FAQ

In our online shop, you’ll find watches powered by different types of movement mechanisms. Below, we provide a brief and easy-to-understand overview of each type to help you decide which movement best suits your needs:

Automatic Watches

Automatic watches are powered by a self-winding mainspring. This spring is wound by a rotor – a weighted component that moves with the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist. Automatic movements typically offer a relatively short power reserve. Some models also allow manual winding as an additional energy source.

Manual (Hand-Wound) Watches

Watches with manual movement require the wearer to wind the mainspring by hand using a crown located on the side of the watch case. Like automatic watches, manual watches have a limited power reserve and must be wound regularly to keep running. 

Quartz Watches

Quartz watches are known for their exceptional accuracy and ease of use. They are powered by an internal battery, which ensures a long-lasting power reserve. Once the battery is depleted, it should ideally be replaced by a professional watch technician.

Solar-Powered Watches

Solar watches use a solar cell, usually integrated into the dial, to convert sunlight into energy. This energy is stored in a rechargeable battery (accumulator). In many cases, artificial light can also be used to charge the battery. Since sunlight is widely available, solar watches can theoretically run indefinitely. In practice, however, the longevity depends on the durability of the battery and other components.

Kinetic Watches

Kinetic watches also store energy in a rechargeable battery, but instead of using light, they generate power through motion. Every time you move your wrist, a rotor inside the watch spins and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is then stored. Theoretically, kinetic watches also offer an unlimited power reserve – limited only by the wear and tear of internal parts.

Fun Fact: The kinetic movement was developed by Seiko. At the Basel Fair in 1986, Seiko presented the first prototype of a kinetic watch to the public. It was introduced under the name "AGM" and was the first watch to convert motion into electrical energy.

A water-resistant watch is never completely protected against the ingress of water. The term simply indicates that a wristwatch has features designed to resist water to a certain extent. In fact, "water-resistant" is a more accurate description than "waterproof."

The level of water resistance depends on the materials used, as well as the design and durability of the gaskets built into the watch. For watch manufacturers, the biggest challenge is ensuring that water cannot easily enter through critical points such as the crown and winding stem, the junction between the case and the crystal, and the case back. The better these components are sealed, the higher the water resistance of the watch.

Water resistance is usually indicated in the following units: ATM (atmospheres – an older pressure unit) Bar (the modern equivalent of ATM) Meters (m) (a length unit, often misleading)

Although meters may seem like the most familiar unit, it's more accurate to refer to ATM or bar when evaluating a watch's water resistance. That's because converting pressure into a depth measurement can be misleading and often causes confusion. General Rule: The higher the pressure rating (ATM or bar), the more water-resistant the watch is.

Important Note on Water Resistance: 1 bar ≈ 1 ATM ≈ 10 meters – that's why you may see the "~" symbol in tables or product descriptions. In our online shop, water resistance is primarily indicated in bar and meters. Please keep in mind that water resistance is not a permanent feature. The seals (gaskets) inside the watch naturally degrade over time due to aging. As they become brittle and lose elasticity, they can eventually allow water to enter. This is why regular maintenance is essential. For watches with high water resistance (from 10 bar and above), we recommend a check-up once a year. For watches with lower resistance (up to 5 bar), a check every two years is advisable.

Pro Tip: Wearing Your Watch on the Right Wrist. When swimming in strong waves, watches worn on the left wrist are especially vulnerable – because the crown, often the most sensitive part of the watch, takes the full force of the water impact. To reduce this risk, consider wearing your water-resistant watch on your right wrist while swimming.

For many watch enthusiasts, the crystal is one of the most important – if not the most important – features of a watch. After all, it's the part you’ll be looking at the most over time. Unsightly scratches or, worse, a cracked crystal can be frustrating – and replacing it can be expensive.

At first glance, all watch crystals may look similar, whether in-store or online. But not all glass is created equal. It's important to understand the differences in materials so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Sapphire crystal

Sapphire crystal is currently the hardest and also the most expensive type of watch glass available. The name can be misleading: sapphire crystal is neither standard glass nor a natural sapphire like those used in jewelry. It’s a synthetic crystal made from a mineral called corundum – in other words, a lab-grown, highly pure form of synthetic sapphire.

With a Vickers hardness of around 2000, sapphire crystal ranks just below moissanite and diamond among the hardest transparent materials known to man. This makes it extremely scratch-resistant and a popular choice for high-end watches. In fact, only diamond-coated tools can scratch it. It also offers outstanding clarity and stability, making it as beautiful as it is durable.

Hardlex Crystal

Developed by Seiko, Hardlex crystal is designed as a middle ground between mineral and sapphire glass. While it’s technically a mineral glass, it undergoes a special hardening process that significantly increases its durability. With a Vickers hardness of up to 950, Hardlex is more scratch-resistant than standard mineral glass. Its key advantage over sapphire is impact resistance: Hardlex is more flexible and can better absorb shocks or hard knocks without cracking, which makes it a great choice for sports and everyday watches.

Mineral Crystal

When people talk about mineral crystal in watches, they’re usually referring to hardened mineral glass, not ordinary window glass. Through a specialized manufacturing process, the surface is treated to improve resistance to scratches and shattering, resulting in a Vickers hardness of 800–900. Mineral crystal is less brittle than sapphire, equally clear, and more affordable. However, it is more prone to scratching over time.

Hesalite Crystal

Hesalite is a high-grade plastic crystal – not to be confused with cheap plastic. It’s extremely lightweight, making watches with Hesalite very comfortable to wear. With a Vickers hardness of around 500, it’s not as scratch-resistant as other materials, but it has a unique advantage: scratches can easily be polished out. This makes Hesalite surprisingly long-lasting with proper care. It’s also highly shatter-resistant, which is why it’s still used in aviation and space watches (including the ones NASA chose for the moon missions).

Furrer Jacot Lifetime Guarantee

** A wedding ring from Furrer Jacot is more than just an accessory – it’s a lifelong companion. Our wedding bands and jewellery pieces are crafted to be treasured and passed down through generations. That’s why we don’t view your purchase as a one-time transaction, but rather as the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Furrer Jacot offers far more than the legally required warranty services: by registering your jewellery via our website or by submitting your details, we provide a lifetime guarantee against material and manufacturing defects. This guarantee excludes damage resulting from accidents, improper use, or normal wear and tear. Additionally, coverage remains valid only if repairs are carried out exclusively by Furrer Jacot or an authorised partner such as Juwelier Ersay. To ensure the longevity of your jewellery, we recommend regular inspections every 1–3 years, and a mandatory check-up at least every 10 years.

Benefits as a Registered Customer

To turn your jewellery purchase into a lifetime experience, Furrer Jacot offers registered customers access to our exclusive jewellery service: Free professional refurbishment by our goldsmiths within two years of purchase (excluding shipping and material costs). Diamond setting inspection by our expert stone setters. Continued access to this service every 10 years, in line with our lifetime warranty. Minor signs of wear over time are completely natural – they tell the unique story of your ring and add to its character. In addition, registered customers benefit from the following exclusive services: Free ring resizing one year after purchase, plus one additional complimentary resizing if the piece is passed on to a direct descendant (material costs excluded). If your ring contains a handwritten engraving, it will be preserved during the resizing process. In the event of a lost diamond (up to 0.05 ct), Furrer Jacot will replace it at no cost, provided the loss was not due to negligence Please note: all free services exclude shipping costs. To activate these lifetime benefits, your piece must be registered within 180 days of purchase. Trust in masterful craftsmanship and first-class service – Juwelier Ersay and Furrer Jacot stand for quality, exclusivity, and lifelong commitment.