![]() But they most definitely exist on many complicated and expensive timepieces such as perpetual calendars.Įssentially, these flush-to-the-case pushers control adjustments of complications such as the date, day, month, leap year, and moon phase, etc. ![]() Recessed pushers are not very common and many watch collectors are not even aware they exist. Not pushing the recessed pushers in all of the way If your watch has these, be sure that they are screwed in. In addition, some watches have screw-down chronograph pushers. Prevention: Do not use your chronograph while under water! This can be a very pricey repair, while in some cases it can “total” the watch, leaving the repair cost higher than the residual value of the whole timepiece. Rust on a watch movement is is not a pretty sight (image courtesy Gevril Group)īecause parts of a watch movement are small and metal they can quickly rust and dials and hands can discolor. The chronograph pushers hold water at bay with no problem in their normal positions, however when a pusher is pushed into the case it can compromise the seal and allow water to enter, causing major water damage. Result: Most chronographs are water-resistant to at least some degree. When I asked how this happened, he told me that he was on vacation and he and his kids were timing how long they could stay under water. Some may ask, “Why would anyone use a chronograph under water?” I may answer, “You can’t believe the things people do.”Īnd while this is rare, I did have a client once who came in with a badly water-damaged watch. Using a chronograph while the watch is submerged It is possible to screw it down so tightly that it can be all but impossible to unscrew.Įach watch has its own personality, and until you become comfortable with any particular piece, don’t push it. Keep in mind, you do not ever have to torque your crown down too tightly – just until it stops is fine. The winding stem is not sealed by screwing in (that’s the job of the rubber seal), a screw-down crown just minimizes the risk of the stem moving in the seal while under water. In fact never force anything on a watch.īack down, unscrew fully, and attempt again. If the crown seems to stop very quickly (under one full turn), do not force it. Prevention: Simply take your time screwing the crown back in! A crown should rotate at least 1.5 full turns, but only up to three full turns, while being screwed in. Result: If the crown is slightly out of alignment when you screw it back in, the threads of the tube and crown may cross and cause permanent damage. After winding or setting a watch with a screw-down crown, it is necessary to screw the crown back in correctly. ![]() Refer to the instruction manual to know what the “safe” times of any specific watch are.Ĭross threading the crown while screwing back into the caseĪ screw-down crown on a watch, common on diving and sports watches, helps to maintain the added depth rating by keeping the stem snugly secure in the sealing gasket. This will ensure that you are out of the “Danger Zone” (queue the cheesy Kenny Loggins song from Top Gun). Prevention: A simple rule of thumb when making adjustments is to bring the hour hand to the lower half of the dial, maybe 5:00, 6:00, or 7:00, prior to adjusting the complication. Result: The most common result is misalignment of the date in the window and there could also possibly be broken components floating around in the movement. And it takes extra time to disengage completely in the aftermath. makes its changeover close to midnight, the gears that make that change happen to engage quite a bit earlier. The reason is fairly simple: although a date, the weekday, etc. Setting the indications around midnight can cause misalignmentĮach movement has its own guidelines so this may vary a little, but avoiding setting anything a few hours either side of midnight should keep you out of trouble. ![]()
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