State St. Jewelers is proud to offer a variety of certified pre-owned luxury watches from brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Breitling, Omega and more. These precision timepieces are made with care and have come to symbolize excellence, sophistication, and status. A luxury watch is an incredible gift, a wonderful way to treat yourself, and will serve as an heirloom for generations to come.


The History of the Wrist Watch

While people have been marking time with the help of the sun for thousands of years, the first pocket watches made timekeeping portable in the 16th century. At first, these intricate timepieces only showed the hour but they slowly evolved over the next century to include minute and then second hands. In the early 1900’s some people began wearing watches on bracelets. This was widely considered a fleeting European fashion trend until British and American soldiers discovered the convenience of wearing a watch on their wrist in the trenches of World War I.

Watch Movements

Over the years advancements in technology have improved the precision and convenience of wrist watches. The mechanism that powers a watch and keeps the hands moving at the appropriate speed is called the watch movement. There are two types of watch movements found in modern watches — mechanical and quartz.


What is the difference between a mechanical movement and a quartz movement?

A mechanical movement powers the watch through a wound spring that passes energy through a series of gears and springs as it unwinds. Manual mechanical watches require winding on a regular basis. Some must be wound daily while others have several days of power reserve. Automatic or “self-winding” movements collect energy from the natural movement of the wrist. These watches still require winding but far less than a manual movement and an automatic watch winder may be used when the watch is not being worn. The level of quality and craftsmanship found in a mechanical movement make it the most popular choice with luxury watchmakers.

A quartz movement uses a battery as the primary source of power. The battery sends an electrical current through a quartz crystal creating vibrations that drive the movement and move the hands. A quartz watch is very precise and requires less upkeep but the lack of intricate detail in the movement make them less favored in the luxury watch industry. However, quartz movements from brands such as Patek Philippe, Breitling, and Cartier do exist and meet the highest standards of quality from these luxury watchmakers.


How often should my luxury watch be serviced?

Watch Education

At State St. Jewelers we recommend servicing every five years for a watch with a mechanical movement that is worn every day. If you frequently wear your watch under stringent conditions such as diving, horseback riding, or manual labor, you may need to have the watch serviced more frequently. The many tiny components of a mechanical movement will need to be cleaned and reassembled to ensure that your timepiece continues to run smoothly and precisely.

A watch with a quartz movement will need a battery change approximately every 16 months. If the battery in your quartz watch is dying after just a few months, it may be a sign that the movement is wearing out and draining your battery more quickly. This may mean that the movement needs to be replaced.

All watch cases and bracelets will occasionally need to be cleaned as well.


Are you looking for the perfect luxury watch?

State St. Jewelers is ready to help you find the perfect luxury watch to meet your needs in Greensboro, NC. Contact us today and ask about our certified pre-owned promise. If you don’t see what you are looking for in our cases, we can help you find the perfect timepiece through our network of reputable dealers.


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