Watch Education Archives - Time+Tide Watches

13.01.25

What’s the deal with Must de Cartier? The story behind Cartier’s experiment with affordable watches

Hated by Cartier snobs and beloved by newcomers, the Must de Cartier line was a saving grace for the brand that's had a lasting impact.

Watch Education

05.01.25

The ultimate watch hand style guide

Wondering what the hands on your watch are called? Chances are, we'll have the answer here.

A distortion-free explanation of what Zaratsu polishing actually is, and its not-so-Japanese origins

Watch Education

03.01.25

39223

A distortion-free explanation of what Zaratsu polishing actually is, and its not-so-Japanese origins

Zaratsu polishing can achieve a distortion-free mirror finish on a watch case. But what is it exactly, and where did it come from?

World timers versus GMT watches – what’s the difference?

Watch Education

24.12.24

World timers versus GMT watches – what’s the difference?

They're the two most popular types of travel watches - but what actually makes them different?

What’s the story behind Rolex’s iconic “Mercedes” hands?

Watch Education

23.12.24

7208

What’s the story behind Rolex’s iconic “Mercedes” hands?

We take a look at some common theories behind the design of Rolex's signature hour hand.

All the ETA movements you should know about

Watch Education

17.12.24

All the ETA movements you should know about

Understanding ETA’s best-selling calibres will give you an insight into most Swiss watches, so here are the most important movements.

Watch Education

14.12.24

The traditional handcrafts of Bovet

Buffy delves into what makes Bovet so special today.

What is the Geneva Seal, and should you care about it?

Watch Education

05.12.24

What is the Geneva Seal, and should you care about it?

We delve into the famed certification of high-end watches, but also figure out whether the Geneva Seal actually matters.

Is that dial enamel, porcelain, ceramic, or all of the above?

Watch Education

01.12.24

Is that dial enamel, porcelain, ceramic, or all of the above?

Trying to tell the difference between a porcelain and enamel dial can be tricky, but there are a few key differences you need to know.

Where and how you sell your watch matters, and this is why

Watch Education

27.11.24

28414

Where and how you sell your watch matters, and this is why

Your watch is not always worth what you think. Depending on how you sell your watch, you might be surprised how much of the premium…

Why some metals are better than others: a reactivity guide

Watch Education

24.11.24

Why some metals are better than others: a reactivity guide

Understanding how your watch will age can be an important step in knowing how to look after it for years to come.

Watch Education

23.11.24

What is PVD? The definitive guide

PVD coating is taking over the industry and completely replacing old forms of plating, but do you actually know what it is?

Busting dive watch myths: a deep dive into deep (and shallow) diving

Watch Education

20.11.24

Busting dive watch myths: a deep dive into deep (and shallow) diving

There are tonnes of myths being perpetrated about dive watches - and it doesn’t help when brands contribute to the mythologising of dive watch trends.

How did tantalum become the next big material in watchmaking? The definitive guide

Watch Education

08.11.24

How did tantalum become the next big material in watchmaking? The definitive guide

Known for its grey-blue hue, tantalum has a cult following in watchmaking, but how much do you know about this tough metal?

Is that a real stone dial? A guide to natural, treated, and created stones

Watch Education

04.11.24

Is that a real stone dial? A guide to natural, treated, and created stones

Stone dials are slowly becoming a trend, but they are not always what they seem, with some man-made, some treated, and mislabelled.

Here comes the sun: how do solar watches actually work?

Watch Education

22.10.24

Here comes the sun: how do solar watches actually work?

Jamie explains how solar-powered watches work and their history, as well as answer some common questions about owning them.

Watch Education

20.10.24

What’s the difference between a microbrand and an independent brand?

It can get confusing and potentially offensive to give the wrong label to a brand, so how do you define these two categories?

Video

19.10.24

How to read a timegrapher

Find out exactly how your watch is performing without having to take it to a watchmaker with this simple machine.

What’s the frequency? A guide to high-beat watches

Watch Education

13.10.24

What’s the frequency? A guide to high-beat watches

High-frequency movements can be a great conversation starter, but do you know why they exist and what makes them tick?

Why you shouldn’t call it a NATO strap, apart from all the legal issues

Watch Education

07.10.24

Why you shouldn’t call it a NATO strap, apart from all the legal issues

Leaving debates about generic trademarks aside, there's a good reason why the term "NATO strap" is a bit misleading.

Get some new materials – a guide to the watch world’s latest innovations

Watch Education

06.10.24

Get some new materials – a guide to the watch world’s latest innovations

Brands are experimenting with what cases are made from - here are some of the new materials watch brands are trying out.

Diamonds are not the only precious stones used in watchmaking

Watch Education

22.09.24

Diamonds are not the only precious stones used in watchmaking

You've heard about diamonds, but what about stones like rubies and emeralds, or even tsavorites? Buffy delves into the precious topic.

6 questions to ask yourself before buying a watch

Watch Education

16.09.24

9225

6 questions to ask yourself before buying a watch

Even if you think you know everything, we would recommend asking yourself the following questions before you purchase a watch.

The dark art of resonance in watches, how it works, and why it’s so rare

Watch Education

14.09.24

The dark art of resonance in watches, how it works, and why it’s so rare

Why are resonance watches so special, and why have only a handful of watchmakers actually made one?

Time for the science – a guide to lab-grown diamonds

Watch Education

13.09.24

Time for the science – a guide to lab-grown diamonds

Why are lab-grown diamonds such a hot topic in watches right now, and why should you care about them? Let us explain.

A guide to 7 of the most common watch complications

Watch Education

11.09.24

A guide to 7 of the most common watch complications

Ever wondered what's the difference between a complete and an annual calendar or how an alarm watch works? Check out our complications guide.

Every part of a watch movement, from screw to pinion

Watch Education

09.09.24

Every part of a watch movement, from screw to pinion

Ever wondered how a watch actually works? Here's a guide to get you started, along with all the other parts of a basic movement.

Watch Education

24.08.24

All the parts of a watch, explained

We've put together this helpful guide to all the main elements of a watch, from cases to crowns and everything in-between.

What is Seiko Spring Drive? Is it quartz? Is it mechanical?

Watch Education

16.08.24

What is Seiko Spring Drive? Is it quartz? Is it mechanical?

Seiko engineer Yoshikazu Akahane dreamt up the revolutionary Spring Drive movement technology in the late 1970s. But what is it?

5 vintage watch terms you should know that might save you a lot of headache

Watch Education

09.08.24

5 vintage watch terms you should know that might save you a lot of headache

Evaluating vintage watches is a bit of a minefield. Time+Tide has your back with vintage watch terms you should know.

Top 5 hunting tips to help you score your next bargain

Watch Education

06.08.24

Top 5 hunting tips to help you score your next bargain

Time+Tide's resident bargain hunter shares their secrets on finding one for yourself.

Everything you need to know about the most common watch materials

Watch Education

04.08.24

6531

Everything you need to know about the most common watch materials

There's much more to watch materials than just steel and gold. Here, we break down some of the most common materials used in watchmaking.

The evolution of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece collection

Watch Education

27.07.24

The evolution of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece collection

We explore what makes the Masterpiece collection stand out from the rest of Maurice Lacroix back catalogue.

Watches that prove lug-to-lug is the most important measurement

Watch Education

22.07.24

70566

Watches that prove lug-to-lug is the most important measurement

What is lug-to-lug, and why does it matter? Zach explores the idea, and gives some examples.

The ultimate guide to Miyota’s history and most common movements

Watch Education

20.07.24

The ultimate guide to Miyota’s history and most common movements

The Japanese movement powerhouse is well-known for its use in microbrands - but there's much more to it.

How to care for your bronze watch, from forcing patina to citric acid baths

Watch Education

16.07.24

How to care for your bronze watch, from forcing patina to citric acid baths

Your 101 guide to keeping your bronze watch clean and shiny or green and grimey.

How to set a moonphase watch in three steps

Watch Education

14.07.24

How to set a moonphase watch in three steps

There can be a little nuance and math involved, but following these steps, you should be able to set your moonphase in no time.

How hard is your watch? Demystifying hardness across case materials and crystals

Watch Education

06.07.24

How hard is your watch? Demystifying hardness across case materials and crystals

Is steel harder than titanium? Can sapphire actually be scratched by your keys? Buffy finds out.

What’s the difference between a “caller” and “traveller” GMT watch, and which is right for you?

Watch Education

30.06.24

32393

What’s the difference between a “caller” and “traveller” GMT watch, and which is right for you?

We explain the difference between the two main types of GMT watches, as well as the use cases for each.

What is a skeletonised watch, and why you’ve likely been using the term wrong

Watch Education

24.06.24

What is a skeletonised watch, and why you’ve likely been using the term wrong

Borna explores where the art of skeletonisation came from, and what the word encapsulates today.

Watch Education

16.06.24

80341

How waterproof is your watch?

"How waterproof is my watch?" is a very common question that we get asked here at Time+Tide, so here, we break down what water resistance…

Watch Education

13.06.24

3

What’s a watch index good for?

There's plenty of watch indexes out there these days, but how useful are they really?

Watch Education

11.06.24

Everything you need to know about METAS

As far as chronometer certifications go, there’s no standard that is more misunderstood than the one set by METAS. We explain what it entails.

What do the different types of stainless steel actually mean for your watch?

Watch Education

08.06.24

What do the different types of stainless steel actually mean for your watch?

We cut through the marketing spin with a guide to the main grades or alloys of stainless steel used in modern watchmaking.

Watch Education

30.05.24

What is a chronometer?

We explain the difference between COSC, METAS, Superlative, and any other chronometer certification method.

Watch Education

26.05.24

How much do stone dials actually cost?

Buffy explores the 1970s trend that is back in full swing, and how far your money actually goes.

Watch Education

24.05.24

What is Gibeon meteorite?

Buffy explores the out-of-this-world origins of the Gibeon meteorite, and how watch manufacturers made the most of it.

How much does a lifetime of servicing actually cost?

Watch Education

23.05.24

How much does a lifetime of servicing actually cost?

A mechanical watch may be the sustainable option for the environment, but does the same apply when it comes to your wallet?

The Time+Tide guide to universal hallmarks

Watch Education

19.05.24

The Time+Tide guide to universal hallmarks

Metallurgy is one of those rare studies which still manages to feel like magic in the 21st century, even when we have all the science…

The curious case of the Rolex Chameleon and its many variants

Watch Education

11.05.24

The curious case of the Rolex Chameleon and its many variants

Buffy looks to the Swingin' Sixties to find out more about a Rolex cocktail watch that, just like a chameleon, easily changed colour.

Watch Education

08.05.24

You’re using the word “horology” wrong

A mistranslated misnomer, or proof of language evolving? Buffy talks horology, and what that really means.

Why are platinum watches more expensive than gold?

Watch Education

30.04.24

414

Why are platinum watches more expensive than gold?

Buffy finds out why the stealth-wealth silver glow of platinum adds so much to the price tag of a watch.

How watches can change in photos versus reality

Watch Education

30.03.24

4312

How watches can change in photos versus reality

Watches are often discovered through pictures shared on social media, but it is important to know how watches can change in photos versus reality.

Buyer beware! Vintage quartz and electric watches may be impossible to repair

Watch Education

24.03.24

3655

Buyer beware! Vintage quartz and electric watches may be impossible to repair

These days vintage quartz and electric waches can be found for a steal! But, buyer beware, they can be a costly pain in the neck…

Watch Education

12.03.24

13133

Everything you need to know about COSC

What is a chronometer, or what does it mean to be COSC-certified? Here are all the answers.

Are compass bezels on watches actually useful? Adam put his Seiko to the test!

Watch Education

10.03.24

8167

Are compass bezels on watches actually useful? Adam put his Seiko to the test!

Adam pursues his primal instincts of solar navigation with a compass bezel for education and entertainment.

Everything you need to know about gold watches

Watch Education

08.03.24

3572

Everything you need to know about gold watches

All that glitters is not gold, but after reading this, you may have an easier way to tell apart gold watches.

Watch Education

06.03.24

2986

How much are diamonds in watches worth?

Why are blinged-out pieces so much more expensive? Buffy delves into the details.

Watch Education

03.03.24

4710

How to look after your mechanical watch

Is your watch losing time, or are you experiencing wrist-cheese build-up? We may have a solution or two.

Watch Education

28.02.24

2367

How to make your own DIY timegrapher

On a tight budget, or don't feel like picking up a Weishi? With a few pieces of audio equipment, you won't need to!

Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on my watch?

Watch Education

25.02.24

3408

Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on my watch?

T+T's crash course on how to clean those grimy vintage pieces.

Which crystal is best for you? The difference between sapphire, acrylic, and mineral glass

Watch Education

24.02.24

2378

Which crystal is best for you? The difference between sapphire, acrylic, and mineral glass

What's a hesalite crystal? Is Hardlex better than sapphire? And what's mineral glass? Buffy answers it all.

Watch Education

24.02.24

1566

What is a cocktail watch?

The Collins Dictionary defines a cocktail watch as "a women's designer watch intended to be worn with formal evening dress as a piece of jewellery.”…