1. Rolex Submariner
It was 1954 that Rolex originally released the Submariner, and the watch industry hasn’t been the same since. The Submariner was never released as a luxury product, but rather a professional diver’s watch that anyone could enjoy. It attained a cult status for being a damn good sports watch and later in the 1980s when the mechanical watch gained a more luxury status and Rolex began its long path to become the world’s most desirable luxury timepiece brand. The Submariner is their most popular model for good reason. Durable and legible, its slick style remains timeless, and most importantly – suitable for most any man (and many women) regardless of look, style, or age. It goes without saying that the perennially good design of the Rolex Submariner is alive and well today in its newest renditions featuring 40mm wide cases available in steel, two-tone, or 18k white or yellow gold. Pricey with an average price of about $8,500, but sure to be timeless and retain value. rolex.com

Source: Watch A Blog

The history of AWCI began with the early guilds and watchmaker associations that laid the foundation upon which AWCI is based. America’s first watchmakers society was probably the New Yorker Uhrmachers Verein, organized on March 26, 1866, by German immigrant watchmakers located in New York City. In the 1930s it was reorganized as the Horological Society of New York. Next, a group of Chicago watchmakers formed the American Horological Society in June of 1892. On August 13, 1917, the Associated Watchmakers of America was formed. Later, the Horological Institute of America was established on October 20-21, 1921.

In the time when the country was in a devastating economic depression, the United Horological Association of 1960-Merger America was formed in May 1934. This was when the National Recovery Act, with its industry codes on hours and wages, was causing much confusion in the watchmaking industry. Formal discussions of merging UHAA and HIA began in May 1957, culminating with the formation of AWCI in June 1960.

This watch mechanism uses a quartz crystal to regulate an electronic oscillator which produces a high degree of accuracy in keeping time. Quartz watch dials can have either an LCD (digital) and/or analog (standard) read out.

The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute is the U.S. trade association representing the horology profession. This includes watchmakers, clockmakers and the industries that serve them. The Institute is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of workmanship and professional ethics. We help set the standards for the repair and restoration practices that are taught in North America. Additionally, AWCI supports education for the industry and provides certification services.

Although this depends on how the watch has been cared for, it is recommended that you schedule a watch service every 3-5 years. A watch is a precision instrument that must be occasionally serviced to replace specialty oils and to remove dust, moisture and any other contaminants that may have infiltrated the watch case. Over time, old oil and dust may combine to produce an abrasive paste that actually causes wear in precision parts which may result in a broken watch.

Professionals who display the emblem of the AmericanAWCI-logo Watchmakers‑Clockmakers Institute have access to the finest resources for information and specialized training. They are uniquely qualified to provide the best advice and service in areas related to watch and clock repair.

Mechanical watches that are automatic or self-winding rely on the natural motion of the wearer to keep the watch wound. The watch mechanism has an oscillating weight that turns when the person wearing the watch moves their wrist. The movement of the oscillating weight keeps the mainspring wound. If the watch is not worn for a period, you may turn and/or wind the crown a dozen or so times to start the watch.

The mechanical watch movement has a mainspring that must be wound. As the mainspring unwinds, it provides force to a series of gears that power a balance wheel which oscillates back and forth at a constant rate. This oscillation causes the ticking sound that is heard in a mechanical watch.

For best performance, fully wind your mechanical watch once a day around the same time of day. Make sure you fully wind the watch, but do not force the crown past the point where it is taut. For self-winding watches, wear them every day to ensure continued accuracy. If the watch is not worn for a period, turn the crown a dozen or so times before wearing it again.

When setting the date, check the procedures of the manufacturer. Some watches, for example, must not be set between specific periods (i.e. between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.), because the mechanism positions itself to automatically change the date during this period and parts could be damaged.