Leon Adams of Cellini Jewelers discusses the best time to buy a watch, investing in horology, servicing your timepiece and more. Have a question for the expert? Submit your watch-related questions to Leon today, and what iW readers are wondering: AskCellini@finelifemedia.com
Leon Adams began sharing his passion for haute horlogerie with American watch enthusiasts in 1977, when he opened Cellini Jewelers in New York City. Today his boutiques in the Waldorf Astoria and Midtown Manhattan continue to set the standard for quality, service and selection by offering a refined combination of exceptional timepieces and exquisite jewelry.
Whether you appreciate a well-designed dial, a beautifully constructed movement, or both, Leon Adams and Cellini Jewelers’ extended family understands your passion. Fittingly, Cellini’s Manhattan boutiques offer one of the most extensive selections of timepieces from the world’s best watchmakers, and the horological expertise to match.
Leon Adams will lend his knowledge to iW Magazine and its readers each month, as he will address a selection of your watch-related inquiries. Submit questions to AskCellini@finelifemedia.com, and join us as a unique dialogue unfolds.
What is the difference between a chronometer and a chronograph?
Leon Adams: The first refers to a watch’s accuracy and the second to its function. A chronometer is a high-precision timepiece. To be certified as one, a watch movement must first meet or exceed standardized accuracy benchmarks during an evaluation performed by an independent laboratory. In Switzerland, the agency responsible for chronometer certification is known as the C.O.S.C., the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres. Only a small percentage of the watches produced in Switzerland, less than five percent, are certified chronometers.
A chronograph, on the other hand, is a watch that includes a stopwatch function, giving it the ability to measure intervals of elapsed time. There are several types of chronographs, including the fly-back, which re-sets the timing function instantly, and the split-seconds, which can measure two events that begin simultaneously but end at different times.
Can I damage my watch by adjusting the date at night?
It is possible, but all watches are different, so it’s best to consult the owner’s manual for specific guidelines. As a general rule, though, the date should not be changed between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. to avoid damaging the gear responsible for advancing the date. For most people it’s not an issue because they adjust the date in the morning, when they notice the date is incorrect. But say, for example, your watch stops at 10 and you don’t know if that’s 10 a.m. or 10 p.m. To be safe, I suggest advancing the time manually until the date changes. Then set the watch for 6 a.m. before you adjust the date. Once the date is correct, you can set the watch to the correct time.
Why does my watch have protection against magnetic fields?
Everyday electronic devices, from clock radios to laptops, surround us with magnetic fields all the time. When a mechanical watch passes through one of these, it’s possible to magnetize the mainspring or balance spring, which results in a noticeable loss in accuracy.
The good news is that it won’t cause permanent damage, and an authorized dealer or reputable watch repair shop can de-magnetize the watch for you. But obviously it’s better to avoid magnetizing your watch, which is why brands have developed different techniques to prevent it from happening. Some watches that offer great protection against magnetic fields are the Rolex Milgauss, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas, IWC’s Ingenieur and Omega’s new Seamaster Aqua Terra.
Learn More at www.cellinijewelers.com