Real Answers from the Bench
Practical guidance and straightforward answers drawn from everyday work at the watchmaker's bench.
How Do I Choose a Vintage Watch as a Gift?
Buying a vintage watch as a gift can feel daunting, especially when the person you're buying for knows more about watches than you do. Here's how to choose without becoming...
How Do I Choose a Vintage Watch as a Gift?
Buying a vintage watch as a gift can feel daunting, especially when the person you're buying for knows more about watches than you do. Here's how to choose without becoming...
Has the Watch Ever Been Polished?
Has a vintage watch ever been polished? We explain the important difference between light buffing and burnishing and abrasive refinishing that removes metal and can alter a case.
Has the Watch Ever Been Polished?
Has a vintage watch ever been polished? We explain the important difference between light buffing and burnishing and abrasive refinishing that removes metal and can alter a case.
How Often Should a Vintage Watch Be Serviced?
How often should a vintage watch be serviced? Rather than relying on an arbitrary number of years, we explain the signs, history and mechanical condition that actually matter.
How Often Should a Vintage Watch Be Serviced?
How often should a vintage watch be serviced? Rather than relying on an arbitrary number of years, we explain the signs, history and mechanical condition that actually matter.
Why Does a Mechanical Watch Run Differently on ...
Why can a mechanical watch keep different time on your wrist than it does on a timegrapher? We explain how position, power and everyday wear affect a vintage movement.
Why Does a Mechanical Watch Run Differently on ...
Why can a mechanical watch keep different time on your wrist than it does on a timegrapher? We explain how position, power and everyday wear affect a vintage movement.
What Does “Serviced” Actually Mean on a Vintage...
What does it actually mean when a vintage watch is described as serviced? We explain what happens during a mechanical service and why inspection, regulation and servicing are not the...
What Does “Serviced” Actually Mean on a Vintage...
What does it actually mean when a vintage watch is described as serviced? We explain what happens during a mechanical service and why inspection, regulation and servicing are not the...
Condensation Under the Crystal: What Does It Mean?
Condensation beneath a vintage watch crystal doesn't automatically mean the watch has been submerged. We explain how humidity and temperature changes can cause misting, and when it deserves attention.
Condensation Under the Crystal: What Does It Mean?
Condensation beneath a vintage watch crystal doesn't automatically mean the watch has been submerged. We explain how humidity and temperature changes can cause misting, and when it deserves attention.
Can I Get My Vintage Watch Wet?
Should you swim, shower or wash with a vintage watch? Our advice from the bench is simple: understand the limitations of ageing water resistance and keep vintage watches away from...
Can I Get My Vintage Watch Wet?
Should you swim, shower or wash with a vintage watch? Our advice from the bench is simple: understand the limitations of ageing water resistance and keep vintage watches away from...
Why Does My Vintage Automatic Watch Make a Noise?
Vintage automatic watches aren't always silent. We explain rotor noise, why some movements are more vocal than others and when a change in sound deserves attention.
Why Does My Vintage Automatic Watch Make a Noise?
Vintage automatic watches aren't always silent. We explain rotor noise, why some movements are more vocal than others and when a change in sound deserves attention.
How Should You Wind a Vintage Mechanical Watch?
A practical guide to winding vintage manual and automatic watches, how to recognise when a watch is fully wound and why you should never force the crown.
How Should You Wind a Vintage Mechanical Watch?
A practical guide to winding vintage manual and automatic watches, how to recognise when a watch is fully wound and why you should never force the crown.
How Accurate Should a Vintage Watch Be?
How accurate should an older mechanical watch really be? We explain timegrapher readings, real-world accuracy and what actually matters at the bench.
How Accurate Should a Vintage Watch Be?
How accurate should an older mechanical watch really be? We explain timegrapher readings, real-world accuracy and what actually matters at the bench.
How to Safely Use the Quickset Date on a Vintag...
A simple habit can protect the calendar mechanism in a vintage watch. We explain when to use the quickset date, when not to, and why.
How to Safely Use the Quickset Date on a Vintag...
A simple habit can protect the calendar mechanism in a vintage watch. We explain when to use the quickset date, when not to, and why.