How waterproof are watches?
They aren't. It would in fact be inaccurate to call
a watch 'water-proof'. However most watches have some sort
of
'water-resistance'. The
watch manufacturers generally give a mark or
symbol indicating its level of water resistance. These vary from Brand to Brand
but mostly they give a depth indication.
Such depth indications can be initially a little
confusing. For example, Water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet)
generally means it will withstand splashes of water or rain but should
not be worn while swimming or diving. Do not dive to 30 meters wearing such
a watch and expect it to continue working.
A watch marked as water resistant without a depth indication is designed to
withstand accidental splashes of water only. Do not submerge such a watch
even if you are just washing up.
At AA Thornton would not recommend swimming or diving with your watch
unless it has a screw-down crown and is water-resistant to at least 100 meters. We
would also recommend you always remove your watch before showering regardless of
its manufacturer's water resistance symbol.
Replacing my watch battery
We can
replace most watch batteries for you but we do not have the
facility to reseal a watch on the premises. This means that the
watch should, from then on, be treated as if it has no depth indication and
should be subject to accidental splashes only. To reseal a watch and therefore
retain the original level of water resistance we send it to the manufacturer's
workshop which can take anything from 1 to 6 weeks. Generally, the battery in
a quartz watch will need to be replaced every 1.5 years.
How should I care for and clean my watch?
The best way to clean your watch is by using a lint-free cloth and a
toothpick. Use the toothpick to clean out any dirt build up in the
bracelet or casing of the watch and the cloth to wipe it clean. If it
is water-resistant, give it an occasional cleaning with a mixture of warm water
and a mild soap. If the strap is leather or non-metal, clean only the case.
