What to Know When Purchasing a Men’s Watch
Buying the perfect watch can often be a daunting task. The different shapes, styles, functions and types can all seem overwhelming if you’re not sure how to create the right combination for your personal style and build. Finding the perfect watch should be a process that makes you feel confident and empowered, and not something you should dread. The following tips will break down the process and get you started on the path to finding your new timepiece.
Size
First, you need to start with the overall build of the watch itself. Remember: size does matter. Your watch size should always be proportionate to the size of your wrist. Buying a watch too large for your wrist can create a clunky look, just as buying a watch too small can cause the overall look to be lackluster. For thin wrists, avoid watches that are big and bulky and stick with more sleek designs. Typically, a 38mm will do. Those with slender wrists should go with a more slim and sophisticated look, without going too small. And for those that have thick wrists, begin with a 44mm and go up from there. Your goal is to balance size with weight. Try looking at sports watches, as these typically look great with a larger wrist size. No matter the size, keep in mind that the depth of your watch case should be proportional to the case diameter. This will make for a more uniform look.
Function
After you’ve determined the measurements and overall look that works for your wrist, you can start to consider what type of watch works best for your lifestyle. The four main types are automatic, mechanical, solar and quartz.
1. Automatic watches wind themselves just by the movement of your hand.
2. Mechanical watches require the owner to wind them by hand, which will depend on the length of the main spring.
3. Solar watches charge from any light source.
4. Quartz watches are a little different in the sense that they are battery operated and don’t require any movement to charge the spring.
Fashion
Once you’ve chosen your watch type, finish by choosing the style that will best fit your own personal taste. You can easily mix and match the different styles to fit various occasions or excursions.
The dress watch tends to be one that men go to for styling purposes. They look more like jewelry and usually feature roman numerals versus numbers on the face. You will usually see a leather watchband used for this style.
Contrasting to this style is the diving watch. These are created for the purpose of functionality, with their rugged construction. The diving watch is a more round and versatile choice.
The aviation watch is similar. These are very industry specific as they are loaded with large amounts of information. You will find illumination common on this style. The driving watch will usually have the stopwatch feature and are used by motorsport enthusiasts. Finally, a more up-and-coming style is the minimalist watch, which tend to have less features. They are usually powered by the quartz movement.
Choose your watch style based on the use that you would ideally like to get out of it. These three steps are imperative to follow when choosing a watch that you will get the most benefit out of, and that will pair well with your style. Start at the basics — just figuring out size. Then you can go from there and determine type, and then finally the fun part: style. Sullivan’s S&S Jewelers is happy to help you through all of these steps, and pair you with a timepiece that will meet your style and functional needs.
