FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS

ARE HAIL® PRODUCTS OFFICIALLY LICENSED?

Yes, we are proud, officially licensed, partners of each University!

WILL YOU BE MAKING WATCHES FOR MY UNIVERSITY?

Yes, our plan is to scale and develop HAIL® Swiss watches for other elite universities. If you want join the wait-list, please email (info@hailbrand.com) your University name, and your preference for gold or stainless steel. Also, if you want to reach out to you for feedback on designs, please let us know.

Here are some of the Universities we have received inquiries about (alphabetical order):

• Auburn University (Tigers)
• Clemson University (Tigers)
• Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers)
• Texas A&M (Aggies)
• University of Florida (Gators)
• University of Georgia (Bulldogs)
• University of Kentucky (Wildcats)
• University of Oklahoma (Sooners)
• University of Texas at Austin (Longhorns)

Please know we are not offering watches for the schools above just yet. We are seeking input and gathering interest.

WHY DOES HAIL® OFFER SUCH LIMITED QUANTITIES?

HAIL® timepieces are designed for the customer who wants something unique because they have seen or worn everything else. We restrict the annual production because it ensures our ability to offer the highest level of quality and a bespoke (highly personalized) customer experience.

WHAT IS THE WARRANTY FOR A HAIL® TIMEPIECE?

Each HAIL® timepiece comes with a limited warranty that is valid for three years from the date of delivery and covers all manufacturing defects. Slight markings and irregularities are particular to handmade creations, and are not considered to be defects.

The warranty does not cover: battery, normal wear and tear, damage from mishaps (i.e., dropping), mishandling, negligence, damage from exposure to water, chlorine, oils, solvents and cleaning products or cosmetics, damage from service or repair performed by an unauthorized party, damage occurring outside the 3-year warranty period, watch packaging, or loss or theft.

HOW DO I NEED TO CARE & MAINTAIN MY HAIL® TIMEPIECE?

Each HAIL® timepiece is carefully crafted using the best materials and components so that you can enjoy wearing it as you desire. Your HAIL® timepiece is Swiss Made and houses a gold plated Swiss quartz movement (using 5 jewels) and requires very little effort to properly maintain functionality.

Here are some general suggestions on how to best care for your timepiece:

• Avoid contact with water (i.e., showering, swimming, washing dishes).

• A polishing cloth is included with your timepiece. It can be used to wipe dirt / dust / smudges from your case and crystal. No cleaning solution or water is required or recommended.

• A wristwatch is subject to many different types of stress, such as impacts, dust, water, vibrations, perspiration, radiation, and fluctuations in temperature. These strains compounded over time may cause a watch to run fast/slow. Other times, a watch may stop working because water has entered the case or it was dropped and the sapphire crystal cracked/chipped.

DO YOU OFFER AFTER SALES SERVICE?

HAIL® is proud to service and repair your timepiece. Please send us a detailed email (info@hailbrand.com) to explain the issue and we will provide guidance on how to proceed. Typically, the watch will need to be shipped to us for a comprehensive examination by our watchmaker. The watchmaker will provide a quotation (if outside of warranty) and an estimated date of return. Upon your review and acceptance of the estimate we will commence service of your timepiece.

WATER RESISTANCE

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WATER RESISTANCE” AND “WATERPROOF”? 
The phrase waterproof is inexact. No watch is completely “waterproof” forever. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission in its enforcement of the truth-of-advertising has deemed the term "Waterproof" inappropriate. The term, “waterproof” connotes complete protection, something that does not exist in the world of high end watches. The FTC has found the term “water resistant” to be acceptable.

HOW IS A TIMEPIECE TESTED FOR WATER RESISTANCE?
There are two common testing methods:

• The dry test method places a watch in a chamber and increases the air pressure. In the event the case expands, the watch is deemed as not water resistant.

• The wet test method places a watch in a closed chamber filled halfway with water. The watch is held above the water and air pressure is increased. Then the watch is immersed into the water. The test checks to see if any bubbles escape from the watch – the area from where the bubbles escape is the area where water can seep into the case. If bubbles escape, the watch is not water resistant.

WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT RATINGS (ATM, BAR, AND METERS) MEAN?

• ATM: Atmosphere, 1 ATM equates to 10 meters

• BAR: Also atmosphere, typically used in Europe, 1 BAR also equates to 10 meters

These ratings are used to provide a general indication of water resistance, and are not intended to translate directly to how deep a timepiece can be immersed.

WHAT IS THE WATER RESISTANCE RATING OF HAIL® TIMEPIECES?
HAIL® timepieces are rated at 10 ATM, or 10 BAR (100 meters, or 330 Feet). Although this rating allows for underwater use, we strongly advise against regular contact with saltwater, chlorinated water, soaps, oils, etc. as this may increase the erosion of the gaskets (rubber seals) over time, reducing water resistance.

It is also important to note that the crown is one of the most important factors of ensuring water resistance. When the crown is pulled out to set the time/date and not pushed back and screwed in fully, it leaves the case vulnerable to water penetration.

Leather and other materials are naturally porous. Due to the nature of these materials, exposure to water, soap, oils, and other agents may result in premature aging or discoloration – so we suggest restricted contact with water.

SWISS MADE MOVEMENTS

ARE HAIL® TIMEPIECES SWISS MADE?

Each HAIL® timepiece is Swiss Made. Each timepiece also houses a gold plated Swiss Movement.

According to the Fédération de l'industrie horlogère suisse FH (Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH), a watch is Swiss Made if:

• its movement is Swiss;
• its movement is cased up in Switzerland; and
• the final inspection is carried out in Switzerland
• at least 60% of the manufacturing costs are generated in Switzerland

According to the Fédération de l'industrie horlogère suisse FH (Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH), a movement is Swiss if:

•  it has been assembled in Switzerland;
• it has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland and
• at least 60% of the manufacturing costs are generated in Switzerland and
• at least 50% of the value of all the constituent parts, but excluding the cost of assembly, is of Swiss manufacture

Additional information is available directly from official authority of the Swiss watch industry: http://www.fhs.swiss/eng/swissmade.html

WHAT ARE “JEWELS” AND WHY ARE THEY USED?

Each HAIL® Swiss Quartz Movement is gold plated and contains 5 jewels. These jewels, which appear pink/red in color, are used in the movement to reduce friction as well as wear among the micro-components.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC TYPES OF SWISS MOVEMENTS AND THE DIFFERENCES AMONG THEM?

• Mechanical – a mechanical movement was first developed in 1657 to measure and tell time. These movements were first used in pocket watches and then later developed for wristwatches. These movements needed to be wound by a key or by hand, or they would not operate.

• Automatic – an automatic movement is also a mechanical movement, but it is self-winding. The automatic movement uses a weighted rotor that spins and charges the spring used to power the watch.

• Quartz – a quartz watch is an extremely accurate battery powered watch. It is one of the most common types of watches available in the market today. A quartz crystal is used to regulate the electronic oscillator, which typically oscillates at a frequency of 32,768Hz.

• Chronograph – also known as a ‘stop-watch’. It is a timepiece equipped with additional time measurement functions independent of normal time-telling.

• Chronometer – a movement that has received an official timing certificate from an official timing bureau. One important fact about a chronometer is that it is allowed to run slow by up to 4 seconds per day and fast by up to 6 seconds per day.

• Complicated – a complication is an additional measurement function, beyond hours, minutes, and seconds. For example, common complications include; chronographs, day, date, moon phase, alarm, 24-hour time zone (GMT), repeater, and perpetual calendar.

ITALIAN LEATHER STRAPS

HOW DO I CHANGE MY WATCH STRAP?

Coming Soon

DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL TOOLS TO CHANGE THE STRAP ON MY HAIL® TIMEPIECE?

All HAIL® custom straps come with a quick-release pin system. Each half of the strap is fitted with a Swiss capsa-style pin that can be released and refitted with the edge of your fingernail.

WHAT KINDS OF MATERIALS ARE USED TO MAKE THE STRAPS?

HAIL® straps are offered in the finest Italian leathers and lining. The leather is supple and will conform to your wrist in a short period of time. It will also take on a patina that is specific to how you wear your timepiece. We do not use leather taken from protected species.