Watches FAQ

Why buy a watch online?
Online retailers have a lower overhead than jewelry shops. It's a convenient way to order a gift for someone in another part of the country. Online shops often have lower prices because of their lower overhead. In some cases, they can be legitimate means for vendors from other countries to sell watches cheaper than mainland U.S. vendors.
Be aware that some online retailers really are illegitimate, however. One certain way to tell if a watch is legitimate is a serial number. If a company promises you a numbered watch, this is one indication that they are legitimate. For more information, see our Spotting Fake Watches page.

How do I open my watch case to replace the battery?
Watches are very delicate, and breaking open your watch case is potentially disastrous. A licensed jeweler has all the tools necessary and will likely charge you no more than a few dollars to open your case. Why take a chance on ruining your watch?

How long is the lifetime of my watch battery?
Watch batteries last anywhere from two to five years, usually, depending on the kind of watch, its size and the number of extra functions it has. Chronographs, Smart watches and Suunto brand watches are likely to use batteries much quicker.

What exactly does water resistant mean?
Some watches are merely marked "water resistant" with no indication of depth or high pressure. These must still meet the terms of NIHS 92-10 standard (corresponding to international standard, ISO 2281). These watches are still designed for everyday life but should never be used for deep sea diving, of course.
Most watches come with a guarantee to a measured water depth. This means the casing and seal have been tested at the pressure indicated, and usually for some length of time.

What is a unidirectional bezel?
This is actually a very handy device for timing events. The bezel is the outer ring of the watch case. If it has numbers or markers on it, this means it can be moved. Unidirectional bezels will lock so that they can not be accidentally jarred out of position. For diving this provides a perfect means for timing your dive. It is also useful in other sports.