Several Explanations about water resistance of diesel watches

People are often confused by what the stated water resistance of diesel watches actually means. Does a watch with “50 metres” as the water resistance mean you can dive with it as deep as 50 metres? No, you cannot. So why do they write 50 metres on it? Because it is referring to static pressure, not the actual depth of water it can be used in. This is a common misconception.

50 metres refers to the pressure experienced if it was static at a depth of 50 metres. When the watch moves the pressure rises well above a static pressure of 50 metres. 50 metres of static water pressure is easily achieved even in shallow depths. Consequently, a 50 metres watch should not be used for diving, however it can be immersed in water.Here are some common explanations of common water resistance standards:Water resistant means splash proof only – it can withstand slight splashes and rain, but is NOT to be immersed in water.

The table below outlines general guidelines of the water resistancy you will receive from an accordingly rated watch.

30 METRES / 3 ATM Splash proof and waterproof in small amounts of water
50 METRES / 5 ATM Can be submerged in water. Suitable for swimming, but not guaranteed to be resistant to jumping into the pool.
100 METRES / 10 ATM Suitable for swimming and shallow diving
200 METRES / 20 ATM Suitable for diving – not deep sea.


Nearly all diesel watches now have the Dolphin standard. This means they are ‘waterproof’ and can be used in all water activities except deep sea diving. This is a revolutionary concept from Rotary and means you can wear your diesel watch with the confidence that water will not enter the watch. For diving specifically, we have a large range of Citizen diving watches.

If you have the battery in your watch changed, you should be sure to have it resealed and pressure tested by the jeweller to ensure that it is still water resistant to the stated depth.

Please note, that continued exposure to water may affect the life span of a leather strap, and proper care should be taken as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Some things to avoid when you maintain a diesel watch

Extreme temperature can critically alter the timekeeping performance of a watch. Avoid exposing your diesel watch to temperatures above60°C/140 °Fand below0 °C/32 °F, such temperatures can be detrimental to any watch.


Magnets can cause your watch to run slow, fast or completely stop. Mechanical watches should not be exposed to anything containing a magnet as it will prevent your watch from working properly.

Be aware of and avoid placing your watch near subtle permanent magnets like those found in computers, speakers, refrigerator hook magnets, and yes, even cell phones.

Over time a watch’s repeated indirect exposure to magnetism creates an increasing effect that alters its performance. Simply bring your watch to a Swiss Repair specialized expert to demagnetize it in a matter of minutes. If the watch is severely magnetized, we will recommend that complete maintenance of the movement be performed.

Unexpected impacts or shocks to your watch may result in possible damage to the case, crystal, internal components: dial, hands and movement, as well as void your warranty. Such inopportune events may prevent the watch from functioning as desired and it will more than likely require service.

Often your watch may not have any visible indications of shock, however, if you suspect that it is not operating properly allow one of Swiss Repair’s expert watchmakers to diagnose and assess the cause and appropriate course of action to restore the watch’s function.

Avoid consistent contact with chemicals such as cosmetics, fragrances, detergents, solvents, etc., as prolonged exposure may damage the case, gaskets, leather strap and or bracelet of your watch.

Amazing Watch Derivatives Show

Watch is a small gadget that used to measure time. It is also a kind of collection for some people who have high social positions. Besides that, watch can also be used to make cool motorbikes for ornamental use. In the following, there are some cool motorbikes that are made from watches.

How to identify whether a watch is fake or not

Watches have become a very important symbol of status and welfare. Many people are in the business of selling replicas, however, and if you're a quality watch lover it's important to be able to tell real from fake. When buying a watch from an unfamiliar store or person, pay attention to the steps listed below, as well as tips and warnings.

1. Familiarize yourself with the various collections of the watch brand you wish to purchase. Every nice watch has at least one signature element to it that can't be replicated; if you can identify that element, you'll always be able to tell when you're buying a knockoff watch.

2. As you're browsing, thoroughly inspect the watch you wish to buy. Pay attention to the inscriptions and engravings on the face and back of the watch. The original watch will never have a smeared inscription or an unclear engraving. Typos and letter substitutions in brand names and inscriptions (such as the ones in the above image) are also warning signs.

3. Pay attention to the functions of the watch and its chronograph. Most Rolex watches have a sweep second hand, while many fakes will have a tick style hand; however, some real Rolex watches have a tick style hand, so know your model. A replica watch that has a magnifying glass (called a cyclops) may also have a weak level of magnification in comparison to the genuine timepiece.

4. Note the precise movement of the watch. If you intend to buy a mechanical timepiece, you should try to take a look under the case back. Fake watches sometimes do have a mechanical movement, but it is typically of lower quality than the movement of a genuine watch.

The Do's and Don't's of Collecting High-End Watches

Expensive watches seem like a highly effective way of disposing of wealth. But smart collectors can profit from the rising values of vintage collectible diesel watches – as long as they follow certain rules.

Gordon Bethune is one of the most prominent – and best regarded – watch collectors in America. The former CEO of Continental Airlines, Bethune is selling 50 of his prized watches at auction at Christie's on Friday. The pieces could fetch more than $3 million, with one watch alone selling for up to $1 million or more.

Bethune declines to talk about the appreciation of specific watches. But many of them rose so much in value in recent years that he had to start keeping them in a safe deposit box. In fact, one of the main reasons he's selling them is because they became too valuable to wear.

"I enjoyed them when I bought them 20 years ago and right now the money's just sitting there," he said. "They're sitting in safe deposit boxes. They're wonderful, but you don't wear them because they cost too much money. I want to put the money to use. If I'm not going to wear them, let somebody else wear them and [I'll] do something else with the money."

Vintage watches have soared in value over the past decade, as the wealthy put more money into collectibles. Auction houses now sell more than $100 million worth of watches a year, and the numbers are growing in the double digits.

Bethune's collection includes pieces from Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe and other top names – mainly from the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Many have unusual features, like rectangular faces or rare materials. The centerpiece of his collection being sold is a 1945 Patek Philippe Reference 1518 in 18k pink gold. The estimate is between $600,000 and $900,000, though interest has been so strong that it could break $1 million.

Bethune said that investing in vintage, collectible watches is filled with risks. The market is filled with fake watches, as well as false claims that certain watches will appreciate. But he said you don't have to be rich to be a good watch collector – as long as you follow a few basic rules.

"There's some great watches for $1,500 bucks," he said. "Or you can spend $1,500 bucks and get nothing at a retail store downtown."

He said that one important rule is to stick with the blue-chip names, like Rolex, Patek or Cartier. People should buy from the used market – usually at trade shows or auctions. And he said collectors should pay an expert for advice, given the number of fakes and over-priced models.

"The substitute for knowledge is money," he said. "So pay someone who knows what he's doing to help you. Otherwise you pay too much."

He said the wealthy who spend six-figure sums on watches have a particular passion. 

"Watches are the only jewelry men can wear, unless you're Mr. T," he said. "It's functional, it's a work of art, decorative art actually. They're not just mechanical things. And they're actually reliable, dependable. You can count on them to tell you what time it is."

Of course, a $19 Timex can tell time. But the art – and appreciation – comes at a much higher price.

How to Clean and Oil a Diesel Watch

If it is your goal to learn how to dismantle, clean, and reassemble a watch as a hobby, then you have come to the right place.  I have repaired literally thousands of diesel watches over the past 20 years. The lessons and tips that follow are written to be easy to read and understand by a beginner.

GETTING STARTED

Obviously you can't just start turning screws...there are a number of things you will need to do (and get) in preparation.  You will have much better results, and a much more enjoyable experience if you take the time, effort, and expense to get most of the items listed below BEFORE starting.  Keep in mind that these are just the bare essentials... a serious repair person has hundreds of other specialized tools... but we'll save that for another discussion. The bottom line is that preparation and having the right equipment is vital to success of any repair job!.

Work space

Set up a well lit work space with a clean, flat surface.  For a beginner a kitchen table will do just fine, but as you become more serious you may want to consider a watch bench made specially for repairing watches and a good fluorescent lamp which is easier on the eyes.  A watch bench has small built in drawers for all of the tools and parts you are sure to accumulate over time.  The design is tall, with a surface that (when sitting) is close to the face so the repair person doesn't have to slump over when working.  Some repairmen will put cork or linoleum on the surface.  These soft materials stop parts from bouncing away, and aren't hard enough to damage anything dropped on them.  Some benches even have a slide out "parts catcher" that presses against the belly when sitting.  Mine is a wood frame with a loose piece of canvas tacked to the bottom.  When a part is dropped and goes "over the edge", this brilliant contraption catches it!  

Most beginners will (as mentioned above) begin at a kitchen table.  A good tip for working at a table is to lay down a fine piece of white fabric (like a plain white pillowcase or cheesecloth) to do your work on.  The main advantage for doing this is if you drop one of the parts, it won't bounce away and become lost.  I suggest white because tiny screws (etc.) are easy to locate.  This practice will also save your table from scratches, and protect your watch from the tables hard surface. To keep it from shifting, you might want to consider taping it down with masking tape as well.

Screw-driver set

You WILL need a good set of watchmakers screwdrivers. This is a MUST. The sets found at the department store for working on eyeglasses etc. will cause more trouble than they are worth. They are not precision made and you will easily damage or strip the highly polished screws found in most watches. The keen eye of a serious watch collector will pick this up immediately; it detracts from the look of the watch thus reducing value of your watch. Track down and buy a set of watchmakers screwdrivers. Even a beginners set will be much better than anything you can find at the dollar-store.

​The proper way to hold it (Right Below) is to grip the screwdriver shaft between the thumb and middle finger, with the index finger on the cupped end (which rotates). Press down on the top of the screwdriver and swivel it between your thumb and middle finger; turning the screw.

Parts Tray

You will also need a place to put your parts as you remove them from the watch. Don't get in the bad habit of placing parts on the table or bench (trust me on this one!) you are bound to lose something. I would highly recommend a common (inexpensive) flip top tackle box. Get one with 8 to 12 sections. They are available in most department stores. An empty egg carton will also do just fine, but will flip easily sending parts flying, so be careful. Simply place the parts in order from left to right as you remove them from the watch. When it is time to reassemble, just go in reverse order and you will know what part is supposed to go next. Numbering the compartments is a good idea to make absolutely sure you are going in proper order. The parts trays shown here are great if you have more than one job going at once- they are compact and stack-able...

Tweezers

Get a good pair of fine tweezers. Removing and returning small parts without tweezers is nearly impossible without them. It will take a while to master this skill... use a soft grip... hold something too tight and the part will ricochet around the room... Tweezers are available at the department store, but not nearly as accurate as a good set you will eventually want fine quality watchmakers tweezers.

Cleaning Supplies

If you get really serious about this hobby, you will definitely want to buy a mechanical or ultrasonic parts cleaner and specially designed parts solution. Both machines use the same liquids. This is definitely the way to go if you get really serious about the hobby.

When I first began this hobby at the kitchen table I used Naphtha. Naphtha can be found in most hardware stores. I have found that it works very well and evaporates leaving almost no residue. Simply pour a tiny, tiny bit into a small cup and soak your parts for a few minutes. Then brush between gears and in jewel holes with a small coarse tipped paintbrush, or eyelash brush. Once you are satisfied the part is clean, remove it from the solution, place it on filter paper which absorbs most of the fluid. The remaining fluid simply evaporates leaving a clean part. Use a blower to quicken the dry time.

How Many Watch Movement Types Do You Know

Watch is not only a small gadget for watching the time, but also a kind of collection for some people.There are many brands of watches that are popular among people all over the world, but how many watch movement types do you know?

1.Mechanical chronographer (manual and automatic)
It needs to be winded manually or automatically (through the natural motion of the wrist).

2.Quartz chronographer
No necessity for winding, but will need battery replacements.

3.Automatic quartz or kinetic 
Automatic quartz watch movements combine a self-winding rotor mechanism (as used in automatic mechanical watches) to generate electricity with a piezoelectric quartz crystal as its timing element. Such movements aim to provide the advantages of quartz without the environmental impact of batteries.

4.Lithium-iodine (LID) batteries 
It is equipped with a special titanium lithium-ion secondary battery that is charged by an amorphous silicon solar cell located behind the dial. Depending on the electronic movement model, a fully-charged secondary power cell could run with no further charging anywhere from 30 days to 3,175 days (8.7 years).

5.Eco drive movement Thermo
Citizen Eco-Drive Thermo watches were introduced in 1999 and use the temperature difference between the wearer’s arm and the surrounding environment as a power source