Horology Database Blog

What the specifications on a watch dial actually mean, and which of them change how you should wear and service it.

what is a chronometer

What Is a Chronometer?

A chronometer is a movement that passed independent accuracy testing, usually COSC to ISO 3159: 15 days, five positions, three temperatures, averaging between -4 and +6 seconds per day.

Read the guide → July 29, 2026
watch service interval

How Often Should You Service a Mechanical Watch?

Modern intervals run roughly five to ten years depending on calibre. Service by symptom, accuracy drift, short power reserve or moisture, rather than by the calendar alone.

Read the guide → July 22, 2026
automatic vs quartz

What Is the Difference Between Automatic and Quartz?

Quartz oscillates 32,768 times a second and runs within seconds per month; automatics are wound by wrist motion and drift seconds per day but remain repairable indefinitely.

Read the guide → July 15, 2026
watch water resistance meaning

What Does Water Resistance on a Watch Actually Mean?

The metre rating is a static pressure test under ISO 22810, not a swimming depth. 30m is splash only, 100m suits swimming, and a real dive watch carries ISO 6425 certification.

Read the guide → July 8, 2026
watch complication

What Is a Watch Complication?

A complication is any function beyond hours, minutes and seconds, from a date window to a perpetual calendar. Each adds components, cost and servicing complexity.

Read the guide → July 1, 2026
watch power reserve

What Does Power Reserve Mean on a Watch?

Power reserve is how long a fully wound mechanical watch runs before stopping, typically 38 to 70 hours. Above about 50 hours it survives a weekend off the wrist.

Read the guide → June 24, 2026
how to tell if a watch is real

How Do You Tell If a Watch Is Real?

External tells no longer separate good counterfeits from genuine watches. Movement finishing, calibre identity, reference numbers and provenance are the reliable checks.

Read the guide → June 17, 2026
do luxury watches hold value

Do Luxury Watches Hold Their Value?

Most depreciate. A small number of supply-constrained steel sports models hold or exceed retail, and their visibility distorts the general belief that watches are investments.

Read the guide → June 10, 2026