Watch Buying Guide
Deciding on the best watch to buy can be harder than you’d anticipated. Whatever style or functionality you’re looking for, our Watch Buying Guide will give you all the information you need to show you how to buy a watch that’s exactly right for you.
Explore the guide:
Watch Parts
Watch Bezel
This is part of the case that surrounds the dial and may be plain or decorated with crystals or diamonds. Functionality can be increased with a rotating bezel or a GMT bezel, allowing elapsed time and even second time-zones to be measured.
Watch Crystal
The watch crystal provides protection for the dial and hands. Sapphire or mineral crystal are the most common varieties and, if optimal readability is important to you, look for crystal with an anti-reflective treatment.
Hour Markers
Whilst minimalist style watches may have no hour markers at all, the style of these functional markings will influence the overall look of your watch. Retro style numerals will lend an on-trend vintage edge, whilst a glamorous dress watch calls for diamond dots or classic Roman numerals.
Watch Dial
Whether you call it a dial or a watch face, here is where the artistry of watchmaking can really be appreciated. Intricate patterns or designs may be applied to create an individual style, or they can add a vibrant pop of colour like our striking
Case Back
The seal which protects your watch’s movement, the case back can sometimes be a work of art in its own right. If you’re fascinated by your watch’s inner workings, opt for an exhibition case back which allows a glimpse inside its beating heart.
Sub-dials
A smaller dial which is placed on the main watch face, sub-dials are designed to provide you with additional information. Most commonly found on chronographs and multi-function watches, they can display elapsed time, alarms or the date.
Watch Case
The very essence of your watch, the watch case is the material that encloses the inner workings. Normally made from stainless steel, you can also find a variety of finishes such as gold or rose gold to suit your style perfectly.
Watch Crown
Used to set the watch hands to the correct time, your watch will either have a push-down or a screw-down crown. Diving watches will usually feature a screw-down crown as it helps to preserve their water resistance.
Features & Functions
For situations when you need to do more than just tell the time, additional functions and features will ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips. Known as ‘complications’ in watchmaking circles, simple complications include chronographs and alarms, which more advanced complications include perpetual calendars and worldtimers.
Movements
The beating heart of your watch, the movement is the mechanism that keeps track of time. There are essentially two options here; mechanical or quartz, each of which has their own distinctive characteristics.
Crystal Clear
An extremely precise movement, most quartz movements keep accurate time to within a few seconds per month. Powered by a battery which will need to be replaced periodically, these watches are regulated by a quartz crystal.
Mechanical Animals
Driven by the power of a coiled spring, you must wind your mechanical watch regularly in order to keep it ticking. Wonderfully traditional, mechanical movements are not as accurate as quartz movements and can gain or lose a few minutes over a month.
Automatic Pilot
The aspiration of any serious watch lover, an automatic watch keeps the romance of watchmaking alive. A mechanical movement which winds itself using kinetic energy, an automatic watch is a collection of hundreds of tiny, moving parts, painstakingly assembled by highly-skilled craftsmen.
What Does Water Resistance Mean?
Water resistance is the ability of a watch to withstand water pressure. The level of water resistance is measured in meters (m) and atmospheres (ATM).
To confuse matters, whilst a watch with a water resistance of 30m may be able to resist the pressure equivalent to a depth of 30m, it’s important to note that a watch’s water resistance is tested when static. In reality, when you wear your watch for swimming or diving, your movement will create pressures higher than 30m, even whilst swimming at the surface.
Is My Watch Water Resistant?
The water resistance of your watch can normally be found in a couple of places. Sometimes it will be displayed on the dial but, if not, it can be found on or around the case back. The level of water resistance can be marked in either meters or atmospheres, or sometimes both.
Watch Straps
An often overlooked consideration when choosing a watch, the type of watch strap will have a huge effect on your aesthetic. If cool, urban style is what you’re after then a metal bracelet is the way to go but, if your look is more smart-casual perhaps a leather strap is the best option for you.
Metal
Giving a satisfying weight to your watch, whether you go for stainless steel, gold or a mixture of the two, a metal bracelet creates a statement style. Read our watch size guide for more information.
Leather
Available in calfskin, alligator or crocodile as well as a range of colours and finishes, leather straps offer the ultimate in versatile style.
Nato
Given its heritage, the NATO watch strap a sense of authenticity to military and aviation styles; it’s also the ultimate accessory for those who like to switch up their look in an instant.
Rubber
The strap of choice for those who need their watch to be rugged, a rubber strap is made from high-performance materials that works best with diving or sailing watches.
Milanese
Combining the best of leather and metal styles, a Milanese mesh watch strap is the perfect accent for a minimalist or retro-inspired dial.
Ceramic
High-tech and ultra-lightweight, a ceramic strap is a stylish and comfortable choice. Ceramic straps have extremely high scratch resistance, however it’s much less resistant to shattering so care needs to be taken to not drop your watch on a hard floor.
Watch materials
Advances in technology, coupled with inspiration from industries such as aviation and motorsports, means that choosing what your watch is made from is now more exciting than ever.
How Much Do You Want To Spend?
Deciding your budget will largely depend on what kind of watch you’re looking for. For example, a Swiss Made, automatic watch is a precisely engineered mechanical object and is extraordinarily labour-intensive to make. This level of craftsmanship will be reflected in the price tag which can stretch to many thousands.
Watch Your Purpose
Deciding what functions you can’t live without is a great way to start narrowing down your choice.
More watch inspiration
ALL INSPIRATION & ADVICERead more watch inspiration and advice here.
Swiss Watch Guide
Celebrated for their precision and pedigree, Swiss-made watches have become synonymous with luxury and style. They are so much more than an instrument to tell the time.
Most Googled Watch Questions
We’ve found the most googled questions about luxury watches and put together all the answers you need within this helpful guide.