Quartz Watch Care & Maintenance
Quartz watches need special handling. Even though they are
powered by batteries, not all of the internal components are
electronic. Some of them even a mechanical movement but are
powered by battery instead of the by the rotor or manual
winding. Every manufacturer has their own way of taking care
of their products, but these FAQ's apply to every quartz
watch. If you have a question not listed here, please feel
free to contact Westime.
Q: Does my watch need periodic check ups? A: Quartz watches are designed to provide an accurate and reliable service. However, every two years, or when you replace the battery, you should visit an authorized dealer or an authorized service center for more details. It is recommended that you replace the battery every two years although the battery can last longer. The authorized dealer will inspect your watch for any worn parts that may need replacement, check whether it needs lubrication, and whether perspiration or water, dust, etc., needs to be removed from within the watch. Q: What does it mean when my watch needs to be serviced? A: All watches need service at some point in time. Many steps have to be performed to service a watch. First, the watch is opened and the movement is removed. It is taken apart, down to the very last screw. Then the parts are checked for wear and tear. The old parts are replaced when necessary. Then all the parts are cleaned, reassemble and lubricated. After these steps, the movement is regulated, so the watch will run accordingly. If the watch is water resistant, the water tightness is checked. The last step is polishing the case and the bracelet. After performing all this steps, you will get almost a brand new watch. Q: Why go through all the hassle of servicing my watch if it is working fine? A: There are some good reasons. First, the oil that keeps the watch running will thicken over time. Un-lubricated watch parts can create friction. The problem gets worse if the friction creates microscopic fine dust that will act as an abrasive to the movement. Another reason, the case of the watch is expanding in response to the hot and cold. This allows dust to enter the case through the microscopic fine cracks. This happens even in the water resistant watches that have protective gaskets. Q: How should I care for my watch case and bracelet? A: Metal bracelets should be washed carefully in water. If really dirty, use a soft toothbrush with soap and water to brush away the dirt. Finally, rinse with water and dry carefully with a soft cloth. If your watch is not water resistant, be careful not to get water on the case. Cases should be wiped gently with a slightly moistened soft cloth and then dried carefully. Leather straps should be slightly loosened in the summer, when they may absorb perspiration. A tight strap not only prevents the passage of air over the strap undersurface but can also cause a perspiration rash on the wrist. If the strap ever becomes wet with perspiration, wipe it dry with a soft cloth. When you take off your watch, leave it in a well-ventilated spot. Never put it in a sealed container when it is still damp with perspiration. Avoid leaving your watch in direct sunlight. The strap color may fade. Q: How does magnetism affect quartz watches? A: It doesn't usually affect digital quartz watches, but it can affect analog watches, which use a tiny electric motor to turn the hands. Powerful magnetism can affect the performance of this motor. Although analogue watches may gain time, lose time, or even stop under the influence of powerful magnetic fields, they will usually return to normal time-keeping as soon as they leave the source of magnetism. Avoid putting your watch near medical equipment, headphones, speakers, or refrigerator door magnets. Electric mixers and blenders and a wide range of other electrical equipment may also have strong enough magnetism to affect timekeeping. Q: What special care should I give my watch? A: Your watch is a precision measuring instrument. Treat it carefully, and it will serve you well. Avoid undue shocks (such as dropping on hard surfaces). The normal shocks caused by sports like tennis or golf present no threat to quartz watches. Temperature Extremes: Quartz watches are much less affected by extremes of temperature than mechanical watches, and are designed to keep good time if worn on the wrist for eight hours a day with ambient temperatures between -10 degrees and +35 degrees Celsius. If removed completely from the wrist, your watch may lose time during the winter, but will return to normal accuracy as soon as you start wearing it again. If your watch is stored at temperatures outside the normal range (as low as -10 degrees Celsius or as high as +60 degrees Celsius) the electronic components may cease to function normally. The response time of liquid crystals used in the displays on digital watches at temperatures below freezing is slow, and they tend to look very dark at high temperatures, but normal performance returns at normal temperatures. Battery life can be
significantly reduced at high temperatures (above 40 degrees
Celsius), and battery fluid may even leak out. |
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