This is really the only place to go in Portland for mechanical watch knowledge. Jewelry stores and online sell but do not know.
The world of watches, if not your mobile phone, as of today, are divided in three.
Smart watches, small mobile computers from the Apples and Samsungs of the world. Some are synchronized with the most accurate satellite time sources. They are on the rise.
Electronic watches which depend on small watch batteries for their operation. They are inexpensive to moderately priced. Very accurate. 99% or more of the watches in the world.
Mechanical watches are the old school option. Driven by springs, they tick. Most are "automatic" - wound by their motion on the body. They are not synchronized with satellite and atomic time sources. They are not accurate, but they are a statement.
Although Alex can replace watch batteries and repair some electronic watches, their specialty is mechanical watches. There are many, many lines, and Alex sells new, and some used of many of the lines. They do repair and maintenance of mechanical watches.
The mechanical watch making world is almost exclusively based in Switzerland. The heart of the watch is the movement, all the springs, weights, gears, the body and the screws holding it in alignment. We are talking tweezers and magnifying glasses for the parts.
The case, back, hands, crown, face and band are built around the movement.
It takes some intense engineering to design, manufacture precise parts, assemble and calibrate the movement. So although there are a few hundred mechanical watch brands, there are a much smaller number of companies making the movements for all those brands.
Rolex, which Alex loves, makes their own movements. Quality and durable. Rolex is not a visual design leader, they are the IBM or Ford. But hey, you never will be fired for buying a Rolex!
Surprisingly, Swatch is one of the largest makers of mechanical movements, complementing their electronic watches. Their mechanical movement division is ETA. ETA movements go by numbers. They have been the supplier of those movements to competitors for years, and that may change.
So ETA movements are built into many to most brand mechanical watches.
I am a fan of the the Oris brand of watches. They use ETA movements, they are pretty and they are moderately priced. Alex sells them and I have bought them here!
So when you are looking at at a mechanical watch, a good question to ask is who made the movement. Then the next question is how long will parts or the complete drop in movement be available. I would do your own research for the second question independent of watch dealers.
In watches, there are the technical and bold chronometers and diver watches, and then there are the more formal dress watches. You have to decide for yourself on that. And by the way, men and women can own each!
Also keep in mind that new watches decline in value once they leave the store. The vintage value kicks in a good 20 years down the road. So buy and hold. How it should be!
Alex Watchworks is a great source for measured knowledge, a great source for new watches, a great source for maintained used watches, a great servicer and maintainer of mechanical watches, and they can even change your batteries! read more