Frequently asked questions
Movement / Rate
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What is the rate tolerance for a mechanical Carl F. Bucherer timepiece?
The deviation of the rate depends on the conception of the movement and can consequently vary between different models. For more detailed information you may contact our customer service.
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Which movement is used in my watch?
Any information about the movements can be found in the collection.
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What is the difference between an automatic and a mechanical movement?
A mechanical watch should be wound manually every day before wearing. The automatic movement winds up by the movement of the wrist. Wearing the watch for 10-12 hours generates enough power for the watch to run overnight. If the watch is not being worn long enough, not worn daily or if the wrist movements are insufficient, the power reserve diminishes constantly. In this case we recommend to wind the watch manually before wearing. Approx. 15-20 winds of the crown is enough to ensure its reliable functioning.
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What is the definition of the power reserve of a timepiece with an automatic winding movement and how does it work?
Due to the various models, the requested information about the power reserve can be found in the selection of the specific watches.
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Does an automatic watch need manual winding?
In order to get your automatic watch working in the correct way, it needs an initial energy supply by winding the crown manually. Approx. 15-20 winds of the crown is enough to ensure its reliable functioning (please refer to the user manual of your timepiece). Wearing the watch during the whole day (moving actively), can generate a power reserve up to 2 days.
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Is it possible to overwind a watch?
A mechanical watch is fully wound when the crown provides resistance. Please do not wind the watch beyond the resistance point, as this could cause damage to the winding mechanism.
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Which are the advantages and disadvantages comparing a quartz timepiece with an automatic timepiece?
Due to the varying demands of different watch wearers, each watch movement has its properties and advantages. Wearers of automatic timepieces demand more advanced, aesthetic and intricate technical features. Whereas wearers of timepieces with a quartz mechanism demand a watch with higher accuracy and appeal to watches with less robust dimensions.
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What is the life span of a battery?
The life span of a timepiece battery depends on the functions of the timepiece and frequency of its use. Replacing the battery must only be carried out by an approved Carl F. Bucherer Service Center.
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Where can I have the battery replaced?
Replacing the battery must only be carried out by an approved Carl F. Bucherer Service Center.
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Adjustments / Date
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What has to be considered with a watch with date display?
There are two systems of date change. With the quick date-change system, the date changes instantly. With the slow date-change system, the date changes gradually. Please avoid changing the date manually between ca. 8 pm and 2 am, as this could interrupt the automatic process and consequently could damage connected functions of your timepiece.
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How can I fine tune the rate of my timepiece?
Fine tuning of the rate should only be carried out by an approved Carl F. Bucher Service Center.
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Materials / Specific properties
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Can a sapphire crystal get scratched?
A sapphire crystal can be scratched. Sapphire is rated number 9 on the hardness scale. With a hardness rating of 10, only diamond is harder. However, a sapphire crystal can be scratched with a diamond or an equally hard material such as the building material concrete (contains corondum), which also has a hardness rating of 9.
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Are Carl F. Bucherer gold timepieces made of solid gold?
Carl F. Bucherer gold timepieces are made of 18k solid gold.
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Can I wear a Carl F. Bucherer stainless steel watch if I am allergic to nickel?
Carl F. Bucherer only use materials which have passed the strictest clinical tests. These tests have proven that the nickel content is very small and demonstrate that the watch can be worn for long periods of time without causing allergic reactions. People that have a high allergic reaction to stainless steel should choose another material altogether.
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What luminous material is used for the dials and hands?
Carl F. Bucherer use "Superluminova" as luminous material for the dials and hands.
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What are the considerations of choosing a leather watch strap?
In order to preserve the appearance of the leather band as long as possible, Carl F. Bucherer recommend to follow their care instructions below: - To avoid discoloration or deformation, do not bring the leather band in contact with water or humidity. - Exposure to direct sunlight over an extended period of time could lead to fading of the colour. - As leather is permeable, you should avoid contact with oily substances or cosmetics. - Cleaning the leather band with leather cleaner is not advised.
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Are the leather watch straps available in different lengths?
For best strap comfort, most leather armbands come in three different sizes.
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What are the materials used for Carl F. Bucherer watch straps?
Carl F. Bucherer use the following materials for their armbands: stainless steel, Gold 18k, calf, goat, alligator, crocodile, rubber, rubber with coramid inlay, textile
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What jewels do Carl F. Bucherer use in the manufacture of their movements?
The jewels used in the manufacture of our movements are functional stones made from industrial standard rubies. They are designed to reduce friction as well as mechanical wear and tear. These jewels are used for the bearings, levers and detents as well as for pallet stones of the escapement. Due to their level of purity and higher homogeneity of the crystal structure (compared to the natural ruby, with almost identical physical and chemical properties), at this present time synthetic rubies are used for watch jewels almost exclusively.
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Are Carl F. Bucherer timepieces shock resistant?
A representative part of mechanical movements, which are utilized in Carl F. Bucherer watches, are shock tested up to 5000g acceleration. This is equivalent to a fall from a height of 1 meter onto a hard wooden floor.
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Can a Carl F. Bucherer timepiece be worn during sporting activities?
Depending on the type of sport, watches are allowed to be worn. However, heavy impacts and aggressive activities should be totally avoided while wearing your timepiece. This type of activity can result in irregular accuracy of the watches functions.
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Water resistance
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To what depth is my Carl F. Bucherer timepiece water resistant?
Every Carl F. Bucherer timepiece is marked with the corresponding water-resistance. The water-resistance of a watch may decrease after a period of time, for example due to the ageing of the gaskets or an accidental (mechanical) impact against one of the components, which is responsible for the water-resistance (such as the crown, pusher or the crystal). Therefore, we recommend checking the condition of your timepiece in a Carl F. Bucherer authorized Service Center once a year.
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Can the chronograph functions be used under water?
To avoid water from penetrating into the watch movement, never operate the chronograph pushers under water.
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Prices / Warranty
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Is a price list for Carl F. Bucherer timepieces available?
A price list for Carl F. Bucherer watches is not available online. Detailed price information is only available from authorised Carl F. Bucherer retailers. These dealers will also provide professional information and recommendations about the products in our collection.
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What is the warranty duration of Carl F. Bucherer timepieces?
Your Carl F. Bucherer was manufactured by our watchmakers with great care and according to the strictest quality guidelines. Should any defect of material or manufacture nevertheless appear, Carl f. Bucherer offers a warranty for a period of two years from date of purchase. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or damage resulting from improper treatment. The warranty is valid when fully completed by an official Carl F. Bucherer specialist dealer at the time of purchase. In case of damage, please contact your official Carl F. Bucherer specialist dealer or one of the official Carl F. Bucherer Service Centers. Please be sure to produce the fully completed warranty card with the watch.
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Do Carl F. Bucherer have a service warranty?
Carl F. Bucherer offers an international service warranty of 2 years (24months) on any service work completed within a full maintenance service or a service warranty of 1 year (12 months) on any service work completed within a partial service.
If any defect or nonconformity should appear, which is covered by the warranty and is approved as such by the customer service, Carl F. Bucherer will repair the faulty restoration (if required repair or replacement of spare parts) without incurring any costs. Further rights related to the faulty execution are excluded. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or damages caused by accidents, lack of care or negligence. The warranty is void if any repairs or interventions have been attempted by a third party which is not qualified to carry out service work by Carl. F Bucherer.
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Different questions
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How can I be certain of the authenticity of my Carl F. Bucherer timepiece?
We recommend to only purchase Carl F. Bucherer timepieces in our official stores to ensure authenticity.
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How do I recognise an official Carl F. Bucherer store?
Any official Carl F. Bucherer retailers and service centers can be found on our website by using the store locator.
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How can I find out the value of my timepiece?
If your watch originates from the current collection, we may communicate the currently valid price in the Swiss market.
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Is it possible to find out the date of manufacture of my Carl F. Bucherer timepiece?
The date of manufacture is not available.
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What is the definition of a chronometer?
Translated from the Greek, the word "chronometer" means measurer of time. Only precision watches that are extremely accurate and meet strict international criteria may be termed chronometers. The independent Swiss authority, Controlle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), tests watches over a period of 15 days in five different positions and at three different temperatures.
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What does magnetism mean and how does it affect my timepiece?
Avoid placing your watch close to loudspeakers, refrigerators or any other electrical devices which generate magnetic fields, as it could affect the accuracy of your timepiece.
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When should I take my Carl F. Bucherer timepiece for servicing?
Like any high precision-instrument, a Carl F. Bucherer timepiece needs to be serviced on a regular basis, to ensure a reliable functioning according to the technical specifications. It is not possible to define standard values regarding the timing of the service intervals, as it depends on the model, the climate, the nature, the manner of the wearing and the treating of the watch. According to our many years of experience, we can recommend a service interval of approx. 4-5 years. We recommend checking the water-resistance of a Carl F. Bucherer watch once a year, but also if the case suffers any hard knocks. The water-resistance of a watch may decrease after a period of time, for example due to the ageing of the gaskets or an accidental (mechanical) impact against one of the components, which is responsible for the water-resistance (such as the crown, pusher or the crystal). This quick check can be done in any certified Carl F. Bucherer service center and is free of charge. The water-resistance check can help to prevent unexpected and avoidable functionality problems, which could damage your Carl F. Bucherer timepiece and could possibly lead to cost intensive measures.
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What should I do if I notice condensation under the crystal?
As condensation under the crystal could cause damage to your timpepiece, please take it to an official Carl F. Bucherer Service Center immediately. General information: the water resistance may decrease after a period of time, for example due to the ageing of the gaskets or due to an accidental (mechanical) impact against one of the components, which is responsible for the water-resistance (such as the crown, pusher or the crystal). As listed in our maintenance instructions, we recommend checking the water-resistance once a year in one of our Carl F. Bucherer certified Service Centers. This check can help to prevent unexpected and avoidable functionality problems, which could damage your Carl F. Bucherer timepiece and could possibly lead to cost intensive measures.
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What is the life span of a Carl F. Bucherer timepiece?
Your Carl F. Bucherer watch was designed to be a loyal timepiece that gives you many years of great reliability and pleasure from its outstanding quality. The life span of your watch is in your hands by taking excellent care and by servicing it regularly. Carl F. Bucherer guarantee the availability of spare parts for a minimum of 20 years from the date production is discontinued.
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Can Carl F. Bucherer spare parts be delivered to its customers directly?
Spare parts can not be directly given to customers for technical and quality assurance reasons. The world wide spread Carl F. Bucherer service centers are available to all customers and offer a professional service, carried out in accordance with Carl F. Bucherer's high quality standards.
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