I can’t seem to wear mechanical watches. Either they work sporadically or they don’t work at all on my wrist. Why is that? Luigi Zanneti, La Spezia, Italy

What is a Perpetual Calendar watch and how does it work? Maurice Duproz in Lyon, France

Why do watches have rubies in them? Eleanor Hawkins, Lancaster, England

Recently I bought a sports watch and the salesperson told me that it was equipped with an anti-shock device. What is this device and how does it work? (…)

Recently my watch began reading time in a most bizarre way. Someone told me it might be magnetized. What does this mean and how could it have happened? (…)

Does temperature affect watches and if so, how is it compensated for? Ribella Hortensia, Spain

What does the term “complication” mean and how does it differ from "grand complication? James W. Clee, Bruges, Belgium

I recently heard about the launch of the coaxial watch. Could you explain its mechanism and why it is so revolutionary in the mechanical watch? Mark (…)

When I was traveling by air recently, the glass fell off of my watch. Is this very common and why did it happen? Jody Abrams, Devon, England

What is used to make the dials and hands of watches glow in the dark? Andrea Schwartz - Brisbane, Australia

Is it true that nickel can cause allergies? And if so, can wearing a watch and bracelet made of nickel alloys be harmful to one’s health? David Ko, Singapore

What is a watch crystal? Clear up your questions about crystals with this brief primer.