Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is an automatic watch ?
An automatic is a mechanical watch whose mainspring is wound as a result of the wearer's arm motion. It's not the same for a hand-wound watch which is a mechanical watch that the wearer winds by turning the crown by hand.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Why do they call it - automatic ?
Because instead of the wearer having to wind the watch to generate power, the watch winds itself automatically when worn.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How does an automatic watch work ?
The movement of the wrist and body causes the rotor, the metal weight attached to a winding mechanism, to pivot freely on its staff in the center of the movement. The rotor rotates back and forth in a circular motion at the slightest action of the wrist. The rotor's movement winds the mainspring, a flat coiled spring that powers mechanical watches

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How much motion does an automatic need to work properly ?
A person's normal arm and wrist motion will keep an automatic watch properly wound. People who are inactive - the elderly or patients confined to beds may need to wind their watch to keep it powered.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Is it safe to wind an automatic watch ?
Yes it is. Winding the watch won't hurt it at all. 10 to 15 turns of the crown is usually enough to give full power to the mainspring.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How long will an automatic watch keep running off the wrist ?
That depends of the type of the movement in the watch and how much power is left in the mainspring when you take it off. A normal , fully wound automatic movement will keep running from 36 to 48 hours.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How long is the life time of a Watch Battery ?
Usually between two to 5 years, depending on the type of the watch, its dimensions and the quantity of energy requested by the different functions. For instance, a chronograph will have a higher energy consumption than a watch indicating the hours and the minutes only. Most of the watches features a power reserve indicator : when the seconds hand starts jumping every four seconds, it is time to have the battery replaced by a qualified watchmaker.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

What is the difference between a chronometer and chronograph ?
The terms sound similar but they have nothing to do with each other.

A chronometer is a superior timekeeper.
A chronograph , or chronoscope , has a second counter hand in its centre which makes one turn in one minute ; another counter hand counts the number of turns , it is the minute counter . The counters can be started, stopped and return to zero by pushers action. It is a watch with stopwatch function.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

What is chronometer ?
A chronometer is an extremely accurate watch. It takes its name from the Greek words " Chronos + metron" meaning to measure time. A chronometer has been tested and controlled by a neutral testing testing bureau, the COSC . The watch comes with a rating certificate issued by the institute . The chronometer designation is a badge of honour, proof that the watch is of superior quality. COSC : " Controle Official Suisse des Chronometres".

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

What is a tachometer?
It is a chronograph with a graduated dial on which speed can be read off in kilometres per hour based on a 1000 meter distance.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Water resistance?
Most of the watches have a water resistant construction . It means that the watch movement is protected against humidity by special gaskets at the following points of the casing : "Crowns and pushers" and Glass Bezel Case back. Water resistance of a watch is not assured for ever. After the 24 months guarantee, customers must be warned to get their watch checked by a official dealer once a year. Remember, only professional changing battery will guarantee the seals and thus the water resistance of your timepiece.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Sales guarantee?
As stipulated in the guarantee booklet, every watch is covered by a 24 months guarantee from the date of purchase. The benefit offered by this guarantee covers the replacement of any faulty material as well as any hidden manufacturing defect, free of charge. This guarantee does not apply to parts or accessories which are wearing out (battery , leather strap etc.) or to damage caused by accident.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Where can I get my watch repaired?
Please refer to the Customer Service Centre section.
You can even visit one of our Sales outlets and they will deliver the watch to our Customer Service Centres.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How frequently should a watch be serviced?
A watch is a precision instrument and need to be serviced regularly in oder for it to work perfectly. As a general rule, it is between 3 and 4 years depending on the use of the watch though it depends entirely on the watch model, climatic conditions and the care taken by the watch's owner.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Repair guarantee?
Repair guarantee Complete overhauls carried out in our service center are covered by a 12 months guarantee from the invoicing date of repair. This guarantee is valid only in UAE and does not apply to damages caused by accident.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

How can we know, if a watch is real or fake?
Only a qualified watchmaker familiar with can judge if the watch is a genuine or a fake one.

We therefore advise you to purchase only from authorized retailers, who will guarantee that the watches they sell are genuine.
Every new watch is sold with a warranty card and certificates. Buying watches from the Internet is a risk.