How to Choose a Watch

Watches serve a wide variety of functions; from serving as diving equipment, acting as a fashion element, to assisting as a exercise aid. Before acquiring a new watch, here are some points to analyze:

1. Determine what you will be using the watch for, and how many watches you will own. If you just want to have a single watch, that watch must serve in a variety of circumstances dependent on what you expect from the watch. If you are planning on buying many watches, you can include in your list specialty watches that are designed for the activities in which you participate.

2. Look at other features that may be of interest to you. Some watches blend both digital and analog faces on one watch. A water-resistant watch is fine for occasional water exposure and general use and can be worn in the shower. But for diving, be sure to check the depth rating. If you are a biker or you take part in other timed activities, a stopwatch (often referred to as a chronograph) will be essential. If you travel frequently, an alarm clock is very handy, as is the ability to show multiple time zones. If you are buying a watch as a fashion statement, gemstones are an elegant addition these types of watches.

3. Understand the workings of the watch you are interested in. Virtually all contemporary watches use a battery-powered quartz crystal to maintain precise time. Mechanical watches use gears and springs to keep the time. While these types of watches are evocative of times past, they require periodic servicing. The elite watch makers build their own mechanics. More mass-produced watch makers purchase their mechanics from third-parties.

4. Take a close look at the watch casing. Most expensive watches will include a screw-on back and screw-down crown (the winding knob); this gives the most protection from water and grime. Some watches feature a display back that allows you to see the mechanism that make up the watch. Common case materials used for watches include stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum and titanium. If you are looking for a durable casing material for your watch, stay away from gold. While it looks fashionable, it is the softest material used and most likely to be dinged up.

5. Carefully check the crystal on the watch (this is the clear surface covering the watch face). Acrylic crystals are cheaper, they offer good shatter resistance but they may be more easily scuffed than glass. Sapphire crystals are terrific, and the most costly, option for watches. They offer superior clarity, shatter and scratch resistance.

6. Be sure the band is comfortable and secure. Leather bands provide a rugged, clean look. Nylon bands are strong, secure, and quick drying. They are the best choice for sports watches, but you won't be setting any fashion trends with one. Segmented metal bands have a clean look, a smooth feel, are one of the most popular options. They can be hard to adjust however.

7. If you are looking at a self-winding watch, take into account how often the watch will be worn. Self-winding watches don't actually wind themselves. They work from the movement of your body to wind themselves. If your self-winding watch will often spend multiple days, or weeks not being worn, you will find that the mechanism will slow down and you'll have to set your watch often.

Article Source: http://www.phalenes.org/articles

The contributor is an enthusiastic collector of watches. He enjoys writing watch reviews, many of which can be perused at watch-reviews.com.

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