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What Should I Consider When Buying a Watch?

Diana Bocco
Diana Bocco

If you are considering buying a new watch, you will find that the choices are so wide that it becomes difficult to choose the right one. In the end, many people become overwhelmed and end up buying any watch that strikes their fancy rather than the best one for their lifestyle. To help you choose the right watch, here are some things that you should keep in mind:

Why do you need a watch? Are you looking for something simple, for everyday use or do you need a dressy watch that can be worn with suits? Will you wear your watch when exercising or playing sports? Gold watches are the most common choice to go with dressy outfits, while sport watches are made to be durable and can sometimes include rubber parts or luminous hands. On the same line, dressy watches are usually smaller, while sport watches tend to be at least 36 mm in diameter.

Expensive watches should be able to sustain shocks and moisture.
Expensive watches should be able to sustain shocks and moisture.

Once you have decided the purpose of your watch, your next consideration should be materials. The best, most expensive watches now in the market are made with high-tech materials such as scratch-resistant ceramics. Gold, titanium, and platinum are the other materials that can be found in expensive watches. Aluminum and plastic are the preferred material of choice in cheaper watches.

Runners may use athletic watches to monitor their speed, distance, and heart rate.
Runners may use athletic watches to monitor their speed, distance, and heart rate.

Size and weight are a matter of personal preference, as some people do not like to "feel" their watch, while others do not mind the added load. When it comes to functions and features, the truth is that most people never use anything in their watches except for the calendar function. A stop watch or chronograph can be useful if you are an avid runner, but other than that, most functions will just add to the price of the watch. Luminous dials are common nowadays, at least in sport and informal watches.

Runners might find chronographs useful, but they can be costly.
Runners might find chronographs useful, but they can be costly.

Price is always a major consideration when choosing a watch. If you are looking for a famous brand, with top of the line features, you should be ready to spend upwards of $600 US Dollars. Some brands, such as Rado or Rolex, start in the thousands for the simplest models. As a general rule, mechanical watches are more expensive than quartz models.

Discussion Comments

Bhutan

Oasis11-I just wanted to say that Tourneau actually buys back your old watch and gives you credit toward a new watch.

They also have a trade up program and if you decide to upgrade your watch they will give you the value of the previously purchased watch toward the purchase of a new watch. Also these watches have a lifetime battery and they do have extended warranties for accidental damage. These are other things to consider when buying a watch men's watch or a ladies watch.

oasis11

Moldova- I know that a chronograph watch is a popular men’s watch created by Swiss watch manufacturers.

These watches are considered to be the most accurate timepieces and have its signature stop watch capability. Most chronograph watches are also made of titanium and have the accuracy of 1/5 of a second.

Moldova

Whether you are buying a ladies watch or a men’s watch it is important to determine if this watch will be used for everyday use or for special occasions.

For example, a Cartier watch is a classic luxurious watch that might be more appropriate with business and cocktail attire.

If you are purchasing ladies watch you really have to determine if you want a stainless steel, white gold, yellow gold, platinum or leather band.

A leather band is more cost effective, but a bracelet band is more stylish and feminine. You also have to determine what the face and dial would be.

If you want a diamond watch the cost would be much higher.

If you want to keep your costs down you can purchase the stainless steel band with no diamonds.

The Tank series by Cartier is a quartz watch with sapphire crystals that normally retails for $2,500.

It has a stainless steel band, but if you were to get the gold or platinum band then the price would be significantly higher, but this is another style choice that you have.

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    • Expensive watches should be able to sustain shocks and moisture.
      Expensive watches should be able to sustain shocks and moisture.
    • Runners may use athletic watches to monitor their speed, distance, and heart rate.
      By: Maridav
      Runners may use athletic watches to monitor their speed, distance, and heart rate.
    • Runners might find chronographs useful, but they can be costly.
      By: Ivelin Ivanov
      Runners might find chronographs useful, but they can be costly.
    • Luxury watches such as Rolex cost thousands of dollars for even the most basic models.
      By: Vit
      Luxury watches such as Rolex cost thousands of dollars for even the most basic models.
    • It's important to have a watch where the time can be easily read.
      By: Syda Productions
      It's important to have a watch where the time can be easily read.