Even they will actually use terms like “designer watches” when discussing the most esoteric of hobbyist topics, yet few if any would consider it a meaningful pair of words. Does an allegedly famous designer’s endorsement make it a designer watch? The questions are almost endless. After all, most so-called designer watches don’t even bear any real direct input from the alleged designer, save for a quick approval for a batch of designs to be released under his or her name. That’s all. It’s often some anonymous art school graduate that thought up of the look and feel. Is this true of all brands like Burberry Watches, DKNY or LaCoste and all their makes? Not likely. But designer watches do often refer to a category of timepieces that are mainly meant for show. They are fully functional, to be sure, and some even have real instruments like compasses and bezels built right in, but all are really meant to be fashion accessories – jewelry – than real practical tools.
The highest quality watches, from Rolexes to Bvlgaris, will likely be treasured for a generation or more. Even the highest quality watches, however, require regular servicing, which may mean a simple battery change or something more extensive, such as changing the rubber gaskets on a waterproof watch. How should a fancy watch owner go about finding a good service center, and what sort of servicing might be required? When should expensive watches be sent in for repairs? First and foremost, check your owner’s manual for the watch manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule. Mechanical watches typically need to be serviced more often, meaning once every couple of years. Otherwise, they may lose their accuracy or water-resistance.
Horologists are watch collectors and fanatics. For them, a watch is more than a useful tool. For horologists, watches are intellectual achievements to be prized, carefully considered as connoisseurs do their cigars or fine wines. A true watch represents imaginative majesty, translated into the grammar of springs and gears. True timepieces are bold statements, pronouncing not just the time and date but, ultimately, the refined character of the wearer.