How Often Does a Mechanical Watch Really Need Service?

How Often Does a Mechanical Watch Really Need Service?

A few years ago, a neighbor handed me his grandfather’s Omega Seamaster and asked what was wrong with it. The watch had stopped. He assumed the battery was dead. I had to explain — gently — that it was a mechanical watch. It had never needed a battery. What it needed, badly, was a mechanical … Read more

Spotting a Franken Watch Before You Buy

Spotting a Franken Watch Before You Buy

A few years ago, I nearly paid $1,400 for a Rolex Datejust that turned out to be a patchwork nightmare. The dial was genuine. The case was not. The movement had been swapped for a cheaper ETA caliber, and the bracelet was a mismatched aftermarket piece worth maybe $40. Knowing how to spot frankenwatch fake … Read more