Case 19 — QC checklist: prioritise observable faults over pixel hunting
Start with function, legibility, assembly and clear visible damage. Explain what the full-size image shows, what the crop adds and what remains uncertain; do not turn an overlay into an automatic verdict.
Case 18 — Magnetism and rate: record evidence before naming a cause
Record the change and the circumstances without treating the suspected cause as established. A competent watchmaker can test and diagnose it; random adjustment is not a substitute for assessment.
If the manufacturer provides a suitable procedure, a running-time log can support a service enquiry. State the winding method and stop time. A shortened run does not identify the cause by itself.
Distinguish label creation from physical acceptance and retain dated event text with personal details removed. Ask the sender or carrier for clarification; missing scans alone do not establish loss or seizure.
Request a level straight-on image with the hands clear of the marker. Compare two independently aligned images before drawing a conclusion; an overlay cannot correct an oblique camera angle.
Case 47 — Date window centring: compare the same date at the same angle · source wording exercise
Limit of the answer in “Date window centring: compare the same date at the same angle”: “Keep the uncropped originals alongside the detail crops and distinguish…” is an excerpt from the discussion, not an independent verification. A reader needs the relevant original material before treating an interpretation as established. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.
Limit of the answer in “Comparison thread: 38mm vs 40mm versions of the same field watch, with a dated correction log”: “Diameter alone tells you little…” is an excerpt from the discussion, not an independent verification. A reader needs the relevant original material before treating an interpretation as established. Review focus: scope. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.
A notation like 20/16 means 20mm at the lugs, tapering to 16mm at the buckle. Taper affects look and comfort more than fit. A strong taper suits smaller and dressier cases, a straight strap suits sport watches. Your buckle or clasp also has to match the narrow end, so check that if you want to reuse an existing buckle.
Case 20 — Case finishing: distinguish a reflection from a surface mark
Clarification for “Case finishing: distinguish a reflection from a surface mark”: the point beginning “Ask for photographs with the light moved and…” belongs to the question as written. It should not be read as a report that a new check, purchase or experiment has been completed. Review focus: scope. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.
Case 8 — Movement identification: the limits of a rotor photograph
Method note for “Movement identification: the limits of a rotor photograph”: use “Describe visible bridge shapes and markings separately…” as a row heading in a proposed working record. Put the statement, its supporting source or measurement, and any unresolved detail in separate fields. This proposes a format; it supplies no additional evidence. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.
Case 27 — Lume questions: why does my lume fade so quickly, and how should I compare it?
A practical test without a camera: charge both watches the same way, sit in a dark room, and check readability at 5 minutes, 30 minutes and 2 hours. Write down which you can still read the time on. It's subjective but repeatable, and more useful than a single photo.
Clarification for “Packing photographs: document condition without exposing an address”: the point beginning “Photograph the item and protective packing…” belongs to the question as written. It should not be read as a report that a new check, purchase or experiment has been completed. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.
Case 31 — Bracelet fit: half-links, micro-adjust holes and the 'between sizes' problem
Wrist size changes during the day and with temperature, sometimes by several millimetres. A fit that feels tight in the afternoon may be right in the morning. Before buying parts, check the fit at different times. You may find the 'too tight' setting is only a problem a few hours a day.
Separate three properties: click count (60 or 120 positions), feel (how firm each click is, and whether there's back-play), and alignment (whether the pip lines up with the 12 o'clock marker at rest). Crisp vs mushy is mostly about feel and back-play. Alignment can be measured, so treat it separately.
Limit of the answer in “QC photographs: perspective or a genuinely tilted index?”: “Request a level straight-on image with the hands…” is an excerpt from the discussion, not an independent verification. A reader needs the relevant original material before treating an interpretation as established. Review focus: scope. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.