Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Watch Care Tips - Get More From Your Watch

Want to ensure that your watch lasts as long as possible? Then you are going to have to look after it properly. Watches like Casio watches, Rotary watches and L.E.D watches are precious items which require the correct care and attention if they are to last a long time, so make sure that you follow these simple tips and you will stand a better chance of being able to enjoy your watch for longer.

1. Store It Away Safely

You won't be wearing your watch all the time, and when it is not on your wrist then you should make sure that it is kept somewhere safe. This usually means somewhere secure like a box or a draw which is also dry because damp can cause serious problems in watches. Also be careful that you don't store any other hard objects alongside it like other items of jewellery as these can scratch the watch.

2. Get Regular Checks

One of the best things that you can do to keep Seksy watches, Kenneth Cole watches and other quality makes of watches in good condition is to take them to a watch specialist from time to time. A watch is very unique and special, and in order to keep it in optimum condition it makes sense to get it checked over by a specialist. They can fix anything that is not working and give it a good clean to make sure that you get as much life out of it as you can.

3. Don't Use It in the Wrong Places

Even a strong, well-made watch should be used with care. This means making sure that you do not use it whilst you are carrying out certain activities such as operating machinery at home or at work. You should also be careful when you are taking part in an activity like a sport or gardening because this is an easy way for watches such as Police watches and Armani Exchange watches to become damaged.

Conclusion

Get More Years Out of Your Watch

A good watch from a specialist manufacturer like Rotary watches, Ice watches and Citizen watches can last for many years. However, this will only be the case if you take proper care of it and treat it with the respect it deserves. So follow the tips in this article and make sure you get many more years out of your precious timepiece.

Martyn Bramley invites you to take some time out and think about treating yourself to a new watch!

Buying from Watch-Site is easy. We are official retailers for all of the brands listed on our site so you can be sure that each product is 100% genuine, competitively priced and comes with an approved manufacturers guarantee.

Visit our website today http://www.watch-site.co.uk/ or give us a call on 0191 2965111.


View the original article here

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Why Luxury Watches Make Such a Good Investment

The finer things in life are always sought after, fine wine, rare art, beautiful homes and most assuredly luxury watches. If you're considering whether or not to spend your money (often thousands of dollars) on a luxury watch as an investment, consider the following.

INVESTOR NOTE: Any investment should be made with money that you can afford to lose, never invest the rent or grocery money hoping for a big payday; invest with your head, not your emotions.

If you're a beginner collector, take the time to study the market, learning as much as you can and developing a discriminating eye. When you can learn to look at brand, see the quality (or lack of) study the mechanisms, escapements, dials, bands and bezels, you'll begin to have a true collector's eye.

Depending on your budget (and taste) many collectors advise buying a lesser number of more expensive and exclusive pieces, rather than a quantity of those of lesser value and aesthetics.

VALUE: Most watches (as fine automobiles) lose value once they you walk out the front door of the store. A collector (particularly one with an eye toward investing) will seek out models that retain (or rise) in value over time.

TIP: When you make the choice to put money into watches choose vintage or rare pieces.

Like the stock market, the world of watches can also be speculative and often volatile. Between 2004 - 2008 vintage watches soared and it seemed anyone could make a quick return. That bubble burst (most of them eventually do) and many high prices pieces dropped as much as 50% or more. It's all about timing (as most things financial are) and the world famous Christie's auction house reports the mood is looking up, with many wealthy clients putting their money into watches, rather than the market.

SUCCESS STORY: A 1942 Patek Phillipe sold for $2.77 million at auction, nearly doubling its purchase price.

Entering the Market

Any investment, whether the stock market, real estate or watches requires discretionary funds, however that doesn't mean only the wealthy can invest, there are lower prices opportunities for those with a keen eye.

PROVEN WINNERS:

· Pateks from the 1940s and 1950s (known for attention to detail and unusual design

· Limited edition Audemars Piguet, Breguet, A. Lange & Sohne, Vacheron Constantin

· Independents likes F.P. Journe, Greubel and Richard Mille

The End of Days

Riding on the coattails of fame, "The End of Days" from by Audemars Piguet, produced in conjunction with the movie "End of Days" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger retailed for approximately $14,000 in 1999; one was sold recently for $85,000

Presuming you do find a luxury of value, how long should you wait until you sell? While times and the market fluctuate, a good rule of thumb is 20 years. During that time you can (should you wish) wear your investment or keep it safe and secure in a safety deposit box.

When you buy a luxury watch, you are buying a thing of beauty, craftsmanship, and history. Certainly the piece will always have the intrinsic value of it gold, silver or jewels, but it the sum total of these elements, the watch itself that ticks through the sand of times that provides it true value. It is certainly a time piece but it is also a treasure that is timeless.

The Institute of Swiss Watchmaking has two watchmaking schools, one based in the USA and another based in Hong Kong that provide training courses for students wishing to become a Certified Swiss watchmaker or an encasing technician. If you are interested in fine timepieces, and wish to consider a career as a certified Swiss watchmaker, this is the preferred place, due to the approval of its courses as part of WOSTEP.

Read about what makes Cartier watch tick on one of the websites for which I contribute regularly.


View the original article here

Types of Watches for Helping You Look Your Best and Keep You on Time

Watches were developed to serve the diverse needs and purposes of the consumer market. There are lot of companies who produce time pieces that offer designs ranging from classic to modern styles. They can also range from signature brands, which are of higher quality but are more expensive than commercial brands.

Most of the watches that are produced nowadays can be both functional and fashionable at the same time. Watches are classified according to their different features. Here are some of the specifications that can guide you when choosing which type of watch will best suit your needs:

Watch Movement

Mechanical - These types of watches are dependent on the current temperature, position and magnetism. They use a balance wheel and spring to regulate the movement of the watch, similar to the mechanism of a pendulum clock. These kinds of movements are less accurate and expensive, therefore, this is rarely used nowadays.

Electronic - They are also known as the quartz movement which uses quartz replaceable batteries to run the watches. A more advanced technology called Swiss quartz, on the other hand, utilizes electronic current for the movement of the watch.

Automatic - These are the latest innovations for the watch movement which means they are driven by your body movement instead of a battery.

Caliber Composition

If you happen to choose an automatic watch, these kinds of movements are further classified into two: calibre automatic and standard automatic. The calibre reflects the accuracy of your watch, so the higher the calibre, the more precise (and more expensive) your watch will be.

Display

This is how you want your watch to display the time.

Analog Display

It has an Arabic numeral dial with two hands, one for the hour hand and one for the minutes. Most watches with quartz movement have an analog display.

Digital

Digital watches display the time in numbers instead of hands pointing to the dial like in an analog display watch. Digital displays were used in the pocket watches and later applied to wrist watches.

Functions and Uses

Certain watches are created to serve the specific requirements of an activity.

Scuba Diving Watches - these are for professional scuba divers who not only need a waterproof watch, but one that will also stand the pressure while diving in the ocean. Typically watches with more than 100 meter water resistance are the ones that are used for diving purposes.

Sport Watches - these are the watches that are usually shock proof, can withstand certain weather conditions like extreme humidity, and offer sport functions such as a stopwatch feature.

Classic/Casual - these watches may come with leather or metal straps entwined in the stainless frames. The metal straps can be silver or gold, which is more appropriate for corporate executives, while leather straps are more suitable for a casual kind of lifestyle/occasion.

These pointers can help you understand the capacity of the watch that you might want to get. Some factors such as the quality of the brand and prestige of the watch manufacturer should be taken into account when you know what type of watch will help you look your best and keep you on time.

Carson Burnett is a writer who specializes in jewelry. You can check out his website at Cartier mens watches, where he provides unbiased reviews and buying advice for a range of jewelry, including Cartier Pasha mens watch and much more.


View the original article here

Why Use Online Pawnbrokers?

Pawnbrokers are one of the world's oldest businesses. Traditionally found on High Streets up and down the country, they have kept up with modern technology by moving their services online for easy access to more customers than ever before. In this article we look at online pawnbrokers and why you might choose to buy, sell, or loan from them.

Pawnbrokers and pawn shops offer loans using their customer's items if property as collateral. They will usually offer around 40-60% of the item's used value for a specified amount of time. Before this time period has lapsed the customer can return to pay back the money and reclaim their item. If the customer does not pay the pawnbroker within this period the collateral becomes the property of the pawnbroker who will most likely sell it through their shop. The period of time the property is to be pawned for is agreed between the pawnbroker and customer at the start of the agreement, and in many cases can be reviewed and extended with enough notice. Terms and conditions vary depending on the pawnbroker you use.

Modern technology and the internet has allowed pawnshops access to a far greater audience than ever before, and in these hard times business is booming. Whether you're looking for a pay day loan, second hand engagement ring, or just trying to get cash quick, an online pawnbroker may well be the solution for you. Almost any item with a value can be pawned, often gold or jewellery is pawned, or other items of value such as games consoles, collectibles, and computers.

If you are looking for a money loan until pay day, online pawnbrokers can be a quick and convenient way to get cash quickly for a short term loan. (It's worth bearing in mind that pawning and loans from pawn shops are meant to be short term fixes.) Interest rates online may be lower, and you can quickly and easily compare online pawnshops via a number of comparison tools and sites. Research the company you think you may use, checking previous customer feedback and prices to make sure you'll be receiving the best level of service as well as a great price. Money is usually released very quickly from online pawnbrokers, and will offer the cash to more customers than most banks.

If you are looking to pawn an item, be sure to compare pawn shops online. Most will ask you to fill out a form giving as much information as possible on the item you wish to pawn, as well as photographs. The pawnbroker will make you an offer, and if you choose to accept most will send you freepost packaging to send your collateral off in, or send an insured courier to collect it. You should be under no obligation to accept the offer at this point. Many customers feel slightly nervous about posting their property off and prefer to use pawnbrokers that have a shop as well as providing an online service. This way they know the online pawn site is not a scam. Checking a number of online pawnshops and reading their reviews will also help allay fears and avoid scams.

If you are looking to buy from an online pawn broker you will find an abundance of online shops competing for your business. Second hand engagement rings and diamond rings are an especially popular purchase, along with used sovereigns, and other items of second hand jewellery. As pawnbrokers generally accept any item of property which holds a value these shops can hold an array of weird and wonderful purchases that you may not find elsewhere. Items are generally priced to sell quickly and you may find some items being auctioned off at bargain prices.

Whether you are looking for a short term loan, or to buy or sell through an online pawnbroker, be sure to check the reputation of the site you intend to use, and compare it against at least two others to make sure you're getting a competitive rate and good level of service.

Philip Loughran writes on a number of subjects from travel to law, automotive to education. For second hand diamond rings he recommends Pawnbroker.


View the original article here