How do I wind a vintage watch?

Gently turn the crown clockwise between your thumb and forefinger until you feel firm resistance. Stop immediately to avoid damaging the mainspring. Most manual wind pieces require a daily routine, ideally at the same time each morning to maintain consistent tension.

Are these watches waterproof?

Vintage timepieces lack modern rubber gaskets and screw-down sealing technology. Exposure to moisture can easily damage the delicate internal steel components and paper dials. Keep these watches away from water, rain, and humidity unless a professional watchmaker has explicitly tested and certified the case seals.

What is a trench watch?

A trench watch represents the transitional phase between pocket watches and modern wristwatches, popularised during the First World War. They feature wire lugs soldered to the case to accommodate leather straps. Soldiers needed a reliable way to check time in the field without fumbling with pocket covers. Many include luminous dials and protective metal cages.

Can I replace the leather strap?

Leather straps endure wear and replacement as a standard part of watch maintenance. You can easily swap straps to match different outfits or restore a worn band. Ensure you match the correct lug width measured in millimeters to guarantee a secure fit between the watch case horns.