What is the difference between a hand-wound mechanical movement, an automatic movement, and a quartz movement?
A luxury watch with a hand-wound mechanical movement must always be wound manually by the wearer. Turning the crown clockwise completes winding, which is done when the height is locked. Refrain from attempting to wind the watch past this locking point, which may damage the movement. We recommend that you manually incorporate your eye simultaneously every day.
A luxury watch with a self-winding movement has a mechanism that winds the mainspring with the direction of the wrist. The movement of the wrist turns the rotor, which incorporates the mainspring. When the mainspring is fully wound, the power reserve is at least 40 hours and a maximum of 9 days, depending on the model. Watches with self-winding movements are equipped with a slide spring, a device placed in the barrel to keep the mainspring from overwinding. If the clock has been stopped, wind it manually by turning the crown clockwise about 50 revolutions before wearing it.
Note that some models have screw-down crowns. Unscrew the crown counterclockwise before making adjustments.
Batteries power quartz watches. If the watch is not worn every day, it offers the advantage of no particular movements. If the clock stops, the battery needs to be replaced. If you don’t wear the clock every day, we recommend that you control the watch by pulling the crown out to preserve battery life.
How does the accuracy of a mechanical watch compare to a quartz watch?
A quartz movement is always more accurate because it uses an electronic microprocessor to keep time. Luxury mechanical watches offer a certain degree of precision, which means about a 1-minute change per week, 5 minutes per month, and 1 hour per year. A quartz movement changes 1 second per week, 5 seconds per month, and 1 minute per year. Comparing these figures shows that an electronic activity provides 60 times the precision of a mechanical movement. Electronics allow for almost absolute accuracy.
What determines the accuracy of a mechanical watch?
The precision of a luxury mechanical watch depends on many parameters: the quality of the components used to assemble the movement, the accuracy of the alignment of the balance wheel, and the knowledge and qualifications of the watch technicians who make the watch.
A mist has developed under the crystal of my Chopard watch. Is this normal?
When the temperature changes suddenly, slight condensation may form under the crystal. Usually, it disappears on its own without affecting the watch’s mechanism. However, if the fog persists, always consult an Official Chopard Retailer or an Official Chopard Service Centre. Find a service center. Is this normal?