Larry Brauner on Posterous

by John Sealander  

Claude Bernard Takes the Modern Sports Watch  
to Extremes with the Amazing New Aquarider  

The modern sports watch is many things to many people. Runners time races with them. Racing drivers calculate lap times. Scuba divers use them to keep track of their remaining air supply. didLuckily, for fans of extreme sports, Claude Bernard has created a single timepiece that will do all this and much more.

The impressive Claude Bernard Aquarider collection has taken the modern sports watch to extremes by combining the classic unidirectional rotating bezel of a professional diver watch with a versatile “three eye” chronograph for timing events. No matter what your passion happens to be, the ruggedly built Aquarider is there when you need it most.

This 42 mm stainless steel timepiece is water resistant to 720 feet and features a protected crown and pushers. The rotating bezel is divided into easy-to-read 60-minute increments, and the three chronograph subdials record intervals of 30 minutes, 12 hours and continuous seconds. There’s virtually nothing that can’t be timed or measured with this watch.

Like all Claude Bernard timepieces, the Aquarider is hand assembled at Claude Bernard’s workshops in Les Genevez, Switzerland. Only the finest materials are used, including a precision Swiss made quartz movement that will provide rock solid, reliable service under the most demanding conditions.

The Aquarider has been fitted with a comfortable caoutchouc strap with a fold-over double push button safety clasp. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial and a screw down stainless steel caseback ensures the integrity of the case.

Claude Bernard Mens 10205 3 NIN Aquarider Chronograph

List Price: $575

• Swiss made timepiece
• Precise quartz movement
• Chronograph function
• Stainless steel case, diameter 25 mm, thickness 11.5 mm
• Black dial, date window, luminous hands and hour markers
• Black PVD coated unidirectional rotating bezel with minute track
• Anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Genuine black rubber strap, width 19 mm, fold-over double push button safety clasp
• Water resistant to 720 feet
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

Although Claude Bernard watches aren’t as well known as some of their famous Swiss neighbors, they are highly regarded by watch aficionados around the world. A Claude Bernard timepiece represents a tremendous value; combining traditional Swiss quality and craftsmanship with a fashion forward sense of style seldom seen in this traditional country.

If your interests take you to extremes, you won’t want to be without a Claude Bernard Aquarider timepiece. To put one of these amazingly versatile watches on your own wrist, contact your authorized Claude Bernard dealer today.

Gevril Group US Agent for Claude Bernard Watches

Gevril Group is the sole US agent for Claude Bernard Swiss Made Watches. Contact Karen Norman, Brand Manager for Claude Bernard, by email or at 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog digest. Your comments are welcome.

As long as there have been sporting events, there has been someone who has wanted to time them. In fact, sports watches have played such an important role in the history of modern timekeeping that many manufacturers owe their current success to the timepieces they developed to meet the needs of sportsmen.

The chronograph was specifically developed at the request of King Louis XVIII of France to accurately time horse races. The modern diving watch was developed to allow scuba divers to pursue their sport safely by timing their remaining air supply.

Today, runners, cyclists, sailors and mountaineers all depend on sports watches. To meet today’s needs, modern sports watches have evolved to incorporate a wide variety of functions, such as heart rate monitors, altimeters, barometers, compasses and GPS tracking. Modern sports chronometers feature sophisticated lap-timing capabilities and some aviation watches even allow you to compensate for wind speed. Basically, anything that a sportsman needs to measure can be measured with a modern sports watch.

Sports watches have become so popular that they have become fashion themselves. Instead of just timing races, they also set new trends. The current popularity of oversized wristwatches largely originated with the sports watch. Sportsmen and the military have always had a need for large readable dials. As these specialized watches came into widespread use, they were adopted by leading designers and became fashion statements themselves.

Today, the definition of a sports watch is much broader than it was originally. You no longer have to be a deep-sea diver or a long distance runner to enjoy the benefits of a sports watch. Modern sports watches have become an affirmation of today’s new casual lifestyle. Sports watches can be worn to work — or to a workout. They are appropriate attire at the beach, or at a business meeting.

In today’s fast-paced and increasingly casual world, the sports watch has become an essential accessory for many people. These versatile and attractive timepieces not only tell the time, they tell the world about your priorities and your lifestyle. If you aren’t already regularly wearing a sports watch, you probably will be soon.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Gevril Group operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates.

by John Sealander  

Couture Time Las Vegas is where the world’s best luxury watch brands will meet the world’s best jewelry retailers. Of course, Gevril Group will be there.

Couture is unrivaled in the jewelry industry. For more than fifteen years, this spectacular annual event has been the place where the world’s best jewelry designers and brands gather to build relationships with their retail partners. This year once again, Couture partners with renowned Watch Journal publisher Glen Bowen to bring you Couture Time showcasing many of the world’s most luxurious watch brands.

With the addition of luxury timepieces to the Couture Show, this essential event now offers top retailers a unique opportunity to find everything they need to make their business successful in a single spectacular location.

From the opening reception on May 31 until festivities end on June 4, the spectacular Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas will attract high-end watch dealers from around the globe who are looking for the most exquisite and unique timepieces available.

According to Paul Ziff, President of Ferragamo Timepieces for the US and Caribbean, Couture is the place to be. “With the recent launch of Ferragamo Timepieces beyond the company owned boutiques,” says Ziff, “Couture provides the perfect venue to introduce our brand and explore new market opportunities. Couture is a luxurious environment that fits well with the Ferragamo lifestyle.”

Samuel Friedmann, founder of Gevril Group and long-time creative force in the watch business, agrees. “Couture Time is the perfect setting to establish new partnerships with serious retailers and build our brands together.”

Gevril Group, which distributes luxury technical Swiss watches, along with some of the world’s most prestigious fashion watches, will use Couture Time to meet watch retailers, to introduce its watch brands, and to provide an overview of its large-scale advertising initiatives in support of retailers and Gevril brands. With a distribution channel that covers more than 1,000 points of sale across all brands, Gevril Group understands the importance of being able to reach successful independent jewelers. “We’re looking to meet retailers who’ve been able to focus on and successfully build their niche in the luxury watch industry,” says Friedmann.

According to Gevril Group Regional Sales Manager Herman Sternberg, “Couture Time provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the newest interpretation of elegance and trendy.” There just isn’t another event quite like Couture. From the Wynn’s fabulous Chambertin 2 Ballroom, a premiere location within Couture, Gevril Group will display some of the world’s most prestigious and interesting timepieces.

For one fabulous week, the Wynn Las Vegas will become an unforgettable destination for over 4,000 jewelry retailers. New friendships will be established. New business relationships will be forged. The best of the best may even win one of the event’s prestigious Couture Design Awards.

Gevril Group will be at Couture Time from start to finish. You can reach Gevril Group by email or by calling 1-866-425-9882. During the event, call Ruth Dombroff at 914-689-4360.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Reader comments are welcome.

River Woods Watches: Classically Styled Timepieces Inspired by the Beauty of the American Northeast

River Woods is unique. It’s a European brand born in Belgium with the goal of bringing authentic American sportswear and fashion to European markets. The brand was born in December of 1995 and was an immediate hit. The brand’s popularity quickly spread from Belgium to the Netherlands and France. By 2007 you could buy River Woods clothing in 22 countries around the world.

It was only a matter of time before the brand launched its own collection of fine timepieces. River Woods Watches continue the brand’s strict adherence to quality and authenticity. These sporty, classically inspired timepieces are the perfect representation of the casual, family-oriented lifestyle that River Woods found in the American Northeast.

River Woods timepieces are made from the finest materials and meet the same high standards set by the brand’s popular clothing collections. When master craftsmen marry precision movements with stainless steel and genuine leather, the result is timeless. This inspired collection of dress and sports timepieces reflect today’s values and today’s low-key casual lifestyles.

With nearly seventy watch models to choose from, there’s almost certainly a River Woods timepiece that belongs on your own wrist. To find out how these exciting new timepieces can complement your own lifestyle, contact your authorized River Woods dealer today.

Gevril Group US Agent for River Woods Watches

Gevril Group is the sole US agent for River Woods Watches. You can email us or call 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog digest.

Although military watches are relatively new, they play an important role in the history of timekeeping. The first watches produced exclusively for military use began to appear in the late 1800’s. The German emperor Wilhelm I was one of the first to begin using military timepieces in large quantities when he ordered 1,000 watches in 1879 for the German Imperial Navy. By the early 1900’s, armies and navies around the world began to see the benefits of accurate timekeeping in the field, and soldiers were routinely issued a military wristwatch with their uniform.

Early military wristwatches were adapted from men’s pocket watches, with lugs for a strap soldered to the sides of the case. These innovative “wristwatches” allowed a soldier in the field to coordinate an attack with a precision that wasn’t obtainable before. The British army gained a considerable advantage during the Boer Wars by making extensive use of these early military timepieces.

When soldiers wore their military timepieces home on leave, others saw them and the concept of wearing a watch on your wrist became popular with the general public. Watchmakers were quick to respond to this new trend and many of today’s most familiar brands got their start by manufacturing smaller timepieces to meet the growing demand for these new wristwatches.

In addition to popularizing the wristwatch, military watches led to a wide range of other innovations as well. The concept of the “hack” second hand started with military watches. Troops in the field needed a way to synchronize their watches with each other and a movement was designed where the second hand could be stopped by pulling out the crown. Even today, most mechanical watches employ the hack second hand mechanism.

Military pilots spurred many new developments in the watch industry. Pilots were quick to recognize the importance of an accurate timepiece they could wear in the cockpit and manufacturers began to create wristwatches specifically for aviators. Most of these new timepieces featured large, extremely legible dials with luminous hands that allowed pilots to read the time at night. Military pilots are largely responsible for the current popularity of oversize watches. When high-speed jet aircraft were developed, there was a need within the military to measure specific intervals of time and the aviator’s chronograph became a regulation issue item for many pilots as well.

Today, military needs and demands continue to set the standards for new developments within the watch industry. Advanced, high-tech timepieces now incorporate sophisticated features like GPS receivers and radio-controlled synchronization with an atomic clock. New materials like titanium and carbon fiber that were originally developed for the military are now popular with watchmakers and are used to make some of today’s best watches almost indestructible.

In the future, there will always be a need for the military to time events accurately and reliably. Military watches are here to stay, and more-and-more of them will become tomorrow’s fashion and sports watch favorites.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Gevril Group operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates.

by John Sealander  

Introducing the Swiss Military Calibre Trooper Collection: For many, these practical and extremely durable timepieces are the quintessential military watch.

The citizen soldiers of Switzerland are very particular about the timepieces they carry. The durable, functional wristwatches Swiss soldiers prefer typically feature large readable dials, accurate reliable movements, and simple durable cases. These soldiers would approve of the new Trooper Collection from Swiss Military Calibre, which takes the military style timepiece back to its roots with features they would consider essential.

Soldiers around the world use 24-hour military time to coordinate their activities. That’s why every watch in the Swiss Military Trooper Collection has a 24-hour dial. The hours are clearly marked with large, luminous numbers and there is an extra large date window at 3 o’clock. The durable 40 mm stainless steel case is water resistant to 330 feet and features an engraving of the characteristic Swiss Troopers hat on the caseback.

All Swiss Military Calibre Trooper Collection timepieces are powered by a precision Swiss made ISA 2330/103 movement. Watches are equipped with a durable mineral glass crystal and available with a choice of black leather or regulation NATO canvas bands. Some Swiss Military Trooper models are available with a distinctive military camouflage dial and NATO band.

The Swiss Military Calibre Trooper Collection is available in versions for both men and ladies with a choice of polished stainless steel of black IP plated cases. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on these authentically styled military timepieces is impressive and seldom seen at such a reasonable price point. If you’re looking for an authentic military appearance that still looks good on dressy occasions, a Swiss Military Calibre Trooper is the watch for you. To view the entire Swiss Military Trooper Collection and reserve what may be today’s quintessential military watch, contact your authorized Swiss Military Calibre dealer today.

Gevril Group Worldwide Agent for Swiss Military Calibre Watches

Gevril Group has worldwide rights to the distribution of Swiss Military Calibre Watches. Contact Aida Rosenberg, Swiss Military Brand Manager, by email or call 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog summary. Reader comments are welcome.

by John Sealander  

Introducing the Swiss Military Calibre Defender Collection: Defender chronographs are a bigger, bolder way to enjoy the tradition of Swiss military watchmaking.

Swiss Military style timepieces trace their roots to Switzerland’s citizen soldiers and their desire for a durable, functional wristwatch that was both easy to read and hard to damage. Now, a younger generation has discovered the many advantages of wearing a military style timepiece. They just want their watch in a larger size.

The Swiss Military Calibre Defender Collection was designed to meet the needs of today’s watch buying public. This oversize 50 mm stainless steel workhorse has everything a military watch aficionado could desire. Defender timepieces feature a bold, black dial with three chronograph subdials for timing events and a date window at 4 o’clock. This “three eye” configuration is both functional and easy to read. On the main dial in one popular color version, the hours from 3 to 9 are indicated in yellow, while the hours from 10 to 2 are painted bright white. This makes the dial exceptionally visible under all conditions.

The Defender is equipped with special protected pushers to guard against accidental activation and a beautiful 3-D bezel with engraved indices. The traditional Swiss Cross is displayed at 12 o’clock and also on the rubberized crown. The official Swiss Defender shield is proudly displayed on the stainless steel caseback.

Everything about this bold, contemporary collection is perfectly proportioned and displays the exceptional craftsmanship and quality that Swiss Military Calibre is famous for. Some Defender models are fitted with a sleek silicon strap embossed with the Swiss Cross, while other models feature an integrated five-link stainless steel bracelet. These professional timepieces are powered by a precision Ronda 5030D quartz movement and are water resistant to 330 feet.

If you’ve always admired the functional beauty of a true military style timepiece, but wanted something a little larger on your wrist, the Swiss Military Calibre Defender is the watch for you. This big boy is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic military chronograph. The Defender is just as practical as your Dad’s Swiss Military timepiece, but when you want to make a statement, Swiss Military Defender is the watch to wear. To view the entire Defender Collection and reserve one of these big, bold timepieces for your own use, contact your authorized Swiss Military Calibre dealer today.

Gevril Group Worldwide Agent for Swiss Military Calibre Watches

Gevril Group has worldwide rights to the distribution of Swiss Military Calibre Watches. Contact Aida Rosenberg, Swiss Military Brand Manager, by email or call 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog summary. Reader comments are welcome.

by John Sealander  

Respect Your Fine Timepiece and it Will Last You a Lifetime

A fine timepiece is a precision instrument. Literally hundreds of precisely engineered components must work together in perfect harmony to keep your watch running properly. With proper care, the fine watch you buy today will become a treasured heirloom that you can pass down to your children who in turn can pass it on to their children. If you ignore your watch, however, you’re asking for trouble.

How can you ensure that your fine timepiece will continue to run forever?

Follow these seven simple rules and you’ll have already extended your watch’s life:

1. Know if your watch movement is quartz or mechanical and act accordingly – Modern quartz watches are virtually maintenance free, yet the electronic movement is very delicate easily damaged. Therefore, even replacing the battery of a quartz watch should be left to a watch repair professional. A mechanical movement on the other hand, unlike a quartz movement, must be cleaned and oiled every three to five years to retain accuracy. Because of the complexity of the precision mechanism of your fine quartz or mechanical timepiece, it’s best to have your watch serviced by a repair shop that’s authorized by the watch’s manufacturer. That way, if worn parts need to be replaced, you know you’ll be getting the proper components. Furthermore, only an authorized watch repair center provides you with warranty service.
2. Never over-wind your hand-wound mechanical watch – One of the most common mistakes people make when wearing a hand-wound watch is over winding it. A manually wound watch is quite robust and durable, but it can be damaged all the same. Wind your watch at the same time every day and continue turning the crown until you feel a slight resistance. When you feel resistance, stop winding immediately! If there’s any difficulty in turning the crown, do not continue winding. Doing so is likely to damage your watch. Remember to only turn the hands clockwise when setting the time. Turning the hands counterclockwise can damage some watch mechanisms. Also, it’s important to always set the day and date on your watch in the daytime. Making an adjustment late at night when the date wheel is starting to change can also damage your watch.
3. Remember that water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof – Unless your timepiece has been specifically designed as a diver watch, it’s best not to submerge it in water. The gasket that gives your watch its water resistance grows dry and brittle over time and should be replaced when your watch is serviced. If the gasket between the case and the back of your watch has become dry, your watch is no longer waterproof. Your watch is also subject to the effects of extreme heat and cold. The case expands when exposed to heat, and moisture can enter through microscopic cracks in the case or crystal. Regular, routine service can prevent most of these problems.
4. Don’t wear your watch while playing golf or tennis – Most people know that dropping your watch on a hard surface can lead to damage. What most people don’t know is that some active sports can be just as damaging to a watch’s fine mechanical movement. While playing golf or tennis, your arm can move at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour. The shocks associated with such rapid movements can damage many precision movements. Generally, only pilot’s and driving watches have been specially made and certified for use in harsh high-G environments. Make sure that your watch can handle shock and vibration before subjecting it to potentially damaging forces.
5. Remember to wear your watch – More watches have been damaged by leaving them sitting in a drawer than by wearing them every day. The mechanism in a mechanical watch needs motion to keep the lubricants in place and working. Lubricants in an unused watch can dry up or migrate away from critical bearings, thereby damaging the watch’s delicate mechanism. To avoid damage to an automatic watch, place it on a watch winder when you’re not wearing it. Note that even a quartz watch can be damaged by lack of use. If the battery in a quartz watch is never replaced, it will eventually corrode and leak. The acid from a leaking battery can destroy your watch’s delicate movement. Many fine quartz watches have been ruined simply by not replacing their batteries at regular intervals.
6. Keep your watch clean – The case and bracelet of your watch can be easily damaged by exposure to chemicals or seawater. Plated dials and straps can also be damaged by direct exposure to cosmetics and perfumes. If your timepiece has been exposed to any of these substances, be sure to clean it with a slightly moistened cloth and then dry it carefully. If your strap becomes wet with perspiration, wipe it dry with a soft cloth and leave it in a well-ventilated space when you take it off. Never put a watch in a sealed container when it is damp. Never store your watch in bright sunlight either; the strap color, and even the dial itself may fade. If you’ve scratched your case or crystal, a good repair facility will have the necessary tools to polish your watch back to perfection.
7. Choose your watch repair facility wisely – Avoid taking your fine watch to one of those “fast fix” places at the mall. Your fine watch is a precision instrument, and the watchmaker who repairs it requires years of training to perform the repair properly. This is why it’s so important to send or bring your watch to an authorized watch repair center. The technicians at a repair service authorized by your watch’s manufacturer will have received specialized manufacturer approved training and will be thoroughly qualified to restore your timepiece to factory specifications. You shouldn’t expect your watch to be repaired immediately. Disassembling and reassembling your watch is difficult and exacting work. Give watchmakers time to obtain any necessary parts and to properly repair your fine timepiece.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Gevril Group operates a full-service watch repair department, which is staffed by master Swiss watchmakers.

Contact Watch Repair at Gevril Group either by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Reader comments are welcome.

by John Sealander  

Ferragamo Timepieces Makes time to Help Inner-City
Children at The 52nd Street Project’s Like Clockwork Gala

On May 7, Ferragamo Timepieces joined an illustrious list of supporters at the famed 52nd Street Project’s annual gala to help raise money to improve literacy, a sense of self-worth and appreciation for the arts among New York’s inner-city children.

Since 1981, The 52nd Street Project has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children living in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood by giving them the experience of personal achievement through writing and performing original plays. With the support of New York’s theater community, this groundbreaking program has helped children flourish in the heart of a tough neighborhood by providing a mentored forum where they can create their own plays, poems, drawings and photographs.

Like Clockwork, the theme for the 2012 Party Time Benefit, held at Soho’s trendy Tribeca Rooftop, provided the perfect venue for Ferragamo Timepieces to show their continuing support for The 52nd Street Project by auctioning one of their fabulous watches. Since the dress code for this festive event was “wear a watch,” Ferragamo’s participation was quite “timely.”

The 52nd Street Project has already produced over 1,000 plays involving over 1,500 children and theater artists. With continuing support from Ferragamo Timepieces and many others, The 52nd Street Project can continue to encourage inner city children to draw upon their own experiences and tap into the qualities that make them unique. According to Paul Ziff, the President of Ferragamo Timepieces for the US and Caribbean, “helping these children find self-esteem and providing them with a taste of success, can give them the extra time they need to fully develop creatively.”

Salvatore Ferragamo perfected the art of the shoe. For many years, the company has been a proud supporter of all the arts and is currently sponsoring an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s work at the Louvre in Paris. With its support of The 52nd Street Project, Ferragamo Timepieces is continuing a company tradition of encouraging creativity and imagination wherever it can be found.

About Ferragamo Timepieces

The Ferragamo Timepieces collection draws on original styling to express iconic features in the Ferragamo tradition like the gancino, and merge them with other recurrent Brand themes including a creative use of color, contrasting combinations of unusual and sophisticated materials, experimentation with shape and volume, and the finest detailing. Paul Ziff is Ferragamo President at Gevril Group, sole US and Caribbean distributor for Ferragamo Timepieces.

About Gevril Group

Directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business, Samuel Friedmann, Gevril Group is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. You can email us or call 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Reader comments are welcome.

by Jack Goldenberg

Whether you purchase a fine watch for its exquisite craftsmanship or you were enticed by the watch’s elegant styling, you can easily find advice on how to properly care for it. However, not until now was it possible to obtain clear instructions on how to inflict irreparable damage upon your treasured timepiece. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll agree that this concise guide to watch damage is a real game changer!

If you follow my advice carefully, you can damage your valued possession beyond recognition, so that not even the most experienced Swiss watchmaker will be able to identify it, let alone repair it. So without further ado, here are my seven simple tips for ruining your fine watch:

1. Take a shower, enjoy a long relaxing bath, or sit in a hot tub wearing your water resistant watch

Contrary to popular belief, water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof when referring to timepieces. When watches are manufactured, samples of that model are tested to see how well water is prevented from getting inside. But they’re tested only once when the watch is new. Gasket seals that keep water out of watches tend to deteriorate over time. Water resistant watches are not meant to be exposed to prolonged submersion, unless of course they are genuine diver watches.

An occasional splash won’t harm a water resistant watch, so if you’re intent on damaging it, leave your watch on when swimming or dunk it under water while you’re soaking in a hot bath. The result will delight you.

Salt water can be very effective at corroding and damaging a watch, so if you want to ruin one of your luxury watches, be sure to dangle your left wrist in the ocean on your next sailing trip or beach outing.

2. Drop your fine watch from a rooftop or smash it against a brick wall

The mechanical workings of most fine watches can usually withstand the impact of a drop from your hands to the floor.* If you want to inflict serious damage, drop it from the roof of a building, or slam it against a hard surface. While this method is foolproof, you must but be sure to remove the watch from your wrist before slamming it into a wall.

3. Change your watch battery by yourself

How can a simple thing like inserting in a fresh battery damage your watch? In most cases it won’t, although it will invalidate your watch’s warranty. Nevertheless, each time you open the back of your watch to change the battery, you run the risk of ruining its delicate workings with your clumsy fingers. You will also destroy the watch’s water resistance. You need to install new gaskets each time you open the back.

Okay. Go ahead and grab a screwdriver. Try to install that battery by yourself. Why bother sending it to an authorized expert watch repair when you can easily destroy it on your own?

4. Do-it-yourself watch repair or bringing your watch to an unauthorized “fast fix” watch repair place

When you were a kid, you probably assembled model airplanes without even reading the instructions. So what if you had a piece or two left over? If your watch is running slow or fast, or even if it isn’t running at all, shouldn’t a smart person like you be able to repair it?

Alright, pry off the back with any old tool that works and start messing around with the innards of your fine timepiece. I guarantee you that you’ll soon discover this is a very effective way to destroy your wristwatch.

5. Expose your mechanical watch to chemicals or magnetic fields

If you work around chemicals, solvents or strong magnets, exposing your luxury mechanical watch to these elements can cause it damage, especially over time. Common chemicals can destroy the anti-reflective coatings on many sapphire crystals. While most modern mechanical watches have some magnetic resistance, exposing an antique mechanical watch to a strong magnetic field, if you can find one, would be an excellent way create erratic gear behavior and damage your watch.

6. Expose a mechanical watch to extreme temperatures

You didn’t think we were only going to offer one or two ways to damage a mechanical watch, did you? This is a complete guide to watch damage!

Another effective way to damage a mechanical watch is to quickly transfer it between excessively hot and cold temperatures, causing watch parts to expand or contract and leading to water vapor damage that will render your beautiful timepiece inoperable. And once again, there goes your warranty.

7. Don’t keep up with your fine watch’s scheduled maintenance

Neglecting to service you watch every three to five years or not sending your watch in for repair when something goes wrong is another promising way to hurt it.

*Please do not try this experiment at home.

So now you know a number of tried and true ways to damage your fine watch. If one way manages to fail, there are others just waiting to be tried.

Watch Repair Services at Gevril Group

Of course, maybe you’d rather not damage the beautiful craftsmanship and exquisite precision of your fine watch. In that unlikely case, the best way to protect your investment or restore it to pristine condition is to let the skilled Watch Repair at Gevril Group care for your timepiece.

Please tell them that Jack sent you.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Gevril Group operates a full-service watch repair department, which is staffed by master Swiss watchmakers.

Contact Watch Repair at Gevril Group either by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Reader comments are welcome.