So, you want a watch. You are not a collector or anything like that, but you want one good watch that will be a reliable tool you can trust.
You do not want to waste your money on garbage, but buying a glorified jewelry piece is not your first priority. You want something that works and gets the job done right.
What’s the best watch?
Well, that is actually a fairly ignorant way of looking at it. There is no “best” watch. They all fill a purpose.
What you are looking for is a watch that matches your tastes and fulfills its duties properly. For you, the best watch is a personal decision.
To make that decision, you should know the key concepts behind every watch, and then find a watch that mixes the best possible combination of those aspects to meet your specific needs.
Watches can be categorized according to display, type of strap material, movement, power source and their functionality.
We are going to go over all the features you need to consider.
1. Display
First, you need to consider the display. There is nothing wrong with any of the three main styles of displays. They are all great. However, it is how you will read the watch. So, you need to pick one that you enjoy.
You have three choices. Analog, digital, and smart.
An analog watch is a traditional option. You get an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand. The numbers are displayed in a circle around those hands, and they can have a variety of styles.
A digital display is what you see on a modern alarm clock. You actually see the numbers displayed. For example, if it is 10 O’clock in the morning, the digital clock will display 10:00.
Since many people struggle with an analog display nowadays, a digital display is a great option. It also requires zero thought to determine the exact time.
A smart display is what is found on a smartwatch. Smartwatches have much in common with a digital display, but they are basically mini-computers. Smartwatches will also have apps, messaging, and other features around the display.
You can also typically choose between a virtual analog display or a digital display; both in various styles.
This is purely personal. Do not feel pressured, because there really are not any specific benefits to any of these display types. Just choose what you are comfortable with.
2. Strap Material
Obviously, the size of your strap matters. Get one that is sized appropriately or adjustable. However, your strap is far more important than just its fit.
You also need to consider the material.
High-quality straps come in four varieties. You can choose a metal, leather, polymer, or canvas option. Now, the type of material really is not that important. It is how that material is used that matters.
A metal strap that is made poorly will still be far less resilient than a canvas strap that is made properly.
Again, this comes down to preference. At least, it is a preference as long as you choose a high-quality option.
Beyond your own personal tastes, you should choose a strap that matches the main body of the watch itself. You do not want a bright-green canvas band on a legitimate gold watch. That just does not make sense.
Look for a quality band that matches the watch itself and your personal tastes, and you will be happy with your purchase.
3. Movement
This category is limited to traditional watches. Digital and smartwatches don’t rely on “movement”.
However, your choice is important if you opt for a traditional watch.
Quartz is a common choice. As the name suggests, a piece of quartz powers the watch’s movement along with a battery.
The problem here is that you have to replace the battery. However, your watch will remain accurate, and you won’t have to worry about maintenance.
Mechanical movement is possibly the most traditional route you can take nowadays, and it has its benefits despite being outdated. A series of springs and mechanisms time the watch’s hands.
There is no battery needed. However, you have to wind it up occasionally. It also slows down toward the end of the wind-up’s lifespan. So, you can frequently find yourself resetting it.
Finally, you have “automatic” movement. This is a mechanical watch that “winds” itself. As you walk, the swinging of your arm winds the watch.
This is great because as long as the watch is high-quality and you wear it every day, you won’t have to worry about winding it.
However, if you don’t wear it, be prepared to pull your phone out, figure out what time it is, set the watch, and wind it up manually.
This tends to be more expensive than a mechanical option, and it is definitely more expensive than a quartz option. However, brands such as Saiko make some that are reasonably priced and high-quality.
4. Power Source
The power source is an important category. Depending on your needs, you might be unable to charge the watch or replace a battery. You might also be inconvenienced by constant winding.
Lithium-ion batteries are what you will find in every modern rechargeable watch. They last a long time, charge fast, and last a long time. If your watch is digital or smart, this is optimal.
Nickel batteries are also still common. They cannot be recharged, but they will last years. Just make sure you have a watch battery tool, or you have a local watch specialist you can take the watch to for a battery change. Most pawn shops and big box stores can do it for a fee.
Finally, you have the “natural” battery source. This is the winding that you do for a mechanical or automatic watch. Although, there are hybrids that still rely on a battery as a secondary power source.
Make sure you research watches before you commit to one to prevent buying one with a secondary source when you just want one that works without power.
5. Functionality
Finally, you have to consider the functionality. We will divide this into 4 common categories.
First, you have the basic watch. This just tells the time. It might have a backlight or a calendar, but it does not have anything ridiculously fancy.
Dive watch. This is the type of watch that made Rolex what it is today. It is a waterproof watch that can go to depth other watches simply can’t. As the name suggests, it’s pretty good if you work around water a lot.
Chronograph watches are made to be extremely precise, and they are extremely useful when you’re doing things such as timing competitions. They’re also more complicated to read.
Finally, the pilot watch is still popular. It features a number of meters and measurement tools that are invaluable to pilots, those looking for precision, and long-range travelers.
Depending on the purpose for a watch, one’s comfort and style, one can decide what type of watch is best from the various categories.
