Many people believe that watch accuracy can be achieved by simply adjustingthe regulator screw towards the + or – position. Regulating a watch is a lot more complex than this. Watches that areinaccurate are inaccurate for a reason. Generally, these watches require cleaning and conditioning (oilingand greasing of the winding mechanisms). Conditioning also means ensuring that all of the train wheels are free fromobstruction, the hairspring is centered and the.. Read More
Watches worn by race car drivers
Cars and watches are a natural fit. Both are traditionally mechanical and both are products of complex and precise engineering. The watch itself has played an integral role in early motor racing. Early race car drivers wore bulky stopwatches strapped to their wrists to time laps and calculate speeds. Later driving watches had angled dials for easy reading without taking a hand off the wheel. Rolex Daytona For many, the love of watches.. Read More
What is a Skeleton Watch?
A skeleton watch is a mechanical watch, in which all of the moving parts are visible through either the front of the watch, the back of the watch or a small cut outlining the dial. True “skeletonization” also includes the trimming away of any non-essential metal on the bridge, plate, wheel train or any other mechanical part of the watch, leaving only a skeleton of the movement required for functionality. Often, the remaining thinned movement is decorated with engraving… Read More
How old is your Rolex?
Rolex’s watches have two key numbers associated with them. These numbers are etched directly into the metal of the watch case and can tell you a great deal about your watch. The two numbers are: The serial number: a unique identifier that is different for every single watch and can be used to determine the production date of that watch. The reference number: which is sometimes known as the model number. How.. Read More
How to care for a vintage watch
Interest in vintage timepieces has reached an all-time high. Some people become enamored by the watches’ stories; others seek the unique look and feel of a watch that has aged naturally over many decades. In this blog I will go over some of the most commonly asked questions about how to care for your vintage watch. Water resistance, magnetism and shock resistance Many people don’t think twice about exposing their.. Read More
What is the best Rolex movement?
There are some barber shop debates that people will never agree on. Is Coke really better than Pepsi? Does pineapple belong on pizza? Is LeBron the greatest of all-time, or does Michael Jordan and his six rings forever hold that distinction? Rolex is generally regarded as the best watch brand. But what about the movements inside the watch itself. Which is the best? We take a look at some of.. Read More
What is a RolexOyster Quartz?
Rolex is most known for their mechanical timepieces, but from 1970 through 2001 the company also produced battery powered and quartz wristwatches. In an attempt to keep up with the times, Rolex began research into electronic timekeeping in the early 1950s and was awarded its first patent for an electro‐mechanical movement in 1952. Despite the company’s early interest in the future electronic timekeeping market, though, the first Rolex quartz watch.. Read More
Rolex movement #3185 vs. #3186
Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. That’s a phrase attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Even though its from the 19th century, it’s a saying that’s always on the top of my mind when working on Rolexes. One of the most popular models I work on is the GMT and GMT 2. While I was fixing a newer model that uses a Rolex movement.. Read More
Omega Seamaster 30 & Seamaster DeVille
The Omega Seamaster range was created in 1948, the first Omega Seamaster 30 wasn’t introduced until 1962. The “30” in the model name refers not to the depth of water resistance, but instead to the size of the movement. Omega’s 30mm hand-wound movements proved exceedingly popular and were produced in large quantity in the mid twentieth century, ending with Calibre 269. The first Seamaster 30 watches used Calibre 286 (created.. Read More
A brief history of the Omega Watch Company
Over the next few weeks, I will do a series of blog posts on Omega watches, both old and new. I thought before we get started we should go over a bit of history of this fine Swiss Company. The Omega Watch Company was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chauxde Fonds, Switzerland. “Omega” is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and, by some, is used to symbolize accomplishment.. Read More