People are always looking for different ways to express ourselves in order to stand out from the crowd. The newest and most fashionable trend has been to own a wardrobe of different watches to suit every need. The average guy owns around three to four watches. Fashion experts are expecting that number to double and sales on watches to rise.
They range from models costing many thousands of dollars to fun disposable watches that will only set you back a few bucks. Yet no matter the cost they all serve a variety of functions, from fashion accessory to simple telling what time it is.
Before making a potentially expensive purchase, it is a good idea to know the basics of watch construction since even the best-dressed man can get tripped up when it comes to buying the right one. So here is what you should know when shopping for a new watch.
- Have an idea where the watch was made. The last thing you want to do is pay a lot of money for an expensive watch only to discover it was made in China. You're doing well the watch you are interested in was made in Switzerland. In order to be considered a "Swiss Watch", it needs to meet certain requirements such where the production and assembly took place. Ask for a full explanation from the seller about the watch's origin before you buy it.
- Know what powers the watch. You'll quickly discover that almost all modern watches employ a battery-powered quartz crystal to keep proper time. There are a few stores which still sell old-fashioned mechanical watches which keep time through gears and springs but require periodic servicing. The very best watch companies build their own mechanisms in house instead of out-sourcing it.
- Inspect the casing of the watch. All of the notable top-quality watch makers use a screw-on back and a screw-down crown to protect the inside of the watch from water and dirt. Some even have a display back that lets you to see this mechanism. Cases are typically made from stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum and titanium since they are a highly durable, yet distinctive, classy look.
- Make sure there are no external defects with the transparent face that covers the watch such as scratches or cracks. Acrylic is the least expensive and gives you a good shatter resistance considering the price but the sapphire crystals work the best, due to their clarity and scratch resistance.
- What makes one model better than another when it comes to special features? Some watches use both a digital and an analog face. Others are available in a water-resistant casing for those swimmers out there. If you're big into sports, look into purchasing a chronograph. If you're looking to show off the lottery you just won or that big fat raise your boss you can buy a watch encrusted in gemstones. Nothing screams look at me like a watch covered in diamonds or otherwise known as bling.
- The band of the watch should be comfortable and secure. Steel bands give off a clean look and smooth feel making them quite popular and trendy. If you're into an old-fashioned and timeless look, you can not go wrong with a watch that has a leather band.