FAQ
Service and Repair
- Where should I take my Uniform Wares wristwatch if it requires a service or repair?
- Whether your watch is in or out of warranty it can be booked in for a service or repair at our London based service centre quickly and easily using the Uniform Wares website. To book your watch in for service or repair please click here.
- Where should I have my battery replaced?
- Whether in or out warranty we recommend that you send your timepiece to our service centre using the booking in facility on our website. When sending your timepiece back for a Maintenance Service our qualified engineers not only replace your watches battery but disassemble and clean your watch, check and if needed replace any worn gaskets and seals and perform a full accuracy and ATM control on your timepiece to ensure your watch is returned to you in top working condition. To book your watch into our service centre click here.
- How often should I send my watch for a Maintenance Service?
- All Uniform Wares watches are powered by quartz battery powered movements. Like any high-precision instrument, watch movements must be maintained regularly to ensure that they work perfectly. Unfortunately, it is difficult to specify exact maintenance intervals as they depend entirely on the particular watch model, the climate it is used in and the level of care exercised by the watch’s owner. An approximate guide for a Quartz wristwatch is to have it inspected and serviced every 4 - 5 years or each time the battery requires replacing.
Water Resistance
- How water resistant is my Uniform Wares watch?
- The water resistance of a Uniform Wares watch is always stated in atmospheric bars (ATM) on the back of the watch. This rating is a measure of static pressure that the timepiece is rated to and does not directly translate to water resistance at a certain depth (i.e. 100 metres) below sea level which is also used elsewhere in the watch industry for dive watch ratings. ATM water resistance is purely a measure of resistance to pressure i.e. how well the watch unit is sealed, and but does not take into account the presence of moisture or water and the activity or environment the watch is being used in which could affect and exceed the rated ATM value. The following guide outlines acceptable usage for the two main ATM ratings of our timepieces:
3ATM
Exposure to high humidity and occasional light splashing is acceptable however you should avoid wearing the watch whilst showering, swimming diving or during any other activity where it may be subject to abnormal water pressures or environments where abnormal heat and moisture are present.
5ATM
Exposure to high humidity and light rain showers are acceptable however you should avoid wearing the watch whilst showering, swimming diving or during any other activity where it may be subject to abnormal water pressures or environments where abnormal heat and moisture are present.
It should also be noted that the water-resistance of a watch is not a permanent characteristic. Seals and sealing systems in particular are subject to wear and tear and natural ageing. To care for your Uniform Wares watch, please read the operating instructions included with your watch carefully.
Condensation
- What if condensation appears under my watches lens?
- If your timepiece experiences a sudden change in temperature or pressure, slight condensation may appear under the crystal of your watch. This mist will disappear by itself and will not affect the functioning of the timepiece. If condensation persists please email us.
Straps
- How do I care for my leather strap?
- Our leather straps are made from soft aniline calf leather. All of our straps are naturally tanned using vegetable dyes. Overtime they will develop an inherent, natural patina that improves with age, this leather will inherently pick up marks and stains with normal use. Our leathers have been chosen for their character this means they may display some scarring. To purchase a replacement strap click here
- Are there other strap sizes available?
- Our straps are designed to fit a wide range of wrist sizes from the petit to le grande. Depending on the watch model our timepieces will fit wrists with circumferences of approximately 15-21cm. We do however carry a limited stock of larger leather straps that are not available for purchase directly on our website. If you require a larger strap to be fitted to your watch purchase from us please email. us to arrange fitting this to your timepiece.
- Is my leather strap waterproof?
- Leather is a natural, porous material. You should therefore avoid allowing the leather strap to come into contact with water or moisture as this could significantly deteriorate the lifespan of the item.
- How do I clean my PU rubber strap?
- After long periods of wear your PU rubber strap may require cleaning. To do so please use a clean cloth and a mild detergent diluted in warm water to clean the affected areas. For more persistent marks use a soft bristle brush to gently clean the affected areas with a detergent diluted in warm water. Avoid submerging the watch case in water.
Lenses
- How tough is my watch lens?
- The 100, 150 and 200 Series watches are fitted with hardened mineral crystal lenses. This crystal has been hardened through a tempering process giving it increased strength and durability. This type of crystal may scratch if reasonable care is not taken during everyday use. Mineral crystal lenses are susceptible to cracking if due care is not taken and the timepiece is dropped onto a hard surface from a sufficient height.
The 250 and 300 Series watches are fitted with sapphire crystal lenses. Sapphire crystal is virtually scratch proof, it can only be scratched by a harder material such as diamond. Sapphire crystal is still however susceptible to cracking if due care is not taken and the watch is dropped onto a hard surface from a sufficient height.
Impacts
- Can I play sports with my Uniform Wares watch?
- As a matter of principle you should avoid subjecting your watch to strong vibrations, sustained G forces and sudden impacts (e.g. playing golf, tennis, mountain biking etc). These activities may have a negative influence on the timepieces movement and accuracy.
- Are Uniform Wares PVD coatings scratch proof?
- The PVD coatings applied to some Uniform Wares timepieces are engineered surface finishes chemically bonded to the surface of the stainless steel case and exterior components providing a durable, long lasting finish to your timepiece. Depending on the user this coating will withstand reasonable everyday use for many years however contact with hard surfaces or hardened materials may scratch the coating and in some cases reveal the natural steel material underneath.
Warranty
- How long is the warranty and what is covered?
- All Uniform Wares watches are covered under a 2 year warranty. Items not covered under the warranty include:
- Watch case, lens or back plate tarnished through general wear and ageing of the product.
- Battery and PU rubber straps
- Leather straps
- Damage caused by accident, misuse or lack of care.
- Defect of internal or external components due to contact with water or moisture.
If you have any questions not covered on this page please free to email us at info@uniformwares.com.
