How do I wind a mechanical watch?

You wind a manual watch by gently rotating the crown clockwise between your thumb and forefinger until you feel resistance. Avoid overwinding, as this can damage the internal mainspring. Automatic watches wind themselves through the natural motion of your wrist during daily wear, though they can also be manually wound if they have run down completely.

Can I wear my vintage watch daily?

Many of these pieces were built for daily use and handle regular wear well, provided they have been recently serviced by a professional watchmaker. Regular maintenance ensures the lubricants inside the movement remain effective. Older timepieces generally lack modern water resistance, so you should remove them before swimming, bathing, or engaging in heavy manual labour.

What is a trench watch?

A trench watch is an early wristwatch adapted from pocket watch designs for military officers during the First World War. They feature distinctive wire lugs soldered to the case to accommodate leather straps. These pieces often display luminous painted dials and robust silver or base metal cases designed to withstand harsh field conditions.

How do I know the production decade?

You can often determine the production period by examining the serial numbers on the case back or movement against maker-specific databases. Design cues such as dial typography, hand shapes, and case geometry also provide clear indicators of the era. Stylistic shifts range from the wire lugs and enamel dials of the 1910s to the bold stainless steel forms and panda dials of the 1960s and 1970s.