8 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN TAKING A WATCH ON HOLIDAY

1. Be aware of Thermal Shock

Consider this your public service announcement about the effects of 'Thermal Shock' and what it looks like in your watch, especially if you're holidaying in a country that's going to be particularly hot (over 30 degrees celsius - that's 95 degrees fahrenheit for all our overseas friends). 

Note: We presume you've not booked a 'summer' holiday in a location where the temperature is likely to be lower than about -5 degrees celsius - but if you have, then Thermal Shock DOES also come into play when you are in a particularly cold country as well.

When you or your watch go from a hot environment (happily sunbathing by the pool) to a cold one quickly (jumping into a cold pool) that's when there can be a big change in the temperature for the watch - Thermal Shock. A significant temperature change can cause the air between your glass and the dial to condense, causing the glass to mist up.

So, what should you do if you experience Thermal Shock on your holiday? If the 'fogged up' glass disappears quickly then there is nothing to worry about, things that help this is your watch returning to a normal temp in the sun for example. But if it hangs around any longer than about 48 hours - you need to get your watch back to us for servicing to have a look at it. It doesn't mean it has leaked - far from it as every watch is pressurised in water at 200m but it could mean there's more moisture within the air inside it than will naturally evaporate in a short time.

2. Watch Timezone Adjustment

It's always helpful to know how many hours to adjust your watch forward or backward when going on holiday, to allow for the change in timezone in the country you are visiting.

But when is the optimum time to adjust your watch to the destination timezone? As the plane takes off? As it lands?

The answer is... 

..it doesn't make any significant difference. So the choice is yours with regards to exactly when you want to change your watch to the destination timezone.

One key thing to consider when adjusting your watch is to always avoid changing the time/date during the period known as the "death zone" - which is between 10pm and midnight - as this can stretch your date wheel out of shape!

3. Watch Security

When taking a watch on holiday, ensuring its security, particularly if the watch is valuable to you is important. 

Here are some key considerations to put you at ease:

• Insurance - Does your holiday or household insurance cover your watch? If not, consider adding it. Taking receipts and insurance documents even just as digital copies on your phone can also help smooth the waters for any customs queries or if you need to make a claim.
• Secure Storage - How you will secure your watch if it's not on your wrist? If you’re staying in a hotel, use the in-room safe when you're not with it.
• Personal Security - Be mindful of your surroundings when wearing your watch. In unfamiliar or crowded areas, try to be discreet, pull a sleeve over it. Some watches can attract unwanted attention and increase the risk of theft so always consider the local crime rate and dress codes; in some places, it may be wise to leave the luxury watch at home and opt for a less conspicuous option (like an EB)

4. Check your watch crown, should it be screwed into the case?

So many holidays and adventures involve spending significantly more time in water, whether that be swimming in crystal clear seas, or dive-bombing into a pool!  This means it's extra important to make sure that the crown on your watch should be fully sealed, often by screwing into the case. If it's not securely sealed, then water could enter your watch and cause some pretty serious damage to every component including the movement, hands and dial.

Going in water? Be extra certain to keep those crowns screwed in folks - otherwise it can lead to all sorts of watch-related woes!

5. Holiday Watch Care and Maintenance 

We all know that as amazing as holidays are, there's a unique set of considerations to be taken into account to ensure that nothing tarnishes the overall experience and memory of your special time away. This applies to watches as well.

Always give your watch a quick wash at the end of each day whilst on holiday (just wear it in the shower) as substances such as suncream and fly/mosquito repellent can affect the function of your straps. Chemicals in the sprays or lotions can cause rubber straps to distort for example, not forgetting that the build up of these chemicals and debris can also cause irritation to skin.

Make sure you're rinsing your watch in fresh water if you are spending lots of time in the sea with your watch on - as saltwater can crystalise and expand as it dries, especially underneath the bezel and between the links of your metal bracelet.

Here are some other quick tips for taking the best possible care of your watch whilst on holiday:

• Travel case: Use a protective case to prevent damage if you throw a watch into your luggage.
• Cleaning cloth: Take a microfiber cloth to clean the watch - although if you're like us, the corner of your shirt also works just fine.
• Spare parts and tools: Taking spare straps or links can help mix things up whilst away or when changing activities. Just make sure you have your strap bar tool with you too.

6. Match Your Watch to your Holiday Type 

If you have a watch that's specifically designed to enable reliably quick and easy strap changes (like ours), then this is a sensible thing to think about when you're about to go on your holiday.

Consider the most appropriate strap type for the main activities you'll be taking part in on your holiday - if you are going to be spending lots of time in and around water for example, then it'll be much better to have a rubber, metal or fabric strap, rather than a leather one.

7. Consider local cultures and customs 

Depending on where you're going for your holiday, it might be worth looking into to  understanding any local customs or cultures that should be considered when wearing a watch.

For example, in some countries visible displays of wealth or privilege are frowned upon, so could there be a more sensitive way of choosing which watch to wear whilst holidaying in these locations.

Also, some countries have significantly higher crime rates than others - so if you're going for a more edgy trip to a location where you feel your desirable watch might be targeted by local thieves/pickpockets - then factor this into your holiday watch decision-making.

8. Local Language Essentials

We don't know about you, but one of the key preparatory tasks we undertake here at EB when we are about to holiday in a foreign country, is to spend some time learning key phrases in the local language that we know are going to be useful during our trip.

Such as:

"Why thank you, yes it is a really lovely watch isn't it, it's an Elliot Brown".

So for your added convenience, below is a list on how to say this phrase in the Top 9 most popular holiday destinations around the world (according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisations rankings):

Note - we've excluded the UK from the below list, which comes in at number 7 in the rankings, as we figured you'd definitely know that one already!

🇫🇷 FRANCE: "Pourquoi merci, oui, c'est une très belle montre, n'est-ce pas, c'est une Elliot Brown".

🇪🇸 SPAIN: "Gracias, sí, es un reloj realmente encantador, ¿no? Es un Elliot Brown".

🇺🇸 USA: "Why thank you, yes it is a really lovely watch isn't it, it's an Elliot Brown" (this one's nice and easy! 😜)

🇹🇷 TURKEY: "Neden teşekkür ederim, evet gerçekten çok hoş bir saat değil mi, bu bir Elliot Brown".

🇮🇹 ITALY: "Grazie, sì, è davvero un bell'orologio, vero? È un Elliot Brown".

🇲🇽 MEXICO (SPANISH): "Gracias, sí, es un reloj realmente encantador, ¿no? Es un Elliot Brown".

🇩🇪 GERMANY: "Warum danke, ja, es ist eine wirklich schöne Uhr, nicht wahr? Es ist eine Elliot Brown.“

🇬🇷 GREECE: "Γιατί σας ευχαριστώ, ναι, είναι ένα πραγματικά υπέροχο ρολόι, δεν είναι, είναι ένα Elliot Brown".

🇦🇹 AUSTRIA (GERMAN): "Warum danke, ja, es ist eine wirklich schöne Uhr, nicht wahr? Es ist eine Elliot Brown.“

We hope these hints and tips have helped you feel more prepared for your holidays. See you out there.