When selecting a suitable wristwatch, attention should be paid to its strap. Some watch straps are made of fabric, while others are made of metal or leather. The choice of strap type is essentially a matter of personal preference. However, metal straps can cause noise on contact or movement and can leave marks or, in the worst case, abrasions on the skin during vigorous physical activity.
Questions: Wristwatches
What to do about scratches on the glass?
You can work on small, flat scratches on the glass with toothpaste. However, deeper scratches should preferably be treated carefully with special glass polishes. In both cases, it is advisable to test the abrasive power on an old, no longer needed watch beforehand.
Water stains on leather strap, what to do?
Water stains can be easily removed with a cut onion or some milk. Rub the leather briskly with half an onion or a cloth soaked in milk and then let it dry. Whichever method you choose, it is especially important that the treated area is thoroughly dried and the leather is only treated with a leather care product afterwards.
How to clean grease stains on leather?
The best way to remove such stains is with a grease-absorbing stain remover or by trying leather soap (also called leather gum).
How to change button cells yourself?
To change the battery, you should always have a watchmaker's screwdriver to be able to loosen the tiny screws that usually secure a retaining spring for the button cell. Depending on the construction of the battery holder, the button cell can be easily removed with a watchmaker's screwdriver or tweezers (be sure to use plastic tweezers!). Before dismantling for the first time, take a close look at the inside of the watch and make notes on the position of retaining springs, cover foils, etc. or even take a (macro) photo. You can find out which type of battery you need from the user manual or, in most cases, from the top of the old battery. You do not necessarily have to use the same type of battery again if it is not available: you can possibly determine appropriate equivalents using a comparison table. However, it is essential in any case to maintain the same dimensions of the battery and the voltage.
The watch glass is fogged up from the inside, what to do?
Place the watch in a warm place to dry or in a bag of rice, which quickly absorbs moisture. However, the better alternative would be to take it to a watchmaker to clean it, possibly even to have the sealing ring replaced.
On which side should a wristwatch be worn?
Because there have always been more right-handed people than left-handed ones, the small crown for winding was placed so that it could be reached and turned with the right, i.e., the "strong" hand. However, this is only possible if the watch is worn on the left. So traditionally, a watch is worn on the left. However, you can, of course, wear it on whichever wrist you prefer.
What is a helium release valve?
The helium release valve is an overpressure valve that allows any existing helium to escape from the inside of the watch to the outside. But how does the helium get into the watch in the first place? This is only interesting for divers who either dive with a diving bell (more rarely) or with a decompression chamber. Due to the much smaller molecules (than air), helium settles inside the watch despite the seals. If a diving watch does not have such a valve, the glass can be blown off in the worst case.
What is a "TriSnap closure" on wristwatches?
The TriSnap closure is a safety closure. It is a triple (hence the name) secured (bracelet) closure, i.e., a folding clasp that can hardly open by accident or inadvertently.
