Embrace the crowd! One of the most common items purchased online these days is watches. However, as you may have already found, the huge selection of brands and styles can be a little perplexing.
Here are some recommendations that should assist you in reducing your options.
Over the past few years, watches have gotten significantly bigger. A standard men’s watch might have measured 32–35mm a few years ago, but modern men’s watches typically measure 38–42mm, with some exceeding 55mm.
Of course, rectangular timepieces typically have a thinner profile than circular ones. A men’s rectangular watch’s case width typically ranges from 28 to 34 mm.
However, unless you’ve tried one on and enjoy it (a big watch can be a terrific discussion starter), you should definitely stick to watches in the 40mm to 50mm range. Bigger watches look fantastic in images.
A woman can make a strong fashion statement by wearing a huge watch. However, anything under 24mm would be deemed “petite,” 24-28mm “normal,” and 28mm and up huge if you were looking for an average size women’ watch. A typical ladies’ rectangular timepiece would measure 18 to 22 mm.
Mechanical versus Quartz The terms “mechanical” or “automatic” watch and “quartz” watch may have crossed your lips, but you probably have no idea what they mean or which is superior.
A quartz watch is just an electronic timepiece that is often driven by a battery, though others are solar- or kinetic-powered. A high-quality quartz watch is incredibly precise and dependable. Additionally, they are more affordable than mechanical timepieces.
They merely need a battery replacement every now and again. For most people who merely need a cheap, accurate watch to tell the time, a quartz watch is the ideal option.
Instead of a battery that needs to be replaced, solar-powered watches include an internal capacitor that, when completely charged, can keep the watch running for several months.
Other manufacturers, including Casio, also sell solar-powered timepieces.
A mechanical watch is a wind-up timepiece that uses a spring to drive a set of gears, which in turn moves the hands. It is an older, more conventional technique that has been around for several centuries. Mechanical timepieces marketed as “automatic” wound themselves.
This works by having a tiny rotor on the rear of the watch movement spin whenever you move while wearing it. It winds a spring as it revolves, which powers the watch. The watch will normally run on a completely wound spring for 42 hours before further winding is required.
A high-quality mechanical watch can last a lifetime and even become an heirloom when properly cared for.
Digital against analog. Simple watches with moving hands are known as analog watches. A watch with a small LED or LCD screen that shows the time in digital format is referred to as a digital watch.
An analog watch’s capabilities are often limited to time, day, date, and maybe a stopwatch or alarm. Compared to analog watches, digital watches usually offer a lot more capability. Some of the most recent digital watches come with features like timers, multiple alarms, electronic compasses, altimeters, barometers, and thermometers.
The “crystal” is an additional consideration. The glass that encases the dial is known as the crystal. Acrylic, mineral glass, or cultivated sapphire crystal are the typical materials used to make crystals. Acrylic is highly prone to scratches, however it may also be polished to take care of smaller abrasions.
Although mineral glass is relatively affordable to replace, it is less scratch-resistant than acrylic and cannot be polished once it has been scratched. If you are gentle with your watches, a watch with a good mineral crystal should last rather well.
The only materials that might theoretically scratch a sapphire crystal are a diamond or another sapphire.
The case material is crucial if you want a “workhorse” watch that you will wear frequently and for a long period. Watches made of solid stainless steel, titanium, or gold will survive a lot longer than ones that are made of a base metal and are then plated with another material.
Additionally, they won’t rust and are less likely to cause skin allergies.
Japanese versus Swiss. Either Switzerland or Japan are where the best timepieces are manufactured.
The quartz watch is likely best associated with the Japanese. The three biggest Japanese watch companies are Seiko, Citizen, and Casio, and they are well known for their great quality.
When purchasing a Swiss watch, look for the little “Swiss Made” mark on the dial. The watch is guaranteed to have been made in Switzerland and to meet a minimum standard of quality demanded by the Swiss government thanks to this.
Metal vs. Leather Bracelet Although there are other aspects to take into account, this is largely a question of taste. Although leather straps are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and more elegant, they need to be replaced on occasion since perspiration and grime from your wrists eventually cause them to wear out.
Although some individuals think they are less comfortable, metal bracelets are incredibly durable and more common in the United States than in other countries. Rubber bracelet straps combine some of the comfort of leather with the durability of metal bracelets.
Rubber bands are occasionally found on fairly costly watches and are becoming more common in dressy settings.
As with everything else you buy online, you should check your watch thoroughly as soon as you get it so you can let the seller know right away if there are any issues. Larger vendors typically excel in quality assurance.
You should be aware that not every watch will fit you right out of the box if you have a large wrist—over 8 inches for men and over 7 inches for women. You can find a watch that fits by contacting the excellent customer service department of online watch retailers.
Most online watch retailers offer daily offers that can help you save hundreds or even thousands on the watch of your choosing in addition to convenience and fantastic selections.
Call the watch dealer directly and request a deal if you locate one that offers daily specials but your preferred watch never appears to be on sale. You’d be shocked at how frequently they’ll give you a discount right away.
