Understanding What Power Reserve Means

When we show a mechanical watch to connoisseurs, they often ask, “How much power reserve does it have?”  What we in America call Power Reserve, the Swiss refer to as “Reserve de Marche,” and we want to explain what it means and how a watch is endowed with power.

Essentially, when a mechanical watch is fully wound, it is chocked with enough power to keep it running for a pre-determined length of time. By winding the watch, gears, teeth, springs and barrels all play a connected role to keep the watch running. In automatic mechanical watches, a “rotor” or oscillating weight moves with the movement of the arm or wrist and “winds” the watch. In a manual-wind watch, the wearer must manually turn the crown to fully power the timepiece.

Both of these methods essentially wind a long main spring that is coiled and placed inside a cylinder or barrel in the movement. This is where the energy is stored. The spring releases the energy, or the tension, in a consistent manner from when the watch is fully wound until it gets closer to the end of the spring’s tension. In other words, the spring is nearly unwound. This is when the watch would need to be re-wound to fully power it up.

The amount of power reserve inside of a watch is determined by the making of the movement. If it is single barrel watch, it has only one spring; if it is a double barrel watch, it has two strings and the power will last longer. Most mechanical watches typically have at least 48 to 72 hours of power reserve so that if you take your watch off at the end of the night on Friday and leave it off for the weekend, it should still be working on Sunday or Monday, when you don it for work again.

So if someone asks about the power reserve of a watch, it is essentially how long the watch will run without needing to be re-wound or shaken (in the case of an automatic). Many watch brands offer a neat little indicator dial that depicts when the power reserve is getting low. Sometimes this is done with an Up/Down indication, or with a plus or minus sign. Sometimes it is indicated via a hand that runs on an arc from blue or black at the top to red (empty) at the bottom. Some watch brands have even developed their own way of indicating when it is time to re-wind.

 

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Citrine: Novemeber’s Birthstone

November has arrived and while the leaves keep showing off their autumnal hues, this month’s birthstone, citrine, joins in with its yellow and orange colors seeming to compliment the world around us.

The warm, yellow tone of this stone is the perfect addition to a fall wardrobe, not only because it matches the environment, but also because its color has been thought to radiate positive energy.

Lisette 18k Citrine and Diamond Studs.

If you have a business deal coming up, you might want to wear some citrine. Throughout history, it has been known as the ‘success stone’ since it is believed to promote prosperity and abundance, especially in situations involving business. It has also earned the nickname of ‘the merchant’s stone’ owing to the fact that business owners used to keep citrine in cash registers for good fortune.

14k Citrine Drop Station Necklace.

For those of you not necessarily interested in business success, it is also said that citrine is able to dissipate negative energy, provide stability in life, and relieve depression and self-doubt.

Citrine is very affordable and versatile making it the number one selling yellow-to-orange stone. View our citrine birthstone collection here.

Calypso Collection 14k Citrine Drop Bracelet. $150

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‘Elite Traveler’ Magazine Publishes Top 50 Watches of 2017

In its September/October issue, the prestigious Elite Traveler Magazine — authorities on all things luxury — published its “Top 50 Watches of 2017″ list. The 20-page cover feature is a behemoth reportage of the top watches to enter the market in 2017.

The carefully curated selection was made by Elite Traveler contributing editor, Roberta Naas. The 34-year watch-industry journalist is the author of six books on watches and founder of http://ift.tt/1f5hWhs — the online e-zine.

The Top 50 Watches were selected based on a host of important criteria: 1) they had to be new this year; 2) they had to carry a retail price of more than $10,000 (to meet the discerning tastes of the Elite Traveler loyal readers); and 3) the watches could not have received prior print coverage in the magazine.

Additionally, brands could not have entries in multiple categories. In fact, the 50 top watches fall into one of these nine categories: Astronomical Watches, Chronographs, Calendars, Complications, Innovations, High-Jeweled, Métiers d’ Arts, Skeletons and Sport Watches. Also included were a number of “honorable mentions.”

 

 

 

We are happy to say that we carry some of the brands that grace the 20-page special section in Elite Traveler Magazine.  Stop in any time to see the brands we carry that are featured in the Elite Traveler Top 50 Watches of 2017. For more information, click here…

 

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Watch Lovers Rejoice! WatchTime NYC Show This Weekend

 

If you are a watch lover planning a trip to New York City in mid-October, you won’t want to miss one of the best events/watch shows happening in the Big Apple. On October 13 and 14, the WatchTime New York show takes place at Gotham Hall. Here, approximately 20 top brands are exhibiting their newest watches that were unveiled to the world earlier this year in Switzerland. Additionally, on Saturday the 14th, there are a host of panel discussions going on.

There is a pre-show panel to Meet the Watchmaking Stars, which will feature top watchmakers from Switzerland and America discussing how they started their careers in this field. Slated for later in the day is panel of watch experts from the publishing and retail fields, as well as another event called “Meet the Brand Executives.” An historical exhibit will be on location, and there will be a review of all of the James Bond Watches — six decades worth — presented by WatchTime. The full-day event ticket costs $39, and you can register at Watchtimenewyork.com.

It should be noted that no watches are bought/sold at this show. It is geared for getting a closer look at some of the finest brands, as well as for meeting watch collectors, watch makers and executives in the industry.

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Watch Lovers Rejoice! WatchTime NYC Show This Weekend

 

If you are a watch lover planning a trip to New York City in mid-October, you won’t want to miss one of the best events/watch shows happening in the Big Apple. On October 13 and 14, the WatchTime New York show takes place at Gotham Hall. Here, approximately 20 top brands are exhibiting their newest watches that were unveiled to the world earlier this year in Switzerland. Additionally, on Saturday the 14th, there are a host of panel discussions going on.

There is a pre-show panel to Meet the Watchmaking Stars, which will feature top watchmakers from Switzerland and America discussing how they started their careers in this field. Slated for later in the day is panel of watch experts from the publishing and retail fields, as well as another event called “Meet the Brand Executives.” An historical exhibit will be on location, and there will be a review of all of the James Bond Watches — six decades worth — presented by WatchTime. The full-day event ticket costs $39, and you can register at Watchtimenewyork.com.

It should be noted that no watches are bought/sold at this show. It is geared for getting a closer look at some of the finest brands, as well as for meeting watch collectors, watch makers and executives in the industry.

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Insider Tips to Buying an Engagement Ring

Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but can also be a fun experience if you are prepared.   Here are some pointers to get you started in the right direction – – some practical, some romantic, and some steeped in history & tradition.  We should know a thing or two….we’ve been helping happy couples for over 100 years. Once you know your stuff, check out our engagement ring selection and start your journey towards the perfect ring.

Give yourself plenty of time.

Most people typically shop 1 – 3 months prior to their planned date of proposal….give yourself plenty of time so that you don’t feel pressure and have time to plan the perfect proposal, too!  You may decide that you want a custom-designed one-of-a-kind ring, and that takes extra time…it’s always best to be ahead of schedule so that you can enjoy the selection and buying process.

Know the bride-to-be’s style.

What kind of jewelry does she already wear? Is she more classic or modern? Feminine or sophisticated?  Do her pieces tend to be more delicate or chunky? Simple or ornate?  Observe her demeanor, her body language, her dress, and any references she makes about jewelry, fashion and style.  She will be wearing this ring 24/7 every day of her life. It will need to go with everything from jeans to evening wear and everything in between.

Separate fact from fiction.

There are many factors to consider when making this lifetime investment.  Good online resources for unbiased and knowledgeable information are:  www.gia.edu and http://ift.tt/1mQUIPN.  Trust in your jeweler is critical so be sure to shop with reputable establishments who can provide both a great shopping experience and valuable education about your purchase.

Have a sense of your budget before shopping.

You don’t need the exact number, but have a range in mind, be it monthly payments on an installment program, financing the entire purchase, or any combination of either.  You may be pleasantly surprised that financing offers now allow you to find the perfect ring for less than you may have imagined.  In the end, try to purchase the nicest ring that you can afford and be sure you’re comfortable with the payment or expense; being uneasy about debt is not something you want on your mind right now.

YES, the 4 c’s are really important.

You don’t need to obtain a gemology degree, but you should have a basic understanding of what contributes to a diamond’s value and appearance.   And as fundamental as it sounds, there IS a fifth “C”…. Confidence in your jeweler.  Ask for referrals – – be sure you’re buying from a reputable jeweler who is a member of either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS).

The order of things.

First, select the gemstone:  traditional diamond or something different?  There are no rules…follow your heart and dare to be distinctive!  Then select the shape – –  that will help you determine the best possible setting to showcase the fire and brilliance of your gem.  Lastly, select the metal of the setting, also sometimes called the mounting, and you can begin to narrow your search.   Precious platinum is a great option for many because of its durability and lasting value. A great way to preview different designs is to use a Ring Builder tool that will let you digitally create a ring step by step.

Consider a personal touch.

There are many things that you can do to add a very personal element to your ring:  perhaps someone in your family has gemstones that you want to include in the design of your ring.  Or consider a beautiful engraving crafted inside the ring.  A really distinctive option is to have your diamond laser engraved with a special message – – work with your jeweler for a creative solution that suits your style.

Protect your investment

After all that hard work of finding the perfect ring and hearing the all-important “yes”, you now need to be protective of your investment.  You shouldn’t assume that you have coverage in case of loss – – always check with your insurance carrier.  Your jeweler can coach you here as well to be sure you are safeguarding this very special purchase.

 

Hamilton Jewelers has been helping couples create their dream engagement rings for over 100 years and we are happy to share our expertise with anyone looking for guidance. We hope you found these tips useful in your search for the perfect ring. If you would like to learn more about our engagement ring and bridal services, feel free to visit our online Bridal Salon, or visit us at our locations in Princeton, NJ or Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

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September Sapphires

Welcome to September! A new month brings a new brilliant gemstone to feature as a birthstone and this month is the stunning sapphire.  Many throughout history would say you have been blessed to have the Sapphire as your birthstone. For centuries this stunning stone has adorned the robes of clergy and royalty symbolizing nobility, truth and faithfulness.

During the Middle Ages, many even believed that sapphires symbolized Heaven and brought about heavenly blessings.  It’s not hard to see why these beliefs were so common, as the deep blue hue of most sapphires remind us of the infinite blue skies and bring about a sense of calmness and reserved glamour.

Most associate sapphires with its popular blue color, but luckily for you September babies, they actually come in pretty much any color, except red, then it is considered a ruby. There are even some that show combinations of different colors and can visually change color under certain light. When formed, the stone is naturally colorless. It is trace elements like iron, titanium, chromium, copper and magnesium that determine the color of the sapphire.

Another unique type of sapphire is the star sapphire. The star effect called asterism appears as a six-ray star across a cabochon-cut stone’s curved surface. It occurs from white light reflecting from numerous tiny, oriented needle-like inclusions. If you are looking for a unique stone that will catch anyone’s eye, the star sapphire will not disappoint.

The sapphire is not only a popular choice for jewelry because of its beautiful array of colors, but also because of its hardness. They score a 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamonds, making them a perfect alternative to diamond engagement rings.

Whether you go with the classic blue stone or opt for a fun fancy color, September babies are sure to have a month of luck and happiness (and amazing accessories) while wearing a stunning sapphire.

Scroll below to see some of our favorite sapphire pieces or check out this month’s birthstone section.

Rose Gold Sapphire and Diamond Starburst Earrings.

14k Yellow Gold Diamond and Sapphire Evil Eye Pendant

FRED Force 10 Blue Cable Bracelet with Sapphire Buckle

Barbela Design 14k Rose Gold Diamond and Sapphire Ring

Temple St. Clair 18k Gold Multi Color Sapphire Eternity Band

Astley Clarke Interstellar Sapphire Stud Earrings

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