How to Maintain Your Swiss-Made Watches

Three pre-owned watches including two Rolex watches and one Tissot in front of brick wall background.

A fine Swiss watch can last for generations and still be running strong 100 years from now. Everyone considers cost, especially in this economy, but in the long run it can be more economical to buy a good Swiss watch. These will last for years rather than buying cheaper watches again and again.

Swiss watches are crafted with exacting care and subjected to rigorous quality control measures before being presented for sale. A fine watch is a wonderful heirloom to pass on to your children.

However, proper care is necessary for a fine timepiece to stay in optimum working condition and hold its value. Just like a car, a Swiss watch needs to get a regular tune up for its best performance. A full service is recommended every 3-5 years for maintenance.

Swiss-Made Watch Maintenance in San Diego

Our master watchmaker performs a full clean and overhaul, dismantling the timepiece to examine the movement and clean all parts. We provide an estimate for any worn parts that need to be replaced.

The movement will be lubricated and pressure tested, and the time-keeping adjusted and regulated. We also include a full exterior refinish, buffing and polishing the watch case and bracelet. This removes tiny scratches and makes it look good as new again.

Once your watch is in tip-top condition, keep your automatic watch on a watch winder whenever you’re not wearing it. A Wolf Design watch winder moves the watch in a circular pattern to approximate the human motions that keep the self-winding mechanism working.

Using a watch winder protects the longevity of your automatic watch. This is because it keeps the mainspring at its optimum tension and disperses the oils used for lubrication evenly while the watch is not on your wrist. It also keeps the watch running while you’re not wearing it. This means you won’t have to reset the time, day, and/or date when you wear it next!

A watch with a quartz or manual-wind movement doesn’t need a watch winder. Though it does need a nice watch holder for storage when you’re not wearing it, to prevent scratches, being dropped, or getting wet.

Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we have a broad selection of heirloom-quality Swiss watches for every taste and budget. Visit our showroom, just east of the 5 across from the airport, and our expert sales team will gladly help you find the perfect timepiece!

Find Perfect Graduation Gifts at Leo Hamel’s!

Yellow sapphire and diamond ring, diamond pendant necklace, blue topaz stud earrings, vintage Tiffany & Co. cufflinks, and pre-owned men's Tissot in front of black and gold ribbon background.

Hats off to the graduating class of 2023! Hours of hard work, dedication, and sleep deprivation have all led to this exciting moment. Graduating is a tremendous accomplishment and should be celebrated as such! Whether your graduate is gearing up for college, or ready to take their advanced degree to the workforce, they deserve to feel special on their big day. Wondering what to give your grad to show your love and praise? Sure, every young adult appreciates a nice card and some cash, but why not choose something a bit more personal? We’ve compiled a list of the best graduation gift ideas that are sure to surprise and delight your loved one!

Send your graduate off in style with a charming Tissot Everytime wristwatch. The simple, yet sophisticated design of this watch easily transitions from day to evening. So, whether he’s heading to the lecture hall or the big Friday night homecoming game, he’ll look polished and put together. One thing’s for sure, with a quality timepiece from Tissot, your grad won’t miss a beat, or his first college class/work assignment!

What better way to show your grad just how proud you are than with a dazzling pair of London blue topaz earrings? Blue topaz earrings are a sleek and timeless staple that every young lady should have in their jewelry box. She’ll look and feel like a true class act conquering her first job interview or crushing a big school presentation. Unlike money or a gift card, an elegant pair of gemstone studs is a gift that will last a lifetime, and a treasure she can share with her own children.

Help your recent grad look sharp at every important event. These designer sterling silver cufflinks from Tiffany & Co. are the perfect accessory for every one of his important meetings, presentations, and company dinners. A part of their signature “Please Return to Tiffany” collection, these cufflinks are sure to be the perfect gift for your grad!

Every new grad needs a reliable and high-quality pen. Whether your aspiring young professional plans to take on college or the corporate world, this Tiffany & Co. pen is an incredible designer writing instrument. And unlike your standard BIC ballpoint, the ink in a Tiffany & Co. pen can continuously be replaced, so you can be sure this gift gets years of use.

Give your grad the gift of peace, courage, and happiness with this charming Jack Kelege diamond and yellow sapphire ring. Yellow sapphire is thought to improve happiness and peace in the wearer’s life. The brilliant sparkle of diamonds is sure to make her light up. This dainty ring has several special details including alternating stones and intricate metalwork. She’ll be eager to wear this meaningful ring everywhere she goes!

Celebrate Your Grad with a Gift from Leo's!

There’s no better place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for your graduate than Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers! Shop an extraordinary selection of fine jewelry, watches, and luxurious designer gifts, all at a price you’ll love! Your grad deserves to commemorate this momentous occasion with a gift that will last a lifetime, and you’ll find it here at Leo’s!

2023 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

White gold three-stone diamond engagement ring in a red ring box next to red roses.

Valentine’s Day is a day to share your love with each other and show your special man or woman just how much you adore and admire them. Even if you try to demonstrate your love every day, Valentine’s Day is the day to make an extra effort. What better way to do that than with a thoughtfully chosen piece of jewelry or a watch that shows how much you pay attention to what he or she likes?

Since everyone’s personal taste is extremely important for their style, be sure to keep your loved one’s personal style, lifestyle, and the frequency in which they wear jewelry and accessories in mind.

Our team is eager to help you find the perfect gift for your Valentine! Leo Hamel’s has a wide variety including intricate rings and bold necklaces, new and pre-owned watches, designer jewelry, accessories, and handbags. Here’s a peek into our Valentine’s Day collection.

For Her

Valentine’s Day is a day to pay extra attention to the special woman in your life, and these gifts are great options that will show her how much you care.

For Him

While Valentine’s Day leans heavily towards gifts for women, it’s the perfect opportunity to show the man in your life how meaningful he is to you.

These are a handful of pieces that would make this Valentine’s Day very special, and to see more of our collection please visit us at our showroom located at 1851 San Diego Ave, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92110. Our knowledgeable sales team is here to answer all your questions Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm and Saturdays from 11am-5pm. We are OPEN Tuesday February 14th from 11am-6pm!

2022 Christmas Gift Guide from Leo Hamel’s

Are you still looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Christmas shopping later in the season can be extremely stressful, and we’re to help! We have gifts for everyone that are sure to leave a lasting impression this Christmas.

Here’s a peek into our jewelry, watch, and handbag collection. All of the items are available to view at our San Diego showroom at 1851 San Diego Ave., Suite #130.

Christmas Gifts For Her

Need a shiny gift for her this Christmas? We have a huge collection of jewelry, new & pre-owned watches, and handbags for all your gifting needs.

Lab-Grown Diamond Gifts

Looking for an ethical, earth-friendly Christmas gift? Our collection of lab-grown jewelry is sure to wow. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and visually the same, the only difference is the price!

Christmas Gifts For Him

Want to dazzle him with the perfect Christmas gift? You’re sure to find an amazing gift for any man in your life in our large selection of new & pre-owned watched, including Rolex, IWC, Tissot, Hamilton, Omega, and more!

Engagement Rings

Planning a proposal this holiday season? We have a wide variety of engagement rings to make your moment perfect. Our team is happy to assist you in finding the perfect piece for that special woman!

Extraordinary Christmas Gifts

If you’re looking to go big this Christmas season, we have the perfect selection for you! These extravagant pieces are just a peek into our collection.

The Leo Hamel team is here to help you find the perfect gifts this holiday season. We have an extensive collection, if you would like to see any of the above pieces, please visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue or contact us here. Our knowledgeable team is excited to help you make this Christmas the one that special someone in your life will remember.

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