FAQ CX CHARMEX OF SWITZERLAND

ACCURACY

In general any quartz timepiece will have a precision tolerance of some +/4 seconds per day, a mechanical timepiece some +/- 20 seconds and a Chronometer certified mechanical timepiece +/- 7 seconds. However, by using choice materials and the best possible Swiss Made movements only our watches usually are more accurate than this

Q

Your timepiece is not as accurate as indicated above

A

If you own one of our quartz models, this might be a sign that the battery is low. See WATCH BATTERY, REPLACEMENT

If you own one of our mechanical models, please ensure you only measure the accuracy after wearing the watch for at least a day; the accuracy will always be less if the watch has not been worn for a prolonged time. If your mechanical timepiece is still not accurate the movement may need servicing (see MAINTENANCE). Please contact the retailer you bought the watch from and ensure you still have the stamped warranty booklet. Should you have bought your watch through our authorized online store: please contact the service station mentioned on our website under AMBASSADORS. Should there be no service station for your country please send your watch together with the stamped warranty booklet directly to us by registered mail:

Montres Charmex SA
PO Box
CH-4416 Bubendorf / Switzerland

If you own one of our chronometer certified models (eg. PRESIDENT) the accuracy you should theoretically be able to achieve is the one described in the chronometer certificate which was handed over to you together with the watch

AMBASSADOR

Q: What are the companies listed under AMBASSADORS on our website?
A: call our distributors and service stations AMBASSADORS; they are happy to help you with any questions and problems you may have

AUTHENTICITY

All our authentic timepieces have a five-digit alpha-numerical serial number engraved on the caseback (eg. S2685 etc.)

Q: You are not sure whether your timepiece is one of our original CHARMEX OF SWITZERLAND watches
A: Do please compare the watch to those on our website www.charmex.com and ensure that our original CHARMEX OF SWITZERLAND logo appears on the dial

BASELWORLD

Q: You have heard about this trade show but do not know any details?
A: The BASELWORLD is the world's biggest Watch & Jewelry Fair; it is held annually in Basel, Switzerland and attracts up to 100000 trade visitors from all over the world. For more details visit www.baselworld.com

BRACELET

Q: The metal bracelet of your timepiece does not fit you
A: Any authorised watch maker will be able to shorten the bracelet. Do ensure you keep any links removed. Should you attempt to shorten the bracelet yourself please note that any damage thus occurred is not covered by the warranty. There are two systems used in metal bracelets: links connected with push pins and links connected with screws. The push pins can only be removed in the direction as indicated by the arrow on the links! Please note that all bracelets come in one standard length

CATALOGUE

Q: Is there a CHARMEX OF SWITZERLAND catalogue?; All our current models are shown on our website www.charmex.com; we do not have a printed catalogue

CIRCONIA

Q: What is a circonia (sometimes spelt zirconia)?
A: Some of our models have set diamonds, others have set circonias. A circonia is zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. Its most naturally occurring form is a rare mineral, baddeleyite. The high temperature cubic crystalline form, called 'cubic zirconia' is synthesized for use as a gemstone. The cubic crystal structured variety cubic zirconia is the best-known diamond simulant

CONCIERGE SERVICE

Q: What is the Concierge Service about?
A: We offer those consumers who buy our top products a VIP service as known from 5-star hotels, frequent flyer schemes etc. This service incorporates eg. a special e-mail contact address, special pre-information/-ordering of new top models, personalized newsletter, and high-end after sales service etc. An information brochure describing the Concierge Service in detail comes with any of our high-end timepieces

FACEBOOK

Q: Does Charmex of Switzerland have a facebook fan page?
A: Yes, we do; please visit www.facebook.com/charmexofswitzerland

FORUM

Q: Does Charmex of Switzerland have an official forum?
A: No, we do not

INSTRUCTIONS

Q: You did not receive an instruction booklet explaining the functions of your watch
A: Please check out the movement of your watch on our website and then proceed to the service section for a download of the respective PDF file

LEATHER STRAPS

Q: Where do we get our leather straps from?
A: All our genuine leather straps are either made in Switzerland or imported from France. We only use calf leather - no exotic leather, for ethical reasons

LUMINESCENCE

Q: How long will the luminous parts of the dial and hands be visible for at night?
A: In the early days of watch making radio-active radium and then tritium where used by some manufacturers on dials and hands. This is now a thing of the past. We pride ourselves on the fact that we have never used any radio-active materials in our products. The luminous material used by us is Super-Luminova and, as it is not radio-active, needs activation by being exposed to bright light for an extended period of time. The luminosity thus achieved will last, although with a decreasing intensity, for up to 8 hours

MAINTENANCE

Like all high-precision instruments a watch, too, needs to be serviced regularly. The service intervals depend on the model, the climate and the wear and tear the watch is exposed to. Do avoid contact with any chemical products or strong magnetic fields

Q: You own one of our mechanical watches and are uncertain about the maintenance required?
A: We suggest to service the mechanical movement every two years. Do bear in mind all our mechanical timepieces come with a lifelong warranty provided you have the watch serviced every two years. To this end do please send the watch directly to us by registered mail. The service costs CHF 450.- and covers cleaning of the watch, cleaning of the movement, readjustment of the movement etc.

Q: You own one of our quartz watches and are uncertain about the maintenance required?
A: We suggest you regularly clean the case and the metal bracelet with a damp, soft brush and thoroughly dry the watch afterwards

Q: You own one of our divers watches and are uncertain about the maintenance required?
A: Regular maintenance involves rinsing with fresh water the watch and the bracelet after swimming or diving in salt water. Once a year the water resistance of your timepiece should be checked by an authorised watchmaker and the gaskets might have to be replaced if deemed necessary

PLATING

Q: You bought a watch that is gold plated. What exactly does this mean?
A: All our watches are either in stainless steel or in titanium. Some of the stainless steel watches are also gold plated this means a coat of gold is applied to the watch case / bracelet. All of our genuine gold plated watches are plated with a thickness of at least 5 micron to ensure the plating lasts for years. Do note that any plating can be scratched and contact with chemicals, cosmetics and perspiration in some cases may cause damage to the plating

PVD

Q: You bought a watch which is PVD plated what does this mean?
A: All our watches are either in stainless steel or in titanium. Some of the stainless steel watches are also PVD plated. PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is an environmentally friendly vacuum coating process that provides brilliant and durable decorative finishes on watches etc. Our A-grade PVD plating ensures your watch will keep its appearance for years; do note though that any plating can be scratched and contact with chemicals, cosmetics and perspiration in some cases may cause damage to the plating

REPAIRS

Q: You bought your watch from a retailer and your watch needs repair
A: Please contact the retailer you bought the watch from and ensure you still have the stamped warranty booklet

Q

You bought your watch online

A

Please contact the service station mentioned on our website under AMBASSADORS. Should there be no service station for your country please send your watch together with the stamped warranty booklet directly to us by registered mail:

Montres Charmex SA
PO Box
CH-4416 Bubendorf / Switzerland

RUBBER STRAPS

Q: What type of maintenance is necessary with rubber straps?
A: We only use genuine rubber in our rubber straps. Its wearing comfort and anti-allergic properties are unrivalled. Under normal conditions of use a rubber strap will last up to four years. However, exposure to sun, salt water, chemicals / oils / cosmetic products or perspiration may cause premature deterioration. We therefore suggest for the everyday cleaning to rinse with soapy lukewarm water, but without using a brush. Applying some deer sebum rubber care ointment on a regular basis will greatly extend the lifespan of your genuine rubber strap

SPARE / REPLACEMENT PARTS

Q

You need spare parts (eg. strap etc.) for your timepiece

A

Please contact the retailer you bought the watch from and ensure you still have the stamped warranty booklet. Should you have bought your watch through our authorized online store: please contact the service station mentioned on our website under AMBASSADORS. Should there be no service station for your country please send your watch together with the stamped warranty booklet directly to us by registered mail:

Montres Charmex SA
PO Box
CH-4416 Bubendorf / Switzerland

TACHYMETER

Q: What can you use the tachymeter scale for which is printed on the dial or bezel of some of our models?
A: A tachymeter is an instrument for measuring speed, used in combination with a chronograph timepiece: the tachymeter scale indicates the speed in km/h based on a known distance of 1000 meters. Example: when driving on the highway, ask one passenger to stop the time it takes to cover 1000 meters (there usually are signs on highways every 1km); the central second hand - when stopped - will indicate the speed on the tachymeter scale

TIMEZONE BEZEL

Q: How does one use a bezel indicating multiple timezones (world time bezel)? Say, if I were in Sydney, it's 2pm here and I wanted to know the time in Paris?

Translate the current time not the 24h format; eg. 2pm = 14.00. Adjust the bezel so that your present position (eg. Sydney) is above the corresponding marker on the dial - if we're looking for 14.00 this would be the 7 o'clock on the dial as each hour counts for two in the 24h format. Check for Paris on the bezel = 5(am). You have to know whether the country you are looking at has DST (daylight savings time) or not. The world time bezel is based on GMT and doesn't account for daylight savings time. This knowledge would then allow you to adjust your finding from 5am to 4am

TWITTER

Q: Does Charmex of Switzerland appear on twitter?
A: Yes, we do, please follow us under charmex_of_switzerland

WARRANTY

Q: Your watch needs a repair and you are not sure about the extent of the warranty
A: When you bought your watch you received a warranty booklet which was stamped by your retailer / online shop. All details of your warranty are described therein. Please bear in mind all our mechanical timepieces come with a lifelong warranty provided you have the watch serviced every two years. To this end do please send the watch directly to us by registered mail. The service costs CHF 450.- and covers cleaning of the watch, cleaning of the movement, readjustment of the movement etc.

WATCH BATTERY, LIFE-TIME

Q: What is the average life-time of a watch battery?
A: On average you can expect some two to four years, depending on the type of movement and how often you may use certain additional functions. You can prolong the life-time by pulling out the crown into position 3 (the second hand stops moving) when the watch is not worn over a longer period of time. Do please note that a prolonged use of the chronograph function will deplete your watch's battery rather quickly. Many of the movements used by us have an EOL - End of Life - indicator: when the second hand starts jumping every four seconds you should have the battery replaced

WATCH BATTERY, REPLACEMENT

Q: If the battery is depleted, how can it be replaced?
A: Any authorized watchmaker will be able to replace the battery of your timepiece. Do make sure the water resistance of your watch is tested after the replacement of the battery. It may be necessary to replace the gaskets of the caseback after replacing the battery

WATER RESISTANCE

The water resistance rating of our timepieces is based on pressure tests performed in our laboratories. 100% of our watches are thus tested. The pressure conditions match those an unmoving swimmer or diver may be exposed to in a variety of water sports. Do note that the pressure increases with any intense movement, even when eg. taking a shower. Pressure hoses etc. should never be directed at any watch as the pressure thus exerted might easily exceed the water resistance limit. Also note that any contact with water may damage your genuine leather strap

Q: You are not sure whether your watch is water resistant or not
A: All our watches are water resistant to at least 30 meters