Watch Advice – Repair or Replace?

There comes a time in every watch’s life when we have to decide: should we repair it or just go ahead and replace it?  There’s often an argument that you should do whatever is the least expensive, but sometimes our heart speaks to us over our heads; what if the watch is a family heirloom, for example?  Or was a gift from someone? 

What if, you simply just like the watch you have and don’t want to change it?  Read on for some advice from a local independent jeweller as to whether you should repair or replace your watch:

External watch problems

External problems are normally the easiest to diagnose as they are obvious to the untrained eye. These problems include broken straps and cracked faces and can often easily be fixed by a local jewellery shop. 

For example, your local jeweller will stock a large range of straps to suit your taste: from leather to gold and silver, and bracelet style to metal links.  Similarly, sections of the strap, such as individual links or the clasp, can easily be repaired or replaced to make the watch as good as new.  The lugs (the metal attachments connecting the bracelet to the face) can also be rebuilt or replaced, as can worn buttons and stems on the side of the face.  If you’ve cracked the glass of your watch, fear not: your local independent jeweller should easily be able to replace the watch casing for you, and waterproof watches can even be resealed to make them water resistant again; you’ll even get a certificate to prove its water resistance depth.

Internal watch problems

A trained local independent jeweller will often be able to diagnose internal watch problems, too.  Normally, they can strip the watch down by removing the movement, taking off the hands and dial and turning the power off (either by removing the battery in a quartz watch or letting the mainspring down in a mechanical watch).  Then, your local jeweller can examine each part for wear, and can often clean them or replace them with new parts, before reassembling the watch and testing it to make sure it’s working.

Watch batteries

As obvious as it may sound, sometimes all it takes is replacing the battery.  Your local jewellery shop will happily help with this, and will stock a variety of watch battery types, taking the utmost care and attention when replacing it.  Your watch will be as good as new in no time!

The Charm is in the Charm Bracelet

Charm bracelets are extremely popular and fashionable right now and make excellent gifts.  But there’s a lot of choice out there, so it’s important to know you’re making the right decision.  Your local independent jeweller is a great place to start when it comes to charm bracelet advice – and they’ll also have a variety of different styles in stock to help you get it right, too!

Hanging charms

Charm bracelets have moved on a lot from the days when you needed to take each individual charm to your local jewellery shop to be fixed onto the bracelet.  What’s more, once the old fashioned hanging charms had been fixed onto the bracelet by a local jeweller, they stayed there, too. 

Nowadays, charms have little clasps attached which means that they can either be fastened to bracelets which have large links, or to ‘sweetie’ style bracelets, and can be moved about as you add to your collection or simply fancy a change.  Your local jeweller will stock both types, so you can compare the two and see which you prefer.  And if you have any of the old-style charms which need to be fixed to a bracelet, your local independent jeweller will still be able to help with this too – just pop along to your local jewellery shop, and they’ll attach them for you!

Bead charms

Bead charms are exactly as they sound – large metal, precious-stone or glass beads which can be threaded onto silver, gold or leather ‘snake’ style bracelets.  They still feature a variety of designs – from animals to plants, buildings to vehicles and even coloured beads – but each charm has a hole through the middle to allow it to be strung onto a bracelet bead-style. The Kit Heath charm bracelet range is a popular choice, stocked by your local independent jeweller.  Kit’s sterling silver range features elongated beads inspired by the seaside and nature – you might find some looking like the jaunty deckchairs you often get at British seaside resorts, pretty pebbles and shells, or even a Union Jack!

Ready-made charm bracelets

If you want to get your collection off to a good start, or want to give a gift which features more than one charm, your local jewellery shop will offer ready-made collections. 

Most makes of charm bracelet will offer bracelets with two or three complementing charms included; these often have a theme, so if you’re buying a birthday or anniversary gift, for example, you may be able to buy a charm bracelet which is relevant to the occasion.  Similarly, if you want a memento of a special holiday, you should be able to find you a set of charms to reflect the holiday destination; just ask your local independent jeweller, and they’ll be able to help you find what you’re looking for!

Gift Ideas for your Office Colleagues

Anyone who’s ever worked in a team will know the scenario: someone in the office has an occasion coming up, be it a wedding, a new baby, however many years of service to the company, or they may be leaving the firm; everyone’s chipped in to the collection, and now the question arises, “What do we get them?!”. Well, have you ever thought about popping along to your local jewellery shop for inspiration? You’ll be surprised at how many office occasions your local jeweller can cater for!

Long-standing service gifts

Many companies show their appreciation for long standing service by giving the employee a gift.  If you’ve been tasked with the challenge of finding such a present for someone in the office, don’t rule out your local jeweller.  Your local jewellery shop will stock giftware as well as jewellery; how about a collectable porcelain figurine, for example?  There is also the option of both men’s and women’s watches, with many different styles to choose from.

Maternity leave gifts

It’s often the case that an office whip round will create more funds than is needed for a simple baby outfit, and if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial as a new baby gift, why not think about buying a piece of children’s jewellery? Your local jewellery shop will offer items such as baby bracelets.  Alternatively, if you’d like to buy the mum-to-be a gift for herself, photo frames from your local jeweller make a lovely gift, particularly as they can pop a photo of their bundle of joy inside when he or she arrives.

Wedding gifts

If one of the team is getting married, and you want to buy the happy couple something stylish for their home, remember that clocks, figurines and photo frames will be available from your local independent jeweller – you’ll be able to find something to suit every newlywed’s taste!

Leaving gifts

If someone’s leaving your company, a great gift is an item to keep to remember you all by.  Jewellery is a great option as a keepsake gift: if the person in question has a charm bracelet, for example, why not check out the range of charms at your local jewellery shop, possibly even choosing a charm relevant to your industry?  Alternatively, if you’ve all contributed to the collection and have a sizable sum, think about buying a beautiful pearl or diamond necklace for a female colleague, or cufflinks if it’s one of the gents in your office that’s leaving.  These gifts are something that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves, but will remind them fondly of the company each time they wear them – and they’re all available from your local independent jeweller.