We get questions all the time from customers wondering exactly how water resistant their watch is. “Can I shower with it on?” “Can I jump in the pool with it on?” The answers aren’t’ as easy as one would think. Just because a watch has the words “water resistant” on it, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can jump in the pool and swim laps or do some snorkeling.

What matters most when is the depth to which the watch is water resistant. This is always indicated on the watch (if it is water resistant), sometimes in meters, feet, ATM (atmospheres) or Bar. Water resistance is all about how much pressure a watch can withstand before moister will get into the case or movement. Most water resistant watches offer anywhere from 30 meters to 600 meters of water resistance -- and even more for professional instruments -- depending on the watch.

The factors that contribute to water resistance include screw-down crowns, O-rings and gaskets, screw-down case backs and more, depending on how deep the watch can go. To know what you can do while wearing your water resistant watch, you may want to understand the translations of the various methods used for indicating depth. To keep it easy, if a watch is water resistant to 10 meters, it equates to 33 feet, 1 bar or 1 ATM. Most water-resistant daily wear watches are water resistant to 30 meters, or approximate 1,000 feet, 30 Bar or 30 ATM.

Depending on the watch, you will find the “water resistance” depths indicated either on the dial or the case back. If your watch doesn’t say Water Resistant to a particular number, then it is not water resistant, and you should probably remove it when running through a rainstorm. In rare instances a watch may say water resistant but have no depth indicated. That usually means it is protected against humidity and might withstand the rainstorm but not a quick swim in a pool.

A quick rule of thumb for water resistance: A watch that says “30 meters” can withstand some splashing. One that says “50 meters” can withstand short swims in the pool or ocean. A watch that is water resistant to 100 meters can join its wearer in the water for a few hours and is safe to snorkel with. Once you hit water resistance to 200 meters or more, you can take the watch diving with you.

According to the Diver’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO), dive watches must meet the ISO 6425 standard (water resistance to at least 100 meters). Serious divers will want water resistance to 200 or 300 meters. The deeper the watch can go, the more professional it typically is, offering added features like dive-bezels that measure elapsed time under water, extension bracelets or clasps for fitting over a dive suit, helium escape valves and chronometer certifications.

Other important things to note when it comes to water resistance, is shock resistance. We don’t recommend diving off of a board into a pool with a watch that is just 30 or 50 meters resistant. The shock the watch receives when it meets the impact of the water, along with the immediate pressure change, could lead to potential damage. Similarly, we don’t recommend showering with a lower-depth water-resistant watch, because the abrasive chemicals in soap can lead to erosion of the rubber gaskets. We also recommend that when you have your watch serviced – by an authorized service retailer or facility -- they replace worn gaskets (even if they are just changing a battery).

As the trend towards watch collecting continues to rise, we get a lot of questions from people who are trying to understand what powers a watch. Typically watches house either a quartz movement or a mechanical movement. (Some are also solar powered, but that’s another story.) Further adding a little confusion to the world of mechanical watches is the fact that there are two different types of mechanical watches: Self-winding (aka automatic) movements and hand-wound (manual-wind) movements. It isn’t essential to know how each of these movements works (unless you are watch fan), but it is important to understand the differences so you can make an informed purchasing decision.

While quartz watches are powered by a battery, mechanical watches consist of hundreds of tiny components all perfectly assembled to keep the watch on track. In a mechanical watch, the power source that keeps the hands moving and the functions operating comes from a well-orchestrated set of gears, springs, balances, bridges, barrels and more –all working harmoniously together – much like an engine in a car.

The manual-wind (hand-wound) watch has to be hand wound regularly by the wearer to keep the energy flowing. It has a certain amount of power reserve built into it that will keep the watch working for a specified number of hours if you put it down, but it must be wound by hand by the wearer. Some mechanically minded watch lovers love the idea of taking a moment to wind their watch.

Automatic or self-winding watches have what is referred to as a rotor, or oscillating weight, inside the watch that helps to wind the watch itself with the movement of the wearer’s wrist. The rotor delivers the power to the mainspring, avoiding the need to wind the watch. Like a hand-wound watch, automatic watches have a certain amount of power reserve built into them (usually anywhere from 42 hours to two weeks). If the wearer puts the watch down for longer than the specified amount of time, he or she will have to reset the watch to the proper time before wearing it. However, as long as the watch is being worn, or is picked up again before the power reserve runs out, it will continually wind itself.

Some people prefer automatic winding watches to hand-wound for several reasons. One, of course, is the fact that they don’t have to remember to wind the watch, they just have to wear it. Another reason is the “feel.” Automatic movements have gold rotors, or at least heavy enough rotors, to wind the spring. Often, the wearer can feel the rotor moving with the move of the wrist -- reminding him of the mechanics inside. Some creative watch brands have even relocated the rotor so that the wearer can see it spinning on the dial-side of the watch, providing an attractive dance on the wrist.

Naturally, there are pros and cons to each type of mechanical movement, but people who love mechanical things often prefer to wear a mechanical watch with hundreds of parts inside. They don’t care that if they put the watch down for a few days or a week, then they may have to re-set the time before wearing the automatic watch again and they may also have to wind it (manual-wind watches). For many, that is part of the allure of a mechanical watch. Some environmentally conscious individuals also prefer mechanical watches over quartz watches because the quartz timepieces house batteries that will have to be disposed of.

Mechanical watches will also require servicing – no matter which type of mechanical watch you prefer. This is because, just like a car, the movements consist of lubricants that can dry up over time. There are also gaskets that could need replacing. With advanced technology and high-tech materials such as silicium, that servicing is not nearly as frequent as it was decades ago. Most mechanical watches just need service about every five years.

There is no right or wrong about what type of watch you want to buy. It is strictly a personal choice. But if you would like to learn more about these two types of movements, or to hold the different types of watches in your hands, stop in to visit any time.

Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen has a long and storied past when it comes to pilot’s watches. This brand was the first, in the early 1930’s, to make its aviation watches impervious to magnetic fields that pilots would encounter when flying. They did this by adding a soft iron inner case around the movement so that the magnetism couldn’t affect the caliber inside. It also helped guard against temperature fluctuations. The ingenious concept garnered the brand international acclaim and made it one of the best-known names for pilot’s watches.

Of course, since the first IWC Pilot’s watch made its debut in 1936 in response to a request from the British government, the brand has come a long way. It always remained true to important military specifications over the years. In fact, in 1940, IWC unveiled the Big Pilot’s watch (which measured 55mm in diameter and was the biggest wristwatch the brand had made) in a limited edition for the German Air Force. In 1948, it created the now-legendary Mark 11 pilot’s watch with a NATO strap for the British Royal Air Force. Those early watches boasted shatterproof crystals, rotating bezels, oversized crowns and more.

IWC’s roots were inexplicably intwined with aviation and the brand has regularly evolved its pilot’s watches and now has a collection with a host of subdivisions that include the IWC Spitfire, Big Pilot, Mark lines, Antoine de Saint Exupery (author of The Little Prince), and the beloved Top Gun series that it began in 2007. In fact, the brand had struck a relationship with the elite United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, also referred to as Top Gun, and the first collection that carried the Top Gun name was the Pilot’s Watch Double-Chronograph Edition Top Gun. Today there are even several series within the overall Top Gun collection, as well.

Not only is it important to IWC to create high-precision, high-functioning pilot’s watches for aviators, but also it wants aviation enthusiasts as well as current-day watch lovers to be able to wear its watches. As such, the brand regularly turns to high-tech materials that are rugged, lightweight and durable. This includes high-tech ceramic, which it recently unveiled in Woodland green and Lake Tahoe white in addition to black ceramic versions. Developing colored ceramic is no easy feat, and it takes months to research and create a new color of the ultra-hard material. IWC also has its own proprietary ceramic alloy material it calls Ceratanium and offers the IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun watch, and several others, made in this material.

Located in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, IWC also constantly continues evolving its designs and the movements inside to ensure they can go the distance. Recent standout watches in the IWC Pilot’s line up include the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41mm with a bronze case and offers several different pilot’s watches in bronze. IWC uses a bronze that is 50 percent harder than standard bronze thanks to a perfect mix of aluminium, copper and iron. This watch is particularly popular because watch lovers are intrigued by the fact that, over time, the bronze will develop its own unique patina.

Because Pilot’s watches are highly functional, IWC offers everything from a clean and simple three-hands pilot’s watch to versions that incorporate navigational tools and other helpful functions, including chronographs, perpetual calendars, world timers and more.

Today, the brand continues to be affiliated with Top Gun, as well as with some other prestigious organizations that keep it in the forefront of aviation. Among those: the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation, The Spitfire Academy, Airspeeder (electric flying racing cars), and others.

One little known fact about IWC that most don’t know (unless you’re a true watch lover): this brand was founded by an American, Florentine Ariosto Jones, who left Boston for Switzerland to find a way to commercialize production. The brand name: International Watch Company.

With the holidays here, you may be searching for that perfect gift – for yourself or your loved one. Why not give the gift of time, and while you’re at it, dazzle her with diamonds. A watch is a perfect gift because it shows you cared enough to think about your loved one’s likes, style and even lifestyle. Adding a touch of sparkle is like icing on the cake. The watch doesn’t have to be totally blinged out. Sometimes a touch of diamonds on the dial or the bezel is all you need. Here, we take a look at five different diamond watches that could beautifully portray your love.

Chanel

For the woman who loves a classic look, you can’t go wrong with anything Chanel. This French brand first introduced the sleek J12 watch to the world in 1999, and it was an immediate hit. This 38mm Chanel J12 Diamond Bezel watch, which, like most things Chanel, can be found in white or in black, is crafted in high-tech ceramic and steel and shimmers thanks to the diamond-set bezel. It features 50 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 1.51 carats. The dial is white lacquer with 12 diamond markers. The watch is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 12.1 and is water resistant to 50 meters. It is sold with a white ceramic bracelet for a glistening statement in style.

Cartier

A legend in the world of watchmaking, Cartier has been creating timepieces of distinction for more than a century. This Santos de Cartier watch is an icon. Originally created in 1904 by Louis Cartier for aviator Alberto Santos Dumont who used to fly his dirigibles around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Santos watch went into production in 1911 and is coveted today in its many evolutions. This 18-karat yellow gold watch features a bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The watch is powered by an automatic movement and is water resistant to 100 meters. It is sold with two leather straps that are interchangeable without needing a tool.

IWC Schaffhausen

A brand known for its exceptional pilot’s watches, IWC Schaffhausen puts great emphasis on its women’s watches, especially in the beloved Portofino collection. The all-new Portofino Automatic Day & Night watch in stainless steel is an absolute stunner. Measuring just 34mm in diameter, the watch boasts a shimmering midnight blue dial with diamond dots above the markers and a subsidiary dial that showcase the moon and the sun. The bezel is set with diamond brilliants and perfectly surrounds the gleaming dial. Powered by an automatic mechanical movement with 50 hours of power reserve, this beauty is also water resistant to 50 meters. The blue calfskin strap, which is interchangeable, completes the romantic look.

Omega

Omega has a long and storied past in watchmaking, with one of its pillar brands being the Constellation. In fact, the Constellation dates back to 1952, when it was first introduced, and has enjoyed many evolutions. This Constellation Co-Axial Chronometer watch combines the best of both worlds: beauty and brawn. Immediately identifiable thanks to the claws that reach from the bezel to the case sides on both sides of the watch (at 3:00 and 9:00), the 27mm 18-karat 5N rose gold watch is delightfully set with 281 diamonds in a swirling pattern on the dial and in rows on the bezel and between each bracelet link. Additionally, it is powered by the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 8421 mechanical movement that is a COSC-certified chronometer attesting to its robustness and precision. A transparent sapphire case back allows for viewing of the finely finished movement.

Gucci

In 1921, when Guccio Gucci opened his leather goods store in Florence, he specialized in luggage, but also made saddles for horses and leather goods for riders. Inspired by that equestrian lifestyle, Gucci later incorporated the horsebit motif into its products. In fact, in the 1950’s, the horsebit design first made an appearance on handbags by the brand. It has since evolved into jewelry and even watches. This 28mm Gucci Horsebit bangle watch is crafted in stainless steel and boasts a diamond-set horse bit. Even the white mother-of-pearl dial is set with three diamonds on it. This watch is powered by a Swiss-made quartz movement and is water resistant to 50 meters. Simple, subtle but definitively Gucci.

Just close your eyes and think Chanel. You immediately conjure images of haute couture, of classic elegance, of black and white fashion and of the famed Chanel No. 5 perfume, among others. Maybe you think of Gabrielle (Coco) herself, or of the designs she created and made legendary. Maybe you think of the concepts that inspired her, and maybe you think Chanel watches.

It was in 1987 that the house of Chanel unveiled its first wristwatch. Conceived of by Jacques Helleu, artistic director, that first watch, the Première, was revolutionary for its day. It featured an octagon case that recalled the bottle stopper of the iconic Chanel No. 5 fragrance and was inspired by the shape of Place Vendome, the area of Paris that Chanel called home. That first Première watch boasted a chain link bracelet that was interwoven with black leather – a nod to the beloved Chanel handbags. It was resolutely feminine at a time when most watches were tailored for men, and it fast became one of the most sought-after watches of its time.

"I fought to make a design that was strong, that was unique, that – more than just launching a single collection – would become an eternal reference," said Helleu of the Première as he ushered this iconic haute couture brand into the world of watchmaking. Now, Chanel reimagines the emblematic watch in a sleek rendition that is at once modern and yet beautifully retro. Designed by today’s director of the Chanel Watch Creation Studio, Arnaud Chastaingt, the re-issued Première Édition Originale is stylish, chic and immediately identifiable from across a crowded room.

"In 2022, I wanted the Première to find its place again and to put it at the heart of our collection,” said Chastaingt. “This creation is our DNA and a CHANEL code through and through. Far more than a watch, the Première is a lesson in style."

And style is exactly what the Première Édition Originale watch embraces. The octagonal shaped watch is crafted in black and gold – a pure statement of elegance and a tribute to Chanel, who frequently designed in dual colors. The case and bracelet links are stainless steel with 18-karat yellow gold plating, while the dial is black lacquer and the leather that intertwines with the gold plated links is black, as well. The dial is devoid of numerals and markers for a crisp, clean look. Just the Chanel logo, the word "Swiss" and the hands grace the face. A black onyx cabochon is set on the gold-plated crown and the gold-hued hands feature a center black circle where they meet.

The watch is the quintessential embodiment of class and grace. The sapphire crystal that protects the dial is also octagonal thanks to beveled corners and edges that give the watch a great sense of depth and dimension. Offering just the hours and minutes, the watch is powered by a high-precision quartz movement and is water resistant to 30 meters.

To celebrate the re-issue of this first watch, Chanel Watchmaking and Fine Jewelry has completely redesigned its 18 Place Vendome townhouse. The brand also turned to Korean American model and artist, Soo Joo Park, as the face behind the new Première Édition Originale.

If you’ve visited our store recently, you may have noticed that we’ve been busy curating a great selection of pre-owned watches. Why? Because buying pre-owed timepieces is a consumer trend that’s on the uptick for a host of reasons. Among them: selection, price, and even sustainability.

A couple of years ago, at the start of the pandemic, when people were confined to their homes, many turned to new passions, including watch collecting. The digital platforms selling pre-owned and vintage watches became a nice alternative for those who couldn’t frequent their favorite retailers. While the online option still exists, there is nothing quite like seeing a watch in person, trying it on and walking out with a great purchase. That is the impetus behind offering stronger pre-owned options in store. And, while pre-owned watches will never take the place of buying a new timepiece, today’s watch collectors and watch lovers are finding that this category of watches has a lot to offer.

While most people prefer a new watch to a previously owned piece, collectors can have a hard time finding the watch brand or model that they want. Today, especially for certain brands, there are long waiting lists. The second-hand market isn’t about waiting lists. Sometimes, watch lovers get tired of waiting for the “new” watch to come into stock, so they seek alternative routes and pre-owned is the top way to find what you want without the wait. Similarly, by perusing the pre-owned market, you might just find a hard-to-get watch or a limited edition piece that has recently come onto the market.

It is also important to keep in mind that sometimes those pre-owned watches are almost brand new, as in timepieces that have been discontinued by the brand. It’s like buying a piece of art that was previously owned. It hung on a wall, but it still looks brand new. In fact, other than cars, watches are one of the few luxury categories that are called pre-owned or gently used. Buying a piece of pre-owned furniture is referred to as buying vintage, for instance.

The consumer must still do some research and make sure he or she is buying from a reliable source. For instance, here at C.D. Peacock, we do a lot more than polish up a trade in and put it into the showcase. We inspect our pre-owned watches very carefully, and, where possible, offer warranties.

Today’s more environmentally conscious consumers also love the idea of buying pre-owned watches. A mechanical watch, when properly maintained, can last forever, so it is a highly sustainable option to begin with – made even better by purchasing a watch that once belonged to someone else.

Another plus side to the pre-owned market is pricing. Often, consumers can get a good deal by buying a pre-owned watch. This isn’t the case with the high-demand pieces, but most of the time, pre-owned watches are a fraction of the cost of new. This opens doors to a new collector, or a lover of watches whose wallet may not be as big as someone else’s.

So the next time you are in our store, feel free to take a closer look at our pre-owned selection. You just might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Even if you are not a dive enthusiast, you’ll most like still love the new Tudor 39mm Pelagos watch. It’s got everything going for it, including a perfect case size for any wrist, top-notch movement and materials and great looks. Like other Tudor Pelagos watches, which are designed for diving (some versions are even fitted with helium escape valves for saturation diving), this new version certainly can go in the water with its wearer but bridges the gap between water and on land – making it highly wearable and versatile.

Tudor, the younger sibling of Rolex, was founded by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1926. The brand quickly became popular in Europe and has been operating uninterrupted since its founding. Originally, the brand bought its movement parts from Rolex, but recently it has begun its own movement production. Owned by Rolex and backed by the big brand’s funding, Tudor can invest great sums in research and development to achieve top-notch functions and top-quality materials.

The brand has a rich past with water resistant and dive watches and actually launched the first Pelagos watch exactly a decade ago in 2012. Named “Pelagos” --derived from the Greek word for open Sea – this high functioning sport watch is generally a great starting point for new collections thanks to its lineage and value proposition.

The new Tudor 39 Pelagos watch meets all of the ISO standards for dive watches, including being water resistant to 200 meters (660 feet), but also boasts some aesthetic features in addition to great functions. Measuring 39mm in diameter, the urban chic timepiece is crafted of grade 2 titanium, making it incredibly light in weight yet highly durable and resistant to scratches. The watch also boasts luminescent ceramic-composite monobloc hour markers for easy underwater – or in the dark – reading.

For those who want to dive right in, the watch is sold on a titanium bracelet with a rapid adjustment system (T-Fit) for the clasp and a diver’s extension to fit over wetsuits. It comes with a complementary interchangeable (without needing tools) black rubber strap (with a rubber extension piece). The bezel is finished in sunray sunray satin with a ceramic insert with X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminous materials for reading the graduated dive scale markings. The watch also is equipped with a center stop-seconds features for absolute precise setting of the time.

As with all Pelagos watches, this 39mm version is powered by the Manufacture Caliber MT5400, which is also a COSC-certified Chronometer – attesting to the fact that it underwent a variety of tests and passed the strict codes of excellence with flying colors. In fact, the Tudor Pelagos exceeds the expectations of COSC (-4 to +6) seconds of variation a day by two seconds – ensuring an average variation daily of just between -2 and +4. The movement is equipped with a silicon hairspring that reduces friction and offers better wear and tear. It also offers 70 hours of power reserve. It is backed by Tudor’s five-year transferable guarantee that does not require periodic maintenance checks.

History of the Pelagos or note that the name of this collection is inspired by the Greek word for Sea? There's lots of great technological info but there are also many Tudor buyers who are "newer" watch collectors so the technical may not be as important to them as much as some "fun facts" or some interesting history they can relate to or share with their buddies. Thoughts?