Did you know gold prices are at an all-time high? Take advantage of these amazing, limited-time prices at our upcoming Gold Buying Event! We’re offering INSTANT payment for your unwanted gold, silver, diamonds, and watches, plus a 20% BONUS if you choose a store credit!
For your convenience, we’re hosting this event at both of our stores on separate weekends. Check out the details & make your appointment below:
Hendersonville
September 11-12
1050 Glenbrook Way, Suite 400 Hendersonville, TN 37075 (615) 826-5338
HOURS
Friday the 11th • 9:30 am – 6:00 pm Saturday the 12th • 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Brentwood
September 18-19
782 Old Hickory Blvd. Suite 104 Brentwood, TN 37027 (615) 221-4392
HOURS
Friday the 18th • 9:30 am – 6:00 pm Saturday the 19th • 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Now is the perfect time to get top dollar for your unwanted jewelry and watches!
Switching out your watch band is a great way to refresh your favorite timepiece, but not all watch bands are equal. If you’ve invested in a luxury timepiece, why should you settle for an ordinary replacement strap? Instead, we suggest Everest watch bands—the perfect way to pair luxury with luxury.
Swiss-Made to Perfection
Tudor watch featuring an Everest curved-end Italian leather band
Luxury watches like Rolex, Tudor and Panerai are known for their craftsmanship and unrivaled style. But when it comes to attaching a new band, those exact qualities can make a good fit challenging—and that’s where Everest’s custom-fit watch bands come in!
Everest follows three cornerstones when it comes to creating Swiss-made aftermarket bands:
1) Aesthetically, the band must keep the essence of the watch.
2) Quality and attention to detail is of the highest echelon with all of Everest’s products.
3) The replacement straps must be the most comfortable watch straps available.
In other words, it’s all about producing a band worthy of its watch. By crafting each band for specific luxury models, Everest ensures that no unsightly gaps will be present between the case and band (a persistent problem with other brands!). Plus, by using only the finest materials, your new band will blend seamlessly with the superior quality of your watch.
Uniquely Yours
With so many materials, colors and styles to choose from, Everest makes it easy to express your unique sense of style. Take a look at the options below!
Vulcanized Rubber
Rolex Submariner featuring an Everest curved-end, vulcanized rubber band in orange
What makes true vulcanized rubber so superior? Where to begin?! With incredible comfort yet amazing durability, it’s a difficult material to beat for an adventurous watch-wearer.
With vulcanized rubber, you’ll be getting excellent resistance to UV rays, excessive heat and cold, dirt, dust, stretching, tearing, abrasion, chemicals, staining, and water. Plus, Everest’s unique channeling system allows for superlative air flow, keeping excess moisture from building underneath. Even after years of abuse, your rubber Everest band will still be going strong!
Everest rubber bands support both Tang & Deployment clasps, offer 6 size combinations to perfectly fit your wrist, and a full range of colors to choose from!
Italian Leather
Rolex featuring an Everest curved-end, Italian perforated racing leather band with red stitching
Everest leather straps are crafted from vegetable-tanned Italian leather, a perfect light-weight, hypoallergenic option. Softly molding to your wrist over time, there’s nothing quite like a fine leather strap.
For Tudor, Rolex and Panerai watches, Everest provides its signature curved-end band which hugs your case perfectly. There is also a steel end link version available for Rolex timepieces, but both options support Tang & Deployment clasps and have several color choices.
Interwoven Nylon
Rolex Submariner featuring an Everest nylon band with hypoallergenic red lining
Another curved-end option for Rolex sport models is Everest’s nylon strap. Featuring a hypoallergenic lining and four color options, these interwoven bands are wonderful light-weight alternatives to your original steel bracelet. Just like the rubber and leather options, these bands are completely flush with your case!
So, if you’re looking for a luxurious change, why not try an Everest band? Available in-store and online!
One of our favorite watch lines comes from Hamilton, a company born and raised in the United States. All the way back in 1892, the Hamilton Watch Company opened its first factory in Pennsylvania. Ever since, they’ve created unique, versatile watches using their distinctive blend of Swiss precision and American spirit.
From the Railroad to the Sky
Hamilton Men’s Khaki Aviation X-Wind GMT Chronograph Watch – available here!
For Hamilton, it all started with the railroad. As American companies were building tracks further and further across the country, synchronizing the timing of all those trains became absolutely critical. The solution? Hamilton’s supremely accurate watches. With precise train departures and arrivals, Hamilton watches helped prevent and reduce the number of accidents across the United States.
By 1918, American aviators were flocking to the skies. Just like the railroad, increased air travel–and a brand new coast to coast US Airmail service–meant that precise timing of flights was critical. Once again, Hamilton stepped up to the plate and supplied their reliable watches to keep Americans safe.
It’s not just precision timing that makes Hamilton an important company, however–it’s also their ceaseless commitment to innovation. In 1957, the Hamilton Ventura became the world’s first electrical watch powered by a battery, and Pulsar–the world’s first LED digital watch–was produced in 1970. This tradition continues to this day as Hamilton perfects their signature movements, ever-extending power reserves—some up to 80 hours!
In fact, the Hamilton brand is so iconic that it’s been a favorite of Hollywood since 1932! Featured in classic films like Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii and modern-day hits like Interstellar, Hamilton watches continue to grace the silver screen, accenting the arms of our favorite stars.
So, if you’re a fan of history, precision, innovation and style, look no further than a Hamilton watch! With styles for men and women–ranging from rugged field watches to elegant timepieces–you’re sure to find something to suit your lifestyle.
Why not pop into one of our store locations and see these amazing watches in person, or you can browse our collection right here online!
You’ve probably heard of the Apple smartwatch, but did you know there are lots of different brands to choose from? Like the Apple model, some feature a sleek, purely digital touchscreen, while others look just like traditional watches—and we carry both kinds! Today, we want to share two of our favorites and showcase just how “smart” they are.
This ladies smartwatch by Fossil doesn’t compromise on function or style. Made from stainless steel and accented with glittering crystals, its case brings classic and modern design together with a tactile crown and buttons plus a sleek touchscreen.
This smartwatch runs on Google’s Wear OS, which means it’s compatible with most modern Apple and Android devices. Check out just a few of the awesome things this beautiful watch can do:
Customizable dial – change the background to your favorite photo or design!
Heart-rate tracking – this watch automatically records your heart-rate as you exercise!
Swimproof – can be worn in the shower or in the pool!
Interchangeable Strap – you can easily swap out the bracelet with another 18mm strap of your choice!
If you want the look of a traditional watch but don’t want to compromise on modern functionality, look no further than the Alpina line! Built with active men in mind, the Alpina Seastrong HSW features a durable blue rubber strap and a matching aluminum bezel. The convex sapphire crystal provides superior scratch-resistance while the fiber glass case has a water resistance rating of 110 meters (330 feet).
Instead of a touchscreen, this smartwatch is controlled by simply pressing the crown! Dial markers indicate which mode is currently active and subtle vibrations are used as alerts. All data is conveniently sent to the awesome Alpina smartwatch app, available for Android and Apple devices. Here’s a brief overview of what this smartwatch can do:
Step & activity tracking – keeps track of daily steps, calories burned, and total distance
Sleep tracking – provides data on how much time you spent in deep sleep, light sleep or awake
Dynamic coaching – get suggestions, tips and info catered specifically to you based on your activity and sleep goals!
Call & messaging notifications – get alerted immediately when you receive calls or messages from your favorite apps
Worldtimer – for your adventures around the globe!
If you’re looking for a smartwatch, why not drop by one of our stores and see them all in person? We hope to see you soon!
Watches have come a long way since they were first invented, and one of the most useful improvements is water resistance. After all, water is a vital part of life! However, not all water resistant watches are created equal, and it’s important to understand what your watch can safely handle.
There Are No “Waterproof” Watches
It cannot be stressed enough that no watch is truly “waterproof.” Even those made especially for deep sea scuba divers are “water resistant”—and that’s only if they are operated correctly and receive regular maintenance. That’s because no watch stays water resistant forever, and even a drop of water can wreak havoc on the inside of a watch! No matter what type of movement your watch has—mechanical, quartz or purely digital—water is its worst enemy.
Therefore, if a watch is not stamped “Water Resistant” on its case back or dial, it is highly susceptible to water damage and must be protected from all amounts of liquid at all times. That includes daily scenarios like washing your hands or having the watch on the bathroom counter while you take a hot shower!
Thankfully, the vast majority of watches today are at least somewhat water resistant, but there are many misconceptions surrounding what the ratings actually mean. Today, we hope to clear those up, so let’s dive in!
It’s All About Pressure
Watch water resistance is measured in meters (m), feet (ft), atmosphere (atm), and pressure (bar). The last two units of measurement are clues as to what water resistance actually means: pressure is being measured, not a specific depth.
Now, that might seem confusing. Why say the watch has 30 meter or 100 feet water resistance if it can’t actually withstand those depths? To understand, we need to think about sea level.
Most of us have heard the phrases “above sea level” or “below sea level,” which are simply referring to elevation in relation to the ocean. Elevation is important because the atmosphere around us changes as we descend below or ascend above the sea.
Sea Level = 1 ATM or 1 bar
At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is 1 ATM or 1 bar. As you travel higher, atmospheric pressure decreases, but the opposite is true when descending into water. In fact, the changes underwater are much more dramatic, because water is much more dense than air.
Let’s say you make it to the very top of Mount Everest, which is 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level. Way up there, the atmospheric pressure is 0.333 ATM. Yet, descending just 10 meters (33 feet) below water brings the pressure up to 2 ATM!
For every 10 meters you go underwater, atmospheric pressure increases by 1 ATM or 1 bar.
So, when a watch is rated with a specific number of feet or meters, it’s not actually referring to depth, but rather the pressure typically experienced at that depth. Why is that distinction important? To find out, we need to look at how watches are assigned their ratings.
Pressure Testing
Once a watch is completely assembled, it’s not actually plunged into the sea to measure its water resistance. In fact, most are never tested in water at all! Instead, the watch is subjected to highly controlled airpressure to see how much it can withstand. This is basically a safer simulation of submersion.
No matter which rating the watch receives, understand that it was determined under factory conditions. The watch was tested brand new, under steady temperatures, and was kept completely still. This is very different from the conditions in a pool or even in your shower.
The simple motion of your arm moving through the water—to say nothing of the impact from diving or jumping into a pool—multiplies the pressure your watch is subjected to. The same is true of a high-powered shower head or even the kitchen faucet. That’s why you can’t take “30 meter water resistance” literally.
With that in mind, let’s see what you can safely do at your watch’s water resistance rating.
Water Resistant
This elegant Movado watch is stamped “water resistant” with no specific rating – available here!
When you come across a watch with the “water resistant” stamp but no rating, you should try to protect it from moisture as much as possible. Unless the manufacturer offers a specific rating elsewhere, there’s no way to know for certain how much it can handle. Nonetheless, it should be able to withstand hand washing or a brief dash through the rain, but it should never be submerged.
Indeed, to be on the safe side, it would best to remove the watch before doing the dishes or taking a hike in a heavy downpour. You might even consider keeping it out of the bathroom too, as steam can sometimes make its way inside the watch and cause damage.
In some ways, you can think of these watches as pieces of fine, delicate jewelry—after all, you wouldn’t wear your pearls in the shower or wash the car wearing your opal ring. If there’s no water resistance rating, always play it safe.
30m – 100ft – 3ATM – 3 bar
This pre-owned ladies Coach watch is rated 3ATM – available here!
These four water resistance ratings are very common, and they all mean the same thing: this watch is “splash resistant.” That means it should be able to withstand splashes of water from washing your hands, walking in the rain or watering your garden, but it should never be submerged in water or worn in the shower.
These ratings indicate a little more water resistance than the ones above. You might think of these watches as being “super splash resistant,” as they are probably safe to wear in the shower or during a prolonged, fierce downpour. However, they still should not be purposefully submerged in water. Even though the watch would probably survive an accidentally dip into the sink, we recommend being safe rather than sorry.
100m – 330ft – 10ATM – 10 bar
This pre-owned Tag Heuer Link watch is rated 100m and features a screw-down crown for extra protection – available here!
If you’re looking for a watch you can submerge in water, start at this rating. Here, you can safely swim or snorkel, plus all the activities listed above without worrying! However, these watches might not be able to handle diving off a diving board and are definitely not safe for serious scuba diving. If you plan on doing either of those things, you’ll need to go at least one step up in water resistance.
200m – 660ft – 20ATM – 20 bar
This men’s diver’s watch by Citizen features 200m water resistance – available here!
Watches with these ratings are your entry level dive watches or for those who just want some extra peace of mind while swimming. They can better withstand the impact of diving off a diving board and can be worn safely at deeper depths. However, we would still recommend going up another level if you actually plan on doing deep sea scuba diving. Again, always be safe rather than sorry—especially if you love your watch!
300m – 1000ft – 30ATM – 30 bar
Check out this pre-owned Rolex Submariner, featuring 300m water resistance – available here!
Here, you’re safely within professional scuba diving territory, but many people opt for this rating just to swim or surf! The higher the water resistance rating, the more peace of mind you can have doing the activities you enjoy. In fact, professional dive watches can have water resistance ratings over 2000m! How’s that for peace of mind?
Vulnerable Points of Entry
You should never operate the crown or buttons in or near water
There are two main challenges when it comes to making a watch water resistant: there must be a way to set the watch and a way to open it. Both of these necessities provide points of entry for water.
Crown & Buttons
The vast majority of timepieces have at least one crown, which is typically used to set the watch, and some feature a few buttons (sometimes called pushers). Never operate the crown or buttons in or near water.
Pulling out the crown provides a direct path into the heart of your watch, so you should always make sure it’s completely pushed in or screwed down (if applicable). Even though buttons are typically sealed with gaskets, these seals do not last forever and can cause the same problem.
If you ever notice the crown or buttons becoming loose, you should have your watch serviced as soon as possible. These parts are absolutely critical to maintaining water resistance and are usually the first points of failure.
Case back
Another vulnerable part of every timepiece is the case back, which allows for direct access to the inside of the watch. Some case backs simply snap into place while others are screwed in, but all types use a rubber gasket to ensure water resistance. However, like the gaskets used on buttons, these seals don’t last forever and will need to be replaced eventually.
Under mild conditions, gaskets should last several years, but if you wear your watch in saltwater or subject it to extreme temperatures, they will fail much quicker. To maintain the utmost water resistance, have your gaskets checked every year.
Crystal
Lastly, there’s the crystal, which is the clear covering on the face of the watch. Most watches just have one, but some automatics have a “viewing window” on the case back as well. Most crystals are sealed with gaskets as well, but you also have to watch out for cracks, chips and other damage.
Always have damaged crystals promptly replaced. In addition to letting water inside, a broken crystal can send tiny shards of glass into your watch’s movement, causing costly damage.
The Importance of High Quality, Regular Maintenance
At Service Jewelry & Repair, we can do everything from watch batteries to full movement services at our national repair center!
Many people don’t realize that watches need more than just battery changes to stay in tip-top shape. Indeed, if you have a mechanical watch or one with a rechargeable capacitor, you may not realize maintenance is required at all! While all watches should have their movements serviced or at least checked regularly, water resistance is often forgotten until it’s too late.
Seeing moisture under the crystal or watermarks on the dial are very noticeable signs of trouble, but sometimes you may not notice anything until the watch grinds to a halt. Suspecting a dead battery, you might bring it in for a replacement—only to find out the inside is rusted and a costly repair is needed!
Don’t let this happen to your favorite watches. While there are no guarantees, having your watch regularly serviced and following our guidelines above (keep that crown pushed down!) can almost always prevent water damage.
The SJR Difference
We’ve got all the tools of the trade at our national repair center!
Every time we replace batteries or do movement services, we check the key things we’ve gone over with you today. Are the gaskets still in good shape? How about the crystal? Is the crown secure? Are there any signs of current or previous water damage?
When it’s time to close it up again, we make sure it’s sealed up tight—but did you know we can do an extra step at our repair shop? There, we can perform a pressure test, much like the one performed when the watch was made! That way, you can be sure your watch is still as water resistant as its rating indicates. If you’re planning to ever submerge your watch or simply want the peace of mind, do not skip this step. Otherwise, there’s no way to truly know if your watch has become vulnerable.
If you’d like to have a pressure test performed or want your watch completely checked over, you have a few convenient options! First, you can bring your watch into either of our stores, and we’ll send it off to our national repair center. Our friendly sales associates will keep you updated throughout the process, and as soon as it’s ready, you can pick it back up at the store!
Another option is going directly through our repair center. Here, you can mail your timepiece in or even drop by in person. If you just want a battery change and/or pressure test, we can do it while you wait! Otherwise, we’ll let you know when it’s ready for pick up, or we can ship it back to you.
We hope this article has cleared up the confusion around water resistance ratings, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
There’s no denying that luxury brands like Rolex and TAG Heuer are worthy of their legendary reputations. Not only are they known as phenomenal timepieces, but also as bastions of timeless design and limitless innovation. Because of these facts, luxury watches are often swept off the market as soon as they appear, disappearing into private collections and onto to the arms of those who appreciate the finest craftsmanship, never to be made again. But did you know that we buy and sell luxury pre-owned watches, both vintage and like-new?
Rolex, TAG Heuer, Breitling, and Frederique Constant are just a few of the famous brands you’ll find in our luxury pre-owned collection in-store and online. When you buy a pre-owned watch from us, you can be sure you’re not only getting an authentic piece, but also that it’s been fully inspected and serviced by the experts at our repair center. If you sell your pre-owned watch to us, you can be sure you’re getting the fairest price for your timepiece.
This pre-owned Ladies TAG Heuer Link watch features glittering diamond accents on its bezel and dial – available here!
So if you’re looking for a luxury timepiece or have one you’d like to part with, come to us! Our collection is always changing, so if you don’t immediately see something you like, check back or let us know precisely what you’re looking for—we can always keep an eye out and contact you when we find it!
One of the most unique watch lines we carry is Raymond Weil, a relatively new brand that has made huge waves in the world of watchmaking. It was founded in 1976 by Mr. Raymond Weil, who dreamed of bringing the art of music into the art of Swiss watchmaking. By 1983, his dream had become reality.
The Amadeus collection, named after the famous Mozart, was the first in a tradition of music-inspired watch lines, which continues to this day with collections like Tango, Parsifal, and Maestro.
From the Maestro collection, we have a limited edition Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s watch, which features a black and gold dial, a vegan leather strap and comes in a Beatles keepsake box. The case back bears the Beatles logo and offers a view into the self-winding mechanical movement.
This Beatles Sgt. Pepper Limited Edition watch is one of only 3000 worldwide – available here!
Bob Marley is another legendary artist who was honored with a limited edition watch design by Raymond Weil. From the Tango collection, this all-stainless-steel watch features the iconic black lion on its dial plus yellow, red and green accents. The case back features an engraving of Marley’s signature and the line “TIME WILL TELL” from the Kaya album.
This Limited Edition Bob Marley watch is one of only 1500 worldwide – available here!
But it isn’t just the creativity of Raymond Weil we love so much—it’s also the dedication to innovation. For example, the ladies’ Shine collection features an easy-to-use interchangeable bracelet system that’s exclusive to the brand, making it simpler than ever to go from a sleek, all stainless steel bracelet to a fashionable leather band—it’s like getting two watches for the price of one!
Not to mention, Raymond Weil is an independent family-owned business, which is always a plus for us! For three generations, Raymond Weil has earned its place among the best of the luxury watch brands and has never forgotten its original source of inspiration: an enduring love of music.
Check out our Raymond Weil collection right here on our website or see it all in person at one of our stores! We’d love to show you these special watches, featuring quartz and mechanical movements, sometime soon!
