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316L, 904L and surgical steel – what is your watch made of?

Most steel watches, from affordable models to luxury constructions, are made of 316L steel. 904L steel contains more nickel, chromium and molybdenum, and therefore offers higher corrosion resistance, but in itself it does not mean greater scratch resistance. The term “surgical steel”, in turn, does not point to one strictly defined alloy. In watches it most often refers to 316L, but without a specific material designation it may simply be a marketing name. If you are choosing a watch for years, look therefore not only at the words “stainless steel”, but also at the grade of steel, which components are made of the given material and how they are finished.

Japanese or Swiss watches? We compare quality, movements and prices

If you are wondering whether Japanese or Swiss watches are better, the name of the country alone will not give you a good answer. In both cases you will find simple models for relatively little money, solid mid-range automatics and designs belonging to the world's watchmaking high end. Far more about quality will be told to you by the specific movement, the way the case and bracelet are made, the crystal, quality control, accuracy and price. Check how Japanese watches really differ from Swiss ones and what to pay attention to before you choose a model for yourself.

The lifespan of a quartz watch – how long does it really last, and when is it no longer worth repairing?

We value quartz watches above all for their accuracy, convenience and modest day-to-day demands. That does not mean, however, that they can run indefinitely and need nothing more than a new battery once every few years. Over time, the components of the movement itself also wear out, and the moment a watch starts giving trouble can look completely different depending on the model, the way it is used and the availability of parts. So how long can a quartz watch last, what wears out in it most often and when does repair still make sense? Check what its lifespan really depends on.

The second hand on a watch – why does it jump, move smoothly or stop?

The way the seconds hand moves can tell you a lot about a watch's movement, but it is not an infallible test. A single distinct jump per second most often points to quartz, several small movements per second are typical of a mechanical movement, and an almost continuous glide is associated with Spring Drive. There are exceptions, however: there is a quartz watch with a sweeping seconds hand, and a mechanical watch that makes exactly one jump per second. What is more, a stopped hand does not have to mean a fault. Check how to read these signals and when you really need a watchmaker's help.

How do you set an automatic watch? Date, time and time zone 21:00–3:00

An automatic watch does not need a battery, but it does require a little knowledge from its owner. Setting the time or date seems simple, yet the wrong moment or the wrong way of using the crown can affect how the movement works. Many questions concern changing the date at night, moving the hands backwards and restarting a watch after a longer break. Check how to set an automatic watch correctly, what to pay attention to with the crown and why people often talk about particular caution between 9:00 pm and 3:00 am.

Wodoszczelność 10 ATM i 20 ATM – czy możesz pływać i nurkować z takim zegarkiem?

Co naprawdę oznacza 10 ATM lub 20 ATM na zegarku i czy takie oznaczenie pozwala bez obaw wejść do basenu, morza albo nurkować? Same liczby mogą być mylące, dlatego sprawdź, jak czytać klasę wodoszczelności i dobrać zegarek do aktywności w wodzie.

Water resistance 3 ATM – what does it mean and what can you do with it?

3 ATM water resistance means the watch is prepared above all for rain, accidental splashes and brief contact with water during everyday activities. It does not mean that you can swim with it, shower in it or submerge it to a depth of 30 metres. It is precisely the “30 m” marking that most often misleads. It is the result of a pressure test carried out under controlled conditions, not a declared working depth. So if you see 3 ATM, 3 bar or Water Resistant 30 m on the case back or in the specification, treat the watch as resistant to everyday moisture, but not as a watch for water activities.

Rolex-style watches – the best alternatives to the Submariner, Explorer and Datejust

For years Rolex has been one of the most important style benchmarks in the watch world, but its price is not within everyone's reach. That is why it is worth looking at watches similar to Rolex and models inspired by its styling, which offer their own character, solid build quality and much more affordable prices. We are not talking about counterfeits here, but about legitimate watches from other brands that draw on similar solutions and design language. Check out watches inspired by Rolex's style and choose the model that suits your style and budget.

A bronze watch – why does each one change over time?

A bronze watch stands out because its appearance changes along with its owner. The case gradually darkens, turns matte and develops a patina, so two identical models can look completely different after just a few months. This is the greatest advantage of bronze, but also a trait you need to accept before buying. If you expect a watch that keeps its factory shine for years, steel may be a better direction. If, on the other hand, you like vintage looks, signs of use and the natural ageing of a material, bronze gives an effect that is hard to achieve in any other metal.

Dress watch – what is a dress watch and how do you choose a model that really goes with a suit?

A dress watch is a slim, elegant timepiece designed to subtly complement formal attire. The best choices have a diameter of 36–39 mm, a thickness under 10 mm, a simple dial and a thin leather strap. If you are looking for a watch to wear with a suit or for an important occasion, pay attention above all to proportions, comfort and calm styling.

Super-LumiNova vs Tritium – which lasts longer and which luminescence should you choose?

Super-LumiNova glows more brightly after being exposed to light, but its brightness gradually fades. Trithium glows constantly without needing to be charged by light, meaning it remains legible throughout the night, and its practical lifespan is around 20–25 years. The choice therefore depends mainly on how and when you use your watch after dark. Find out which type of luminescence best suits your needs and choose a watch that will remain legible when you really need it to be.

How to choose a watch strap? Width, material and style – get it right every time

A well-chosen strap can make the same watch look elegant, sporty or much more casual. However, before you start choosing the colour and material, check the width of the attachment point on the case and the circumference of your wrist. Only then should you decide whether leather, rubber, nylon or metal would be the best choice. This will help you avoid a situation where a visually appealing strap turns out to be too narrow, too long or simply uncomfortable.

Incabloc in a watch – how does it protect the movement from the effects of impacts?

A mechanical watch consists of many tiny components, some of which are particularly sensitive to shocks. Incabloc helps to protect one of the most delicate parts of the movement – the balance staff. Find out how this anti-shock system works and why it has been used in watchmaking for decades.

The rotor in an automatic watch – how does the rotor wind the movement whilst the watch is being worn?

An automatic watch can run without a battery, using the movement of the wrist. How is this possible? It is down to a small but very important part of the mechanism – the rotor, also known as the oscillating weight. Find out how it works and why it is so important to the operation of an automatic watch.

How do you measure your wrist and choose the right watch size?

A well-chosen watch should suit the proportions of your wrist, sit comfortably on your wrist and not restrict your movement. That’s why, before choosing a specific model, it’s worth starting with a simple measurement. Find out how to measure the circumference of your wrist, how to match the result to the case size, and what to look out for when choosing a strap or bracelet.

Big Date – how do the large date display and the dual date window on a watch work?

Some watches display the date in a way that’s hard to miss – with large, clear numerals in a separate window. Behind this simple effect lies an interesting mechanism and a number of different design solutions. Find out what a ‘big date’ is, how a double date display works, and what sets it apart from a classic date display.

Jumping hour – how does this unusual complication work?

Mechanical watches can display the time in far more ways than the classic hand layout suggests. One of the most interesting is the ‘jumping hour’ – a mechanism that combines traditional mechanics with an unconventional way of displaying the time. How exactly does this mechanism work, where did the idea come from, and why does it still attract the attention of collectors today? Find out what lies behind the characteristic ‘jump’ of the hour.

Retrograde hand — how does a retrograde hand work?

Retrograde is a watch complication that immediately catches the eye. Instead of making a full rotation around the dial, the hand moves along a designated arc, and upon reaching the end of the scale, it instantly returns to the start and begins the countdown anew. It can be used to display the date, the day of the week, minutes, seconds, power reserve or a second time zone. This striking movement is therefore not merely decorative, but part of a precisely engineered mechanism. Find out how the retrograde display works and in which watches you can see it in action.