There is a wide range of wristwatches available in today’s world. It comes in various styles, sizes, colors, brands, bands, etc. Having to choose a watch to buy from this unlimited array of watches can be a bewildering experience without a proper guide. Apart from the numerous timepieces to choose from picking a watch within your budget can sometimes make the shopping experience daunting. This piece seeks to give you a few pointers to look out for when choosing a new timepiece. Saving you from unnecessary costs and that unsatisfied feeling with your choice after purchase.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wristwatch

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wristwatch

There is a wide range of wristwatches available in today’s world. It comes in various styles, sizes, colors, brands, bands, etc. Having to choose a watch to buy from this unlimited array of watches can be a bewildering experience without a proper guide. Apart from the numerous timepieces to choose from picking a watch within your budget can sometimes make the shopping experience daunting. This piece seeks to give you a few pointers to look out for when choosing a new timepiece. Saving you from unnecessary costs and that unsatisfied feeling with your choice after purchase.

Factors to Consider

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wristwatch

Occasion

In picking the right watch you should first off figure out, what you you’ll be using the watch for. The type of occasions you would be wearing your wristwatch to mostly. There are different watches for different occasions. This is why it is advisable to have at least two wristwatches, one for formal events that usually require a suit or tuxedo and another for casual occasions.

Matching your bulky sports watch with a suit is not the most aesthetically pleasing sight.

For some suggestions on dress watches in our collection the Megalith 0047M, 0037M, 0072M, and 2048M are great choices.

Choose a watch you like

A watch is something that would be on you daily. You don’t want to be stuck with a watch you don’t like. That’s why it is very important to always buy a watch you genuinely like, otherwise, you might end up rejecting the decision. Which would inevitably lead us back to this, choosing a watch you like.

In other to know if you truly like a watch, you have to observe every little detail on the watch face. Scrutinize area like the dial design and color, markers and hands of the watch, casing shape and finish, the case back engravings.

Proper observation will help you notice unfavorable aspects faster, and aid you in choosing the best choice.

Band material

Watch straps are just as important as your watch. It is the straps that hold it to your wrist making it a wristwatch. The strap comes in steel, leather, rubber, and nylon. All with various benefits over the other.

A decision should be made depending on which is much more comfortable for your wrist and compliments your watch best.

Check out our article dedicated to watch straps on this blog for more information.

Features

Wristwatch in recent times comes with a variety of features. There is always a new type of watch yearly tailored to different lifestyles. Are you a diver? There’s a watch for you. Are you a soldier? Here you go. Are you an athlete? Here you go. Cyclist, golfer you name it! There’s always a watch with special features that best suit the needs of your activities.

What’s left is for you to decide which of the features you need. Some of the features and functionality available on a timepiece are stopwatch (chronograph), timer, GPS, Tachymeter (speed calculator), alarms among others. Even a luminous function. if you expect to use your watch frequently at night, an illuminating face would help a lot.

Watch Size to Wrist Size

Basically, pick a watch size that matches your wrist. If your wrists are thick or big, a big watch face would suit your wrists. Conversely, if you have thin or small wrists a watch smaller in diameter would be perfect.

Buying a watch bigger than your wrist is generally uncomfortable and gives a tacky look. When the watch is much bigger than your wrist, there is an obvious gap between your wrist and watch. It is best to always wear one that suits your wrists.

It is an unwritten rule that a watch with a diameter between 38 to 40 mm is for those with a small wrist. A watch with a diameter between 42 to 44 mm is for those with bigger wrists. It’s always a better option to choose for smaller diameter, when in doubt.

Movement

The movement deals with how a watch is powered. There are three common types of movement, mechanical, automatic and quartz. Understanding the type of movement suitable for your lifestyle is really important so you don’t end up dissatisfied with the watch performance.

Without proper knowledge of how your watch movement is powered, watch maintenance is bound to be carried out poorly.

The mechanical movement is powered by a manual wind by hand once every day or so. This preferred mostly by collectors and persons who enjoy the daily ritual of winding.

The automatic movement is a lot like the mechanical movement. However, its winding is done automatically from the kinetic energy generated from the wrist movements. It only requires frequent usage to keep it running.

Quartz movement is powered by a battery that needs to be replaced once every few years. It is the most convenient type of movement, as it does not require frequent maintenance in comparison to the others.

A more detailed information on watch movement is available here

Water Resistance

No watch is waterproof. There is always a limit to how much pressure a watch can handle. This is why in the watch industry the term water-resistant is usually. As opposed to waterproof which implies that under no circumstances can it leak.

Most watches are slightly water-resistant, they can endure small splashes of water from the rain or hand washing. If your watch does not state that it is water-resistant, avoid getting it wet as much as possible.

A watch with 30 meters/3 ATM/3 Bar water resistance, in reality, is only splash-proof. This should not be taken as the watch being water resistant 30 meters below sea level. It’s best to keep watches with this resistance level away from being submerged.

If your watch claims 50 meters/5 ATM/ 5 Bar. It has been built to withstand swimming. However, you should only subject it to water occasionally. Please don’t dive with your watch on

Water-resistance level 100 meters/ 10 ATM/ 10 Bar. It is suitable for swimming and snorkeling for extended periods. However not suitable for diving.

Dive territory starts from 300 meters/30 ATM/30 Bar. The most suitable is the ISO 6425 or divers.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wristwatch

If your watch has any of these inscriptions you’ve got a watch designed for diving.

Weight

The weight of the watch is an important factor to consider when buying a watch. Some watches are so light you barely feel them on your wrist, while others are so heavy it’s uncomfortable. It’s better to pick a watch that feels comfortable. If you like a watch but it’s a little too heavy on your wrists, you can find a similar model with a lighter strap material.

Your Budget

A watch is just a tool, always buy one within your means. Buying a watch over your budget would unnecessarily set you back in debt. You’re better off buying a watch within your budget and saving money for more watches in the future. With the billions of watches available today, there would always be one that fits right into your budget.

 

I hope these pointers will help guide you in figuring out what you want in a watch. Careful consideration of these factors will, without a doubt, ensure you make the best choice.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wristwatch