FAQ

1. What is the clear plastic film on my watch?
2. Can I change the battery in my watch myself, or should I take it to a jeweller?
3. What is the expected life of the battery in my watch?
4. How do I know what size watchband (strap) I need?
5. Can I get a longer leather watchband (strap) for my watch?
6. What does ATM or BAR mean?
7. Do I receive a Guarantee or Warranty when I purchase a watch from one of the Designa Accessories brands?
8. Does the style number have any significance?
9. What is a (Rotating) Ratchet Bezel?
10. What is the difference between a genuine Chronograph and a multi-function watch?
11. What is a screw-down crown and how does it operate?
12. Sometimes customers are concerned about the quality of plating on watches and whether it will wear off quickly or not, what can I tell them?
    

Q1. What is the clear plastic film on my watch?

A. The plastic covering that is in place over the top of the crystal (lens) of your new watch should be removed upon purchase.
It is placed on the watch crystal (lens)to prevent scratching during shipping and handling.

Q2. Can I change the battery in my watch myself, or should I take it to a jeweller?

A. Definitely DO NOT attempt to change the battery yourself. The proper replacement of the caseback is crucial to eliminate dust, water and other foreign substances from getting into a watch and negatively effecting the movement. We recommend that you return your watch and proof of purchase to the retailer of purchase. They will forward your Maxum watch to us on your behalf.

Q3. What is the expected life of the battery in my watch?

A. All Designa Accessories timepieces incorporate high quality Japanese or Swiss manufactured batteries, with a life of approximately two years. Use of additional features (i.e. stopwatch function/chronograph/light over-use) may shorten battery life.
N.B. Inferior quality batteries should not be used as they may damage the quartz movement.

Q4. How do I know what size watchband (strap) I need?

A. Simply measure across the watchband (strap) where it connects to the watch case.

Q5. Can I get a longer leather watchband (strap) for my watch?

A. All leather watchbands (straps) are made to a specific standard length and cannot be purchased in a longer length. However additional band links are available for purchase. The use of a metal bracelet or expander band instead will create flexibility in length, since all bracelets and expander bands are adjustable.

Q6. What does ATM or BAR mean?

A. ATM/BAR stands for atmosphere. It is a unit measurement used in measuring the depth of water pressure. In timepieces, it is used to indicate the depth of water resistance of the watch. This abbreviation is most often used on sports watches with greater water resistance. 1 ATM/BAR = 10 metres in depth, i.e. 10 BAR = 100 metres
 

Q7. Do I receive a Guarantee or Warranty when I purchase a watch from one of the Designa Accessories brands?

A. Yes! Every watch within Designa Accessories brands come with a limited 5 year warranty. Digital Watches have a 3 year warranty (effective for all watches sold after 1st Aug 2005)

Q8. Does the style number have any significance?

A. The style number is important in identifying a particular watch design within one of the Designa brands, and this style number is utilised to order or reorder watch styles from Designa. Some ‘Designa' timepieces are engraved on the caseback with this (style number) code that identifies the style of the watch within the brand range. The letter near the end of the style number indicates the watch case (head) size: ‘G' Gents, ‘L' Ladies and ‘M' Midsize.

Q9. What is a (Rotating) Ratchet Bezel?

A. A Ratchet Bezel is a rotating piece that encircles the dial of a watch and clicks into place each time it is turned to avoid accidental movement. It is used to measure time or mark time. For example, surfers use it to time surfing heats whilst out in the water

Q10. What is the difference between a genuine Chronograph and a multi-function watch?

A. A multi-functional watch has functions in addition to analog time, such as day/date, am/pm, moon, minisweep, and/or international/military time. However, to be classified as a genuine Chronograph, a watch must have a stop watch function.

Q11. What is a screw-down crown and how does it operate?

A. The most proven effective crown for ensuring water resistance is a screw-down crown. For watches indicated with this function, please use the following steps to complete water resistance.

• Before setting watch: Turn crown anti-clockwise to unscrew crown. Then pull out as normal crown to set date and time functions.
• After setting the watch: Push crown in while completely screwing down clockwise until firmly in place. N.B. Failure to follow the above steps will jeopardise the water resistance of the watch and will void the warranty.

Q12. Sometimes customers are concerned about the quality of plating on watches and whether it will wear off quickly or not, what can I tell them?

A. In keeping with the high quality standards of all Designa watch ranges, we have recently adopted a new process of plating to increase the hardness and longevity of the watch finish. This new method (Ionic/Ion Plating) is up to 20 times harder than the traditional method of Electro-plating (PNP). In practical terms (utilising a standard quality rub test), Electro-plating would begin to wear through after only 100 rubs, whereas Ionic Plating will last up to 2000 rubs and beyond. Having said this, it is still important that customers treat their timepiece as they would any other fine jewellery item by protecting it against unnatural substances such as perfume, hairspray, etc.