Guide to Buying Watches: How to Choose Quartz and Mechanical Watches

I. Quartz Watches

1. Quartz Watch Accuracy
The permissible error range for a quartz watch is ±15 seconds per month. The movement of a quartz watch is powered by a battery, and the battery life generally depends onWatchthe movement used, ranging from 12 to 24 months. If your watch has a low-battery indicator, the second hand will jump every four seconds when the battery is near depletion. If this happens, you should replace the battery immediately. Delaying this may cause damage to the mechanism. If you notice the watch is running slow, it may be due to insufficient power; you can visit an authorised service centre to check the battery level.
When adjusting a two-hand quartz watch, set it one minute fast to compensate for the gap between the magnetic wheels.

2. Why You Must Replace Quartz Watch Batteries Promptly
Depending on the movement and usage, quartz watch battery life varies up to 1-2 years. High-end three-hand quartz watches feature a low-battery warning; if the second hand jumps abnormally (every four seconds), it reminds you to replace the battery promptly. Failure to do so may cause battery leakage, damaging internal components. Some customers own multiple watches and pull out the crown to stop the watch when not in use to save power. While the watch appears stopped, the battery continues to discharge. If not replaced in time, it can lead to over-discharge, causing leakage that corrodes the movement, with repair costs far exceeding the price of a battery replacement.

3. Reasons Why a Quartz Watch Might Stop
   First, check if the crown is pulled out, if the second hand is touching the crystal (which would leave a circular mark), or if the hands are touching each other. When hands overlap, check if they can pass each other. Finally, have a professional check if the battery is depleted.

4. Why Do Two-Hand Quartz Watches Often Run One Minute Slow?
Because the motors in most two-hand quartz watches jump every twenty seconds, the motor may not have engaged when the customer sets the time, resulting in the minute hand being one minute off. In such cases, simply set the minute hand one minute forward.

5. Introduction to Shock and Magnetic Resistance
1) Watches generally have a certain level of shock resistance, and internal shock-absorbing features function under external impact. If a quartz watch battery disconnects from the terminals or a mechanical watch balance wheel becomes misaligned, causing the watch to stop, you might mistakenly think it is broken. In reality, you simply need to visit an authorised service centre to have it reinstalled correctly.
2) So-called anti-magnetic watches do not have all parts made of anti-magnetic materials; only key components such as the balance wheel, hairspring, and mainspring are.
3) Although some watches have shock and magnetic resistance, these only serve as a precaution. You should avoid violent collisions or placing the watch near electrical appliances or magnetic objects that generate magnetic fields, such as televisions, speakers, refrigerators,mobile phones, induction cookers, electric mahjong tables, magnetic bags, etc. The above reasons can cause the watch to stop or lose accuracy.

6. Introduction to Water Resistance
1) The water resistance of a watch mainly relies on the waterproof gaskets at the crystal, case back, and crown, as well as the use of a screw-down crown to meet the corresponding water-resistance standards.
2) The water resistance of a watch is usually classified by its rating:
    - Not waterproof (no marking on the case back)
    - Sweat-resistant
    - General water resistance (WATER-RESISTANT), 30 metre water resistance (30M, 3ATM, 3BAR), 50 metre water resistance (50M, 5ATM, 5BAR).
    - Diver's watch with 100 metre water resistance, 200 metre water resistance, 300 metre water resistance, etc.
3 Regarding the water resistance of watches, both national and international standards have clear regulations: any watch marked as water-resistant must withstand a minimum of 2 atmosphere of pressure, meaning no water ingress at a depth of 20 metres, while 30 metre water resistance indicates the watch can withstand 3 atmospheres of pressure, and so on. This standard is based on testing under laboratory conditions with the temperature maintained at 20-25 degrees Celsius and both the watch and water at a standstill; if the watch remains water-resistant under these conditions, it is deemed compliant.

7 Precautions for water resistance:
1 A 30 metre water-resistant watch means it can withstand a pressure of 3 kilograms per square centimetre, which roughly corresponds to the pressure at a static water depth of 30 metres, equivalent to 3 atmospheres of pressure. This type of watch is designed primarily to prevent the movement from being damaged by dust and moisture, and is not suitable for immersion in water or swimming.
2 Watches with water resistance of 100 metres or more are suitable for water activities such asswimming。
3 No water-resistant watch should be worn in hot baths, saunas, or environments with drastic temperature fluctuations. This is because temperature changes cause the waterproof rubber gaskets to expand and contract, creating gaps and accelerating ageing, which compromises water resistance. Water ingress caused by such improper use will not be covered under the warranty.
4 The crown must be kept in its normal position, and screw-down crowns should be fully tightened; never adjust the crown whilst in the water.
5 The waterproof rubber gaskets and crown of the watch must be replaced periodically depending on usage.

8 Why might a watch marked as water-resistant still get condensation inside?
Generally speaking, a water-resistant watch does not mean it is completely immune to moisture. Wearing a watch while bathing exposes the rubber gaskets to detergents and other chemicals, which accelerates ageing and causes the water-resistant seal to fail. During the plum rain season, relative humidity in the air is high, and large temperature swings—such as moving between a sauna and an air-conditioned room—can also cause moisture to enter the watch. As rubber gaskets age over time, water resistance gradually diminishes. If you notice condensation inside the watch, you should promptly take it to an authorised service centre for inspection to prevent parts from rusting and to avoid shortening the lifespan of the timepiece.

9 Will a watch still be water-resistant after the case back has been opened?
We know that a watch's water resistance relies primarily on rubber gaskets fitted tightly between the crystal, case back, crown, and the case to form a seal. However, frequently wearing the watch while taking hot showers or saunas will accelerate the ageing and deformation of these rubber gaskets. Alongside high temperatures, acidic components in sweat, chlorine in swimming pools, and perfume can also cause the rubber gaskets to harden, reducing their water-resistant performance. Based on experience, we recommend having your watch's water resistance tested at an authorised service centre every 1-2 years.
Quartz watches undergo a water-resistance test after a battery replacement. If the watch fails the test, technicians will identify which component is at fault and replace it with a new one. Therefore, we can ensure that every water-resistant watch retains its excellent water resistance even after the case back has been opened.

10 Crystals, cases, and bracelets
1 Crystal materials include acrylic, mineral crystal glass, sapphire crystal, etc. Common materials for cases and bracelets or straps include plastic, brass, stainless steel, tungsten-titanium alloy, high-tech ceramic, and precious metals.
2 Sapphire crystal, tungsten-titanium alloy, and high-tech ceramic are all scratch-resistant materials, with Mohs hardness ratings of 9, 8, and 7 respectively (diamond is 10). While these materials resist scratching, they cannot withstand severe impacts. Furthermore, substances of equal or greater hardness—such as diamonds, corundum, metal oxides, and quartz crystals—can potentially damage them. Grindstones, sandpaper, nail files, granite countertops, concrete walls, glass, and flooring all contain such substances and can scratch the surfaces of these materials.
3 Cases and bracelets or straps should be cleaned regularly and can be washed with warm water and wiped dry. Sweat and grime can corrode the exterior materials of a watch and may cause skin allergies in some individuals. The protective film on the case back of a new watch should be removed, otherwise sweat may become trapped underneath and corrode the case back. Avoid exposing the watch to various chemicals; if contact occurs, rinse it clean promptly to prevent plating discolouration, peeling, or other damage.

11 If you have purchased a leather strap watch, please note the following:
1 Avoid contact with water and moisture to prevent discolouration and deformation.
2 Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading.
3. As leather is porous, avoid contact with oily substances or cosmetics.

12, Quartz watch maintenance
To ensure your watch operates normally and accurately, we recommend regular maintenance.
1) Have your watch water-resistance tested and the exterior cleaned once a year.
2) For quartz movement watches, perform a full service every 5-7 years.
3) This not only keeps the watch in good running condition but also effectively extends its service life. However, the above maintenance services only apply to watches worn under normal conditions and do not include watches subjected to abnormal wear or constant impact.

13, Warranty conditions
1) Please keep your purchase receipt, warranty card, and other documents safe. Do not open the case or battery cover yourself to ensure you receive effective and perfect after-sales service. If the maintenance documents have been erased or altered, the company reserves the right to refuse warranty service.
2) According to the product usage and maintenance instructions included in the packaging, the warranty period does not cover any normal wear and tear or damage to the strap or the exterior of the watch.
3) Exposing the watch to extremely high or low temperatures, or failing to lock the crown, can easily lead to moisture ingress or even liquid damage; improper operation is not covered under the product warranty.
4) Any product failure caused by opening or modifying the product at a non-authorised repair centre is not covered by this warranty.
5) For repairs or replacements carried out at an authorised repair centre, the replaced parts remain the property of the authorised centre.

14, Usage precautions - Remember!
1) Do not adjust the calendar, day, or moon phase of the watch between 21:00PM and 3:00AM. During this period, the calendar function is in operation, and the gear engagement is at its lowest; frequent adjustments can damage the internal components of the watch.
2) The day and date change mechanism varies by design; the first type completes the change within ±5 minutes, while the second type completes the change within 3 hours.
3) For watches with a screw-down crown, do not pull it out by force. Please rotate the crown anti-clockwise to unscrew it first. After adjusting the time, rotate the crown clockwise and push it in to lock it to prevent water ingress.
4) If you need to adjust the date on a watch with a calendar, please first set the calendar to the day before the required date, then rotate the hour hand to adjust the date. The date will change when the hour hand passes midnight at 12 o'clock; this avoids confusion between day and night caused by adjusting the date directly.
5) For watches with complex functions, please read the specifically provided instruction manual in detail.