiss chronometer certification office (Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, COSC). This independent association operates on the basis of the Swiss Civil Code. The COSC Bureau issues a certificate for each watch that successfully passes the tests. There are three COSC centers in Switzerland: in Geneva, Bienne and Le Locle.
What tests are the watches subjected to?
The COSC carries out complex checks on the accuracy of a watch movement, using video cameras and computers to analyze the data. Seven different tests are performed.
If the clock mechanism does not satisfy minimum requirements if any of these tests are performed, it is rejected.
COSC
The official Swiss chronometer certification body, Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, COSC, is an independent association operating under the Swiss Civil Code. The office has three centers in Switzerland: in Geneva, Bienne and Le Locle.
The Bureau issues a certificate for each watch that has successfully passed the tests.
Each watch movement is subjected to seven different tests over 15 days. It receives a certificate only if it meets the minimum standard requirements in each test.
Price
Why are some watches so much more expensive than others?
A good watch is, above all, attractive.
As a rule, due to the cost of the mechanism, mechanical watches are more expensive than quartz watches. Other factors also influence the cost of watches:
Regarding the watch mechanism, we can say that even for inexpensive models it is carefully developed and the latest technological achievements are used for all its functional elements. Savings are achieved through non-functional parts. In very high-end watch movements, all parts, whether functional or not, are carefully finished. All steel parts are polished, bridges are decorated and chamfered, all parts are of the highest quality and are carefully checked. In short, extremely high manufacturing standards apply.
Watch case materials vary. This can be stainless steel, ceramics, titanium and precious metals. The material is indicated on the back of the watch case
or in the accompanying documentation. Stainless steel is not a precious metal and is widely used in manufacturing sports watches. Watch cases can be made of precious metals - gold and silver of various grades.
Watch glasses also come in different types, but the number of options is smaller. Typically, the “glass” that protects the watch dial is made of plastic, mineral glass, or synthetic sapphire crystal. Plastic is most often used in inexpensive watches or retro models. Mineral glass is more widespread and has greater strength. Sapphire glass is more expensive than mineral glass, but it is not only durable, but also has very good scratch resistance.
The cost of the bracelet or strap also affects the cost of the watch. Using leather or metal instead of plastic and rubber can significantly increase the cost of a watch. Also, a metal bracelet can be made from either inexpensive or precious metal, or from specially designed titanium.
Counter, timer, meter
Any metering and registration device.
The minute counter in a chronograph is a mechanism that displays on the dial the number of revolutions of the chronograph hand, that is, the number of minutes.
A timer is a mechanism with a central second hand, which, depending on the design, moves in increments of 1/5, 1/10 or 1/50 seconds. The other small hand serves to count the minutes.
Payment by credit card
Invoices for spare parts and repairs can only be paid by VISA credit card (other credit cards not accepted).
Report the following full information: Your full name and address.
Full number and expiration date of the VISA card.
The amount will be withdrawn from your account after receiving the bank's approval.
Rotating bezel on a diving watch
What is a unidirectional rotating rim?
Often the glass rim (top ring of the case) is used for registration additional information and can be rotated in both directions to perform various functions.
To prevent false readings, the bezel may be designed to rotate in only one direction.
This is especially important when measuring dive time, since if it accidentally moves, the rim will indicate that the diver has less air or time to decompress than he actually does.
Clock mechanism blank
Incomplete clock mechanism. The blank of a modern watch movement is a movement with or without jewels, without a regulator, mainspring, dial or hands.
Trigger
A mechanism located between the drive gear and the adjusting element that maintains oscillation in most watches. Its purpose is the oscillatory movements of a regulatory body, for example, a balance or a pendulum. Almost all watches and chronometers use the so-called Swiss lever escapement.
Flyback or instant return of arrows
This chronograph function is associated with its use in aviation. With one press of the button, the second counter hand instantly returns to zero and immediately begins a new countdown.
Electroplating
The best known surface treatment method, widely used in the watch industry.
The coating is applied using electrolysis, usually in an aqueous solution. During this process, an electric current causes particles to move from the anode through the solution to the surface of the part (cathode).
The coating can be of different thicknesses, types and have several layers (for example, gold, nickel, silver, copper).
Note: the thickness of the coating depends on the duration of the process and the current strength.
Gold watch
What part of a “gold watch” may not necessarily be made of gold?
The basic principle for a watch case is: if the case is made entirely of precious metal, its various parts should be in direct contact with each other, for example, the gold case back and the gold middle part of the case.
Parts made of base metals can only be used for technical purposes. The use of mechanisms or parts made of base metals is permitted for technical reasons. These parts can be plated with gold, silver or rhodium.
The following can be made from base metals:
Dials, crowns, shafts and pushers;
bracelet mounting rods wristwatch;
spring elements;
bracelet length adjustment screws;
separate winding tubes if the watch case is made of gold, platinum or palladium;
separate or non-separate tubes of the winding mechanism, if the watch case is made of silver;
clock mechanism retainers and case rings;
covers (double pocket watch covers) provided they are marked with a material such as "METAL" or "STAINLESS STEEL".
Accurate placement of arrows
If the watch's second hand is not set accurately, an authorized dealer or company will set it correctly.
If the chronograph counter hands do not set exactly to zero, you can correct their position by carefully following the steps described in the watch's instruction manual.
Hatch
A hole cover on the back of a watch that can be opened to allow access to the inside of the watch, usually to replace the battery.
Health and environment
Like other products, watches are subject to health and environmental laws and regulations. The country's authorities may prohibit the import of watches that do not comply with these rules. Although these issues have received little attention over the years, they require solutions. The Swatch group is actively working in this direction and has already taken serious measures to solve these problems.
Hunter
A watch whose case is equipped with two covers - front and back.Integrated circuit
An inseparable group of electronic components that perform one or more functions. The CMOS integrated circuit used in watches has an area of several square millimeters.
Stones (rubies)
What are the stones in a watch mechanism?
The stones are man-made sapphires or rubies that have been drilled, chamfered and polished to act as bearings in watch gears, reducing friction in mechanical parts to an absolute minimum.
In general, in simple mechanical watch(with hour, minute and second hands) there must be at least fifteen jewels located at the points of maximum wear due to friction. The watch must also be equipped with a shockproof balance system, a high-quality balance spring and a reliable mainspring.
Modern watches use synthetic rubies as bearings. The method of making synthetic rubies was invented in 1892 by a teacher at the Paris Technical College, Auguste Verneuil. Synthetic rubies have a number of important advantages over natural ones. Artificial stone is cleaner and more uniform than natural stone. Imitation is superior to the original, especially for industrial use.
Ruby, in particular synthetic ruby, is the hardest stone after diamond. Therefore, it can only be processed with diamond tools, diamond powder or laser. Ruby ensures low wear of parts. An axle rotating on a ruby bearing will experience minimal friction. Thus, the use of stones in watches significantly increases the accuracy of their movement and extends their service life.
Synthetic stones significantly improve these indicators. They are not subject to temperature fluctuations, they are not corroded by acids and they do not conduct electric current.
LCD
Abbreviated display name with electronically controlled– liquid crystal display (LCD).
LED
Abbreviated name for an electronically controlled indicator - LED
(Light Emitting Diode, LED).
Luminescence
The ability to emit light rays. The luminescent substance is tritium.
Factory, workshop
In the Swiss watch industry, the term "manufacture" is applied to a factory where almost the entire production cycle of a watch is carried out, as opposed to a finishing workshop where only assembly, adjustment, setting of hands and installation into the case are carried out.
Mechanism
A combination of parts that perform specific functions. A watch is a mechanism. They consist of different organs, each of which is part of a mechanism with a clearly defined function.
A chronograph is a mechanism whose parts start, stop and set the chronograph seconds hand to zero. A repeater is a mechanism, the parts of which include the strike and set the repeater hammers in motion.
Oscillations
In one swing, the pendulum or clock balance reaches two extreme positions. Moving from position "b" to "c" and back from "c" to "b" corresponds to one oscillation. The balance of a high-quality watch typically vibrates 21,600 times per hour. The balances of most ETA watch movements make 28,800 vibrations per hour, that is, every second - four movements in one direction and four in the other.
Piezoelectricity
This term is used to describe materials that polarize under pressure (tension or compression).
Cladding
The cladding of the watch case is done using electrogalvanization or thin sheets of precious metal.
Power reserve
The time during which a time measuring device can operate independently without external replenishment of energy.
Vacuum spraying
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating is a complex process in which a protective layer is formed on the surface of a part by depositing microscopic particles of a substance in a vacuum using ion bombardment or sputtering.
It is possible to form the thinnest (from 1 to 3 microns) layer of a pure substance of high strength (nitride, carbide, etc.).
Advantages of vacuum deposition:
Formation of a thin but durable layer;
reliable adhesion to the base;
large selection of colors;
no contamination;
corrosion resistance;
protection against allergies.
Quartz
Silicon oxide, or rock crystal. Pure quartz is colorless. Sometimes quartz is yellow
(citrine) or violet (amethyst).
Radioactivity of the clock
The use of radium was stopped a long time ago, and tritium only a few years ago.
Tritium has been replaced by a new substance, Superluminova, which is applied to watch dials and hands. It only phosphoresces and is completely devoid of radioactive properties.
Repeater
Repeater or striking watches became very popular in the 19th century. At that time there was no electric light or luminescent dials.
The minute repeater chimes the hours with a low tone, two tones (high and low) for the quarter hour, and a high tone for every minute after the quarter hour.
Rotor
In a self-winding mechanism, the rotor is a heavy metal flywheel that rotates freely in both directions. The rotor rotates with the movements of the watch worn on the wrist and winds the mainspring.
Scratch resistance
Characteristics of materials and objects that do not leave scratches upon contact with hard objects. The watch case or glass may be scratch resistant.
Screw head
More and more sports watches are equipped with a screw-down crown or crown.
The screw-down crown has a double O-ring to prevent moisture from penetrating inside the watch and therefore provides better water resistance.
Maintenance
What maintenance is required for my watch?
To function properly, mechanical and automatic watches should be cleaned and serviced once every three years. The moving parts of quartz watches also require maintenance because they are not under stress and only the smallest foreign particle is enough to stop them.
Quartz watches with digital display only require replacing the battery when its charge is depleted. In this case, you should perform the current Maintenance.
If your watch has gaskets, cleaning can be done less frequently, but the gaskets should be replaced whenever the watch case is opened. Otherwise, they should be replaced annually and the watch's water resistance under pressure should be checked using special equipment by an authorized Tissot/Certina/Mido representative.
Please be aware that regular exposure to chemicals or sea water can cause damage to the strap, case finish and bracelet of your watch and in these conditions the use of solid metal or special material is recommended. Cosmetics and perfumes can also degrade the appearance of the strap or case coating if they come into direct contact with it.
Skeleton
Skeleton watch. The watch, the case and various parts of which are made of transparent material, allows you to see the main parts of the watch mechanism.
Titanium
What is titanium?
Titanium is a metal found in the earth's crust. It occurs as a shiny bright metal or as a silver-gray or dark gray powder. Its compounds are found in almost all volcanic rocks and sand formations.
What qualities does titanium have?
It's durable: hardened titanium is 30% stronger than steel. It is light: titanium is almost 50% lighter than steel.
It is resistant to corrosion: when exposed to air, titanium forms a strong oxide film that resists corrosion in salt water.
What are the advantages of a titanium watch?
Titanium is especially suitable for sports and diving watches. Titanium watches are comfortable due to their light weight.
Titanium is a hypoallergenic material and does not contain nickel.
Titanium watches have a longer service life: they are twice as durable as steel watches. Titanium is environmentally friendly: it is 100% recyclable.
Disadvantages of titanium: Titanium is more expensive than steel.
Titanium is easily scratched and dirty.
Tourbillon
A device invented to eliminate errors in the movement of watches in a vertical position. It consists of a movable platform in the center of which all parts are located trigger mechanism. The escapement gear rotates around a stationary fourth wheel. The platform makes one revolution per minute, which eliminates errors in the movement of watches in different vertical positions.
Trimmer
The frequency generator is usually a capacitor that is used to adjust the frequency.
Tritium
A radioactive element that emits light.
Waterproof
Most Tissot/Certina/Mido watches are designed to be waterproof. This means that the watch mechanism is protected from moisture by special sealing gaskets located in the following places of the case:
Heads and buttons;
glass;
glass rim;
back cover of the case.
The inscription “waterresistant” is engraved on the case back of the waterproof watch.
and the value in meters is 30, 50, 100, 200 or 1000, depending on the hull design.
Depending on the type, our watches are tested to ISO 2281 or ISO 6425 for waterproof watches.
The water resistance of a watch is determined based on laboratory tests under pressure comparable to that of a swimmer or diver standing still in water. However, many water-related activities involve movements and changes in the environment. These exceptional conditions, different from the test conditions, may impair the protective functions of the waterproof watch.
Additionally, the waterproof rating of a watch does not take into account the watch's ability to REMAIN waterproof over time. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee the watch's permanent water resistance. It may deteriorate due to aging gaskets or due to accidental impact on the crown or button. As stated in our operating instructions, the water resistance of your watch should be checked once a year by an authorized TISSOT/CERTINA/MIDO service center. Under no circumstances should you open the watch case yourself.
Make sure that the watch's setting crown and/or buttons are not pressed in water and that the crown is pressed against the case or screwed down.
Remember that if you are involved in rock climbing, skydiving, skydiving, hang gliding or skiing, you need a watch that is protected against damage from pressure changes at altitudes above and below sea level.
This also applies to regular use in water. You should choose a Tissot/Certina/Mido watch with an all-metal case, with a screw-down caseback and crown.
Self-winding pocket watches were first developed in the 18th century. And the first model of automatic wristwatch was released by Rolex in 1931. But their mass production started only 20 years later. After this, automatic winding became in demand due to the convenience of the mechanism.
Automatic winding principle
The spring is the main source of energy in a mechanical watch. In conventional devices it is turned on manually: Through a system of wheels, the rotation of the head is transmitted to the drum shaft. How does a watch wind itself? Pebble inside matchbox will move if you shake it. It moves due to gravity and inertia. Approximately the same process occurs in watches. They also have a similar “pebble” - a metal weight fixed on an axis and made in the form of a sector. Its center of gravity is shifted to the edge, so when the hand moves, it rotates around an axis, and the spring of the mechanism is wound through a series of gears.
Such a sector should have high degree inertia to overcome the resistance of the spring and wind the watch. To do this, it is made of two elements: a half ring made of a heavy tungsten alloy and a thin top plate of light weight. The diameter of the sector is made as large as possible.
The inertial sector of the self-winding mechanism begins to rotate during any movement of the hand, regardless of the degree to which the spring is wound. Clock mechanisms are equipped with special protective systems that prevent the risk of overvoltage and, as a result, spring breakage. Often it is not attached to the drum tightly, but by means of a friction lining. Its elasticity allows the outer end of the spring to slide in the barrel along with the escutcheon, even when the watch mechanism is fully wound. This system helps to avoid excessive spring tension and failure. Sometimes when winding such watches you can hear faint clicks - the sound of a rotating spring.
| Advantages and disadvantages of self-winding | |
| pros | Minuses |
| The main advantage of watches with a self-winding mechanism is that there is no need to wind them every day. In addition to this convenience, they have 2 other advantages. Thanks to the sector, the spring is constantly in a state close to full winding, which ensures better accuracy. In addition, one of the parts most vulnerable in terms of water protection, the crown bushing, is practically not used in self-winding models. Therefore, the risk of dirt and moisture getting on it is minimal. | Automatic winding is a complex mechanism and additional device. Accordingly, its complexity causes a high probability of breakdowns. Self-winding watches are thicker and heavier than conventional watches. The need for a fairly large sector limits the possibility of using automatic winding in women's watches. And the complexity of the device and the use of expensive tungsten for cargo causes an increase in the price of watches. Such models are sensitive to impacts, in particular to strong ones, when the weight of the sector can deform its supports. |
These days, most watches produced are self-winding. The exception is the most expensive and cheap devices. In the latter, this mechanism is not used to reduce cost. And in elite models, the use of automatic winding is irrelevant, because they are already equipped big amount functions. Firstly, such a system will require an increase in the thickness of the watch. And secondly, to work it needs more energy and increased spring power, and the load of the automatic winding will be unable to start it.
Various modifications of self-windingIn the majority modern models The clock sector rotates freely 360˚. However, in older versions, special shock-absorbing stops limit its rotation angle. The sector can be placed in the center of the mechanism or shifted to the edge. To achieve the highest efficiency, the sector axis is located in the center, and its radius is made maximum. Often in complex, expensive models, a small sector is used, and the axis is shifted to the side. The automatic winding sector can be rotated in any direction. A number of devices are equipped with a special reverse mechanism, which converts the two-way rotation of this element into one-way movement of the drum shaft. In some models, the winding is carried out exclusively during rotation of the sector in one direction, and the reverse movement is performed idle. Watches with a reversing device have a more complex design, but in theory they have greater efficiency. In reality, the effectiveness of these two varieties in some cases turns out to be the same due to the energy losses that occur when switching the reversing mechanism during a change in the direction of rotation of the sector. Most self-winding models start and in the usual way using the head, but not all of them. It is difficult to say for sure whether the presence or absence of such a function affects the complexity, price and reliability of the watch. A self-winding mechanism must be wound slowly so as not to damage the parts of the device. Let us recall that manufacturers strive to give the sector maximum heaviness, using various materials for this purpose. In many models it is made of a special tungsten alloy, and in more inexpensive ones it is made of brass. In a number expensive watches The elite class sector is made of gold. The heaviest part of the device is the sector. When the mechanism operates, heavy loads are placed on its supports. The number of such supports determines the reliability of the watch. In earlier modifications of automatic winding, sliding bearings were used, while modern ones use rolling bearings (ball bearings). This increases reliability and reduces the degree of friction several times. |
An automatic watch is a mechanical wristwatch whose spring is wound by the movements of the hand on which the watch is worn. This differs from manually wound watches, which are wound by the owner by rotating the crown.
▼ Why are these watches called "automatic"?
Because they do not require manual winding, but wind up “automatically” when worn on the hand.
▼ How does the automatic winding mechanism work?
When a mechanical wristwatch moves, a rotor rotates freely in the center of the watch mechanism - a metal weight connected to the watch winding mechanism. The rotor turns forward or backward with the slightest movement of the wrist and winds the flat spiral mainspring, which stores the energy to operate the watch.
▼ How many movements are required for an automatic watch to function properly?
Normal movements of the hand and wrist are sufficient to wind an automatic watch normally. People who are sedentary, such as the elderly or those on bed rest, may need to wind the watch manually. However, most often, natural hand movements are sufficient for mechanical wristwatches.
▼ Can you wind an automatic watch manually?
Yes, manual winding will not cause any harm to the watch. For complete winding, 10 - 15 turns of the crown are usually sufficient.
▼ How long will an automatic watch last after being removed from my wrist?
▼ How often should an automatic watch be serviced?
▼ What batteries should I use?
The Tissot/Certina International Warranty only applies to Renata batteries. Buyers receive a Tissot/Certina watch with a Renata battery installed, which has a service life of at least 24 months.
Battery replacement must be carried out at a Tissot/Certina service center or an authorized sales representative of the company.
▼ What is the battery life?
From two to five years, depending on the type of watch, its size and the energy required to perform various functions. For example, a chronograph will use more power than a watch that only displays hours and minutes.
Most Tissot/Certina/Mido watches are equipped with a power reserve indicator of sorts: when the second hand begins to move in four-second increments, you should take the watch to a qualified watchmaker to have the battery replaced.
The theoretical service life of special lithium-iodine batteries reaches ten years.
▼ What does "T Swiss Made T" mean?
To read watches in the dark, a radioluminescent substance is applied to their markers and hands. The inscription "T Swiss made T" means that the watch is Swiss made and contains a certain amount of tritium, emitting no more than 227 mBq (7.5 mCi).
It is important to point out that the weak radiation of this radioactive isotope is completely blocked by the case and glass of the watch. Under no circumstances can it affect the health of the watch owner.
▼ Why is a screw cap needed?
More and more sports watches are equipped with a screw-down crown or crown.
The screw-down crown has a double O-ring to prevent moisture from penetrating inside the watch and therefore provides better water resistance.
▼ What is a repeater?
Repeater or striking watches became very popular in the 19th century. At that time there was no electric light or luminescent dials.
The minute repeater chimes the hours with a low tone, two tones (high and low) for the quarter hour, and a high tone for every minute after the quarter hour.
▼ What is power reserve?
The time during which a time measuring device can operate independently without external replenishment of energy.
▼ What watches can be called Swiss?
Only watches made in Switzerland may have the indication “Swiss Made”, “Swiss” or any other inscription containing the word “Swiss” or its translation on the reverse side.
A watch is considered Swiss if:
- - their clock mechanism is made in Switzerland;
- - their clockwork is assembled in Switzerland;
- - the manufacturer carries out final checks in Switzerland.
Automatic watches (self-winding watches)- a watch in which the main (winding) spring is wound when the hand moves due to the rotation of the inertial rotor around its axis. The first self-winding mechanism was invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet in 1770. The modern self-winding mechanism was first introduced in 1931 by Rolex. Shock absorbers are devices designed to protect the axes of mechanism parts from damage under impulse loads. An analog clock is a clock that shows time using hands. Escape mechanism (anchor) - consists of an escape wheel, a fork and a balance (double pendulum), - “that part of the watch mechanism that converts the energy of the main (winding) spring into impulses transmitted to the balance to maintain a strictly defined period of oscillation, which is necessary for uniform rotation gear mechanism. Anti-magnetic watch - a watch whose mechanism is located inside a magnetic protective case made of a special alloy that protects the watch from magnetization. Aperture - a small hole (window) in the watch dial, in which the current indication of the date, day of the week, etc. is given.
An astronomical clock is a clock with an indicator of the phase of the moon, the time of sunset and sunrise, and in some cases the movements of planets and constellations. Baguette is a clock mechanism with an elongated rectangular shape, a method of cutting precious stones in the form of a rectangle. Balance - a balance wheel together with a spiral, forming an oscillatory system that balances the movement of the watch's gear mechanism. Breguet is a striking pocket watch made in the workshop of Abraham-Louis Breguet. Water resistance is the ability of the case to prevent moisture from entering the watch mechanism. The degree of water resistance of a watch is usually specified in meters or atmospheres. A dive of ten meters corresponds to an increase in pressure of one atmosphere. This feature was first implemented by Rolex in 1926. Guilloche is a method of processing dials, in which an engraving machine is used to create a pattern in the form of combinations of simple and curved lines. Yearly calendar -calendar device clock, which includes date, day of week and month indicators, and does not require date adjustment, with the exception of February 29 of each leap year.
Two-tone watch is a term used to describe a watch whose case and bracelet are made of a combination of gold and stainless steel. Jacquemarts are figures of people or animals moving on a dial, simulating the beating of time. Jacquemarts are especially characteristic of the Ulysse Nardin Jagemart repeaters. Winding a watch is an operation consisting of twisting the main (winding) spring of the watch. This operation can be carried out in two classical ways - manually and automatically. When manually wound, the spring is wound using the watch's crown. Automatic winding uses the rotation of a specially shaped rotor, which converts rotational energy into the energy needed to wind the mainspring. The crown is a part of the watch case used to wind the watch and adjust the time and date.
The power reserve of a mechanical watch is the ability of a watch mechanism to continue functioning normally for a certain period of time without winding the mainspring. The power reserve of a fully wound wristwatch is usually 40 - 46 hours. Power reserve indicator - an indicator in the form of an additional sector on the dial, showing the degree of winding of the mainspring of a mechanical watch. It shows the time remaining before the clock stops, either in absolute units - hours and days, or in relative ones. Moon phase indicator - dial with 29-day graduation and a rotating indicator depicting the Moon. At each moment of time, the indicator shows the current phase of the moon.
Cabochon- a method of cutting gemstones in the form of a hemisphere. As a rule, cabochons are used to decorate the crown and in the lugs that attach a bracelet or strap to a watch case. Calendar - in the simplest case, is present on the watch in the form of an aperture (window), in which the current date is shown. More complex devices show the date, day of the week and months. The most complex are perpetual calendars, which indicate the year, including leap years. Perpetual calendars do not require the owner's intervention in adjusting the date of the month, even in a leap year, and are usually programmed 100-250 years in advance. Caliber is the term used to refer to the size and type of watch movement. As a rule, the caliber number corresponds to the largest overall dimension of the movement, measured in lines (1 line = 2.255 mm), and for some companies it is simply a set of symbols to designate a particular model (for example, L901 from Longines). Stones is a term used to refer to watch parts made from rubies, sapphires or garnets, both synthetic and natural, which are used to reduce friction between metal parts. Coaxial arrangement of elements is a term indicating parts with coinciding axes of rotation.
A striking example is the hour and minute hands. The line is a traditional measure of the size of a watch movement, equal to 2.255mm. The Maltese cross is an element of the watch mechanism used to limit the tension force of the mainspring. This piece got its name due to its similarity in shape to the Maltese cross. The Maltese cross is the emblem of Vacheron Constantin. A marine chronometer is the most accurate mechanical watch, placed in a special case that constantly holds the watch mechanism in a horizontal position. Used to determine the longitude and latitude of a ship in the ocean. A special case eliminates the influence of temperature and gravity on the accuracy of the watch mechanism. A bridge is a shaped part of a clock mechanism that serves to secure the supports of the axes of the clock gears. The name of the bridge corresponds to the name of the gear. Platinum is the main part and usually the largest part of the watch mechanism frame, used to secure the bridges and supports of the watch wheels (gears). The shape of the platinum determines the shape of the movement. Cloisonne enamel is a complex technology used in the manufacture of handmade dials.
The essence of the technology is to make deep recesses in the dial, into which the wire is then laid. The gaps between the wires are filled with a thin layer of powder, which, after firing, turns into hardened enamel, which is then polished. Shockproof device - consists of special movable supports into which thin parts of the balance axis are attached. The movable support is designed in such a way that in the event of an axial or lateral impact, the balance axis moves upward or sideways and rests against the stops with its thickened parts, protecting the thin parts of the axis from breaking or bending. Repeater - a complex mechanical watch with additional mechanism, designed to indicate time using sounds of different tones. Typically, such a watch, when you press a special button, chimes the hours, quarter hours and minutes.
In Grand Sonnerie models, the hours and minutes chime automatically, although they can also indicate the time by pressing a button. The rotor is a half-disk made of heavy metal, freely rotating around the axis of the watch, which, with the help of a reversing device, converts the energy of its two-way rotation into the energy necessary to wind the spring. A second is a basic unit of time, constituting 1/86000th of a solar day, i.e. the time of rotation of the Earth around its own axis. With its appearance after World War II atomic clock, it was found that the Earth rotates with an infinitesimal irregularity. Therefore, it was decided to reset the standard for measuring the second. This was done at the 13th General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1967. The following was determined: A second is a period of time equal to 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation from a cesium-133 atom during the transition between two adjacent stable levels. Skeleton - a watch with a transparent dial and back cover, through which the mechanism is visible. The parts of the mechanisms of such watches are decorated with hand engraving, covered with precious metals, and sometimes decorated with precious stones.
Spiral or hair - a thin spiral spring, fixed with the inner end on the balance axis, and the outer end on the block. The number of turns of a balance spiral is usually 11 or 13. A Breguet spiral is a spiral whose inner and outer ends are curved so that the period of oscillation of the balance-spiral system does not depend on the amplitude of the oscillations (isochronism of the system). The invention was made by Abraham-Louis Breguet. A split-seconds chronograph is a watch with a stopwatch that has an intermediate finish function. Tanno is a barrel-shaped watch case. A tourbillon is a mechanism that compensates for the effect of Earth's gravity on the accuracy of a watch. It is an anchor mechanism placed inside a mobile platform with a balance in the center, and makes a full rotation around its own axis in one minute. Invented in 1795 by Abraham Louis Breguet. Ultra-thin watches are watches with a mechanism thickness from 1.5 to 3.0 mm, allowing the thickness of the watch itself to be minimized. The equation of time is a clock mechanism that takes into account and shows the difference between the generally accepted time, which is shown by ordinary watches, and real solar time.
The Oyster is one of Rolex's most famous models, as well as the company's patented method of double sealing the watch mechanism, protecting it from external influences. The lug is the part of the watch case to which the bracelet or strap is attached. Chronograph - a watch with two independent measuring systems: One shows the current time, the other measures short periods of time. The counter records seconds, minutes and hours and can be turned on or off as desired.
The central second hand of such watches is usually used as a stopwatch second hand. A chronometer is a particularly precise watch that has passed a number of accuracy tests and received the appropriate certificates. The accuracy of chronometers is only a few seconds per day when used in normal temperature ranges. Watch glass - usually clear plastic, mineral or sapphire glass is used. The frequency of balance oscillations is determined by the number of half-oscillations of the balance wheel per hour. The balance of a mechanical watch usually beats 5 or 6 times per second (i.e. 18,000 or 21,600 per hour). In high-frequency watches, the balance beats 7, 8 or even 10 vibrations per second (i.e. 25200, 28800 or 36000 per hour).
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Surely you remember the time when each of us had one single watch. They were supposed to be stored on the bedside table. The clock was either slow or fast, but was still ardently revered by us. What is so special about a self-winding watch, is it really difficult to wind the watch manually, and why do you need a special box? We will try to provide complete information about automatic watch winding boxes so that your purchasing decision is informed.
The fact is that mechanical watches have a limited power reserve. This is a design feature, one might say it’s a given. Winding the watch is a must, otherwise the watch will stop working within a few days. But in fact, they will stop working properly much earlier, because when the watch is running out of winding, the accuracy of the movement is inevitably lost. If you stop, you will need to set the exact time again, additional options(days of the week, lunar calendar or date) will also not be saved.
The technical improvement of watch mechanisms eventually led to the widespread use of such a valuable improvement as automatic watch winding. If the source of energy in a mechanical watch is a spring, then in a self-winding watch this source of energy is movement. The watch winder actually does a lot of things useful functions: prevents stagnation of lubricant, reduces the wear rate of parts, but most importantly, ensures high accuracy of work. The automatic watch winding mechanism runs on household power or rechargeable batteries.
The issue of carefully preserving watches in working condition is successfully resolved with the help of products presented on our website. Pay attention to Altitude products. The company was founded in Germany in the last century. The main specialization is the production of watch boxes. The quality is impeccable, it is not discussed. Precision operation, laconic and elegant design, low energy consumption and reliability of the mechanism are the main features
Altitude products.
Appearance The design of a jewelry box is important, because it is doubly nice if a functional and practical item pleases the eye and fits well into the interior. On our website you will find watch boxes, special safes and cases for watches of various designs, sizes, and functional features. You can purchase a box just for storage or special boxes for automatic watch winding.