What Is an Automatic Watch?
Watches make fantastic statement pieces. They are mechanical works of art worn on your wrist that can add class to any outfit. But getting into watches can be overwhelming; there is a lot of terminology that gets thrown around, and it can be difficult to understand all of it at first.
Jack Mason is here to help unpack a little bit of that and to teach you about automatic watches and what sets them apart from the rest.
A Broad Overview of Watches
When first picking a watch, there are two big choices to make when it comes to what kind of watch you want. The first is to choose between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch.
Quartz Watches vs. Mechanical Watches
Quartz watches have a small battery inside that is used to power the movement, the movement being the internal mechanism of the watch that causes the hands to move. Mechanical watches lack a battery, and instead, their movement is powered by the assortment of gears inside.
This is when you have to make your second big choice; choosing between a manual winding and an automatic watch.
Manual Winding vs. Automatic
Manual winding watches require you to, as the name implies, manually wind up the mainspring, which powers the movement via a crown on the side of the watch face. The mainspring is a spring that's nestled inside of the watch that, as the crown is wound, will get tighter and tighter. The unwinding of that tension is what makes the hands move. And as that tension is gradually lessened throughout the day, each second that goes by means another tick, and the "battery" runs lower and lower.
Most mechanical watches have a life anywhere between twenty hours or forty hours. Some extremely high-end watches can last for seventy hours. But no matter how long the battery is, you're still typically winding your watch every other day. Automatic watches can have a significantly longer battery life as the mainspring is "recharged," in a sense, by the natural movement of your arms swinging. Let's go into some detail on how that works now.
How Does an Automatic Watch Generate Power
The idea is that an automatic watch can take the natural kinetic energy from the movement of your arm and wind the mainspring with it. A semi-circular weighted rotor on the inside of the watch is connected to the mainspring through a series of gears. That way, as your arm moves, so does the rotor. When the rotor makes a rotation, the mainspring is wound tighter and tighter.
The best part of this is that if you're wearing an automatic watch, you will no longer have to wind your watch every day, or even every other day. Oftentimes you can wear your watch for several weeks at a time without needing to manually wind it again.
This does come with two downsides. One is that the watch is naturally thicker than its manually-wound counterparts, as it has the additional component of the rotor inside. The other is that you then have to wear that one watch every day if you want to get the most out of that automatic winding functionality.
Info on Winding an Automatic Watch
When you first purchase an automatic watch, you'll need to do a bit of hand-winding to get the mainspring going, as there probably hasn't been enough kinetic energy to keep it wound. To do this, just push the crown (the circular knob on the side of the watch) all the way in and turn it clockwise. This will wind the mainspring.
The only time this differs is if the automatic you purchased is a sports watch. These are designed to have their crowns screwed in so that they can't break off and damage the movement if the watch is hit. To wind, the mainspring just unscrews the crown out a bit from the case, and then you should be able to wind it normally.
One of the more frequently asked questions is, "Is it possible to overwind in an automatic watch?" This is an issue that can crop up with normal hand-wound watches. With those, if you are hand winding and you don't notice the increasing tension, it's possible to damage the internal mechanism. Fortunately, this is not something you'll have to worry about with most automatic watches.
How to Choose an Automatic Watch
Watches are in a really interesting place right now. It's never been easier to know exactly what time it is. It's on our phones; it’s on our computers; it's even on our ovens. But watches remain as popular as ever. And the reason for that is twofold.
Firstly, there are circumstances where having a watch is a necessity. Divers use them to check how long they've been under the water for, soldiers in the field use them as an analog replacement to tell the time, sailors use them in extended trips; there are scenarios where watches just tell the time better than a phone.
And secondly, watches are amazing fashion pieces. They can radically enhance an outfit, they can make conversation pieces, and so, in the same way that suits will never go out of style, watches will be around for a long, long time.
Kevin O'Leary, of Shark Tank fame, is also a renowned watch collector, and his collection is valued in the millions. He has a quote that expresses his philosophy on watches, saying, "I don't care about telling the time, I care about the dial. I use my phone to tell the time." This works for him because he's most likely wearing watches during business meetings, while filming, or going out on the town. The practicality of the watch isn't a concern for him because it's not something that he has to worry about.
But of course, not everyone has the life of luxury that Mr. Wonderful has. Some people need, or just want, practicality, a timer, a calendar function, a barometer, a star chart, or maybe even the phases of the moon. What's most important is to find what matters the most to you and to think about when and why you'll be wearing this timepiece. And, while there's nothing wrong with wearing a watch just because it's beautiful, it's also important to know how to style it.
How to Style an Automatic Watch
When purchasing a watch, you need to think about why and when you'll wear it. Try and match your watch with the scenario you'll most likely be wearing that watch in and the outfit that that activity might require. Let's take a look at a couple of common scenarios now.
Sports Watches
As the name implies, it's impossible to go wrong with a sports watch. These typically have their crowns screwed into the case so that, no matter how hard it gets hit, it won't break off into your movement and destroy the internal mechanism.
If you live by the seaside and enjoy sailing or diving, a diving watch makes an excellent choice as they typically have the best water-resistance ratings.
Everyday Wear
A common everyday watch would be one comprised of a stainless steel face and bracelet because they're simple, beautiful, and pair with almost any outfit. As they’re made from stainless steel, they also benefit from being incredibly durable.
Another excellent option would be a field watch. Field watches were originally made for soldiers in WW1 but retained their popularity because they're well constructed, sturdy, and still manage to look great. They often come with canvas straps, which can pair easily with anything from simple outdoor wear, to beachwear, to jeans and a casual button-up shirt. Just make sure to get a strap and dial that don't clash with the typical colors of your wardrobe.
Formal Wear
For the office, try a leather strap. If you can, try and find leather that matches your belt and shoes, as that will create a very cohesive look and elevate your outfit. If you often find yourself at black-tie events, simple is often be better. Try a black leather band paired with a simple white face. In those situations, you don't want the watch to be too distracting from the rest of the outfit.
Automatic watches make excellent starter watches. Just be sure to wind it every so often if not wearing it every day, and try and match your watch with the outfits you might most frequently wear it in.
Sources:
What is kinetic energy? | Khan Academy
Watches: Automatic vs. Quartz
Watches have been a staple in fashion for hundreds of years and, just like anything with such a long record, that comes with a lot of history and vocabulary. Why, for example, do collectors value automatic watches more highly than quartz watches when quartz watches are almost always more precise?
Below, we'll go over a bit of the history between automatic and quartz watches, some keywords frequently used in horology (aka the art of making watches), and what the common consensus is on them now. Let's start with a little bit of history.
A Brief History of Watches
The first wristwatch was made in the early 1800s as a gift to the Queen of Naples from Swiss horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet. Because the watch was intended for a queen, wristwatches were commonly viewed as women's luxury items, whereas men would primarily wear pocket watches.
That, like so many other things, changed during the onset of WW1. Soldiers had to carry an enormous amount of equipment, and one such item was a pocket watch. These were fragile, clunky to take out and put back in their pack or coat, and were viewed as just one more item to carry around.
And so, the trench watch was born. They had canvas straps, were significantly more durable than pocket watches at the time, and, because of their placement on their wrist, no longer had to be stowed when not in use. They became a permanent fixture on the soldier's arms.
After the war, American soldiers continued to wear their wristwatches as they'd grown so used to wearing them. Because of this, watches became something of a cultural icon. Seeing these victorious men-at-arms returning home, wearing wristwatches, created an image of masculinity and power, and so watches became mainstream pieces for men to wear.
The Quartz Crisis
After the war, the technology of watches accelerated rapidly. Because of their prominence amongst soldiers, they now had to be made for a variety of weather conditions, they needed to be waterproof, and they needed to be accurate.
And so, in 1969, Seiko unveiled the quartz watch. It was battery-powered, and because of that, it was significantly cheaper to mass-produce. It also had fewer moving parts than an automatic watch, meaning that they were less prone to failure and more accurate than the mechanical movements of the day. They exploded in popularity, and Swiss watchmakers were suddenly in danger of going out of business.
What wound up saving Swiss watchmaking was the Swatch. They were cheap, brightly colored mechanical watches made of plastic. They also only had 51 parts, which was around half of what the average mechanical watch had at the time.
Whereas before, your options for a wristwatch were between a relatively expensive automatic watch and a cheap quartz one, Swatches created a cheaper mechanical market that didn't previously exist. They were fun and colorful, and they had some brilliant marketing behind them.
Because of this new low-end market, the higher-end market began to grow in popularity again. As with so many things in fashion, the automatic watches that were starting to be seen as expensive and old became highly desired items again. The lower-end market became saturated with Swatch imitators, and people wanted to go back to the classics. Automatics and their fascinating movements became popular again, and now the watch market has largely balanced itself out.
What Is Automatic Movement?
The word movement has been brought up several times now, so let's go over what it actually means. Movement is a name for the mechanical underpinnings of the watch that work to power it, meaning the dial and any complications such as a calendar, a day/night cycle, or alternate time zones. A complication is a name for the parts on the face of a watch that does anything other than telling the time.
A mechanical watch is any watch that has a mechanism, called a mainspring, that powers its movement. A mainspring is a spring that gets wound tighter and tighter, and, as it releases its tension, the dials on the watch begin to move. An automatic watch falls under this category but, what sets it apart, is that it can use the kinetic energy of your arm's movement to wind its mainspring.
Automatic watches are equipped with a weighty, semi-circular rotor. As your arm swings back and forth, that rotor will spin around, tightening the mainspring and powering the watch. If you wear your automatic watch every single day and have an active lifestyle, you main never have to manually wind the mainspring after your initial purchase. If it just sits without any movement, a typical automatic watch can take anywhere from thirty to forty hours for the mainspring to fully wind down.
What Is Quartz Movement?
Quartz watches are a relatively new creation, having only come out in 1969. They are powered by a battery instead of a mainspring. Inside of them lies a quartz crystal which vibrates when electricity passes through it. That vibration is sent to a stepping motor which is then sent to a dial train. The dial train causes the hands to move.
The key difference is that the most complicated component on a quartz watch is the circuit board, which can be mass-produced on a much larger scale than the machinery required for an automatic watch. And because the quartz watch has such a small number of parts, instead of the potentially hundreds of parts of a mechanical watch, they are less prone to wearing down, so they're overall more accurate.
All of this comes with a downside, though. Quartz watches die. They are, after all, a piece of consumer electronics. And so, in the same way that your laptop might falter and die after a decade of use, so too will a quartz watch. For some, this is a non-issue. But for you, if you want your watch to be a piece that your children might inherit someday, that could pose a problem.
So now you're faced with the same conundrum that consumers have faced for the past fifty years: automatic or quartz?
Deciding What Kind of Watch Is Right for You
It all comes down to what you want in a watch. Automatic watches are incredible works of craftsmanship and, if you have one with a clear back, you can even see the hundreds of small gears working away, showing you the passage of time. And if you give an automatic watch the proper level of care, they can run for decades, if not lifetimes. They are conversation pieces; they show artistry and craftsmanship, and the process of winding/daily wearing can be cathartic for some. But maybe that's not the case for you.
If you are searching for a watch that you know you can rely on, with little maintenance or daily care, quartz watches are amazing. They are incredibly accurate and reliable. If you're just getting into watch collecting, you don't want to deal with the added work of an automatic watch, or you just want a simple watch without the added filigree, quartz watches are an excellent watch.
Keep in mind what you're looking for in a watch and, no matter your choice, you'll have a beautiful accessory to add to your outfits.
Sources:
A Timeless History of the Swatch Watch | Mental Floss
Watch Market – Growth | Trends | Forecasts (2020 - 2025) | Mordor Intelligence
3 Types Of Watch Movements | Difference Between Quartz | Real Men, Real Style
How to Replace a Watch Band
Why You Might Want to Replace Your Band
When initially breaking into watches, you will typically try to find faces and bands that work together, pieces that look beautiful as a whole. But the day will come sooner rather than later where you find a face that captivates you, but when you see the band, you find that it doesn't work as a whole or doesn't fit your style.
Like most things in fashion, there are many factors to consider when looking at watch straps. Maybe you don't like the leather that the watchmaker originally chose, maybe you want to have a stainless-steel bracelet for a little bit of added durability, or maybe you just don't like the feel of the strap on your wrist. Whatever the reason is, you're looking to change things up.
But watches are expensive items, and it can be a little scary to make changes, especially if this is your first time swapping a band. But don't worry! Watch bands are much easier to replace than you might initially expect.
In this guide, we'll go over the tools you'll need and provide you with a few easy techniques so that you can upgrade your watch band to be in line with your style.
Tools of the Trade for Changing Your Watch Band
Here's a quick list of everything you'll need to get you started:
- The original watch with strap attached
- The strap you'd like to use as a replacement
- A spring bar tool or a dull knife
If you don't own a spring bar tool, don't worry. Using a dull knife can be just as effective. There are some guides out there that recommend using a sharp knife, but a sharper blade doesn't really add any tangible value, and you don’t want to damage your best kitchen knife.
All that said, although a dull knife can get the job done, we would still recommend purchasing a spring bar tool. They're relatively inexpensive, and they will ensure that you have the easiest experience in taking off and replacing your strap.
Step 1: Check the Strap Size
This may seem obvious to some, but differing watch strap sizes are an issue that is frequently overlooked by newcomers to the hobby. Fortunately, it's easy to check!
Use a ruler, or a pair of calipers if you want to be even more precise, and measure the distance between the lugs. The lugs are the two bits of metal that stick out from the watch case and hold the spring bar in place. The spring bars are the little bars that hold your watch strap in place. The space between the lugs is commonly referred to as lug width.
Lug width is almost always measured in millimeters and on most watches is normally within the range of 18-26 millimeters. Watch straps themselves typically come in even sizes, with 18 mm, 20 mm, and 22 mm being the most common sizes. If you're not sure what size straps you had on before, some brands will have their size written on the straps themselves.
Another easy way is to just look up the watch online. Most retailers nowadays have all the information you might need on their websites. Either way, the most important thing is to get a watch strap that fits your lug width.
Step 2: Taking Off the Old Strap
Turn your watch so that it is face-side down on a soft, flat surface; anything from carpet to a mousepad can work here. The main idea is just to set it on a material that won't be able to scratch or damage it. Next, check the band and identify the spring bar type. There are two kinds.
Quick Release Spring Bar
If you have a newer watch, it may have a quick-release spring bar. You can identify this by seeing if there's a small piece of metal sticking out from the spring bar, the part of the strap nearest the watch face. If there is one, simply pull the metal tab that's poking out towards the middle of the strap. At this point, the strap should disconnect from the face.
Traditional Spring Bar
If you do not have a quick-release spring bar, you'll need to begin by placing your spring bar tool on the space between the strap and the lug. There's typically a small ridge on the right side of the band. You can feel it if you run your finger along the bar. That's the specific point where you'll want to be applying said pressure.
Push down on that ridge and then, while applying downward pressure, push in towards the middle of the bar. This should cause one end of the bar to come off the lug. Typically, once one side of the bar comes off, the other can simply be pulled from the other lug with your fingers.
Your old strap should now be removed!
Step 3: Reinserting the Spring Bars
Once you've gotten your strap away from the main face, pull out the spring bar from the strap. This can be done with your fingers. Now, take the spring bars you just removed and, using your fingers, push them through the holes in the new strap until the bars are poking out on either side of the strap.
If the spring bars you're replacing are of the quick release variant, just push down on the metal tab and then insert into the strap, making sure that the metal tab is sticking up on the side where their hole will be located.
Step 4: Replacing the Strap
Take your new strap and, using your hand, push one side of the spring bar that's poking out into the lug. Then take the forked end of your spring bar tool and push down on the other end of the spring bar so that it lays flush with the strap.
Carefully maneuver the bar so that it lines up with the lug and, once you pull the tool away, it should snap into place. Voila! You have successfully replaced your watch strap.
How to Replace a Metal Band
If the band that you'd like to replace is a metal watch band, instead of a leather strap, this can add some additional steps. First off, check and see if it has a typical spring bar attaching it to the lugs. If you don't see any holes on the exterior, then you can just follow the guide above! If you see that there are little holes, that means the spring bar is attached with small screws instead of the traditional spring bar. Don't worry; this is a fairly simple process!
The first thing you're going to need is to get a screwdriver. It's going to need to be fairly slim, as the holes in these kinds of bands are often very small. Insert the screwdriver into the hole and turn until the screw comes out. Afterward, simply turn the watch over and give it a tap. The screw should fall right out. Now you can pull the spring bar out as we did before.
Grab the new metal strap that you'll be using to replace the old one, and thread the spring bar into the hole at either end so that the bars are sticking out a bit. Place these back into the lugs and, once they click in, simply screw the pieces back in.
Go to a Watch Store
At the end of the day, if you don't feel confident about replacing the straps yourself, or if you feel like it'll be too much of a hassle, you can always go to a watch store. Look online, check their reviews, and find a shop that does quality work. Changing a strap doesn't take much time at all, and the employees in these stores can often change a strap in just a few minutes. Just bring in the watch and the new strap you'd like to put on it, and they should be able to put it on in no time.
Enjoy the Process
The important thing is to just remember to take your time. The process is relatively simple and, with the right tools, can only take a couple of minutes. Knowing how to change your watch strap can be a useful skill to have and can help deepen your bond with your watch. As long as you keep track of all the components while taking them out, know the location of your spring bar, and have the right tools, you should be able to have that new band on in no time!
Sources:
These Are the Best Tools for Changing Your Watch Strap | Gear Patrol
How to Change a Watch Strap without a Trip to the Jeweler | Gear Patrol
8 Cool Sports Watches
An active lifestyle demands a watch that can go the distance. For that reason, Jack Mason has compiled the eight most exciting sport watches currently on the market.
What Is a Sports Watch?
The sports watch, as a fashion term, is difficult to pin down. This is precisely because of the broad range of the term. Sports watches can be made for specialized activities such as diving, aircraft usage, or racing. They are often are made with additional complications or reinforcements to allow the exploration of such activities.
There are no specific requirements for a “sports watch,” though there are tendencies. Sports watches, being activewear, need to be more durable, shock, and water-resistant than their dress watch counterparts. They also often come with complications, or additional features, relating to the task at hand.
Racing watches may come with tachymeters or chronographs, and pilot watches in some situations may be specially constructed to adjust to changes in pressure. Similarly, diving watches often feature press-in crowns and other features to protect themselves from any chance of water.
With this brief introduction handled, we are ready to move on to our watch listings.
Pursuit: $149
In the air, every second matters. For that reason, the Pursuit, built for everyday wear, harkens back to the design choices which gave vintage pilot’s watches their timeless appearance.
The hard and resilient sapphire crystal protects the watch so it may become a lasting legacy, and the SuperLuminova markings and indices improve legibility under all conditions.
A quartz Miyota 2315 movement aids the precision of the watch’s measurements. With starry designs on both the caseback and crown, every inch of the Pursuit is built not only to last but to last while keeping in mind the rich heritage of the pilot’s watch.
- Highlight: With durability, legibility, and an affordable price point, the Pursuit remains the most affordable watch on this list without sacrificing one iota of style.
Pursuit Automatic Box Set: $289
At first glance, the Pursuit Automatic has many similarities to the previous pilot’s watch on this list. The automatic features the same durable case and sapphire crystal, as well as indices and legibility markings.
The box set also comes in two variants, with one featuring a navy dial and steel case and the other sporting a less-traditional black dial and case. What separates the Pursuit Automatic from the Pursuit and from most other watches on this list is its movement.
The watch uses a Miyota 8215 automatic movement, unlike the electronic quartz movement that powers most others on this list. As such, this 42mm watch has a heft and thickness to it that sets it apart. Even better, the exhibition caseback gives the wearer a peek into the gorgeous machinery that keeps the timepiece ticking.
Speaking of ticking: While quartz watches often showcase short, punctuated second-hand movements, the automatic exhibits sleek, streamlined motions that give the passage of time an elegant sweeping motion.
- Highlight: The evocative, classic design and caseback revealing a beautifully complex inner mechanism makes the Pursuit Automatic Box Set a worthy pilot’s watch.
Mirabeau Chronograph: $219
For the speed demon in all of us, the 40mm Mirabeau Chronograph is designed to evoke the feel of mid-century sports cars. The unique caseback of the watch is built to resemble the curves of a steering wheel and the tread of a tire, announcing its status as a racing watch to the world.
The built-in tachymeter solves all timing needs, and the sapphire crystal and french blue dial compliment the tri-color chronograph to create a sports watch as visually stunning as it is practical. The Miyota OS21 quartz movement ensures the precision of the watch and all its complications.
The Mirabeau Chronograph is also water-tested to 100 meters and features subtle SuperLuminova markings to improve legibility in any context.
- Highlights: The sporty caseback, tachymeter, and tri-colored subdials make for a watch that is as eye-catching as it is useful.
Pursuit World Timer: $219
Inspired by the jet-set travel lifestyle of the 1950s, the Pursuit World Timer is the perfect aviation watch for any current or would-be world traveler. The watch features hands specifically tracking GMT, as well as a bidirectional bezel with airport codes for the 24 different time zones.These airport codes are replicated in further detail on the back of the stainless steel case.
The dial is marked with SuperLuminova technology. The bracelet that comes with the World Timer is also made from individual links, ensuring that it conforms comfortably to your wrist. The watch is also made with quick-release pins, allowing for easy customization.
- Highlights: The numerous airport codes listed on both the bezel and the caseback give the Pursuit World Timer an international appeal that is practical for the traveler and uniquely stylish for all others.
Avigator: $289
The 45mm Avigator Multi-Scale Chronograph takes inspiration from classic 1930’s men’s watch design, and in doing so, evokes the “Golden Age of Aviation.” This loyalty is most readily seen in the sleek caseback, embossed with a winged star design instantly recognizable as an aeronautical emblem.
Every aspect of this chronograph, from the 316L stainless steel case and water-resistance testing at 100 meters to the sapphire crystal, is built to last. On a visual front, the distinctive sunray dial ensures the Avigator remains as ruggedly gorgeous as it is durable.
- Highlights: A larger case and aeronautical flourishes make the Avigator a watch whose appearance and complications belie the rich history of both aircraft and the watches made to take to the skies.
Seatrek Automatic Box Set: $359
So far, all the watches on this list have been designed as either racing or pilot’s watches. However, no list of sports watches would be truly complete without mention of an excellent diver’s watch. The Seatrek Automatic Box Set more than remedies that need.
The Seatrek is water resistance tested at 300 meters and features a screw-down crown and divers extension to assist with function and comfort, whether directly on your wrist or over a wetsuit. The 42mm case and dual-colored SuperLuminova markings assist with legibility both on land and underwater. Luminescent markings can also be found on the 120 click uni-directional bezel.
The Seatrek is also highlighted by a Seiko (SII) Caliber NH35A automatic movement, one of the most popular automatic movements on the market, with a power reserve of 41 hours.
Finally, the Seatrek Box Set, in particular, comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap, ensuring that it will be ready-to-wear in any context right out of the box.
- Highlights: With a 300 meter tested water resistance, a horde of other features for diving, and a rubber strap included, the Seatrek is a one-of-a-kind watch with the craftsmanship signature to automatic movements.
Pursuit Chronograph: $219
Alluding to the past while moving forward in the present, the Pursuit Chronograph offers a modern take on the classic pilot’s watch. The caseback exhibits a frontal view of a vintage aircraft, as well as highlighting that the watch has been water tested as deep as 100 meters.
While both styles of the 42mm Pursuit Chronograph showcase stainless steel cases and three sub-dials, one features a navy sunray dial with a brown Italian leather strap, and the other features a black dial with a matching black strap.
Both styles include indices and luminosity markings to improve legibility, as well as sapphire crystals and a Miyota OS10 movement for durability and accuracy.
- Highlights: The indices and luminosity markings combined with a sunray dial results in a highly legible chronograph, both functional and fashionable.
AOPA Pilot's Chronograph: $500
The AOPA Pilot’s Chronograph is the brainchild of the collaboration between the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Jack Mason. By combining AOPA’s love of the skies and Jack Mason’s love of watchmaking and craftsmanship, they have created a pilot’s watch unlike any other.
The caseback features a winged shield with the founding date of the AOPA and names the other design choices of this pilot’s watch. For the first time, Jack Mason introduces multicolored tritium luminosity markings on the watch’s hands and dial, ensuring visibility in the darkest of cockpits.
The crystal, unlike many other offerings, is made of acrylic to allow for flexibility under changing altitude and air pressure. The watch also comes equipped with a Swiss Ronda Caliber 5030.D movement that is specially protected from magnetism, good for daily use, and essential for cockpit use.
The Pilot’s Chronograph has also been protected with a layer of PVD coating to provide a high level of environmentally-friendly protection for years to come. For a practical, historic, and truly awe-inspiring pilot’s watch, one needs look no further.
- Highlights: The collaboration between AOPA and Jack Mason has resulted in a watch designed with pilots in mind and developed in collaboration with the users who need it most. With special consideration in construction and design given towards anti-magnetism, water resistance, and operation under changing pressure, the AOPA Pilot’s Chronograph is the rare sports watch that is able to function on land, air, and sea.
Sources:
What is a Sports Watch? I Chronometer Check
Solar Watches: Mechanics and Functionality
Some of the newest timepieces to hit the market, solar watches are marvels of modern watchmakers. They combine the best parts of earlier types of watches while still maintaining the classic look of a traditional wristwatch, all while being a modern and eco-friendly alternative to other contemporary watch movements.
If you’re new to the world of solar timepieces and are hesitant to adopt this fascinating new technology, fear not—we’re here to explain how these cutting-edge timepieces work.
The Different Watch Movements
In order to understand why the solar watch is such a revolutionary invention in the world of watchmaking, we must first explore the other types of watch movement. A watch’s movement is, for lack of a better phrase, the thing that makes it tick. Some movements use batteries, and others use hand-wound mechanical components, but they all fulfill the same purpose: telling time. These are the various types of movement that watches are made with:
Mechanical
Mechanical watches, as the name suggests, are fully mechanical. They’ve been around for centuries—long before lithium batteries were invented—and derive power from a tiny, tightly coiled strip of metal called the mainspring.
The mainspring is wound by the watch’s wearer by twisting the crown of the watch (the crown is the knob on the side of the watch), and the other components of the watch work together to gradually release tension from the mainspring in small, measured increments that ultimately make the dial move.
The mechanical watch is truly a marvel of mechanical engineering, but it does come with one problem: it needs to be wound. If you put your mechanical watch down for a few days, you’ll pick it up to find that it’s slowed and the time is inaccurate—or that it has stopped running altogether. It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to constantly have to wind your watch, especially if you’re a collector with multiple mechanical watches or even a watch bracelet in your collection.
Automatic
The automatic watch was invented to solve the problem of mechanical watches. Instead of needing its wearer to manually wind its mainspring, an automatic watch winds itself—sort of.
An automatic watch is built with a special weighted rotor that rotates as the watch moves. When the watch’s wearer swings their arms as they walk, this weighted rotor spins around, gradually winding the watch’s mainspring.
While the automatic watch is certainly more convenient than the mechanical watch due to its self-winding capabilities, it comes with a similar problem: you have to be wearing it in order for it to wind itself. If you set it down anywhere from for a few days to a long period of time, just like with a mechanical watch, it will slowly lose power and eventually stop working.
You can always wind the watch and set the time again, and you can also get a special automatic watch winder, but if you’re looking for a watch that doesn’t need to be wound at all, you’ll need another option.
Quartz
The quartz watch is a 20th-century invention made possible through the use of a lithium battery. These tiny batteries replace the mainspring, making it possible to engineer a watch to tell accurate time for a long period without needing the watch’s wearer to do the work of winding it.
Many watches these days are built with quartz movements because of the ease of production and use—because they don’t use a mainspring, they can be made more compact and with fewer moving parts than their mechanical and automatic counterparts.
The one problem with these lithium batteries is that they need to be replaced regularly in order for the watch to maintain accurate time. As soon as they start to run out of power, the watch will start to lose accuracy, until eventually it no longer is useful as a timepiece.
Lithium batteries are not to be confused with lithium-ion batteries, which are more complex and powerful. They are used to power computers, cameras, and tablets.
Solar
Enter the solar watch onto the watch scene in the 70s. The newest of the watch movements, the solar watch harnesses the power of the sun to fuel its rechargeable battery while it stores energy. How does it do this? Read on for a detailed exploration of this cutting-edge technology.
Solar Watches
Solar watches rely on the power of the sun in order to run, constantly converting light energy into electronic energy through the use of a solar cell. A solar cell unit is in pretty much every type of solar-powered item that relies on light exposure, whether it’s a small sun-powered garden lamp or a massive panel in a solar farm.
How Solar Cells Work
As previously mentioned, the solar cell is the device that makes solar-powered watches possible. These solar cells (also called photovoltaic cells) work by receiving light energy from the sun and turning it directly into electricity—they’re like batteries, but instead of making electricity through the use of chemicals the way that batteries do; they harness the power of the sun.
Light is made of tiny particles called photons, and a beam of sunlight can carry trillions of photons to earth. If a solar cell is placed in that sunbeam, the solar cell catches the photons and converts them into a flow of electrons, making an electric current.
While large solar panels are able to power entire houses, it doesn’t take a giant panel to power a watch—all that’s needed is a single, small solar cell cleverly implanted in the watch. To look at a solar watch, you may not even see the solar, rechargeable cell—but it’s there, and it’s always working, even during a cloudy day, as long as there’s light to convert into electricity.
Are Solar Cells Efficient?
If you think back on your physics classes, you may remember the law of conservation of energy—this law states that energy can’t be created or destroyed. What that means for solar cells is that they can’t create any more energy than they receive from the sun. And while the sun sends a lot of light energy cascading down to earth, solar cells are really only able to absorb a small amount of that energy—converting about 10-20 percent of the energy they receive into electricity for a solar watch charge.
Still, solar cells are a much better source of electricity than fossil fuels, which emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every day.
What About Batteries?
You might find yourself thinking, “well, watches don’t emit greenhouse gases,” and you’d be right—your mechanical, automatic, quartz, or solar watch doesn’t pollute the planet from your wrist. And if you’re a fan of the quartz movement for its use of batteries, you might assume that the battery inside of that watch doesn’t cause any pollution, either.
The problem is that the production, transportation, and disposal of batteries by watch manufacturers can cause a lot of pollution. Not only do factories that produce batteries emit a lot of greenhouse gases, but the methods used in mining natural resources for use in batteries can be very costly. Batteries can also cause harm once we’ve used them—disposable batteries can wreak havoc on the environment long after they’ve outlived their usefulness in your remote control, your flashlight, or your watch.
The Impact Of Batteries
If you’ve ever purchased a new battery for your quartz watch, you might know that the batteries used in watchmaking aren’t your standard AAAs, but small, round, metallic batteries called lithium batteries—named for the material used in their production.
The lithium used in lithium batteries (the kind found in quartz watches) doesn’t come out of thin air—it needs to be mined. And lithium mining can have devastating impacts on the environment, killing vast amounts of wildlife—not just the fish that live in water but the animals that drink that water as well.
It’s undeniable that batteries offer a much more sustainable energy solution than fossil fuels, but they don’t come without their own problems. We can lessen our impact by using as many rechargeable batteries as possible rather than disposable ones—so that we use fewer resources and contribute less waste.
Jack Mason’s Solar Watch
At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a solar watch in our collection. Our solar watch is made with sustainable materials and a solar-powered movement, but its eco-friendliness is only one of its many features. Complete with a compass for the avid outdoors people among us—and engineered to be water-resistant up to 100 meters for the divers in our midst, our solar watch is a highly versatile piece of timekeeping equipment.
In Conclusion
There are many reasons why solar watches, especially beautiful analog versions, have become so popular today across the time zones of the world. Not only are they convenient and long-lasting, but they’re also environmentally friendly. In today’s world, we’re constantly looking for ways to lessen our individual impact on the planet we call home.
While watches are always a stylish accessory, not all are created equal in the way that they affect the earth—and a solar-powered watch from an eco-conscious manufacturer is a perfect purchase for anybody who’s looking for a timepiece that reflects their environmental values. If you’re hoping to find a watch that’s accurate, convenient, and environmentally friendly, clasp a solar watch onto your wrist.
Sources:
Law of conservation of energy | Energy Education
How do solar cells work? | Explain That Stuff
The spiralling environmental cost of our lithium battery addiction | Wired
Reliability of Solar Watches
Since almost the beginning of time, humans have relied on the sun as a light source and to help us tell the time. Early humans could figure out how long they had until nightfall by looking up at the sky and gauging the position of the sun in the sky; later, the invention of the sundial allowed people to check the time by looking at the shadow cast by the sun across the dial’s face.
In today’s technologically advanced world, we’ve again come to the point where we can rely on the sun to aid in our timekeeping abilities. The solar watch is among the newest and most advanced inventions in the world of watchmaking. There are many reasons why solar watches have become so popular recently—and we have every reason to believe that their popularity will only grow as more people become aware of the benefits and features of these fascinating timepieces.
The Different Movements
In order to understand why solar watches are such a revolutionary invention, we must first look at the other types of watch. The thing that makes a watch work is referred to as its movement, and there are only a few different types of movement:
Mechanical
The first watches were invented way back in the late 16th century, and they were purely mechanical (batteries wouldn’t be invented until hundreds of years later). In order to power these mechanical watches, watchmakers engineered their timepieces with a tiny, tightly coiled strip of metal called the mainspring.
The mainspring is what makes a mechanical watch work—it’s essentially the engine of the watch. The watch’s wearer winds the mainspring by twisting the watch’s crown (the knob on the side of the watch), which increases the tension of the mainspring. The other components of the watch work together to gradually release tension from the mainspring in tiny, measured increments—as tension is released, the various components of the watch tick forward, allowing the watch to tell accurate time.
Mechanical watches are marvels of mechanical engineering and must have seemed magical when they were first invented. Today, you can still find mechanical watches for sale, and they’re incredible timepieces. There is one problem with mechanical watches, though—they have to stay wound in order to work. If you set your watch down for a few days, you’ll pick it up to find that it’s no longer running (or, if it is, that it’s slowed to the point where the time is no longer accurate). It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to have to constantly wind your watches, especially if you have a sizable collection.
Automatic
The automatic watch was invented to solve the problem of constantly having to wind mechanical watches. Automatic watches are engineered to wind themselves—kind of. Inside of an automatic watch, you’ll find a special weight rotor. As the watch’s wearer walks, the natural motion of their swinging arms makes the rotor spin around inside the watch—and as the rotor spins, it winds the mainspring.
Because of this self-winding mechanism, automatic watches are much more convenient than mechanical watches—but they still come with a caveat. In order for an automatic watch to wind itself, the internal rotor needs to be put in motion by human activity. So, as with the mechanical watch, if you set your automatic watch down for a few days, it will need to be wound again before it can accurately tell the time.
Quartz
The quartz watch is a 20th-century invention, and it was made possible because of advancements in battery technology. Instead of relying on a mainspring to power the watch, quartz movements use a small internal battery—a lithium battery.
The use of lithium batteries allows watchmakers to design compact, relatively simple quartz watches, which is why many inexpensive watches feature quartz movements.
The one problem with quartz movements, however, is that batteries inevitably need to be replaced. Over the life of a quartz watch, you may end up having to replace the battery several times. Not only can it be inconvenient and expensive to go to a watch repair shop to have somebody replace the battery, but disposable batteries can have devastating impacts on the environment.
Solar
The newest of the types of watch, solar watches combine the best features of all the other movements: the longevity of mechanical and automatic movements with the accuracy of quartz movements. And when you factor in that they’re efficient and eco-friendly, it’s no wonder why watch enthusiasts and environmentalists alike should be big fans of the solar watch.
Like quartz watches, solar watches are equipped with internal lithium batteries. The biggest difference is that solar watches’ lithium batteries are rechargeable, and they’re constantly charging by using the power of the sun.
How Do Solar Watches Work?
You may have seen a solar panel affixed to the roof of a house, or maybe you’ve driven past a massive farm of solar panels. While solar panels are obviously too large to put on a wristwatch, solar watches use the same technology of solar power, although in a much smaller form.
Solar Cells
Solar cells are the smaller pieces that make up giant solar panels, and they can be very small—in the case of solar watches, they can be small enough to be well hidden on the watch’s face, so the wearer doesn’t even notice as it converts light into power.
To overlook the complicated details of their mechanics and provide a basic explanation: solar cells work by absorbing light energy and converting it into electricity. When a solar cell is placed on a solar watch, this electricity is used to recharge the lithium battery.
Do They Need The Sun?
The name “solar” might be something of a red herring—solar watches can absorb any kind of light and don’t need to be in direct sunlight in order to function. So even if you live at the office and barely see the light of day, your solar watch will still absorb and channel power from artificial light into its battery.
Benefits Of Solar Watches
While the inner workings of a solar watch are pretty incredible, most people find themselves interested in solar watches for their many features and benefits. Not only are solar watches reliable and long-lasting, but they’re durable and eco-friendly, turning solar power into electrical energy. There are plenty of reasons to consider adding a solar watch to your collection:
Reliability And Accuracy
Because solar watches are constantly recharging their batteries, they reliably tell time with unparalleled accuracy—with many solar watches vastly outperforming their atomic timekeeping, quartz, mechanical, and automatic counterparts.
Longevity And Efficiency
Even though solar watches rely on light in order to recharge their batteries, those rechargeable cells have a long life. Solar watches can retain battery life for anywhere from a week to several months—and that’s without any light at all. As soon as light hits the solar cell inside the watch, its battery will begin to charge again.
When the solar cell needs to be charged once more, your watch will signal the alarm by moving at two-second increments.
Durability And Water Resistance
Solar watches are often incredibly durable. This is due in large part to the fact that you don’t need to access the battery or wind the watch much—so their cases can be made with heavy-duty materials like titanium and hardened crystal.
Solar watches are also often highly water-resistant for the same reason. Because solar-powered watches don’t often need to be opened or fiddled with, the rubber gaskets that protect the inner workings of the watch from water penetration don’t wear out as quickly as with mechanical, automatic, or quartz watches.
Eco-Friendliness
It’s no secret that fossil fuels are harmful to the environment, and it may seem like batteries are a much more efficient and eco-friendly power source than materials like oil and coal. That is mostly correct, but batteries come with their own problems.
Not only does the production, transportation, and disposal of batteries create carbon emissions, but the mining of the materials used to make batteries can cause some pretty harmful effects to the environment. And when disposable batteries have outlived their purpose, the chemicals that leak from them when we throw them away can pollute the ground and the water.
Still, batteries are better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, but there are ways we can use them wisely. We can lessen our negative impact by using as many rechargeable batteries as possible, which limits the amount of resources used and the number of battery replacements that we throw away.
Jack Mason’s Solar Watch
At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a solar watch in our collection. Our solar watch with an analog display is bold and modern and designed with the wellbeing of the planet in mind—the case is made from recycled stainless steel, and the strap is made from recycled ocean plastic with a velcro clasp. One of the best solar-powered watches, it's complete with a fully functional digital compass and engineered to be water-resistant up to 100 meters; this is the signal of the perfect watch for the avid outdoors people among us.
With Jack Mason, all our bands are replaceable. If you prefer a leather strap, swap out the bands for an instant dress watch. You can have a multi-band collection with your favorite solar stainless steel watch.
You may enjoy our other adventuring watches: the Halyard Sport Chronograph with stopwatch and countdown timer capabilities and luminous hands or the Mirabeau with Japanese quartz movement. The date tracker will help you keep track of world times as you travel.
Whether you’re traversing through the wilderness or diving into the ocean to catch a glimpse of life below the water’s surface, Jack Mason’s solar watch offers the reliability, durability (protected by sapphire crystal), and functionality to get you where you need to go.
Sources:
A History of Watches and Timepieces | Racked
The spiralling environmental cost of our lithium battery addiction | Wired
How Do Solar Panels Work? | Photovoltaic Cells | Live Science.
Why Should You Own a Solar-Powered Watch
Long before the traditional chronograph watches were invented, people could tell the time by watching the sun cast a shadow across a sundial. Centuries later, after generations of innovation in watchmaking, we’ve come full circle. Thanks to modern advances in timepiece technology, people are once again using the sun to tell the time—but with something a bit more contemporary than the sundial.
We’re referring, of course, to the solar watch.
Solar watches are among the newest and most advanced timepieces in existence, and it’s no wonder that watch collectors and enthusiasts are such big fans of these incredible devices. If you don’t know much about solar watches or have never even heard of them, don’t worry—we’re here to tell you all about them and why you should add one to your collection.
Different Movements
Before we get into the specifics of the solar watch, it’s important to understand the basic mechanics of watches—namely, what makes them tick. Up until the invention of the solar watch, there were three different mechanisms (called movements) that made watches different from a standard bracelet and overall, how they work: mechanical, automatic, and quartz.
Mechanical
Mechanical watches, as their name suggests, are watches that work purely mechanically. A mechanical watch derives its power from a device called a mainspring, which is a tightly wound strip of metal that releases tension at tiny, measured increments—as tension is released from the mainspring, power flows through the various components, like the dials, of the watch.
The problem with a mainspring is that it eventually will run out of power, so watches that rely on mainsprings must be regularly wound in order to keep running. That’s easy enough, but if you have multiple mechanical watches for different occasions, it can be annoying and time-consuming to have to wind a watch and set the time every time you take it off the shelf.
Automatic
Built with many of the same mechanics and components of mechanical watches, automatic watches also rely on a mainspring in order to function. The major difference between mechanical and automatic watches, however, is that automatic watches wind themselves—kind of.
While a mechanical watch needs a human—or a special watch winder—to twist its crown (the knob that’s used to wind the watch), automatic watches are built with a weighted rotor. As the automatic watch’s wearer swings their arms, the rotor turns inside the watch, constantly winding the mainspring.
Although this is an amazing feature, automatic watches’ self-winding mechanism comes with a caveat: if you don’t wear the watch, the rotor won’t wind it, and it’ll run out of power. You’ll have to wind it by hand in order to get it running again.
Quartz
For those who don’t ever want to wind a watch, quartz movements offer a simple and modern alternative to the mainspring: a battery.
Built with internal batteries, quartz watches never need to be wound—they keep running as long as their batteries have power. Of course, as everybody with a remote control knows, all batteries eventually need to be replaced. If your quartz watch has a lot of special features, they might run down its battery fairly quickly—and constantly replacing watch batteries can get expensive.
In 1969, the watch manufacturers at Seiko invented the Japanese Quartz movement.
Solar
This brings us to solar watches—watches built around newer movements that harness the power of the sun (or strong artificial light). Instead of relying solely on batteries, solar watches absorb light and convert it into energy that keeps the watch running through solar power.
There are many benefits to this type of movement, and we’re going to get into all of them up ahead.
Why Solar?
There are many reasons why watch enthusiasts are crazy about solar watches these days. Not only does their ability to harness the power of light make them effortlessly perfect for even the most fast-paced lifestyles, but they also are incredibly well-designed in every other aspect.
Light Is Everywhere
The name “solar” might be something of a red herring, as solar watches don’t specifically require sunlight in order to work—any light source will do. So even if you never see the light of day, as long as there are some light sources (even artificial ones), your solar watch will continue to power itself.
Special Features Often Come Standard
Because solar watches don’t rely on the power of a mainspring in order to keep running, it’s possible to add plenty of additional features to solar watches that would otherwise drain less advanced watches. You might see similar features in some mechanical watches, but these features will use up more of the mainspring’s power, which means you’ll have to wind it more frequently. But with a solar watch, you don’t need to worry about that—you can just enjoy their special features.
Compass
We can’t always rely on our smartphones to get us from point A to point B, especially if we find ourselves in a location without cell service. If you’re an avid outdoors person, you need to have a digital compass with you to aid in navigation—with a solar watch equipped with a compass, you already have one right on your wrist.
Barometer
Even if you’re constantly checking the weather, you can never fully trust the accuracy of a weather forecast. That’s why many solar watches come equipped with a barometer that helps measure barometric pressure—so you can act as your own weatherperson simply by looking at your watch. Who needs a thermometer when you have a barometer?
Durability And Water Resistance
Solar watches are often made from very durable materials, such as titanium or stainless steel for their cases and hardened crystal or sapphire for their
Watches that are water-resistant are incredibly useful—both for those who forget they’re wearing their watch when they hop into the shower, and those who need to keep an eye on the time when they’re underwater.
Because you don’t need to access the battery of a solar watch very often, and there’s no need to wind it, solar watches experience limited wear and tear of their external parts. The rubber gaskets that maintain a watch’s water resistance can wear down over time after many windings and battery replacements—but with a solar watch, those gaskets can keep working for longer.
Longevity
Even though solar watches rely on light in order to keep running, they still have very long battery life. Many solar watches can last without sun for over a week or even up to six months—so whether you’re working in a coal mine or living through an Alaskan winter with one sunrise, your solar watch will keep on ticking.
Accuracy
Telling time accurately is arguably the most important aspect of a watch, and solar watches accomplish that task amazingly well—they’re among the most accurate watches on the market, outperforming most watches with mechanical, automatic, and quartz movements.
Environmental Friendliness
While fossil fuels like oil and coal are the cause of major air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, batteries have their own negative impact on the environment. They’re a much cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, but they still come with problems—the production, transportation, and distribution of batteries consumes plenty of natural resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but when you dispose of batteries, they can end up polluting the water that we drink and that animals live in. For these reasons, rechargeable batteries are much better for the environment than disposable ones.
Because solar watches don’t need their batteries replaced nearly as much as quartz watches, the negative environmental impact of a solar watch is much smaller than that of its quartz counterparts. So if you’re looking for an eco-friendly watch option, the solar watch may be the perfect choice for you.
Affordability
To hear about all the incredible features of solar watches, you might find yourself thinking that they must be obscenely expensive luxury pieces—but they’re not. While some solar watches can run as high as $1,500, you can also find them for much more affordable prices.
Jack Mason’s Solar Watch
At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a highly fashionable, functional, and affordable solar watch with an analog face. Built with a recycled stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal, our solar watch is incredibly durable. Good for casual divers, it’s also water-resistant up to 100 meters and comes equipped with bright and easily readable SuperLuminova® markings, making it a handy tool for underwater use. The strap is made from recycled plastic, and the clasp is handy velcro. It comes with a deadly accurate second hand and compass on the bezel. The calendar will help you keep track of world times. Our solar watch is a smart, stylish option for any watch enthusiast to add to their collection.
In Conclusion
Solar watches may be one of the newest types of watch on the market, but they’re still a classic-looking option for those looking for a stylish, durable, long-lasting watch that comes with the added benefit of being one of the most eco-friendly options in the watchmaking world.
As we continue to forge new frontiers into how we tell time, it’s also important to think about the impact that we have on the world in which we live. Solar watches draw on the natural power of the sun and use few resources compared to other watches. While solar watches may look timeless and classic, they’re highly modern timepieces that are perfect for our rapidly changing world.
Sources:
Sundial | Definition, History, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Watches, Cases, and Accessories for Father's Day Gifting
With the summer fast approaching, Father’s Day is coming up. It’s time to start thinking about what we’re going to get our dads for the one day that they get all the attention—and our dads deserve the best.
It can be hard to know what to get your dad, and many dads don’t make it easy (“don’t get me anything!” isn’t a very helpful hint—and even if he means it, everybody appreciates being given gifts). Luckily, even if you don’t know what your dad wants, you know who your dad is and what he likes, which can help narrow down some possibilities.
If you’re having trouble figuring out the perfect gift, never fear. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you decide on a gift that your dad will be able to cherish for years to come.
Watches
A well-crafted watch can make an excellent gift for Father’s Day. Even if your dad had retired to a life of leisure, he still needs to be able to tell them time—and he might as well be reminded of his kids every time he checks his watch. And because a good watch can last anywhere from several years to several decades, he’ll have that pleasant reminder for a long time.
No matter what your dad likes to do with his time, there’s a watch that’s perfectly engineered to complement his lifestyle. There are highly water-resistant watches for divers and sailors, incredibly technical timepieces for pilots and sports car fanatics, and even eco-friendly options for our environmentalist dads.
Before settling on a purchase, first, consider what it is that makes your dad tick—and then it’ll be easy to find a watch that he’ll absolutely love.
Dive Watches
If your dad is an avid scuba diver or snorkeler, consider looking into dive watches. Also known as diving watches or diver’s watches, dive watches are engineered to withstand high amounts of water pressure—many designed to go to depths of 300 meters or more.
Even if your dad isn’t a deep diver, a water-resistant watch can be a great gift for guys who forget to take their watches off before jumping in the pool or the shower. If your dad is as forgetful as some of our team’s, he may appreciate the thought that goes into protecting his timepiece.
Pilot Watches
Your dad doesn’t need to be a pilot in order to appreciate the stylish functionality of a pilot watch. While these watches were originally designed to accompany aviators as they navigate through the clouds, the many incredible features of pilot watches can come in handy in many different situations—and make a fashionable accessory regardless of the need for technically complex bezels and tachymeters. Pair with a vertical striped dress shirt for a classic look.
And if he is by any chance a pilot (whether commercially or recreationally), a pilot watch is an essential tool that can help him make quick time-speed calculations, allowing your dad to safely navigate through the skies and back home.
Solar Watches
As the world becomes more aware of individuals’ impacts on the environment, our dads are becoming more aware of how their own actions affect the planet that their kids and grandkids will inherit.
Your dad can rest easy with a solar watch, knowing that the long-lasting, solar-powered, rechargeable battery won’t contribute to pollution like disposable batteries do. And if you get your environmentalist dad a watch made from recycled materials (like Jack Mason’s Solar Watch—made with recycled stainless steel and ocean plastics), he’ll be impressed with your concern for the earth.
Racing Watches
We’ve never met a dad that doesn’t appreciate making good time. Whether it’s a quick stop at the grocery store or a cross-country road trip, many dads want to efficiently manage the time spent in stores, rest stops, and tourist traps.
Racing watches were designed to help racecar drivers measure their speed in real time—using tachymeters and chronometers to help the watch’s wearer make quick speed and distance calculations.
Whether your dad drives a fully-loaded sports car or a reliable minivan (“It’s good on gas, too!” he says), everybody can appreciate the functionality of a good racing watch.
Heritage Watches
Designed to perfectly accessorize even the most formal attire and pay homage to the vast history of watchmaking—heritage watches are beautifully streamlined timekeeping devices. Even if your dad has retired from life at the office, he still has occasions to dress up—and he should have a watch to go with his best suit.
At Jack Mason, we crafted our Canton Day-Date Automatic to be the perfect heritage watch. Inspired by the most timeless and iconic watch silhouettes in history, the Canton Day-Date Automatic is understated yet incredibly stylish. Featuring an exhibition caseback that shows off the inner workings of the watch’s movement, this timepiece allows its wearer to marvel at its intricate machinery—perfect for the dads who love to see how things work.
Cases
If you’ve bought your dad a watch for Father’s Day, or if he’s an avid collector, one thing that will come in rather handy is a travel case. There may come a point when he’ll want to travel with his watch without having to wear it—maybe he’s heading to the beach for the day and doesn’t want to risk damaging his watch. Or perhaps he may want to bring an extra watch along with him (so he can wear a casual watch for day-to-day activities and have a dressier option for a romantic evening out); this gift makes those situations hassle-free.
With a handy travel case, he can rest easy—knowing that his watch is protected even when it’s out of his sight.
Accessories
Aside from protective travel cases, there are plenty of additional accessories that can accompany your dad’s new watch (or his existing watch collection). Whether he’s a man of many watches or prefers the silhouette of his favorite watch, there are ways to help him switch things up a bit—or to make it easy to cycle between many favorites.
Straps
One simple way to take a watch and change up its look to swap out its strap for one of a different color or material. Simply by changing the strap, you can make a casual watch more dressy—or a dress watch more casual.
Not only can swapping out the strap change the appearance and formality of a given watch, but it can also make it more appropriate/durable for certain settings. If your dad has a water-resistance watch with a strap that isn’t made to withstand deep water, you may want to look into a waterproof silicone strap.
At Jack Mason, all of our watches are made with quick-release pins, making it easy to change their straps in mere moments. And we offer a wide range of styles, from classic Italian Leather to casual Nylon. Our interchangeable strap program allows your dad to tailor his Jack Mason watch to his individual style.
Automatic Watch Winders
If your dad has a number of automatic watches, it’s very likely that he constantly needs to wind them and set their time. Even though automatic watches are engineered to wind themselves (sort of), they need to be worn in order to do so—it’s the motion of the wearer’s arms that allows an automatic watch’s internal rotor to spin around inside the watch and wind the mainspring (the component that powers the watch).
With an automatic watch winder, your dad can set his automatic watch in a specially designed case that rotates his watch while he’s not wearing it. Automatic watch winders can come in many different sizes, with the smallest designed to hold and wind one watch at a time—and the larger models built to hold and wind several watches at once.
Jack Mason Gift Cards
Sometimes it can be so hard to pick a gift for our dads that it makes more sense to guide them to the right place and let them pick something out for themselves.
At Jack Mason, we offer gift cards ranging from $25 to $300—so if you’re stumped as to what type of watch your dad would truly love, you can always get him a gift card and set him free to peruse our collection. Whether he’s in need of a new watch or some accessories for his favorite Jack Mason timepiece, a gift card can help him get whatever he needs.
In Conclusion
We know that it can be hard to pick the perfect gift for your dad, but it shouldn’t feel impossible. After all, there’s something for everybody—and that’s especially true when it comes to the world of watches.
No matter how your dad likes to spend his time, he deserves to look and feel his best while doing it. Whether he’s an avid outdoorsman, automobile enthusiast, or just a great dad, a beautiful watch makes a perfect gift.
Sources:
All The Different Types Of Watches Explained
When first invented, there was only one type of watch: the pocket watch. As the decades ticked on, many new designs became available—by the end of World War I, the wristwatch had overtaken the pocket watch in popularity.
These days, there are countless wristwatches for sale, each with its own features and limitations. With so many options on the market, we wanted to walk you through the various types of watches that are available—not only is it important to be an informed customer, but we think it’s fascinating to learn about how these timepieces work. Read on for a description of everything you’ll find when looking for a new watch.
Types of Watch Movements
There are three different types of mechanisms, known as movements, that watchmakers use to craft their watches: mechanical, automatic, and quartz.
Mechanical
This is the classic. The first watches were mechanical, containing intricate inner workings that revolve around the use of the mainspring—the component that powers the watch.
The tightly-wound mainspring gradually releases tension over a set period of time, in turn activating all of the wheels and other components inside the watch. Over a long enough time, it will eventually lose tension; to keep your mechanical watch ticking, you have to keep that mainspring wound.
Automatic
Also known as a self-winding watch or a perpetual motion watch, automatic watches contain all of the same intricacies of mechanical watches—with an added feature.
While the old-school mechanical watch needs to be wound by hand to keep working, an automatic watch has a self-winding mechanism that uses the kinetic energy of the watch’s wearer (i.e., when they swing their arms as they walk) to keep the mainspring wound.
Quartz
This is a more recent method for powering watches. Instead of all the intricate inner workings of mechanical and automatic movements, quartz movements use an internal battery. Because of their simplicity, many quartz watches are more affordable than their complex counterparts.
Watch Displays
Seeing as the main purpose of a watch is to tell the time, how the time is displayed is very important. Here are the different designs that you’ll see (or feel):
Analog
This is the most traditional and common display type for watches—and timepieces in general. Pretty much every classroom in America has an analog clock on the wall…and pretty much every student in America has found themselves staring at the second hand at some point in their tenure. If the clock has hands that turn and point to numbers on a dial, that’s an analog display.
Digital
Digital displays use an LCD screen to show the time. You’ll find digital displays on ovens, microwaves, coffee machines, and pretty much any appliance that includes a timekeeping feature.
Digital watches are popular for their ability to instantly tell time without having to interpret the positioning of the hands on a watch’s face—people who have difficulty reading analog displays will probably prefer digital options.
Hybrid
As one might assume from the name, this is a combination of analog and digital. Many different watch types feature hybrid displays, ranging from simpler designs—with a traditional analog face and an additional digital display—to those with more complicated features (for instance, watches that include fitness trackers or the ability to connect with a smartphone).
Tactile
This specialized type of watch can tell time without needing to look at a display. Tactile watches were created in the early 1800s so that people could discreetly know the time without having to take their watch out of their pocket (back in the days before wristwatches).
These days, tactile watches are helpful for the blind. Braille watches are also available for that purpose.
Touchscreen
The Information Age has brought us some pretty incredible equipment, including smartwatches. While tiny little wrist computer-communicators used to be a thing of science fiction, reserved for the likes of James Bond and Buzz Lightyear, these days, smartwatches are available from a variety of retailers.
Since smartwatches offer multitudes of features and applications, there’s not enough room on the watch face to display everything at once—necessitating a touchscreen display. This feature makes it possible to switch screens and scroll through messages and articles. (Extra points if you’re reading this article on a watch right now.)
Watch Styles
While the inner workings of a watch and how it displays time are perhaps the most important aspects of a watch’s design, many people are just as concerned with the style of watch—and for a good reason.
There are a wide variety of watch styles, from the extremely casual to the ultra-luxurious. You don’t want to show up to a gala with a $20 drugstore watch on your wrist (unless you’re trying to make a specific statement), and you might invoke the disdain of fellow gymgoers if you show up to your workout sporting a limited-edition, vintage designer timepiece. So you need to know about the different styles of watch, and in what scenarios they’re most appropriate.
Casual Watches
Casual watches can be worn for almost any occasion. Casual watches are by your side for day-to-day activities, whether you’re running errands or finishing up work at the office. You can wear a casual watch to the gym, the store, on vacation, etc.
If your casual watch appears classy enough to wear to a wedding or an opening night, more power to you, but many casual watches look too informal for many important events.
Dress Watches
Dress watches are perfect for formal and semi-formal events—they can bring a look together or stand out as an interest piece, but ultimately they fulfill the purpose of being a component of a formal outfit.
Fashion Watches
There’s little agreement on what constitutes a fashion watch, but generally, the term applies to watches made by a brand that’s well known for their reputation in the fashion world—not for their expertise in making watches.
“Fashion watch” can be a derogatory term in that sense since it refers to a watch that may not be of the highest quality, but is aesthetically attractive and often expensive due to its manufacturer’s brand recognition.
Luxury Watches
Not to be confused with fashion watches, companies with long histories of watchmaking manufacture luxury watches. Many luxury watches contain precious materials, and their manufacturers use high-end movements and other carefully crafted components in their designs.
Luxury watches can cost thousands (or millions) of dollars. Those that can afford them are attracted to their undeniable craftsmanship.
For most people, the most important differentiation is that between casual and dress watches. Having at least a couple of options for each isn’t a bad idea. That way, you can pair any watch with any outfit—and any occasion.
Specialty Watches
There are also plenty of options when it comes to specialized types of watches. Some of the best watches have features that allow their wearers to make essential calculations, be water-resistant, or make it possible to submerge to dizzying depths.
Diving Watches
As the name suggests, diving watches are made for diving. Water resistance is the most important feature here, and the best diving watches are capable of going underwater at any depth.
Many watches have some degree of water resistance, but not all water-resistant watches have the same durability level. Make sure to double-check the features and limitations of your watch before taking it for a swim.
Pilot and Racing Watches
Pilot watches were originally designed for pilots; racing watches were designed with racecar drivers in mind. These watches can have chronometers (stopwatch capabilities) and tachymeters (customizable measurement components) that may be relied upon even in life or death situations.
Solar Watches
While there are some shortcomings to mechanical and automatic watches when it comes to maintaining accuracy (mechanical watches need to be wound and automatic watches need to be worn in order to wind themselves), solar watches combine the longevity of mechanical and automatic movements with the pinpoint accuracy of quartz movements.
Solar watches constantly charge their batteries, drawing on both natural and artificial light to do so, and are some of the most accurate watches on the market.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the type of watch you pick is unique as you are. You might want a simple design that’s classic enough to wear every day but classy enough to wear with a suit; you might want a flashy design with plenty of additional features.
Whatever it is that you’re looking for, Jack Mason has the watch for you. Be it casual or dressy, automatic or quartz, classic or cutting-edge, we have it all. Check out our collection and see what we have to offer—we’re sure you’ll find the perfect watch for you.
Sources:
What Is Average Wrist Size?
It’s not the size that counts—it’s what you do with it: an adage as true for sports cars as it is for watches.
When it’s time to buy a watch, you may find yourself asking, “Is my wrist big enough?” or “Is my wrist too big?” First, we’d like to reassure you that, while there may be particular styles that work better for you than others, your wrist can’t be too big or too small for a watch. However, knowing what size wrist you have is necessary to understand what watch style will look best on you.
We are here to answer those questions for those wondering what the average wrist size is and how their own wrists measure up. We’re also going to teach you how to measure your wrist and give some tips on how to pick the right watch for your wrist size. Read on to learn about wrist size and how your newfound knowledge can help you find your next watch.
How To Measure Your Wrist
Before we address where your wrist fits on the size spectrum, let’s teach you how to measure your wrist. There are a couple of ways to do this—one requires a tape measure, and the other requires a ruler, a length of string, and a marker or pen.
While it doesn’t matter which wrist you wear your watch on, it does matter which one you measure—while your wrists are probably very similar in size, they can be slightly different, so you want to measure the wrist on which you’ll be wearing your watch.
Tape Measure
This is the easiest method, but it requires a tape measure. While you could potentially use the thin metal tape measure that you’d find in a toolbox, it’s definitely easier and more accurate to use the soft, flexible cloth type used by tailors.
- Place one end on your wrist and wrap the tape around.
- Read the measurement where the tape meets itself.
Ruler and String
If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can also use a regular ruler, a piece of string, and a marker or pen. Ideally, use a string that’s about a foot (or 30 cm) long—you don’t want it to be too long, but a bit of length will make this much easier.
- Wrap the string around your wrist, making sure that the string isn’t slack. If the string isn’t snugly around your wrist, your measurement won’t be accurate.
- Using the marker or pen, mark the string at the point where the end meets.
- With a ruler, measure the length of the string from the end to the marking (make sure you measure from the correct end!)
That’s it! Knowing the measurement of your wrist, you can now see where you fall compared to the average. Read on!
Wrist Sizes
Once you’ve measured your wrist, you can compare it to these general sizes and see how it measures up:
- 6-inch wrist or smaller – considered small
- 7-inch to just under 8-inch wrist – considered average
- 8-inch wrist and larger – considered large
How To Pick The Right Watch For Your Wrist
No matter what size your wrist is, never fear—there are plenty of watches that are perfect for you. You just need to know how to shop for your wrist size.
When it comes down to it, the best watch for you is the one that you feel comfortable wearing. Your watch should suit your individual style and boost your confidence.
That said, there are some things to keep in mind:
Watch Case Diameter
Watch cases come in a variety of sizes, and a tiny watch case might look a little out of place on a large wrist. On the other hand (pun intended), a large watch case might look enormous on a small wrist. Try and look for a watch case that’s proportional to your wrist. In general, a thicker wrist will look better with a larger watch case, and a thinner wrist will look better with a smaller one.
Watch Case Thickness
Just as the watch case’s diameter is an essential factor in buying the right watch for your wrist size, the thickness of the case can mean the difference between a proportional watch and one that sticks out—literally. If you have a thinner wrist, try a thinner watch case; if you have a thicker wrist, try a thicker one.
As for how watch cases measure up in the industry:
- 6mm-8mm – considered thin
- 8mm-12mm – considered average
- 14mm-18mm – considered thick
Watch Face Details and Complications
Any watch enthusiast will tell you that there are countless styles of watches—some with large features and multiple complications and some with basic, subtle qualities. While the style of your watch is up to you, a simpler, more classic field watch will have a slimmer, more streamlined look than a highly technical sports watch.
Remember: none of these rules are hard-and-fast, life-or-death need-to-dos. Feel free to go against them in favor of your own style—fashion’s a nebulous thing, and whether you’re able to pull off a style choice usually comes down to how confidently you wear it.
How To Measure Your Strap
If you have a watch band that you want to measure, keep these tips in mind for taking down the measurements—doing so can help you figure out if your existing watch is the right fit or if you need to take it in to have it resized.
- Measure from the inside edge of the buckle to the other end of the strap
- If it’s a 2-piece strap, measure both sides separately and add the measurements together
- If it’s a 1-piece strap, use the same process—measure the whole strap from the inside edge of the buckle to the other end of the strap
To know if a strap is going to fit your wrist, you have to measure the minimum and maximum length of your strap
- Minimum Length: measure from the inside edge of the buckle to the first hole in the strap
- Maximum Length: measure from the inside edge of the buckles to the last hole in the strap
How To Resize Your Watch
Many wristwatches have adjustable straps that are easy to fit to your wrist—straps made of leather, silicone, or fabric are usually pretty customizable.
However, watches with metal bands are a little more complicated when it comes to altering the fit. These metal straps are usually made to fit a specific wrist size. If your watch is too small or large for your wrist, don’t worry—you can always get it resized, or you can always get a new watch band if need be.
It’s possible to resize your watch on your own at home, but doing so requires a set of specialty tools that the average person probably doesn’t have in their toolbox—like special push pins (not the bulletin board kind) and a jewelry hammer. Check out our guide on how to alter your metal watch band if you’d prefer to tackle the task on your own.
If you don’t have jeweler’s tools and don’t want to have to purchase any, it’s much easier to bring your watch to a watch and jewelry repair shop and pay a professional to take care of the resizing for you.
Another option is to buy your watch from a watchmaker that makes it easy to change out the strap at a moment’s notice. All Jack Mason watch straps are easily interchangeable—from the more casual fabric and cork straps to our luxury leather straps.
It’s Not The Size…
Ultimately, the size of your wrist doesn’t matter much (unless you’re an Olympic volleyball player). Even when choosing the perfect watch for you, there is no rule that can’t be bent or broken. But just like in grammar and music theory, it’s important to know the rules first—so you can break them with intention.
If you have a small wrist and want to wear a bold, large watch, go right ahead; if you have a large wrist and prefer a slim and subtle timepiece, don’t let us stop you. The best watch for you is the watch that makes you look and feel your best when it comes down to it.
At Jack Mason, we believe that your watch should reflect your individual style while also lasting a lifetime. That’s why all of our watches come with a lifetime warranty. And with a host of options, from casual field watches to more formal dress watches, there’s something in our collection for every person in every situation. But don’t take our word for it; explore what we have to offer and see for yourself. We’re sure that Jack Mason has the right watch for you—no matter what size your wrist is.
Sources:
How to Measure Your Wrist to Get Your Body Frame Size | Live Strong
6 Essential Ways To Start Dressing With Confidence | Lifehack
Why It’s Necessary to Learn the Rules Before You Break Them | Lifehack
Ultimate Guide To Unique Watches
Whether worn on the wrist of everyone’s favorite British spy or the first man on the moon, a unique watch can make quite the statement and set trends for decades to come. Some of the world’s most fashionable watches achieved their popularity by their proximity to fame; people wanting to wear a tuxedo and order a martini—shaken, not stirred—need to have the appropriate wristwatch to go with the ensemble.
On the other hand, while some timepieces have obtained their elite status through high-profile product placement, others need no introduction. These watches, meticulously crafted by well-known luxury watchmakers, draw their exclusive appeal from the brand names inscribed on their dials—names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille…the list goes on.
While some watches gain prominence because of their association with fame, and others maintain a high profile due to their manufacturers’ reputation, one thing is undeniable: a unique watch is a priceless addition to any watch enthusiast’s collection.
Here are some of our favorite unique watches that have captured the attention of collectors throughout history.
The Name’s Submariner—Rolex Submariner.
Rolex should be applauded not only for crafting a high-quality luxury watch but also for their skill at marketing and product placement.
The luxury watchmaker released their first water-resistant watch, the Oyster, in 1926—and they knew to get it onto the wrist of Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. The swim lasted for over 10 hours, and when Gleitze made it to dry land, the Oyster was still in perfect working order.
Likewise, when Rolex released the Submariner, another dive watch, their design found itself on the big screen, famously accessorizing Sean Connery’s James Bond.
While some watch collectors had bought up dive watches before the 007 movies, the Submariner’s popularity skyrocketed after Dr. No, the first Bond movie that featured the classic timepiece. It also appeared with Connery in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball—and the watch is now so closely associated with the fictional secret agent that it’s referred to as the James Bond Submariner.
Because of the watch’s place in Hollywood history (and people’s desire to be compared to James Bond), Submariners fetch a very high price. In 2018, a Submariner 6538 with a rare dial design sold for $1,068,500, making it the most expensive Rolex Submariner ever sold at auction. Today, you can find secondhand Submariners online, starting at around $20,000.
If you want a dive watch to pair with your shaken martini but can’t afford the premium price tag of a Rolex Submariner, check out Jack Mason’s stunning Seatrek Automatic—a classic-looking dive watch with modern capabilities. Its movement is a Seiko (SII) Caliber NH35A, which houses 24 jewels and has a power reserve of 41 hours. This beautiful timepiece features dual-colored Swiss Super-Luminova® markings for high legibility—so you can easily read the time, even if you’re in high-speed, underwater pursuit of a brilliant supervillain.
A Watch For Astronauts
Highly specialized watches have found themselves on the wrists of adventuring professionals, such as pilots and racecar drivers. Still, very few timepieces have had the privilege of joining their wearers in outer space.
Enter the Moonwatch. Officially the Omega Speedmaster Professional, this watch got its nickname for being the first watch on the moon. NASA had provided Speedmasters (also called Speedies) to the crew of the Apollo 11 mission before takeoff.
In addition to the Omega, Rolex, Longines, and Hamilton all submitted their hopeful designs. NASA engineer James H. Ragan performed a series of rigorous tests on all of the watches to assess their ability to handle deep-space elements. The Speedmaster outperformed them all.
Featuring a signature black dial, a small seconds sub-dial, a 30-minute recorder, and a 12-hour recorder, this deceptively simple-looking timepiece came with many valuable tools so that astronauts could stay safe while far, far away from home.
The 50th anniversary of the lunar landing was just a few years ago, and a first-generation Speedy from 1958 sold for almost $410,000—an astronomical price (sorry, we had to) that indicates that many of today’s watch collectors care more about functionality and history than simple luxury.
The World’s Most Expensive Watch
Held in Geneva, Switzerland every other year, Only Watch is a high-profile luxury watch charity auction that features unique watches made by the world’s finest watchmakers. Each piece sold at Only Watch is one-of-a-kind, making this event a watch collector’s mecca—as long as those collectors are able to pay the exorbitant prices fetched by these unique timepieces.
Luc Pettavino founded the event in 2005. That year, Pettavino’s son had developed Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a horrible disease that eventually took his life. Since its inception, Only Watch has raised millions of dollars to benefit research on the disease, with 100% of the proceeds from the event going to this cause.
While these watches are well out of the price range of most collectors, their uniqueness can’t be denied—and we have to mention their top seller: the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime.
This unique timepiece sold at Only Watch 2019 for $31 million—the highest price paid for any watch ever sold at auction.
This watch was crafted specifically for Only Watch and is the only Grandmaster Chime that will ever be made in stainless steel. With four spring barrels driving 20 complications—including a minute repeater, instantaneous perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display, second time zone, day/night indicator, day/date, month, leap-year cycle, and many more—this is an exquisitely designed wristwatch, and the most complicated watch that Patek Philippe has ever produced. And just to remind admirers that this watch is one-of-a-kind, there’s an inscription on the dial that reads: “THE ONLY ONE.”
This is an especially sought-after timepiece because this kind of Patek Philippe watch has never been made available for purchase by the broader public. In the past, Grandmaster Chime watches have been considered “application timepieces,” which means that collectors need to submit an application to Patek Philippe in order to prove themselves worthy of owning one.
A Prototype of Olympic Proportions
Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille has a knack for crafting timepieces that combine sportiness with luxury; their uniquely-shaped watches are sought-after for their exceptional performance and distinctive style.
Yohan Blake, a Jamaican sprinter, was the original wearer of Richard Mille’s RM038. This famous watch would later appear at the Only Watch auction.
Blake won the gold medal for the 100m at the 2011 World Championships, making him the youngest 100m world champion in history, and would place second at the London Olympics for both the 100m and 200m races. As Blake became the second-fastest man ever in both races, he sported an iconic Richard Mille prototype that was sporty, fashionable, and eye-popping.
At Only Watch 2013, Richard Mille offered the prototype that Blake had worn across the finish line. Bright and flashy, the sports luxury watch featured the yellow, green, and white of the Jamaican flag. Artfully displayed in a magnesium case, the prototype movement is completely visible, showing the timepiece’s inner workings in all their Olympian glory.
So Many Unique Watches, So Little Time
While having millions of dollars in spending money certainly has its benefits, you don’t need to be a millionaire to own a high-quality wristwatch. There are countless models on the market that are made with painstaking care—but that don’t come with an unimaginable price tag.
At Jack Mason, we create watches that are able to be worn every day while lasting a lifetime—and they come with a lifetime warranty to prove it. We offer this warranty because we are confident that our watches come second to none. The Jack Mason watches are made from top-quality materials, including Japanese and Swiss movements, sapphire crystals, and Italian leather straps.
And because we believe that premium watches should be affordable to everybody, we make sure to offer Jack Mason watches at a reasonable price. Nobody should have to pay $31 million for a watch that they love—so our collection is full of exquisitely crafted watches that don’t break the bank.
Like James Bond’s Submariner, all Jack Mason watches are water-resistant, allowing them to be taken underwater. And while we haven’t submitted any offerings to NASA just yet, we hope that a Jack Mason Pilot Watch will someday fly among the stars. For now, we’re very happy with our unique collection—and we think you will be too.
Sources:
How Sean Connery Turned a Regular Rolex Into “The Bond” | GQ
Omega’s Moonwatch Enters the Stratosphere | The New York Times (nytimes.com)
How To Use An Automatic Watch Winder
Watches are incredible devices. They’re the perfect blend of fashion and function—providing a stylish accessory to any outfit while also allowing their wearers to tell the time with a subtle glance at their wrists.
That’s why it can be frustrating to pick up one of your favorite timepieces only to see that its hands have stopped turning. In order to accurately tell the time, you now need to reset the watch to the correct time and wind it so that it maintains enough power to keep running.
While this isn’t necessarily the most labor-intensive of tasks, it can take time out of your day. Luckily, there are devices on the market that allow you to set your watch down and not worry about having to rewind it when you pick it back up. These devices are called automatic watch winders, and they can be a valuable addition to any watch enthusiast’s collection.
How do automatic watch winders work, and do you really need one? While we won’t tell you what you do and don’t need to (that’s up to you), we’re here to tell you how these devices work—but first, let’s talk about the devices that they maintain: watches.
Mechanical Watches
The first watches were purely mechanical. With a complex series of simple (and tiny) machines, watch movements were composed of many moving parts that worked together to keep time. These early watches weren’t incredibly accurate, but they were more convenient than searching for a clock tower or asking a stranger to check the clocks in their home. These were the days before wristwatches, when the pocket watch was the only portable timepiece available.
Over the course of centuries, timepieces were engineered to be more accurate, but they were still completely mechanical—and these miniature mechanical marvels were made possible by the invention of one component: the mainspring.
The Mainspring
The mainspring is a tightly-wound, ultra-thin strip of metal that provides all of the power for a mechanical watch (you can think of it as the watch’s engine). The mainspring operates inside with the help of the mainspring barrel—a tiny canister that keeps the mainspring tightly wound and prevents it from releasing tension all at once.
The mainspring is connected to the crown of the watch. The crown is the knob that you use to wind your watch (or to move the watch’s hands). With a mechanical watch, when you twist the crown, it, in turn, increases the tension of the mainspring.
While the mainspring barrel keeps the mainspring from unwinding all at once, it does allow tiny amounts of tension to be released gradually. As tension is released, the mainspring provides power to the various wheels inside the watch. Some of these wheels are attached to the watch’s hands—as they turn, so do the hands.
A collection of parts know as the escapement controls the gradual release of the mainspring’s power. The escapement is composed of the pallet fork and the escape wheel.
The Pallet Fork and Escape Wheel
The pallet fork and escape wheel work in tandem to allow power to flow from the mainspring in tiny, measured increments. As power is released, the pallet fork ticks back and forth, locking into an escape wheel tooth with each swing. As the pallet fork slips free, the escape wheel moves forward ever so slightly. As the escape wheel turns, so do the other wheels of the watch.
As long as there is mainspring power in the watch, this process keeps repeating.
Have you heard that it’s impossible to improve upon the wheel? Well, it’s pretty hard to improve on the watch, too! It’s endlessly fascinating that such simple machines from long ago are still the basis upon which we craft the modern watch.
The One Problem With Mechanical Watches
Mechanical watches are undeniably incredible, but they come with limitations. Because they’re purely mechanical, these watches need to be wound frequently to maintain accuracy. If you don’t wind your mechanical watch, the mainspring will gradually run out of power, and the watch will slow and eventually stop. Of course, once you rewind your watch, power will return to the mainspring, and the watch will start working again.
But what if you don’t want to have to wind your watch constantly? This was the question that led watchmakers to invent other types of watch movement: quartz and automatic.
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Quartz – the most modern type of watch movement, quartz movements rely on a battery rather than a mainspring to power the watch. Because of this, these watches are often much simpler than mechanical watches—they don’t need as many moving parts because so many of the watch components’ tasks only rely on a single battery. With a quartz watch, you don’t need to wind the watch at all—the battery keeps it running.
- Automatic – very similar to mechanical watches in almost every way, automatic watches have many of the same components as mechanical watches. However, the big difference is in the watch’s ability to wind itself as its wearer moves.
How Do Automatic Watches Work?
Similar to a mechanical watch, automatic watches rely on a mainspring to power the watch’s other components. The tightly wound mainspring gradually releases power through the escapement, and the watch’s wheels move in turn.
But instead of relying on the wearer of the watch to wind the mainspring using the crown, automatic watches have a specially designed rotor system that’s attached to the mainspring. As you walk, you swing your arms; as you swing your arms, the rotor inside the automatic watch spins around—winding the mainspring and providing power to the watch’s movement.
Why Do You Need An Automatic Watch Winder?
At this point, you may find yourself asking, “if automatic watches wind themselves…why would I need an automatic watch winder?”
That’s a good question, and the answer comes down to how often you wear your automatic watch. If you wear it all the time, every single day, you may not need a winder. But suppose you occasionally take off your automatic watch and set it down, whether to switch to a different watch in your collection or to go watch-free for a couple of days (we don’t know how anybody can do that but to each their own)? In that case, you might find yourself with a problem.
Because automatic watches rely on your movement to wind themselves, they’re not quite self-winding—they still need you to wind the mainspring, even if they’re depending on your movement instead of your taking the time to twist the watch’s crown. A person’s natural movement in their day-to-day life can create enough spin in an automatic watch’s rotor to keep a watch running for around 35 to 45 hours.
So, if you leave your automatic watch on the shelf for a few days, you’ll have to wind it again to get enough power in the mainspring to make the watch work again.
Whether you have a mechanical watch or an automatic watch, it needs to be wound from time to time—and if you have multiple watches in your collection, it can be very tedious to have to constantly wind your timepieces by hand.
That’s where the watch winder comes in.
How Does A Watch Winder Work?
Watch winders work by slowly rotating your automatic watch on a sideways turntable within a specialized case or device, eliminating the need to wind the watch by hand. As the winder rotates, the rotor inside the watch spins, slowly winding the mainspring.
Watch winders come in many different sizes. Some of the simpler models hold and wind one watch at a time. These single-watch winders can be a good option for beginner collectors who want to delve into the world of automatic watch winders.
For watch collectors with multiple automatic watches that they want to keep wound at all times, there are automatic watch winders that can hold several watches at once and keep each one spinning on an individual turntable. These cost substantially more than the simple single-watch winders, but they’re very handy for the experienced collector who doesn’t want to wind the mainspring and set the time whenever they put on a different watch.
While these watch winders aren’t necessary, they can make for highly useful tools in a watch enthusiast’s arsenal.
Winding Down
Whether you’re a beginner watch collector or a longtime enthusiast, there are definite benefits to owning an automatic watch winder. It’s not necessary, but watch winders aren’t about necessity—they’re about improving quality of life. If you find yourself frustrated in the tedium of constantly winding your watches and resetting the time, an automatic watch winder might be the perfect solution to your problem.
Of course, if you enjoy the ritual of winding a watch by hand, that’s understandable—while watches are stylish accessories, they’re also tactile ones. It can be satisfying to take a moment to reacquaint yourself with your treasured timepiece, knowing that every twist of its crown is providing its mainspring with the power to get you through another day.
Sources:
6 Simple Machines: Making Work Easier | Live Science
History of Pocket Watches - Invention of Pocket Watch | History of Watch
What Is a Watch Mainspring and How Does It Work? | Bloomberg
