How To Shop for Watches

Although digital technology disrupted the watch industry, hand-crafted watches haven’t fallen out of demand. Swiss watchmakers feared the growing influence of digital watches in the 1980s, but the industry overcame the digital revolution and fought off predictions that smartphones would end their relevance. In the last ten years, smartwatches have claimed a sizable portion of the market, but watchmakers continue their time-honored tradition and try to appeal to new generations of consumers. With all the styles, luxury brands and price ranges, watch buying can seem confusing and intimidating. Here are some tips on how to navigate your options when shopping for watches.

The Movements of Watches

When you’re searching for watches, you’ll notice a significant difference in the price range between brands. Why does a Cartier cost so much more than a Seiko quartz watch? The materials used to make the watch, the labor involved, and the company’s prestige influence the price. Cartier has been making top-of-the-line watches since 1847, and its reputation for fine craftsmanship and precise movements have elevated its clout and ability to charge more for watches.

Quartz Movement

The type of movement used in a watch is a primary factor in deciding which model is suitable for you. The movement is the mechanical core of a watch that allows it to operate. Batteries power quartz movements, and although they’re less expensive than automatic movements, quartz is more accurate. Although prestige brands disliked quartz movements when they were introduced in the 1970s, they have come to accept quartz and use it in lower-tier models.

Automatic Movement

Automatic movements are descended from older wind-up designs, but they depend on kinetic energy for charging. After shaking an automatic for thirty seconds, you can strap it on your wrist, and the motion from your body keeps the watch charged. Although automatics can lose several seconds every week, you can store them in a case that vibrates the watch periodically to keep it charged. Swiss automatic movements are the gold standard in the industry, and you’ll pay a considerable price for a prestige watch with Swiss action.

Watch Styles

Whether you’re shopping for a vintage watch or a new release from a craft company, you have countless designs to consider. Online stores can help you form an opinion about the styles you like, but you need to try on a watch before paying several hundred or several thousand dollars. If you have thick wrists, you should look at brands with larger diameters (44mm or more). For thinner wrists, an oversized watch is uncomfortable and cumbersome. Timepieces with diameters under 40mm are ideal for smaller wrists.

Dress Watches

With smaller faces and fewer complications (dials and hands), dress watches are ideal for a day at the office or night out on the town. Typically, dress watches feature leather bands with understated designs. Dress watches aren’t flashy, but the models produced with precious metals can be expensive.

Divers Watches

Diving watches were created in the early 20th century, but their popularity exploded after a Rolex Submariner appeared in the 1962 James Bond film, Dr. No. Diving watches are chronographs that are typically water-resistant for several hundred feet and feature metal or composite rubber bands.

Pilots Watches

Watches for pilots were developed before WWI, but several mid-grade and luxury brands replicate the old designs in their current models. Aviation watches have several complications (such as altimeters) suited to aid pilots during flights.

Drivers Watches

Similar to the styling of a diving watch, driving watches are chronographs made for car enthusiasts. Some models, like Omega’s Speedmaster, include a tachymeter for monitoring your speed.

Minimalist Watches

If you like the simplistic approach to design, a minimalist watch may be for you. Minimalist models are suited for watch owners who appreciate modern design and dislike flashy jewels and precious metals.

The Prices of Quality Watches

Even with a limited budget, you can find a reliable automatic or quartz watch. Renowned brands like Cartier, Rolex, Omega and Patek Philippe will cost between $5,000 and $100,000, but you can find exceptional Citizen, Seiko or Tissot watches that range from $200 to $900. Quartz watches are highly accurate and inexpensive, but you’ll have to replace the battery every three or four years. Although Swiss automatics are the most revered and expensive, you can opt for a Japanese automatic that performs just as well for far less.

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