Spotlight On: Engraving

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Engraving services are popular within the jewellery market, and have been for generations. Engraving is an ancient art form. It was practiced thousands of years ago when our ancestors carved images into cave walls and hundreds of thousands of years ago when shells were finely chiselled in Indonesia.

Today, metal objects are some of the more popular for engraving, and the most popular are pieces of jewellery.

Why Engrave Jewellery?

For some, jewellery can be the perfect gift, whether it be from a loved one or a friend, it is always a thoughtful, elegant, and long-lasting gift that one can cherish and enjoy for a lifetime. Engraving a piece of jewellery creates a significantly more personal touch. Read more

The Oldest Working Clock And Watch In The World

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Watches have been around for many centuries, with a large variation of different designs and brands. Have you ever thought about how old the oldest watch is? Same can be said about clocks. Before their invention, a sundial was used to show the time, by displaying the position of a shadow on a flat surface. How old is the oldest working clock in the world?

 

World’s Oldest Clock

The Salisbury Cathedral clock is considered to be the oldest working clock in the world. It was built around 1386 after being commissioned by Bishop Erghum. The clock doesn’t have a dial, as its purpose was to strike a bell every hour, not to virtually display the time. If the time was 4pm, the clock would strike four times, and so on. Read more

What Happens When You Have Your Watch Serviced?

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Watches can hold a great deal of sentimental and financial value for many people. We understand that it can be hard to part with your watch if it needs to be repaired. This means that having your watch serviced is a good idea if you want to avoid repairs that can cost you time and money. So, you may be wondering what will happen when you hand over your watch to us to be serviced.

 

Watch Servicing and Repair

We take a number of steps when you bring your watch to us to be serviced – these include: Read more

Top 10 Most Iconic Watches Of All Time

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Watches can hold a sentimental value for some, whilst for others, they are simply a valuable asset to own. We have previously talked about the most expensive watches in the world, but price is not always what makes them the most unique. Throughout the years, watches have been formed into many different styles and designs. But what are the most iconic watches of all time?

Whether they have been worn by style icons on the silver screen, or bestowed with a stunning design, these watches stand out for good reason. Let’s have a look at the top 10 most iconic watches of all time.

Rolex Daytona

Of all the Rolex’s iconic watches, the Daytona is arguably the prestigious brands finest. Inspired by the famous American race of the same name, the Daytona was launched in 1963, and with its stylish design, it became a worldwide sensation. Screen icon Paul Newman adopted this watch. Read more

Most Commonly Needed Jewellery Repairs

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Having previously talked about the most common watch repairs we see on a daily basis, we are now turning our attention to the most commonly needed jewellery repairs. We see a lot of these issues, so our years of knowledge and expertise really come out to play when it comes to fixing your beloved pieces of .

We can repair these and more, so take a look at what we can do for you if you choose Martins of Glasgow: Read more

Alternatives to Engagement Rings

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An engagement is a day you will never forget. Romantic, memorable and breath-taking in all the right ways. As such, you want to be sure that you get one of the most important aspects of the day correct: the ring.

 

However, what do you buy for a woman that, for some reason or another, does not like wearing rings? It can be a delicate issue to confront, as the ring is such a hallowed aspect of the tradition of engagement. Yet there are options that you can find which match the sacred tradition of the engagement ring, without actually being a ring. As the symbolism behind the gift, whether a ring, earrings, necklace or other, is still the same.

So, what pieces of jewellery can you use to mark the day in lieu of – or alongside – the typical engagement ring?

Earrings

One of the first options for an alternative engagement ring that you have is that of earrings. This choice can add an extra sparkle to the day, giving your love a memorable engagement gift that will look stunning both on a regular day and the eventual wedding day. Read more

Most Commonly Needed Watch Repairs

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There are many things that can happen to your piece that may mean you need to seek repairs, whether it’s an expensive watch or not. In such a case, seeking trained professionals such as those at Martins of Glasgow is integral for keeping your watch in perfect working order.

 

So, what are some common watch repair issues and how can they be solved?

Movement Issues

Issues with the movement are the major reason that people find themselves having to find a watch repair service. Dirt and irritants can build up inside the movements, which can have a major impact on the fine balance of the technology inside the movement. Any amount of dirt can cause major performance issues if lodged between the parts, believe it or not.

As such, you should regularly service your watch at regular intervals in order to avoid these issues. This should be done to clean the movement completely and all seals need to be replaced in the same session in order to protect the movement from irritants. Read more

The Most Expensive Jewellery Pieces in the World

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Marilyn Monroe once said, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. We all know that wearing expensive jewellery gives us a feel-good factor and a high-priced piece of sparkle can definitely complete any look.

The higher the price of the piece, the more sought after and precious it normally is. From million pound watches to thousands of dollars’ worth of diamonds, we all dream for the perfect piece of jewellery, but does it break the bank? We’ve counted down some of the priciest labels on some of the most glamorous jewels.

1.Briolette Diamond Necklace

This stunning piece of craftsmanship has a flawless briolette diamond as its centrepiece and weighs a jaw-dropping 75.36 carats. Complementing the Briolette, a Marquise diamond of a purple/pink shade wraps around the jewel. Surrounding it are smaller briolette diamonds which are set on a white gold chain, weighing another 18 carats.

When this piece was put up for auction, it expected to bring in $8.5 million and went on to sell for $11.1 to be one of the most expensive jewellery pieces in the entire jewel-encrusted world. Read more

Spotlight On: Breitling SA

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A Swiss watchmaker based in Grenchen, Switzerland, was founded in 1884 by Leon Breitling. The reputation of this brand was made as it became the go-to precision watchmaker for aviators. At such precarious heights, precision is key and as such Breitling have forged a reputation on helping pilots fly high with confidence.

With such a long history, this is a watch brand with both prestige and quality sewn into the fabric of their brand. Read more

Unique Gifts for Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day is only on the 26h of March, but choosing a gift shouldn’t be a last-minute decision. When it comes to jewellery, planning ahead can give you the necessary time to decide on a unique piece, have something resized or pick out the perfect accessory.

At Martins of Glasgow, we provide jewellery services that can help you attain the jewellery piece you’re envisioning, so take a look at what we can offer just in time for Mother’s Day:

Remodel a Piece

Sometimes, the best gift can be transforming a sentimental piece into something extraordinary. Jewellery remodelling can provide you with the perfect gift, as it allows you to take a jewellery piece (or materials/components of a piece) that is not used anymore and elevate it to new heights. Whether it’s because the piece is no longer fashionable or because the wearer may not like it anymore, remodelling can provide the right solution. Read more