I see a Teddy B video, I click it. As a guy who started collecting watches a little over a year ago, I learn a lot by listening to him! Thank you, Teddy.
A mechanic trick I learned a long time ago to prevent cross threading, is apply slight pressure on the crown before screwing down, and turn it counter-clockwise until it drops into the threads, and then turn forward. This way its always set into the threads before screwing down, and not forcing its way into the threads.
@@lefterismic3978 it should. It’s the basic structure of screws. There’s always a lead thread for the starting point. With bigger thread things, the screw will naturally catch when it makes it to that point in the threading. But with very fine screws like screw down crowns, it can be beneficial to go backwards first so you’re not forcing the screw until it’s set in the starter thread
@@fiskrens92 Thanks for the confirmation. So then my understanding is that the same method we should apply to divers quartz watches (battery, solar). Is this right?
The best watch youtuber in my humble opinion. No matter how big Teddy is getting (well deserved too), he always remains humble and gives a 100$ watch the same respect and thorough review and opinion as a 10,000$ watch. Stay as you are Teddy! Wishing you all the success in the world.
Agree 100% with shorter bracelet at 6 - took me years to realise this! My tip with a screw-down crown to avoids cross-threading - push and wind anti-clockwise until it clicks, then maintaining the pressure wind clockwise to screw down. To set the date - pull crown fully and move hands to 6 o'clock, push crown and set day/date to one day BEFORE today, pull crown fully and advance to correct time paying attention to when the day/date snaps over. This way you won't break the date part of the movement and you will set am/pm correctly.
@@LouisStravinskygeometry of the shingle fold over - hinge on the 12 o’clock side but you want the “wing span” of the clasp fold centered and flat on your flexor tendons of the wrist
@LouisStravinsky it depends on the person, and the bracelet itself. I have mine even on both sides, and the fit is perfect. You know not everyone has the same size wrist. Let's say you and I have a roughly the same size wrist. I remove 4 links, 2 each side. Perfect fit no problems. Your wrist is a few mm wider. You also need to remove 4 links but you go 3 and 1. For a perfect fit, because it just fits better than going 2 and 2. Usually the outside of the forearm is thicker and more muscular than the inside of the forearm. The outside of the forarm is where all the muscles are, the inside of the forearm is just bone. So lets you have just a tiny bit more muscle than me, you need to set up the bracelet to compensate for that. Be ause we both require the same amount of links, but you need to adjust it for the clasp. Why does it matter, because the clasp being uncentered, can feel very awkward. Think about how the watch itself feels, when you have it positioned wrong and it interferes with wrist mobility. It's the same thing with the position of the clasp, although to a much lesser extent.
4 biggest mistakes: #1 Buying a watch to impress anyone else. #2 Changing straps or even removing your watch from the wrist while standing over a hard surface. #3 Changing the date between 9 - 3. #4 Buying a homage watch to scratch the itch for what you actually want.
I agree with number 4 when it comes to some watches but not as much as the others because I’m never buying a Patek or AP in this lifetime seeing the prices they go for.
@@odedroesler If it makes you feel any better I remember seeing an Adrian Barker video where he destroyed his Rolex by dropping it on a rock while attempting to change straps.
#4 would much rather have a brand new Hamilton PSR rather than a vintage Pulsar P2, with 50 year old electronics in it, and then the sort of the nice minty condition one you want, it'll never be anything other than a watch case queen, a trophy, that you never want to wear for fear of scratching or damaging the crystal. Or I can slap a brand new PSR on my wrist that's beautiful and pristine and just enjoy it and it'll cost me less as well. So while 4 has merit it certainly not an absolute. Edit: unless you were speaking of so called "rep" watches. There's about half a dozen good reasons I would never buy or want to wear a knockoff watch over something legit and genuine in that same price range.
@5:17 i use a hair dryer to warm up the loctite on the bracelet screws. I just lay the hair dryer down on its side and point it at the spot on the bracelet with the screws. About 6 to 10 inches away from the hair dryer. When the bracelet is warm, not scalding hot, just warm, the loctite will loosen up easily.
got my 39mm with the white dial on the 3-link "Bader" bracelet watch on MAMACOO 3 weeks ago and am loving it to pieces. Absolute fantastic watch that wears super comfortable on my 6.75 inch wrist. Chose the 3-link over the 5-link bracelet for the toolless quick adjustment. Way more comfortable than my Longines Hydroconquest 41 mm.
The screwdown crown thing, I remember learning about screwing in screws, you have to go counter-clockwise first, once you feel a tactile bump, then you can go clockwise and screw-in. Doing this makes the screw follow the threading straight down, unlike with traditional screw in, that you'll have to feel it go in, and if some of the sides bite before the others do, this may definitely cause the threads to wear.
To avoid crossthreading a screw down crown, before turning the crown clockwise to tighten it, turn it slightly counterclockwise. This will help to properly seat the crown in the threading before screwing it in. Also, if you do mess up the threading, the fix, replacing the crown tube, generally is a relatively easy fix for a watchmaker and usually not expensive (certainly compared to the cost of the watch), so don't put it off.
Not if your spouse bought you your first really expensive watch totally out of the blue. (She did. And I’m still in shock.) Money I only ever dreamed about spending on a watch in the first place. And I love it to death.
I literally just Sunday took my Explorer I back to the AD and switched it to 4 links on the 6-side and 6 links on the 12-side. I wondered how popular this was or if I was doing something weird. Feels WAAAAAY better though, I absolutely love the way it wears now, so this is an extremely timely video for me. Thanks! Great advice.
I’ve only made two mistakes on the list thanks to listening to other collectors/enthusiasts which is the clasp not being centered. It doesn’t really bother me but at least now I know why they pull the links from the 6 position. I’ve definitely overwound a watch before but I’ve just been lucky that they are automatic and have that fail safe. Haven’t bought a mechanical watch yet because the stigma and I don’t think I would wear the watch as much as automatic. I’m so happy to hear Doxa is available on your site. I’ve wanted one for a while because of if I get a dive watch I want it to have that history. Too bad I can’t find a place to try one on around here.
Great video Teddy as always. As a 19cm wrist-er, I can attest to your clasp position observation. I just wanted to add that I came to find out that the larger the wrist is, the harder it gets to have the clasp centered. Thank you for sharing.
Great video Teddy. I wouldn't say I'm a watch collector. And though they're not very expensive, I do appreciate the ones I have. This is all great information.
Ive worn a domed sapphire watch on the tools in trenches at work for about a year and a half and it's still scratchless and hasn't shattered, what are you all doing with your watches?
I've seen no one else mention the need for a centred clasp and buckle under the wrist. People here in Australia think I'm crazy but it's an absolute deal breaker. I've gotten rid of expensive straps and watches, solely for this reason. At times I've bought 3rd party half links to fix this and specified exacting measurements to bespoke strap makers. Totally worth it.
Thank you for the advice on asymmetric link adjustment for a bracelet watch. I moved a link on one of my watches from one side of the clasp to the other and now the watch fits better. You are right about screw down crowns. You will never cross-thread or over-tighten a Panerai! And you won't forget to screw-down the crown on a Panerai before going into the water.
Interesting video. Regarding point one, just by trial and error I arrived at the same conclusion... I removed more links from the "6" end which really makes the bracelet lay nicely on my elliptical wrist. In the beginning, I used symmetry in my link removal, but the folding hinge jutted out under the bracelet. Your suggestion rang true for me based on my experience.
I’ll add two extremely important pieces of advise. 9. Insure your watch. The Valuables policy I have is inexpensive and covers loss or damage with no deductible. 10. Update your appraisal for your watch and then update your policy. I had a Panerai PAM24. I would wear it when we went on a beach vacation. Was in Hawaii out in the surf and a big wave literally ripped the watch off my wrist. I had bought the watch new for around $4k, and that what I insured it for. The price for a new one had gone up to around $6k. So, my insurance company cut me a check for $4k. If I had kept my appraisal up to date I would have gotten a new watch. That prompted me to update the coverage on my 25 yo Rolex sub 16610 that I had bought new while I was in the military for about $2k (at the time you could get a great deal on Rolex through the BX). I got the Sub reappraised for $10k. Now I’m covered!
Oh great.. just when I had forgotten about going to the BX and getting a Glycine GMT,as a loadmaster, instead of getting the Rolex... I'll never forgive myself. Then, again, just a little difference in price between the two. 😆
Always putting the watch hands at 6 seems like the best thing to do when adjusting dates. Doesnt matter if it is am or pm, it wouldnt fall into the date change window. Although...my Frederique Constant manual says i need to place my watch at 10.10AM first..
Your first tip makes so much sense. When I wear a NATO strap, I have the strap shorter at the 6 o'clock side in order to keep the strap buckle in the centre of my wrist.
Clasp position! I often send a watch back at resize and end up with 2 extra links on one side as well. For Seikos, 2 links extra from the 12 o'clock side (opposite other watches)
The final words come to sumarize the whole idea: we love what we do. It takes way to much honesty and knowledge to come with this content. For a true watch collector this might be your best video so far Teddy. Thanks
Having the 6 o'clock side of the bracelet shorter is a game changer. Especially for Seiko Prospex bracelets. Many complain about the divers extension being uncomfortable. That is because it doesn't lay flat with the rest of the bracelet, it starts to curve around the wrist. Get it in the right position and the Seiko brackets are very comfortable.
My watch was purchased 2 years ago from MAMACOO and, to this day, it still looks and runs as well as it did the day it arrived. That movement has never missed a beat despite never having been serviced. I can't complain about that.
The first reason I just figured out recently when sizing out my own watches with an watch sizing kit. I wore my tissot PRX 35mm with the clasp not centered and went back to move a link from the 6 o’clock side to the opposite and the clasp centered, making the wearing experience much better. Transferred this knowledge to whenever I’m adjusting my other watches
MAMACOO is one of my favorite watch manufacturers they do offer beautifull dials, good workmanship & moovements.That smooth sweeping second hand is truly mesmerizing！
Teddy, you are sooooo correct on centering the clasp on the back of your wrist. To this day, I still prefer a leather or silicone buckle strap because in my early days, I mis-fit the bracelet. A very informative basic vlog of truisms.
It took me until about my 3rd or 4th watch until I made the realization that less links at the 6 o’clock side causes for a better fit. Definitely top tier advice
Bingo! My bracelet "offset" is also most often two links shorter on the 6 side for my 7 5" wrist. On a strap, I may swap the buckle end from 12 (as commonly sold) to 6 to get that same balance, a standard form on some Seikos. It can make a huge difference in seeing the full dial with an easy wrist roll.
My favorite 2024 is the Prospex Limited Edition 1965 Recreation European Exclusive in Gradation Island Blue. The dial is stunning and the contrast when on a white strap is to die for. I will get my hands on one from MAMACOO
Sapphire Crystals - if you do any welding, take your watch off. Weld spatter will melt / fuse to a sapphire crystal. First hand experience here. Screw down crowns - Add a small amount of silicone gel (nothing petroleum based) to the threads. This will lubricate the threads and the gasket and improve the sealing of the crown.
I've recently began my obsession as a watch collector. And i must say- out of all the luxury brands I've been researching, for me the MAMACOO's watches are the most intriguing.
😢 Great video Teddy as always, one of my mistakes was over tighten my vintage"Rolex Date just" crown. As you warned stripped the threads which had i had to send out for repairs. $700 was the what the lesson learned cost me...i got off cheap🎉
What's interesting is that many vintage watches had date complications, but nobody ever mentioned when not to change the date back in the day. I started wearing a mechanical watch as a little kid in first grade. My father was very mechanically inclined, but he wasn't aware of this issue, so he never mentioned it to me. I didn't learn this until relatively recently.
I absolutely agree on point 1 but it is hard to escape the OCD feeling that the clasp should be centered on the band rather than the underside of the wrist 🤔
This is a timely upload. I adjusted my own bracelet on my citizen garrison and it went well. Admittedly my method with a small screwdriver (flat bit) and rubber mallet I would not feel comfortable with on a $100+ bracelet . Thanks Teddy
1:17 I’ve always had my bracelets sized to get the clasps centered on the underside of my wrist even though the number of links are not equally distributed. Most people try for symmetry at the cost of comfort and that’s a big no.
As to watertightness, keep in mind that a watch's WR rating is determined when it is in pristine condition. Tiny particles of grit and temperature fluctuations encountered in normal use can impair the integrity of the gaskets. If your watch regularly is immersed in water, its water resistance routinely should be checked, which can be done quickly by a watchmaker for a nominal charge.
The clasp in the middle is not always the best option imo. In the case of butterfly clasps: yes. But in many other cases, such as Seiko, the folding parts of the clasp are sticking out on one side of the closing mechanism. So if you get the closing mechanism visually in the middle of the bracelet, the clasp itself is probably not. All of this kind of clasps that I have are therefor one link shorter towards the 6 o'clock side of the watch.
This is such an educational video especially for someone who is just getting into the world of mechanical or automatic watches. May I also add that exposure to extreme temperatures (may thicken or thinness lubricants) can lead to malfunctions. Ignoring power reserves as prolonged periods without being wound, a watch’s oil may thicken unevenly. Last, storing in non-ideal conditions. Humid or dusty environments can lead to moisture ingress of debris inside the case. As always, love your contents and your shop, Teddy! Cheers! 👌🏼
Your channel has been very useful and entertaining for my watch collecting journey. I have a wrist size identical to yours and I always check your wrist shots on watches I'm interested in.
Thank you so much for posting this video! Excellent in every sense, as usual. One thing though: Omega starting from 300m to 600m and more, have the technology to use the pushers of the chronograph underwater. I have tried and it works just fine. The only thing is that they don't tell you until what depth you can do that. So if it is at snorkeling depth is ok but no-one can tell you if you go deeper until which depth you can do that. And with the new parachrome, cerachrome and so on materials for the hairspring watches are nowadays much less subject to malfunction when exposed to a magnetic field, but all in all I agree with you 100% why take a chance? Bravo! Please keep informing us on these beautiful details
I’ve used a variety of automatic watches around my laptop, ipad, and iphone, so far without incurring problems due to magnets, with watches that don’t have exceptional protection against magnetism. Is the drive for greater magnetic protection perhaps a bit overdone?
Before screwing a crown down I like to give it a quarter or so turn left until you feel the threads perfectly line up thats an old trick how not to cross thread bolts while working on various machinery and motors but applies for watches as well.
Magnets and watches. How does GS Spring Drive do it? Doesn't the regulation of the movement apply "brakes" to control the rate of the movement which is magnetic? That doesn't magnetize the movement being well within the movement?
The clasp position after sizing is an issue for me too. I want it centered too. Anti-magnetism 1,000 gauss and above is must for my daily work watch wear, due to my working on electronics
Bought a Breitling... after 6 months, started losing minutes a day. Took it to the retailer who would send it in. They suggested they demagnetize the watch and avoid the current 12-18 month service wait.... well, long story short, watch was magnetized... works fine now
I only have two automatic watches (and a G Shock), but I just got myself a watch winder - takes away any scheduling of wrist time considering the respective (and quite different) power reserves or winding hand (instead of assigning the necessary wrist time) and eliminates most of the need to reset time (except for the occasional adjustment) and date corrections (except for months with less than 31 days, obviously)
Thank you TEDDY for all our good advices . On my side, it is a nightmare when i have to set the triple calendar . There is a lot of dealers in France, they are not the official dealer and they are not able to adjust your watche properly .
13:13 Absolutely a best practice. Then I advance the hands to 6am ish before quick-setting the date. Sometimes storing watches with dual language day wheels, I’ll advance and leave it to display a non-native language day so I know that’s AM and in the middle of day change for when I pick it up next.
Can definitely agree with the clasp position, especially as someone with rather skinny wrists there are more than a couple of clasps where there aren't enough links to remove to position them correctly 🥲
These can sound so simple, but I’m a bench jeweler, watch retailer, and independent jewelry store owner, and just last week I noticed that the crown on my Tudor north flag was somehow half or more unscrewed. I tell customers to keep an eye on theirs all the time, and didn’t keep mine screwed down
Normally people wear 1-2 watches but aliens like us have tens of mechanical watches. So it’s impossible to keep all springs alive. Thus, we have to adjust date & time much more frequently than ordinary people. As a conclusion I suggest to spend your money for one top model that your budget allows and try to change straps to have different styles. This will ensure that top item in your collection will be always live and you don’t care to damage other models that much. Congrats Teddy it’s really difficult to keep sincerity on social media 👏👏👏 We feel that you are among us rgds
I smacked the sapphire on my Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer into the strike plate for a bathroom door and put a lovely scratch in the AR coating from about 6:05 to 1:30. It’s only visible from the angle at which my wrists sit when I am typing. That’s about 75% of my day to day. Since I used the watch as a navigation tool on my first checkride I won’t ever get rid of it, but it drives me insane so I almost only wear it when I fly.
#1 mistake, by far, is is to start collecting watches. All other mistakes come from it.
The biggest mistake is going too quickly. You'll end up with a box full of cheaper seikos you never wear. Ask me how I know.
@@Somedude75566 which models did you buy?
@alexflores4458 got a turtle, an skx, a samurai, and a presage. I only occasionally wear the skx.
@@Somedude75566That sounds good though 😅
That brilliant....😅
I see a Teddy B video, I click it.
As a guy who started collecting watches a little over a year ago, I learn a lot by listening to him!
Thank you, Teddy.
Amen!
good little robot
The bracelet adjustment at 6 oclock is spot on!
Totally agree but one would assume that the watch seller/fitter would take this into consideration because of their experience......BUT THEY DON'T!!!!
@@ajhl1a lot of people buying online
Im using 3 fewer links on 6 side, because i always hated how watches tends to turn around your wrist to 12 side. This trick really helped me.
I had thinkered with every bracelet I own because of this, jewlers in general doesnt' seem to care.
I like the hing of the folding clasp away from the side of my wrist. So slightly to the 6 is better for me.
A mechanic trick I learned a long time ago to prevent cross threading, is apply slight pressure on the crown before screwing down, and turn it counter-clockwise until it drops into the threads, and then turn forward. This way its always set into the threads before screwing down, and not forcing its way into the threads.
Does this apply to all brands?
@@lefterismic3978 it should. It’s the basic structure of screws. There’s always a lead thread for the starting point. With bigger thread things, the screw will naturally catch when it makes it to that point in the threading. But with very fine screws like screw down crowns, it can be beneficial to go backwards first so you’re not forcing the screw until it’s set in the starter thread
@@lefterismic3978 This applies to any and all threads👍
@@lespaulfav187 Thanks for the reply 😀
@@fiskrens92 Thanks for the confirmation. So then my understanding is that the same method we should apply to divers quartz watches (battery, solar). Is this right?
The best watch youtuber in my humble opinion.
No matter how big Teddy is getting (well deserved too), he always remains humble and gives a 100$ watch the same respect and thorough review and opinion as a 10,000$ watch.
Stay as you are Teddy! Wishing you all the success in the world.
He's a salesman what do you expect but if you want to continue being naive. Go right ahead
@@lonewolfemcquade8133I have had run ins with dreadful salesmen with no respect for the customer. I'm sure Teddy would not be one of them.
@@lonewolfemcquade8133 Haha, I bet you’re fun at parties.
@@lonewolfemcquade8133agreed, every video has a sponsor or he talks about a brand lol
@@lonewolfemcquade8133 then why are you here?
Agree 100% with shorter bracelet at 6 - took me years to realise this!
My tip with a screw-down crown to avoids cross-threading - push and wind anti-clockwise until it clicks, then maintaining the pressure wind clockwise to screw down.
To set the date - pull crown fully and move hands to 6 o'clock, push crown and set day/date to one day BEFORE today, pull crown fully and advance to correct time paying attention to when the day/date snaps over. This way you won't break the date part of the movement and you will set am/pm correctly.
Why does shorter at 6 make a difference in comfort? Is it a rule to follow with every bracelet? Only removing links from the 6 o'clock?
@@LouisStravinskygeometry of the shingle fold over - hinge on the 12 o’clock side but you want the “wing span” of the clasp fold centered and flat on your flexor tendons of the wrist
@LouisStravinsky it depends on the person, and the bracelet itself. I have mine even on both sides, and the fit is perfect. You know not everyone has the same size wrist. Let's say you and I have a roughly the same size wrist. I remove 4 links, 2 each side. Perfect fit no problems. Your wrist is a few mm wider. You also need to remove 4 links but you go 3 and 1. For a perfect fit, because it just fits better than going 2 and 2. Usually the outside of the forearm is thicker and more muscular than the inside of the forearm. The outside of the forarm is where all the muscles are, the inside of the forearm is just bone. So lets you have just a tiny bit more muscle than me, you need to set up the bracelet to compensate for that. Be ause we both require the same amount of links, but you need to adjust it for the clasp. Why does it matter, because the clasp being uncentered, can feel very awkward. Think about how the watch itself feels, when you have it positioned wrong and it interferes with wrist mobility. It's the same thing with the position of the clasp, although to a much lesser extent.
4 biggest mistakes: #1 Buying a watch to impress anyone else. #2 Changing straps or even removing your watch from the wrist while standing over a hard surface. #3 Changing the date between 9 - 3. #4 Buying a homage watch to scratch the itch for what you actually want.
Im feeling #2 right now
I agree with number 4 lol
I agree with number 4 when it comes to some watches but not as much as the others because I’m never buying a Patek or AP in this lifetime seeing the prices they go for.
@@odedroesler If it makes you feel any better I remember seeing an Adrian Barker video where he destroyed his Rolex by dropping it on a rock while attempting to change straps.
#4 would much rather have a brand new Hamilton PSR rather than a vintage Pulsar P2, with 50 year old electronics in it, and then the sort of the nice minty condition one you want, it'll never be anything other than a watch case queen, a trophy, that you never want to wear for fear of scratching or damaging the crystal. Or I can slap a brand new PSR on my wrist that's beautiful and pristine and just enjoy it and it'll cost me less as well. So while 4 has merit it certainly not an absolute. Edit: unless you were speaking of so called "rep" watches. There's about half a dozen good reasons I would never buy or want to wear a knockoff watch over something legit and genuine in that same price range.
@5:17 i use a hair dryer to warm up the loctite on the bracelet screws. I just lay the hair dryer down on its side and point it at the spot on the bracelet with the screws. About 6 to 10 inches away from the hair dryer. When the bracelet is warm, not scalding hot, just warm, the loctite will loosen up easily.
got my 39mm with the white dial on the 3-link "Bader" bracelet watch on MAMACOO 3 weeks ago and am loving it to pieces. Absolute fantastic watch that wears super comfortable on my 6.75 inch wrist. Chose the 3-link over the 5-link bracelet for the toolless quick adjustment. Way more comfortable than my Longines Hydroconquest 41 mm.
Fantastic review of basic do’s and don’t s. This should be a primer for all watch collectors, newbies through old hats.
The screwdown crown thing, I remember learning about screwing in screws, you have to go counter-clockwise first, once you feel a tactile bump, then you can go clockwise and screw-in. Doing this makes the screw follow the threading straight down, unlike with traditional screw in, that you'll have to feel it go in, and if some of the sides bite before the others do, this may definitely cause the threads to wear.
To avoid crossthreading a screw down crown, before turning the crown clockwise to tighten it, turn it slightly counterclockwise. This will help to properly seat the crown in the threading before screwing it in. Also, if you do mess up the threading, the fix, replacing the crown tube, generally is a relatively easy fix for a watchmaker and usually not expensive (certainly compared to the cost of the watch), so don't put it off.
Worst mistake: telling your spouse how much it actually cost.
Not if your spouse bought you your first really expensive watch totally out of the blue. (She did. And I’m still in shock.)
Money I only ever dreamed about spending on a watch in the first place.
And I love it to death.
Worst mistake: Getting caught by your spouse lying about how much it actually cost?
@@ButterfatFarmsworst worst mistake is lying about how much your collection costs and then dying and she sells it for what you told her spent.
@@benhenderson9190 ha!
My wife actually bought half of the watches in my collection including my first Rolex and an Omega Speedmaster last week for our anniversary.
I literally just Sunday took my Explorer I back to the AD and switched it to 4 links on the 6-side and 6 links on the 12-side. I wondered how popular this was or if I was doing something weird. Feels WAAAAAY better though, I absolutely love the way it wears now, so this is an extremely timely video for me. Thanks! Great advice.
Mistake no. 1
Getting into the hobby in the first place :')
I’ve only made two mistakes on the list thanks to listening to other collectors/enthusiasts which is the clasp not being centered. It doesn’t really bother me but at least now I know why they pull the links from the 6 position. I’ve definitely overwound a watch before but I’ve just been lucky that they are automatic and have that fail safe. Haven’t bought a mechanical watch yet because the stigma and I don’t think I would wear the watch as much as automatic. I’m so happy to hear Doxa is available on your site. I’ve wanted one for a while because of if I get a dive watch I want it to have that history. Too bad I can’t find a place to try one on around here.
Great video Teddy as always. As a 19cm wrist-er, I can attest to your clasp position observation. I just wanted to add that I came to find out that the larger the wrist is, the harder it gets to have the clasp centered. Thank you for sharing.
Great video Teddy. I wouldn't say I'm a watch collector. And though they're not very expensive, I do appreciate the ones I have. This is all great information.
That sapphire crystal critique is spot on.
There's ways to fix scratches, but shattering requires a replacement.
Ive worn a domed sapphire watch on the tools in trenches at work for about a year and a half and it's still scratchless and hasn't shattered, what are you all doing with your watches?
I've seen no one else mention the need for a centred clasp and buckle under the wrist. People here in Australia think I'm crazy but it's an absolute deal breaker. I've gotten rid of expensive straps and watches, solely for this reason. At times I've bought 3rd party half links to fix this and specified exacting measurements to bespoke strap makers. Totally worth it.
Great advise! I always tell people to change the date with “hands down”. Easy way to remember it!
Totally agree with the clasp being off centered. Discomfort and visually displeasing.
Thank you for the advice on asymmetric link adjustment for a bracelet watch. I moved a link on one of my watches from one side of the clasp to the other and now the watch fits better.
You are right about screw down crowns. You will never cross-thread or over-tighten a Panerai! And you won't forget to screw-down the crown on a Panerai before going into the water.
Less links at 6, 100% correct
Fewer, babe, not less.
@@Voltanaut s-knob, babe
Interesting video.
Regarding point one, just by trial and error I arrived at the same conclusion... I removed more links from the "6" end which really makes the bracelet lay nicely on my elliptical wrist. In the beginning, I used symmetry in my link removal, but the folding hinge jutted out under the bracelet. Your suggestion rang true for me based on my experience.
I’ll add two extremely important pieces of advise.
9. Insure your watch. The Valuables policy I have is inexpensive and covers loss or damage with no deductible.
10. Update your appraisal for your watch and then update your policy.
I had a Panerai PAM24. I would wear it when we went on a beach vacation. Was in Hawaii out in the surf and a big wave literally ripped the watch off my wrist. I had bought the watch new for around $4k, and that what I insured it for. The price for a new one had gone up to around $6k. So, my insurance company cut me a check for $4k. If I had kept my appraisal up to date I would have gotten a new watch. That prompted me to update the coverage on my 25 yo Rolex sub 16610 that I had bought new while I was in the military for about $2k (at the time you could get a great deal on Rolex through the BX). I got the Sub reappraised for $10k. Now I’m covered!
Excellent; wise words & great job learning & sharing the knowledge. Sounds like you got a great deal on the 👑 AND it has actual significance to you.
Oh great.. just when I had forgotten about going to the BX and getting a Glycine GMT,as a loadmaster, instead of getting the Rolex... I'll never forgive myself. Then, again, just a little difference in price between the two. 😆
Thanks John for the insurance tip. Who do you insure it thru? Homeowner insurance or Standalone policy?
@ it’s a valuables policy through USAA. Homeowners insurance gives you minimal coverage.
Always putting the watch hands at 6 seems like the best thing to do when adjusting dates. Doesnt matter if it is am or pm, it wouldnt fall into the date change window. Although...my Frederique Constant manual says i need to place my watch at 10.10AM first..
Your first tip makes so much sense. When I wear a NATO strap, I have the strap shorter at the 6 o'clock side in order to keep the strap buckle in the centre of my wrist.
Clasp position! I often send a watch back at resize and end up with 2 extra links on one side as well. For Seikos, 2 links extra from the 12 o'clock side (opposite other watches)
The final words come to sumarize the whole idea: we love what we do. It takes way to much honesty and knowledge to come with this content. For a true watch collector this might be your best video so far Teddy. Thanks
First point is very important!!! You are the first i see that speaks about it. After month i realised this. Very good point thx
Correct, I've not heard this from anyone. And it also took me a month to figure this out haha
Having the 6 o'clock side of the bracelet shorter is a game changer.
Especially for Seiko Prospex bracelets. Many complain about the divers extension being uncomfortable. That is because it doesn't lay flat with the rest of the bracelet, it starts to curve around the wrist. Get it in the right position and the Seiko brackets are very comfortable.
Yeah bro, that’s what I used to know. What difference does it make if its 6pm and not 6am?
My watch was purchased 2 years ago from MAMACOO and, to this day, it still looks and runs as well as it did the day it arrived. That movement has never missed a beat despite never having been serviced. I can't complain about that.
The first reason I just figured out recently when sizing out my own watches with an watch sizing kit. I wore my tissot PRX 35mm with the clasp not centered and went back to move a link from the 6 o’clock side to the opposite and the clasp centered, making the wearing experience much better. Transferred this knowledge to whenever I’m adjusting my other watches
MAMACOO is one of my favorite watch manufacturers they do offer beautifull dials, good workmanship & moovements.That smooth sweeping second hand is truly mesmerizing！
Excellent videos !… very informative.
When people are saying MAMACOO is a better option for buying a watch,I very much agree!
Great video, as always. The clasp issue is something I totally relate to. Thank you Teddy
This is a FANTASTIC video! Every new watch enthusiast should see this!!!
Teddy, you are sooooo correct on centering the clasp on the back of your wrist. To this day, I still prefer a leather or silicone buckle strap because in my early days, I mis-fit the bracelet. A very informative basic vlog of truisms.
that 6 o'clock bracelet adjustment is crazy, it worked for me so i went through all watches and yes a night and day difference. thanks Teddy
It took me until about my 3rd or 4th watch until I made the realization that less links at the 6 o’clock side causes for a better fit. Definitely top tier advice
As some brand new toying with how deep into my collection I found your advice extremely practical and experienced. Thank you
6:50 Got it Teddy. I’ll let my wife know I can’t hold her hand anymore 😂
this never occurred to me. dont dance with a woman with a diamond ring
Bingo! My bracelet "offset" is also most often two links shorter on the 6 side for my 7 5" wrist. On a strap, I may swap the buckle end from 12 (as commonly sold) to 6 to get that same balance, a standard form on some Seikos. It can make a huge difference in seeing the full dial with an easy wrist roll.
My favorite 2024 is the Prospex Limited Edition 1965 Recreation European Exclusive in Gradation Island Blue. The dial is stunning and the contrast when on a white strap is to die for. I will get my hands on one from MAMACOO
I know Teddy is a CRAZY watch collector like me and many, when he brought up the clasp position. Thank you Teddy.
Love MAMACOO watch，Such a great looking watch to match with the precisionist movement.
Sapphire Crystals - if you do any welding, take your watch off. Weld spatter will melt / fuse to a sapphire crystal. First hand experience here.
Screw down crowns - Add a small amount of silicone gel (nothing petroleum based) to the threads. This will lubricate the threads and the gasket and improve the sealing of the crown.
fantastic recommendation with removal of more links from the #6 side!! you just made my favorite watch more comfortable
I do the exact same thing, I usually have 1 to 2 links less on the 6 side, it helps keep the watch centered better.
100% on the clasp alignment! When I first got my santos, clasp was digging in and didn’t realise the mistake. Corrected the alignment,….. 🎉🎉🎉
I've recently began my obsession as a watch collector. And i must say- out of all the luxury brands I've been researching, for me the MAMACOO's watches are the most intriguing.
I simply love those videos just talking about watches in general! Keep the good work up!
I could not agree more about clasp alignment!! I thought I was being petty, but couldn’t help it, it bothers me more than most anything else!!
😢 Great video Teddy as always, one of my mistakes was over tighten my vintage"Rolex Date just" crown. As you warned stripped the threads which had i had to send out for repairs. $700 was the what the lesson learned cost me...i got off cheap🎉
I like the watch I got from AMZWATCH. That rubber strap combo looks really cool! Been wearing it since last year and love every minute of it.
Congrats on 1 million teddy🎉🎉
What's interesting is that many vintage watches had date complications, but nobody ever mentioned when not to change the date back in the day. I started wearing a mechanical watch as a little kid in first grade. My father was very mechanically inclined, but he wasn't aware of this issue, so he never mentioned it to me. I didn't learn this until relatively recently.
I agree with the off centred clasp. It also stops the watch case hanging over the back of your wrist.
I like the watch I got from MAMACOO. That rubber strap combo looks really cool! Been wearing it since last year and love every minute of it.
I absolutely agree on point 1 but it is hard to escape the OCD feeling that the clasp should be centered on the band rather than the underside of the wrist 🤔
Correct
This is a timely upload. I adjusted my own bracelet on my citizen garrison and it went well. Admittedly my method with a small screwdriver (flat bit) and rubber mallet I would not feel comfortable with on a $100+ bracelet . Thanks Teddy
Hats off to anyone who takes a hammer to his watch.
1:17 I’ve always had my bracelets sized to get the clasps centered on the underside of my wrist even though the number of links are not equally distributed.
Most people try for symmetry at the cost of comfort and that’s a big no.
that was incredible. what a beautiful watch and what great work you did on it!MAMACOO
Since Teddy said it in past videos, I'm always watching at what time I change the day/date on my watches if I need to.
As to watertightness, keep in mind that a watch's WR rating is determined when it is in pristine condition. Tiny particles of grit and temperature fluctuations encountered in normal use can impair the integrity of the gaskets. If your watch regularly is immersed in water, its water resistance routinely should be checked, which can be done quickly by a watchmaker for a nominal charge.
The clasp in the middle is not always the best option imo. In the case of butterfly clasps: yes. But in many other cases, such as Seiko, the folding parts of the clasp are sticking out on one side of the closing mechanism. So if you get the closing mechanism visually in the middle of the bracelet, the clasp itself is probably not. All of this kind of clasps that I have are therefor one link shorter towards the 6 o'clock side of the watch.
This is such an educational video especially for someone who is just getting into the world of mechanical or automatic watches.
May I also add that exposure to extreme temperatures (may thicken or thinness lubricants) can lead to malfunctions. Ignoring power reserves as prolonged periods without being wound, a watch’s oil may thicken unevenly. Last, storing in non-ideal conditions. Humid or dusty environments can lead to moisture ingress of debris inside the case.
As always, love your contents and your shop, Teddy! Cheers! 👌🏼
Your channel has been very useful and entertaining for my watch collecting journey. I have a wrist size identical to yours and I always check your wrist shots on watches I'm interested in.
Sitting here listening to Teddy talk about ruining an IWC while wearing a Timex Weekender lol
I have over 25 Timex watches. They are an awesome brand.
Thank you so much for posting this video! Excellent in every sense, as usual. One thing though: Omega starting from 300m to 600m and more, have the technology to use the pushers of the chronograph underwater. I have tried and it works just fine. The only thing is that they don't tell you until what depth you can do that. So if it is at snorkeling depth is ok but no-one can tell you if you go deeper until which depth you can do that. And with the new parachrome, cerachrome and so on materials for the hairspring watches are nowadays much less subject to malfunction when exposed to a magnetic field, but all in all I agree with you 100% why take a chance?
Bravo! Please keep informing us on these beautiful details
Very good point regarding clasp position. I discovered it years ago and it makes a big difference.
I’ve used a variety of automatic watches around my laptop, ipad, and iphone, so far without incurring problems due to magnets, with watches that don’t have exceptional protection against magnetism. Is the drive for greater magnetic protection perhaps a bit overdone?
Thanks Teddy. Best watch channel on UA-cam hands down!
Before screwing a crown down I like to give it a quarter or so turn left until you feel the threads perfectly line up thats an old trick how not to cross thread bolts while working on various machinery and motors but applies for watches as well.
Yep
I just bought a Hamilton Khaki Field King Auto and observed the day and date changes at 11:58/11:59pm. Is it alright?
Magnets and watches. How does GS Spring Drive do it? Doesn't the regulation of the movement apply "brakes" to control the rate of the movement which is magnetic? That doesn't magnetize the movement being well within the movement?
The clasp position after sizing is an issue for me too. I want it centered too. Anti-magnetism 1,000 gauss and above is must for my daily work watch wear, due to my working on electronics
Great video Teddy! All valid points! Thanks for your time and insights.👍
Bought a Breitling... after 6 months, started losing minutes a day. Took it to the retailer who would send it in. They suggested they demagnetize the watch and avoid the current 12-18 month service wait.... well, long story short, watch was magnetized... works fine now
I only have two automatic watches (and a G Shock), but I just got myself a watch winder - takes away any scheduling of wrist time considering the respective (and quite different) power reserves or winding hand (instead of assigning the necessary wrist time) and eliminates most of the need to reset time (except for the occasional adjustment) and date corrections (except for months with less than 31 days, obviously)
Great video, and amazing news for Doxa! Congratulations on getting so many great brands in your store 🎉
Thank you TEDDY for all our good advices . On my side, it is a nightmare when i have to set the triple calendar . There is a lot of dealers in France, they are not the official dealer and they are not able to adjust your watche properly .
Yes I have made few of these mistakes myself. I have stripped the threads on my Omega SeaMaster.
13:13 Absolutely a best practice. Then I advance the hands to 6am ish before quick-setting the date. Sometimes storing watches with dual language day wheels, I’ll advance and leave it to display a non-native language day so I know that’s AM and in the middle of day change for when I pick it up next.
Thank you for the 6o'clock link removal information.
So excited that you added Doxa!
Can definitely agree with the clasp position, especially as someone with rather skinny wrists there are more than a couple of clasps where there aren't enough links to remove to position them correctly 🥲
I recently got that alpinist, and it is amazing! Love the dial. Shame the bracelet has not got any more micro adjustments
I'm wearing a Rolex explorer 40 with 4 links at 6 o'clock and 6 links at 12 o'clock.
Clasp is perfectly centered!
These can sound so simple, but I’m a bench jeweler, watch retailer, and independent jewelry store owner, and just last week I noticed that the crown on my Tudor north flag was somehow half or more unscrewed.
I tell customers to keep an eye on theirs all the time, and didn’t keep mine screwed down
Very helpful information indeed. Thanks, Teddy.
Just curious, do magnets impact a spring drive movement?
Congrats on picking up Doxa. Yall are going to the top fast!
Fewer Teddy, fewer links. Love ya, love your work!
Teddy you nailed it with the first one, it just makes sense
Normally people wear 1-2 watches but aliens like us have tens of mechanical watches. So it’s impossible to keep all springs alive. Thus, we have to adjust date & time much more frequently than ordinary people. As a conclusion I suggest to spend your money for one top model that your budget allows and try to change straps to have different styles. This will ensure that top item in your collection will be always live and you don’t care to damage other models that much. Congrats Teddy it’s really difficult to keep sincerity on social media 👏👏👏 We feel that you are among us rgds
I smacked the sapphire on my Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer into the strike plate for a bathroom door and put a lovely scratch in the AR coating from about 6:05 to 1:30. It’s only visible from the angle at which my wrists sit when I am typing. That’s about 75% of my day to day. Since I used the watch as a navigation tool on my first checkride I won’t ever get rid of it, but it drives me insane so I almost only wear it when I fly.
LoL at clasp position! It triggers my OCD so I’m very careful to center it when I add or remove links.