Myths About Mechanical Watches
People who are just getting started with watch collecting or are getting fascinated by mechanical watches often come across certain myths about these watches. These myths need to be debunked in order to give you a clear picture of these timepieces. Let’s dive into some of the most common myths we have come across on the internet.
Requires Frequent Maintainance Making It Expensive To Own One
Anything that you want to last a lifetime will require some maintenance at a certain frequency. While it is true that mechanical watches require maintenance, it is only every 3-5 years. Depending on the watch you own, a watch service can cost you as low as AED 700. If you think of it, this is a very small price to pay every 3 years as this will ensure your watch runs smoothly and lasts for a lifetime potentially being a heirloom in your family.
All Mechanical Watches are Automatic
There are two types of mechanical watches available. While most of the popular models from the likes of Rolex and Patek Philippe are automatic or self-winding, there are some mechanical timepieces that need to be hand-wound. Some models from the brands like Panerai only offer manual winding. To simplify, automatic watches need to wound once and then they wind themselves while being on your wrist. However, manual watches need to be wound every time the power reserve dies.
Mechanical Watches Are Inaccurate
When compared to Quartz watches, yes mechanical watches are inaccurate. But not by a huge margin. The newer models are usually off by only +2/-2 seconds, which is something you will not even notice on a day-to-day basis. But if you have a mechanical watch that is noticeably losing time, it is time to service your watch. You can bring your watch to ChronoStreet and one of our experts can test the watch for its accuracy.
It’s an Expensive Hobby to Collect Mechanical Watches
This is clearly a myth because there are popular watches like the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 that can be purchased for as low as AED 2,800. If you look for a pre-owned one, you can even find one for less than AED 2,000 ($545). And if that seems expensive, there are many other inexpensive watches available from the house of Seiko and Orient. But once you do start collecting watches, the urge to buy more expensive Swiss watches will definitely pop up.
More Complications = Better Watch
It doesn’t necessarily mean that more complications make a watch better. If anything, more complications add on to the cost and the maintenance of the watch. So, choose carefully when picking up a watch. Pick up a complication that would align with your preference. For instance, if you are a frequent traveler, you can pick up a GMT watch.
