Friday, September 23, 2011

Proper Care Of Your Watch

By Rita Mcfarlane


The term "transient surge" refers to a sudden spike in electrical power that can surge through wiring and short circuit any electrical device connected to the electrical service panel. The most common source of transient surge is lighting. Lighting does not have to strike the home itself. A strike on a nearby transformer can spike the voltage throughout the neighborhood and destroy equipment in every home on the block. Because technology has so evolved that virtually every electronic device in today's home contains a printed circuit board like the type found in computers, professionally installed whole house surge suppression is the only reliable safeguard against catastrophic equipment failure. Whole house surge suppressors also safeguard against fluctuations of power in rural areas known as "dirty power." These fluctuations occur due to long distances between small communities and service providers, and they will wreck havoc on systems, kitchen appliances, stereos, and of course, computers. Many people are unaware of these hazards and rely on retail power strips alone to protect the most sensitive electrical equipment.

The first and most important safety measure is to keep the watch strapped firmly to the wrist. In the case of a new watch, it should be worn continually over a period of two weeks. By doing this the watch will be more securely fixed within the wearer's attention, prompting better care of its function and appearance.

It is important to understand that as homes have grown larger and more customized over the last 40 years that the wiring systems used to power them have also become more complex. Many homeowners are surprised when they learn that electrical panels themselves now contain printed circuit boards just like computers. If the voltage spike of a transient power surge reaches a panel, the power spike will short circuit the panel and send the surge to every electrical component and system connected to its network.

If any damage to the watch occurs it should be taken in for an immediate check-up. For routine battery changes it may be necessary to visit an authorized watch dealer. Barring any problems, the watch should be taken in for service approximately every four years. Because acute variations in temperature can adversely affect their functioning, watches should to be maintained in an environment of consistent temperature.

The strap should also be a concern for maintenance. Damaged or frayed straps should be replaced immediately, as this could lead to the strap failing and causing additional damage to the watch through a nasty fall. When it comes to the dial, it should be checked for cracks. While cracking is not very common, dials do crack even if they are not made of glass. It should go without saying that a cracked dial needs immediate repair.

Most modern watch owners are unfamiliar with the task of winding of a watch. Whether it is an automatic watch or a hand watch, the owner should first wind the crown, then set the hands, and finally set the date and any other features. Winding a watch it is a job meant to be done with slow and steady hands and requires some skill and patience. When setting the date, never wind the watch back beyond 12 midnight and a watch should never be wound backwards.




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