Can you wear them every day?

You can, but they need treating with care. These early wristwatches have no shock protection or water resistance. Rain and sudden knocks cause damage easily. Keep them for dry days and office wear. You need to remember they sit on the wrist differently to modern sports watches.

I inherited a small geometric watch from my great aunt but the strap is broken, can modern watchmakers fit new straps to these old wire lugs?

Yes, getting a new strap fitted is straightforward. Many specialists make open-ended straps specifically for fixed wire lugs. These fold over the bar and glue or clip into place. Silk cord bands are also widely available if it is a smaller ladies model. Any competent watchmaker will stock the correct sizes.

Are the diamonds real?

Usually, yes. Precious metal cases generally feature genuine stones. You will often see eight-cut diamonds on ladies models from the period. Base metal or silver items might use paste instead. A jeweller can test them quickly.

Why do the numbers on the dial look a bit wonky and faded in the corners when the case seems to be made of solid gold?

Dials degrade faster than gold cases because they react to moisture and sunlight. The paint fades, and the clear protective lacquer slowly turns yellow or brown over the decades. It is normal for the edges to look worse where moisture has seeped past the glass. Many collectors prefer this original patination over a dial that has been scrubbed bright and repainted.

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Antique Art Deco Watches

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Emerging in the 1920s with bold geometric cases and stylised dials, antique Art Deco watches shifted timekeeping from the pocket to the wrist for daily wear.