Wristwatches

When choosing a suitable wristwatch, you should pay attention to its strap. Some watch straps are made of fabric, others of metal or leather. Which type of strap you choose is basically just a matter of taste. However, metal straps can make noise when touched or moved and, during intense physical activity, often leave marks or – in the worst case – even abrasions on the skin.

Questions: Wristwatches

What can you do about scratches in glass?

Small, shallow scratches in the glass can be treated with toothpaste. Deeper ones, however, should preferably be carefully treated with special glass polishes. For both methods, it is a good idea to first test on an old, no-longer-needed watch to see how the abrasive effect impacts the glass.

Water stains on leather strap – what to do?

Water stains can be removed effectively with a cut onion or a little milk. To do this, quickly rub the leather with half an onion or a cloth soaked in milk and then let it dry. Whichever method you choose, it is particularly important that the treated area is thoroughly dried and that the leather is only then treated with a leather care product.

How do you clean grease stains on leather?

The best way to remove such stains is with a grease‑absorbing stain spray or by trying a leather soap (also called a leather eraser).

How do you change button cells yourself?

To change the battery, you should in any case have a watchmaker’s screwdriver so you can properly loosen the tiny screws that usually secure a retaining spring for the button cell. Depending on the design of the battery holder, the button cell can be removed easily with a watchmaker’s screwdriver or a pair of tweezers (be sure to use plastic tweezers!). Before disassembling for the first time, you should take a close look at the inside of the watch and make notes on the position of retaining springs, protective foils, etc., or even take an additional (macro) photo. You can find out which battery type you need from the user manual or, in most cases, from the top of the old battery. You don’t necessarily have to use exactly the same battery type again if it’s not available: using a cross-reference table, you may be able to determine suitable equivalents. However, it is essential in every case to maintain the same battery dimensions and voltage.

The watch crystal is fogged up on the inside – what should I do?

Place the watch in a warm place to dry or in a bag of rice, which will quickly draw out the moisture. The better alternative, however, is to take it to a watchmaker so they can clean it and, if necessary, replace the sealing ring.

On which wrist should you wear a watch?

Because there have always been more right-handers than left-handers, the small winding crown was placed so that it could be reached and turned with the right, i.e. the “strong” hand. This only works if the watch is worn on the left. So traditionally, a watch is worn on the left wrist. However, of course you can wear it on whichever wrist you like.

What is a helium valve?

The helium valve is an overpressure valve that releases any helium present inside the watch to the outside. But how does helium get into the watch in the first place? This is only relevant for divers who dive either with a diving bell (less common) or in a decompression chamber. Due to its much smaller molecules (compared to air), helium penetrates the watch despite the seals. If a dive watch does not have such a valve, the crystal can, in the worst case, be blown off.

What is a “Trisnap clasp” on wristwatches?

The TriSnap clasp is a safety clasp. It is a triple-secured (hence the name) (bracelet) clasp, i.e. a folding clasp that is almost 100% unlikely to open accidentally or unintentionally.