Shopping for watches is never an easy task, with there being so many different types and models out there it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. Ultimately, you want the one that is going to best represent you along with your style and personality. The best kind of watch for you is the one that you feel as though you can wear till the end of time (pun intended) without it feeling like it is going to become dated. If you are a sentimental person that likes to hold onto all your watches for your kids so that they can hand them down to their kids someday, it can make finding the perfect timepiece all the more difficult.
From style and type to the occasion your plan on wearing it there are so many things to consider when shopping for watches. Fortunately, with the right knowledge, you can make the search for your ultimate timepiece an absolute breeze. So, read on as when unpacking all that there is to know about watches and how you can land on the perfect one for your wardrobe and lifestyle.
How Much Should I Spend On My Watch?
A lot of horology enthusiasts like to think of watches as somewhat of an investment and much like shopping for a new car or an engagement ring they all start by figuring out the big ‘B’-budget. Figuring out your budget is essential in every purchase, but especially watches as it allows you to determine what kind of watches are in your price range. This is because watches have very diverse price points with some costing as little as $50 while others are a few hundred or even a few thousand and then there are the more extreme cases that can cost hundreds of thousands. Budget is different for everyone and so it is important not to feel pressure to spend more or less depending on what other people are spending. A budget should be what feels right to you. You may want to be conservative and keep your budget to under $100, a price point that will allow you to afford timepieces from watch brands such as Casio, Lorus and even JAG. You may want to spend $350 and get yourself a contemporary Seiko, G-Shock or Citizen watch. Alternatively, you may want to splurge by taking to plunge on a luxury Swiss watch.
What Functionality Is Best For My Watch?
Deciding what functionality is another big factor that you have to consider when shopping for watches. From traditional analogue dials to hybrid dials, all watches on the market have different layers of functionality and deciding which one to go with is essentially down to determining what is going to best fit within your lifestyle. Currently, the most popular watches based on functionality are analogue watches, digital watches, chronograph watches, smartwatches and hybrid watches.
Analogue Watches: Perhaps the most iconic of the bunch, analogue watches are a representation of the most traditional and classic types of timepieces. Ideal for days and the office or dressier occasions, analogue watches are characterised by their simplistic dial that usually features a minimalistic face that consists of an hour, minute and seconds hand.
Digital Watches: Reminiscent of a watch display that was immensely popular throughout the 1980s, digital watches are an icon of the early digital age. Boasting an electronic display, numerical digits and an LED screen that will help you stay timekeeping even in low visibility, digital watches have come a long way since their initial launch
Chronograph Watches: Most people will be able to identify a choreograph watch by their multiple miniature dials known as subdials. Chronograph watches tend to be a little pricier than your typical analogue watch, however, they more than compensate for this with their expansive list of functions.
Hybrid Watches: Hybrid watches are gaining huge momentum among timepiece enthusiasts as they give you the best of both worlds. Combining digital features with classic watch mechanics, hybrid watches are very similar to chronograph watches with one exception, in place of an analogue dial is a classic digital display that allows the wearer to take advantage of a whole range of functions including stopwatches, fitness trackers and even smartphone connectivity capabilities.
What Style Should My Watch Be?
Once you nail down a budget and the kind of functionality you are after, you can get down to the fun stuff which is determining what style of watch you are after. Fortunately, with so many watch brands and models at our disposal nowadays, it is pretty safe to assume that there is a watch out there that will seamlessly complement your wardrobe and lifestyle. From classic stainless-steel watches to endearing fitness watches and smartwatches, figuring out what style works best for you is all about looking at your lifestyle and accessing what style of watch is going to fit in with it the best.
If you are someone who spends a lot of time attending meetings or getting dressed up for formal events, you may find that simplistic and classic styles such as stainless steel and leather watches are going to fulfil your needs the best. If you are someone who prefers the company of the rugged outdoors over actual human beings then it is safe to assume that durability is high up on your list. In this case, sports watches, nylon band field watches and timepieces made out of carbon or silicone are probably best for you. For surfers and sea dwellers, diving watches or even aviation watches are likely the most ideal for you and your needs as they have a high water resistance level and multiple marine-friendly functions.