FAQ

The Lapis Lazuli gemstone is known for its deep blue color, often flecked with gold pyrite inclusions, giving it a celestial appearance. It has been prized for its beauty for thousands of years.

Symbolically, Lapis Lazuli is often associated with wisdom, truth, and inner vision. It is believed to enhance intellectual ability, stimulate the desire for knowledge and understanding, and promote self-awareness and clear communication. The gemstone is also thought to be a stone of protection, shielding the wearer from negative influences.

The Malachite gemstone is characterized by its vibrant green color and distinctive banded patterns. These bands can range from light to dark shades of green, creating a unique and visually striking appearance.

Symbolically, Malachite is often associated with transformation, growth, and protection. It is believed to absorb negative energies and pollutants from the atmosphere and the body. The stone is also thought to open the heart to unconditional love, encourage risk-taking, and promote empathy.

The Tiger's Eye gemstone is a chatoyant gemstone with a silky luster and a golden to reddish-brown color. Its name is derived from its resemblance to the eye of a tiger.

Symbolically, Tiger's Eye is often associated with courage, strength, and protection. It is believed to enhance willpower, self-confidence, and inner strength, helping the wearer to overcome fear and anxiety. The stone is also thought to bring clarity of thought, focus, and good luck.

A gemstone dial is crafted by carefully setting precious or semi-precious gemstones directly onto the watch dial. These stones can vary in type, size, and cut, and are meticulously arranged to create a unique and luxurious aesthetic.

What makes a gemstone dial special is the inherent beauty and brilliance of the natural stones. Each gemstone possesses its own unique color, luster, and character, adding an element of individuality and opulence to the timepiece. The way light interacts with the facets of the gemstones creates a captivating sparkle and depth.

At Jowissa, we incorporate gemstone dials into select collections to showcase exquisite craftsmanship and elevate the elegance of our watches. The addition of carefully chosen gemstones enhances the aesthetic appeal, transforming each watch into a statement piece. The inherent value and timeless beauty of gemstones align with Jowissa's commitment to creating enduring and sophisticated timepieces. Due to the natural variations in gemstones, each Jowissa watch with a gemstone dial is a unique expression of luxury and style.

A mother-of-pearl dial is crafted from the iridescent inner layer of certain mollusk shells, primarily oysters and abalone. This natural material is prized for its unique visual properties, exhibiting a shimmering play of colors that can include whites, creams, pinks, blues and greens. The exact hues and patterns vary from one piece to another, making each mother-of-pearl dial truly individual.  

What makes a mother-of-pearl dial special is its inherent beauty and the way it interacts with light. The nacreous structure of the shell refracts light, creating a subtle, dynamic luster that shifts as the viewing angle changes. This gives each watch dial a distinctive and luxurious character.  

At Jowissa, we often feature mother-of-pearl dials in our ladies' collections to enhance the elegance and sophistication of our timepieces. The natural iridescence complements our design aesthetic, adding a touch of unique artistry to each watch. Due to the organic nature of the material, every Jowissa watch with a mother-of-pearl dial is a one-of-a-kind piece, showcasing the beauty of the natural world.

While we appreciate your interest in our brand's history, please understand that Jowissa, as a contemporary watch manufacturer, primarily focuses on the development and production of our current collections.

Assessing the value of older or antique timepieces can be a complex process. Unlike modern, standardized products, the worth of a vintage watch is often subject to various factors that fall outside our area of expertise. These factors can include the watch's rarity, condition, historical significance, original packaging and documentation, and current market demand among collectors. What might be a valuable collector's item for one individual could hold little to no monetary value for another, as its worth is ultimately determined by the market and the specific interests of potential buyers.

Furthermore, historical record-keeping practices were different in the past, and detailed archival data for all older Jowissa models may not be readily available. This can make it challenging to provide an accurate assessment of a specific vintage piece.

For an expert valuation of your vintage Jowissa watch, we recommend consulting with specialized antique dealers, auction houses that handle vintage timepieces, or certified horological appraisers who possess the specific knowledge and market insights required for such evaluations. They will be better equipped to consider the nuances of the vintage market and provide you with a more informed assessment.

Luminous hands on a watch refer to the hands (hour and minute, and sometimes the second hand) that have been treated with a phosphorescent material. This material absorbs light from various sources, such as sunlight or artificial light, and then emits that light over a period of time, allowing the wearer to read the time in low-light or dark conditions.

At Jowissa, we incorporate luminous hands into select models to enhance their practicality and legibility. This feature ensures that the time can be easily discerned, even when visibility is limited. The application of luminous material is carefully considered in our designs to complement the overall aesthetic of each timepiece while providing functional benefit to the wearer.

Jowissa's croco style straps are crafted from fine calf leather. These straps are designed to emulate the elegant appearance of genuine crocodile leather through a special embossing process that creates the distinctive crocodile pattern.

This choice of high-quality calf leather allows us to offer straps that are both aesthetically appealing and durable, while also adhering to ethical and sustainable practices. The embossed crocodile pattern provides the desired sophisticated look and texture.

The Edelweiss flower holds significant cultural meaning, particularly in Alpine regions. It is widely recognized as a symbol of courage, nobility, and purity, often associated with the rugged beauty and resilience of the mountains where it thrives.

For Jowissa, a brand rooted in Swiss heritage, the Edelweiss resonates deeply with our values. It embodies the enduring quality, timeless elegance, and inherent strength we strive to reflect in our Swiss-made timepieces. Just as the Edelweiss flower withstands challenging conditions, our watches are crafted to endure and accompany you through life's moments. The flower's delicate yet resilient nature mirrors the sophisticated durability we build into each Jowissa design.

An automatic watch movement, also known as a self-winding movement, is a mechanical movement that harnesses the kinetic energy generated from the natural motion of the wearer's wrist to wind the mainspring. This eliminates the need for manual winding, provided the watch is worn regularly.

The key difference between an automatic and a manual mechanical movement lies in the addition of an oscillating weight, or rotor, in the automatic movement. This semi-circular or shaped weight pivots freely on a central staff and swings back and forth as the wearer moves their wrist. This motion is then transferred through a series of gears to wind the mainspring, the energy source of the watch.

Key components specific to an automatic movement include:
- Oscillating Weight (Rotor): A weighted component that rotates with the movement of the wearer's wrist.
- Winding Train: A set of gears that transmits the rotational motion of the rotor to the mainspring barrel, winding the mainspring.
- Reversing Mechanism: A system, often utilizing pawls or gears, that ensures the mainspring is wound regardless of the direction in which the rotor spins.

Automatic movements retain the intricate mechanics and craftsmanship of traditional mechanical movements while offering the added convenience of self-winding. As long as an automatic watch is worn with sufficient frequency, it will remain wound and continue to function without manual intervention. If an automatic watch is not worn for a period, the power reserve stored in the mainspring will deplete, and the watch will need to be wound manually (typically by turning the crown) to restart.

Jowissa offers a selection of automatic timepieces that showcase the beauty and engineering of these self-winding movements. These watches provide a seamless blend of horological tradition and everyday practicality. We encourage you to explore our collection to discover the elegance and convenience of Jowissa automatic watches.

A mechanical watch movement is a purely mechanical system that powers the watch, keeping time through the intricate interaction of various components. Unlike quartz movements that rely on a battery and electronic circuitry, mechanical movements operate using energy stored in a mainspring, which is typically wound manually by turning the crown or automatically through the motion of the wearer's wrist.

The main components of a mechanical watch movement include:
- Mainspring: A tightly coiled spring that stores the energy to power the watch.
- Gear Train: A series of interconnected gears that transmit the energy from the mainspring to the escapement at a controlled rate.
- Escapement: A crucial mechanism that regulates the release of energy from the gear train, ensuring the hands move at a consistent pace. Key parts of the escapement include the escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance wheel.
- Balance Wheel: An oscillating wheel that, along with the hairspring, vibrates at a precise frequency, acting as the timekeeping heart of the movement.
- Hairspring: A delicate spiral spring that controls the oscillation of the balance wheel.

Mechanical movements are appreciated for their craftsmanship, the beauty of their intricate mechanics, and the absence of a battery requirement. They represent a long-standing tradition in horology and are often favored by watch enthusiasts for their heritage and the skill involved in their creation and assembly.

At Jowissa, while we also offer quartz timepieces known for their precision and convenience, our mechanical watches showcase the art and complexity of traditional watchmaking. These movements require regular maintenance, including cleaning and lubrication, to ensure optimal performance and longevity. The subtle sweep of the second hand, characteristic of many mechanical watches, is a visual indicator of the movement's intricate operation.

A tachymeter is a scale inscribed around the bezel of an analog watch, or sometimes printed on the dial, used to compute speed based on travel time or measure distance based on speed. It is particularly useful for measuring the speed of a moving object over a known distance or the distance covered at a constant speed.

How to Use a Tachymeter to Measure Speed:
1. Know the Distance: First, you need to know a fixed distance, typically one kilometer or one mile.
2. Start the Chronograph: As the moving object (e.g., a car) passes the starting point of your measured distance, start the chronograph function of your Jowissa watch. This is usually done by pressing the top pusher next to the crown.
3. Stop the Chronograph: Once the moving object reaches the end of the measured distance, stop the chronograph by pressing the same top pusher.
4. Read the Speed: Observe the position of the chronograph's central seconds hand on the tachymeter scale. The number on the tachymeter scale corresponding to the seconds hand's position indicates the speed in units per hour (kilometers per hour or miles per hour), based on the one-unit distance you measured.
- For example, if it took 30 seconds to travel one kilometer, the seconds hand would point to "120" on the tachymeter scale, indicating a speed of 120 kilometres per hour.

How to Use a Tachymeter to Measure Distance:
1. Know the Speed: You need to be traveling at a constant speed.
2. Start the Chronograph: As you begin timing, start the chronograph function of your Jowissa watch.
3. Time a Duration: Let the chronograph run for a specific amount of time, for example, 60 seconds.
4. Read the Distance: Note the number on the tachymeter scale corresponding to the position of the chronograph's central seconds hand. This number represents the distance traveled in the unit of speed you are using (kilometers or miles) during that specific time interval (e.g., per minute if you timed for 60 seconds).
- For example, if you are traveling at a constant speed and after 60 seconds the seconds hand points to "80" on the tachymeter scale, you have traveled 0.8 units of distance (kilometers or miles) in that minute.

The tachymeter function on your Jowissa chronograph is a testament to the precision and functionality inherent in our timepieces, blending traditional horological features with practical applications for everyday life.

A watch with a water resistance rating of 5 ATM (atmospheres) is suitable for everyday use and can withstand splashes, rain, and showering. According to ISO standard 22810, this level of water resistance signifies that the watch can withstand static pressure equivalent to submersion at a depth of 50 meters.

While a 5 ATM rating offers more protection than a 3 ATM rating, it is important to understand the limitations for swimming. The dynamic forces exerted during swimming, such as the movement of your arms through the water and the impact of diving, can create pressure that exceeds the static test conditions.

Therefore, while your Jowissa watch with a 5 ATM rating can tolerate brief immersion and splashes, we generally advise against wearing it for prolonged swimming or diving activities. Consistent exposure to these conditions may compromise the water-resistant seals and potentially lead to water damage which would not be covered under the warranty.

For regular swimming or more intensive water activities, we recommend considering Jowissa models with a higher water resistance rating, typically 10 ATM or more. These models are specifically designed and tested to withstand greater water pressure and are more suitable for such use. Please refer to the technical specifications of each Jowissa watch on our website for detailed information on their water resistance level.

A water resistance rating of 3 ATM indicates that your timepiece is splash-resistant. It is designed to withstand accidental contact with water, such as handwashing or light rain.

However, a Jowissa watch with a water resistance rating of 3 ATM is not suitable for swimming.

The water pressure encountered during swimming, particularly with arm movements or when submerged, can exceed the protection level of a 3 ATM rating. This can lead to water entering the watch case and potentially damaging the movement, which would not be covered under warranty.

For water-related activities, we recommend considering Jowissa models with a higher water resistance rating. You can find detailed information about the water resistance of your specific watch model in the product specifications on our website.

It's important to consider the context in which "diamonds" might be mentioned in the watch description.

If the specifications of your Jowissa watch indicate "Diamonds" as hour markers, then these are indeed small, genuine diamonds that have been carefully set onto the dial to mark the hours. We use real diamonds in select models to enhance their elegance and luxury.

However, the term "diamond" is also significant in relation to Jowissa's distinct design element: the diamond-cut glass. This refers to a specific step in the production process where the edges of the watch crystal are precisely cut using diamond tools. This meticulous cutting technique creates the multi-faceted, brilliant edge that is a hallmark of many Jowissa timepieces. While diamond tools are used in this process to achieve the characteristic sharp and reflective finish, it does not mean that the watch itself contains diamonds as part of the glass. The "diamond cut" refers to the style and the method of achieving it, not the material of the glass edge itself.

Therefore, please refer to the specific features listed for your watch model. If "Diamonds" are mentioned as hour markers, they are genuine. If the description highlights a "diamond-cut glass," this refers to a design and manufacturing technique applied to the crystal edge for aesthetic purposes.

The transparent cover on your watch face, which is often called the crystal, is not made of real diamond. Instead, Jowissa watches use high-quality materials such as mineral glass or sapphire crystal for their watch crystals.

Real diamonds are very precious and have a high cost. If watch crystals were made from genuine diamonds, the price of the watch would be significntly higher.

The materials we use, mineral glass and sapphire crystal, are chosen because they offer good protection for the watch face, allowing you to easily read the time. Sapphire crystal is especially known for its excellent durability and resistance to scratches, even more so than mineral glass.

Therefore, while the crystal on your Jowissa watch is not a real diamond, it is made of qualitative materials selected for their clarity and protective properties, ensuring the longevity and readability of your timepiece.

Mineral crystal, which is used in most Jowissa watches, is a type of glass that's been treated to make it a bit tougher than regular glass. Think of the glass in a smart phone screen – mineral crystal is similar to that.

Because it's treated, mineral crystal is more resistant to scratches than a plain glass window. It can handle everyday wear and tear pretty well, like little bumps and rubs against things.

However, it's not as hard as some other materials, like sapphire crystal. This means that if your watch rubs against something really hard, like certain types of rock or even another piece of glass with a higher hardness, it could potentially get a scratch.

Here's the main idea:
- Mineral crystal is more scratch-resistant than regular glass.
- It can handle most of the little bumps and scrapes you might have during the day.
- However, it's not completely scratch-proof, and harder materials can still scratch it.

So, while your Jowissa watch with a mineral crystal is pretty durable for everyday use, it's still a good idea to be a little careful with it to keep it looking its best!

Yes, it is highly scratch resistant.

Sapphire crystal is made from a synthetic form of sapphire, which is a very hard material. On the Mohs hardness scale, which measures the resistance of a material to scratching, sapphire ranks at a 9. Only diamond, with a rating of 10, is harder.

This high level of hardnes means that sapphire crystal is much more resistant to scratches from common materials like coins, keys, dust, and even accidental bumps against many surfaces.

However, it's important to know that "scratch-proof" isn't entirely accurate. It is still possible to scratch sapphire crystal if it comes into contact with something equally hard or harder, such as other sapphire materials, diamond jewelry, or certain abrasive materials.

In summary:
- Sapphire crystal is very scratch resistant due to its high hardness.
- It will withstand most everyday wear and tear that could scratch other types of watch crystals.
- While highly resistant, it is not entirely scratch-proof under all circumstances.

So, if your Jowissa watch has a sapphire crystal, you can be confident that it's well-protected against most scratches you might encounter!

Most of our Jowissa watch crystals are made with mineral glass. Think of it like the glass in your windows, but a bit tougher. It can handle everyday wear and tear pretty well and is more scratch resistant than regular plastic.

However, just like anything made of glass, it's not completely scratch-proof. Really hard or sharp things could potentially leave a mark.

For some of our more premium collections, we also use sapphire crystal. Sapphire is very tough! It's much harder than mineral glass and offers even better scratch resistance. You'll usually find this mentioned in the specific watch description if it has a sapphire crystal.

Let's summarize:
Mineral glass (most Jowissa watches): Good scratch resistance for daily use.
Sapphire crystal (some premium models): Excellent scratch resistance, very durable.

To keep your Jowissa Watch looking its best, it's still a good idea to be mindful of bumps and scrapes against hard surfaces.

The moon-phase indication is a device serving to visualize on the watch dial the various appearances adopted by the Earth's satellite in the course of a lunar cycle: it may be waxing, full, waning or entirely hidden by the shadow of the Earth - and thus referred to as a new moon.

These different phases are traditionally represented by a mobile disk bearing two diametrically opposite depictions of the Moon alternately appearing through an aperture. The latter is cut out so as to provide a visual simulation of the Moon's waning and waxing episodes. As soon as the first interpretation vanishes, the second instantly comes on the scene. Moon phases may also be indicated by means of a hand pointing to various symbols, or by a three-dimensional sphere spinning on its axis, and of which one half is light-colored while the other is dark.

The mechanical difficulty of moon phases lies in the unusual interval between two full moons. By the 20th century, this complication had become essentially a romantic feature.

In modern parlance, the word 'chronograph' is used to refer to a timepiece which, along with telling the time, serves to measure short times using at least one additional hand. The latter can be started, stopped and reset to zero without disturbing the smooth running of the movement, by means of a control system, generally composed of pushbuttons. If the chronograph function is not associated with a watch as such, the instrument is simply referred to as a timer (or sometimes a stopwatch).

Technically speaking, the chronograph mechanism can be either built into the watch movement, or mounted on the latter in the form of an add-on module. A significant step was taken in 1816, when Parisian horologist Louis Moinet developed what he called a compteur de tierces.

The term "brilliant cut" in the world of diamonds refers to a specific way of cutting a diamond to maximize its brilliance, which is the amount of light it reflects back to the viewer. It's not just about the shape of the diamond, but also the arrangement and number of facets (the flat surfaces on a diamond).

Brilliant cut diamonds have a large number of facets, typically 57 or 58. These facets are strategically placed to capture light entering the diamond and reflect it back out. The round brilliant cut is the most popular and widely recognized.

Rather than diamond, Jowissa utilizes expertly cut mineral glass (for watches) and Austrian crystal (for jewelry), each piece faceted in the brilliant cut to capture and reflect light with exceptional brilliance.

The radiant cut is a beautiful and unique diamond shape that combines the elegance of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round brilliant. It's a popular choice for those who want a diamond with a lot of sparkle and a distinctive shape.

Rather than diamond, Jowissa utilizes expertly cut mineral glass (for watches) and Austrian crystal (for jewelry), each piece faceted in the radiant cut to capture and reflect light with exceptional brilliance.

To ensure a perfect fit, measure the width of your current watch band. This is the most critical factor. Jowissa offers bands in 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm widths. If you're unsure of the correct size, please contact us and include a photo of your watch. We're happy to assist you.

The princess cut is a very popular diamond shape. It is a square or rectangular shape with a brilliant cut, meaning it is designed to maximize light reflection and sparkle.

Princess cut diamonds were first created in the 1960s and have since become a classic choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry. They are prized for their brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

Rather than diamond, Jowissa utilizes expertly cut mineral glass (for watches) and Austrian crystal (for jewelry), each piece faceted in the princess cut to capture and reflect light with exceptional brilliance.

YES

A Jowissa watch is tested for 3 to 20 ATM water resistance depending on the collection.
3 ATM: Watches tested for 3 ATM should not be worn when bathing or showering. They are build to withstand light rain, sweat and brief water contact.
5 ATM: Watches tested for 5 ATM are made to withstand rain, sweat and short swims.
10 ATM: Short dives, swim and other water sports are ok
20 ATM: Deep Dives, swims and other water sports are ok.

Yes, the length of our steel and ceramic bracelets can be adjusted to fit an individual wrist size. When you order with jowissa.com we shorten the bracelet for you free of charge. Optionally your local watch dealer may also offer the bracelet adjustment as a service.

Leather bands should not be washed with water. For cleaning your strap refer to your local watch dealer to get a special leather cleaning product.

The expected battery life is 2 to 4 years depending on external factors like heat and cold. Jowissa uses standard silver oxide battery cells in combination with high quality and low energy consuming Swiss quartz movements.

The name Jowissa is a combination of the surname and lastname of the company founder Josef Wyss. He founded Jowissa in the village of Bettlach, Switzerland in 1951. Jowissa has been active and in business without interruption since then.