4 Key Things to Consider Before You Buy Your Next Watch

Picking a watch is a personal process that varies a great deal from one person to another.

16:15 20 November 2019

it becomes a lot easier when you know what to look for in one.

There are a number of factors to consider when you’re in the market looking for a good quality watch, including design, movement type, choice of materials and construction itself.

In this article, we take a brief look at some of the key factors so you will be able to decide for yourself what to look for in your next purchase. Let’s dive right in.

Budget

Budget is usually one of the first things that many consider. Knowing how much you can afford to spend helps you narrow your choices down to a few watches so you can pick the best one. 

Remember, there are good watches out there that are quite affordable yet still make you feel like you have spent a good amount of money on them. It is possible to buy a quality watch for a good price say under £200 with a good stainless steel case, a solid strap, and, more importantly, a time-tested movement such as the Japanese. Visit here if you’re partial to high quality watches with Japanes movement. There is a huge selection of watches for you to pick from, and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Materials

Next on the list is materials, and that covers everything from case, dial, straps and everything in between.

Let’s say you are seriously considering buying a high quality stainless steel watch and have a budget in mind. Picking quality materials is important, from choosing the steel grade that goes into making the case and links to picking the right strap. And it doesn’t matter if it runs over your budget. For example, watches made from high grade steel such as 316L are known to be resilient against rust from oxidisation or exposure to seawater thanks to their corrosion-resistant properties. Another thing worth noting when you’re buying a stainless steel watch is how solid or hollow it is. Go for watches that come with sturdy and solid metal links for they hold up well over time. And they’re worth the extra money.

If you’re a sucker for leather watches, make sure the watch you pick comes with a strap made from authentic leather. Although the choice of strap often depends on the style of watch and individual taste, you really can’t go wrong with a classic brown leather strap that looks refined and versatile.

Features

Watches come loaded with a lot of distinct features these days. People who fly frequently tend to like watches displaying world timers and multiple time zones, whereas those who’re into sports, racing, running are fond of watches that feature a dedicated chronograph function and a stopwatch. You can find a watch that fits your passion, whether it’s motor racing, scuba diving, mountaineering or leisurely travel, These watches not only provide unique features but also look cool, which is a nice bonus.

Movement

Here is the most important factor in buying a quality watch at a good price point that’s worth it- movement. Swiss movements are touted to the best in class with Japanese movement coming in at second. ETA Quartz movement is not far behind either. Watches made with Quartz movement are built to last longer, and found quite commonly in many watches that fall under the high price premium watches segment.

There you have it. To find a good watch with solid construction, high quality parts and classic movement, you may have to dig a little deeper. Even though mid-market watches from many brands look the part, they often lack the quality and craftsmanship and fail to meet expectations. In fact, some of the competitively priced watches from a few mid-tier brands are often poorly made, look and feel slightly chintzy in terms of materials and don’t feature a great movement either.

Pay attention to all the aforementioned factors if you want to be able to buy a solid timepiece that is built with quality materials, looks stylish, and lasts the test of time. After all, that is all we ask for in a watch, right?