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What is a G.M.T. Movement?
What is the case of a watch?
What is the crown of a watch?
What is the crystal of a watch?
How big will my watch be because of the case diameter?
How does the illumination on my watch work?
What happens if I get my watch wet? / Can I go swimming with my watch on?
How do I care for a water resistant watch?
My watch stopped keeping time, why?
What does my watch warranty cover?
What’s the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer?
How long should the battery in my watch last?
What’s the difference between quartz and mechanical/automatic movements?
When I reset my chronograph, why doesn’t the hand return to zero?
What is the best way to care for an automatic watch?
What should I look for when buying a watch?
What is the best way to clean my watch?
What can I do to help ensure that my watch will last for a long time?
My watch doesn’t fit well, what should I do?
Where is the bezel located on my watch?
How will my watch fare against normal, everyday activities? / What type of watch should I wear during rigorous sports or activities?
Q: What is a G.M.T. Movement? A: The Invicta GMT uses a Japanese quartz movement, which in addition to the hour, minute, and second hands, has a 24-hour hand and a date feature. Pulling the crown out fully stops the second hand and allows the time to be set, but in a slightly different way than a normal movement. Instead of adjusting the minute and hour hand, it adjusts the minute and 24-hour hand. The date and hour hands are set when the crown is pulled out into the first position. The date is linked to the operation of the 12-hour hand, which is to say when then 12-hour hand passes midnight, the date advances. 
Q: What is the case of a watch? A: The case of a watch is the housing that contains the internal parts of a watch. Stainless steel is the most common metal used, but titanium, gold, silver and platinum can also be used. Also, different compounds of hardened plastics may be used.
Q: What is the crown of a watch? A: The crown (often called the winding crown or winder) is positioned on the case middle and allows winding, hand setting and often date or GMT hand setting. It is linked to the movement through the winding stem passing through a hole in the case. For waterproofing purposes, simple gaskets are used in water-resistant watches. On diving/sports models, the crown may be screw-down whereby it screws onto a threaded tube, which protrudes from the case of the watch.
Q: What is the crystal of a watch? A: The crystal is the cover over the face of the watch. There are three different types commonly used in watches; acrylic, mineral, and sapphire. Acrylic crystal, a plastic, is inexpensive and shallow scratches can be buffed out. Mineral crystal is comprised of several elements that are heat treated to create unusual hardness that aids in resisting scratches. Sapphire crystal is the most expensive and durable, approximately three times harder than mineral crystals and 20 times harder than acrylic crystals. A non-reflective coating on some styles prevents glare.
Q: How big will my watch be because of the case diameter? A: The case diameter of a watch is usually listed in millimeters. Typical size for a standard men’s watch is approximately 40 millimeters and for women it tends to range from 20 millimeters for a dressy watch to around 30 millimeters for a more sporty style watch. Depending on your own personal taste, you can find watches smaller or larger depending on its intended application.
Q: How does the illumination on my watch work? A: There are several different types of illumination. Some are powered by the watch battery, some collect energy from light sources, and few use small chambers filled with an illuminating substance. Each of these methods then radiate the light continuously or when active by the wearer through buttons on the case.
Q: What happens if I get my watch wet? / Can I go swimming with my watch on? A: Most watches nowadays are at least water resistant, meaning that your watch can withstand splashes of water but should not be submerged. But most are guaranteed to be able to withstand more. Such watches are stamped with a value that verifies their water resistance. This information can be found either on the face of the watch or on the case back. Listed below are water resistance depths and what activities are recommended at each corresponding certification. 30 meter (100 Feet) - Will tolerate splashes of water or rain. 50 meter (165 Feet) - Usable while showering, bathing, dishwashing, and swimming in shallow water. 100 meter (330 Feet) - Usable while swimming, and snorkeling. 150 meter (500 Feet) - Usable during general water sports. 200 meter (600 Feet) - Usable during general water sports, including free diving. Diver's 150 meter (500 Feet) - ISO standard for scuba diving. Diver's 200 meters (660 feet) - Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
Q: How do I care for a water resistant watch? A: It is not recommended to wear your water resistant watch in a hot shower, sauna or hot tub. The extreme heat causes the metal parts to expand at a different rate than the rubber gaskets. This creates small openings that can allow water droplets to penetrate the watch. Sudden temperature changes are especially harsh. Take care not to jump into a cold pool after wearing your watch in the hot tub. After swimming or diving in salt water, immediately rinse the watch in a stream of fresh water. If your watch has a rotating bezel, turn the bezel several times while rinsing it. This will prevent salt buildup and corrosion of the bezel ring.
Q: My watch stopped keeping time, why? A: This could be a for a few different reasons. First, you need to determine if you have an automatic or a quartz watch. A quartz watch is powered by a quartz crystal that runs off of a battery. If you have a quartz watch, and it stops keeping time, most likely the battery has died. We inspect all watches that leave to ensure they are working but sometimes, unfortunately, the battery life can be short. If your watch is an automatic, and it stops keeping time, then it needs to be re-wound. Automatic watches are powered off of the movement of the wearer’s wrist. Through normal activity a rotor turns and winds the watch's mainspring. Most automatic watches have up to 36 hours of power reserve. If an automatic watch is not worn for a day or two, it will wind down and need to be wound by hand to get it started again. You can also use a watch-winder for this function.
Q: What does my watch warranty cover? A: A watch warranty will generally cover malfunctions in the watch movement and does not cover any damage to the crown, case, crystal, buttons, bracelet, strap or dial. The warranty period depends upon the manufacturer, and can range from one year to limited lifetime.
Q: What’s the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer? A: A chronograph is a name given to a multifunction sport watch with a stopwatch function. Most have two or three sub-dials, or mini-dials, for measuring minutes and hours. A chronometer, on the other hand, is a precision watch that has been rigorously tested by the Control Officile Suisse de Chronometers (COSC), an official watch testing laboratory in Switzerland, to keep accurate time in various temperatures and positions over a 15-day period. The watch must lose no more than five seconds per day in order to be designated a chronometer.
Q: How long should the battery in my watch last? A: Generally, the battery in a quartz watch will need to be replaced every 1.5 years, unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer.
Q: What’s the difference between quartz and mechanical/automatic movements? A: The movement - the inner workings of the watch - is what makes up the main timekeeping mechanism. Most watches have either a quartz movement or a mechanical movement. The type of movement you choose depends mostly on one's taste. Mechanical movements are a tribute to the watchmaker's art and monitor the passage of time by a series of gear mechanisms. When a mechanical movement does not have to be wound, it is known as an automatic movement. These self-winding movements are wound by the movement of your wrist. (No, you don't have to shake it to work! The normal, everyday movement of the watch on your wrist charges the winding reserve.) When this type of watch is removed from your wrist the movement winds down in 10 to 72 hours, depending on the size of its winding reserve. Quartz movements, on the other hand, are powered by a battery and do not stop working once removed from your wrist. When activated by a battery or solar power, the thin sliver of crystal very predictably vibrates at an extremely high frequency (32,768 times per second), thus providing very accurate timekeeping. The battery in a quartz watch generally needs to be replaced every 1.5 years, unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer.
Q: When I reset my chronograph, why doesn’t the hand return to zero? A: Typically this is because the chronograph function needs to be calibrated. The best way to do this is by consulting the instruction manual or by visiting the watchmaker’s website.
Q: What is the best way to care for an automatic watch? A: Although automatic mechanical watches do not have batteries, some easy-to-follow maintenance is necessary for continued and long-lasting good use. Self-winding automatic watches depend on the movement of the arm to operate and do require some winding, even if you wear your watch on a daily basis. If you wear your automatic watch every day, it is best to wind it once every two weeks to keep the wheels in motion and oil fluid. Simply wind the crown (the same knob used to adjust the time and date) until you meet slight resistance. If you do not wear your automatic watch every day, you should try to wind it at least twice a week to ensure continuous operation, as well as keeping the inside mechanism in complete running order. Try to wind your mechanical watch at the same time every day. This is extremely beneficial for the mechanism. You may want to make it a routine, winding it every morning when you wake up. Avoid setting the day and/or date (if your watch has these functions) at night. The day-date mechanism is activated during the nighttime hours and could be disrupted if set at this time. Always avoid wearing your mechanical watch if you are playing a sport requiring continuous arm motion (e.g. tennis, baseball, golf), since continuous arm motion could damage the movement.
Q: What should I look for when buying a watch? A: When purchasing a watch for either yourself or as a gift, you want to look at a couple of things. Most of these will rely on your preference. The case material and band material are both important to pay attention to. Some people are allergic to a few materials that are sometimes used in the manufacturing of a timepiece. The type of movement is the watch makes use of is a key buying point, quartz watches are very accurate and rely on battery power while automatic or mechanical need to be worn consistently or wound every so often. Obviously color preference is up to that of the buyer, many watch brands offer several different colors and styles to suit your needs. There are also a majority of watches that are multifunction, containing sub-dials and information on the face of the watch. Mister Watch Online strongly recommends buying authentic brands, which is why we carry and sell only new, genuine watches. If you have any questions regarding a watch or your purchase, we urge you to call us toll free at 1-877-493-6847 Mon-Fri 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
Q: What is the best way to clean my watch? A: 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 buildup 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. It is safest if you always avoid cleaning your watch with harsh household chemicals, over time they can cause damage to many different parts of your fine timepiece.
Q: What can I do to help ensure that my watch will last for a long time? A: There are three key points you should follow that will help to keep your watch looking pristine and working properly for years to come. 1.) Always make sure your watch is dry after it has been exposed to water. By taking a few minutes and thoroughly drying your watch with a lint-free cloth, you will prevent rust from forming. This is a key point in ensuring the long life of your watch. 2.) Protect the crystal of your watch. The crystal is the transparent part of the watch through which you tell time. As we discussed with water, a watch may have a scratch-resistant crystal, however no crystal is truly scratchproof. Therefore, it is not advisable that you toss your watch onto the dresser or into a drawer at the end of the day. It’s better for the watch to store or wrap it in a soft cloth before placing it down. The more care that you take with the watch, the less scratches you will end up with. Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately. Even a hairline crack can let dust or moisture into the mechanism, threatening its accuracy. If you place the watch in a drawer with other jewelry, this too may scratch the watch, as it might rub against the other pieces. Another suggestion would be to store the watch in its original case, since these cases are generally soft and made specifically for the watch. 3.) Have your watch serviced. Like any other piece of machinery, a watch must be cleaned, oiled, and serviced. Every couple of years, you may notice the watch losing time or running fast—or it may stop working altogether. Just take your watch to a local watch professional for servicing.
Q: My watch doesn’t fit well, what should I do? A: If you have ordered a watch with a metal bracelet, there is a good chance you will have to have one or more links removed to fit your wrist properly. This can only be done with the wearer present. That is why we ship all watches unsized. We suggest that you take your watch to a reputable local jeweler for sizing. Expect to pay a nominal fee for this service. Do not attempt to size your own watch! You may damage or scratch the watch and bracelet. The liability is yours; by our policy we will not accept a scratched, damaged, or sized watch for return with the exception of some models that feature a quick link removing ability (can be sized without the use of a tool). Leather, rubber, and cloth/canvas bands usually do not need to be sized as they generally feature a buckle style clasp.
Q: Where is the bezel located on my watch? A: The surface ring on a watch that surrounds and holds the crystal in place is called the bezel. A rotating ratchet bezel moves in some sport watches as part of the timing device. If rotating bezels are bi-directional (able to move clockwise or counter clockwise), they can assist in calculations for elapsed times. If the bezel is unidirectional it only moves in one direction.
Q: How will my watch fare against normal, everyday activities? / What type of watch should I wear during rigorous sports or activities? A: Most watches are sturdy enough to protect against normal everyday wear and tear, including light bumps. If you’re going to be engaging in intensive athletic activity, you may want a watch that is also shockproof. G-Shock by Casio makes an extensive line of shockproof watches, for example. We carry several different types and brands of shockproof watches. For more information on these types of watches please call us at 1-877-493-6847.
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