Should I Choose A Classic Watch or Smart Watch?
Convenience or timeless style? The latest technology or a love for classic luxury? The choice between adding a smart watch or classic watch to your collection often comes down to personal preference. Get to know the benefits of each watch type so you know how to choose a watch style you'll love to wear or give as a gift.
Tell a story with your watch
Watches do more than tell time – they make a personal statement. For men, a watch can be particularly meaningful since it is often one of the few pieces of jewelry they wear. Buying a watch can be a little intimidating at first. There’s a lot more to a timepiece than just the band and case. Here’s what you need to know about the main parts of a watch to help you get started.
The Watch Movement
The inner workings, or guts, of the watch. We’ll cover the 4 main types: manual, quartz, automatic and solar.
The Watch Case
This is the metal structure that protects the inner workings of the watch. Watch cases are often round, but they can be found in many geometric shapes. Popular case materials include:
The Watch Movement
The inner workings, or guts, of the watch. We’ll cover the 4 main types: manual, quartz, automatic and solar.
- Manual: this mechanical movement is the oldest type of watch movement. It requires the wearer to wind the crown, which will then unwind and release energy that powers the watch. Different manual timepieces will have different power reserve capacities, which dictates how often it must be wound.
- Quartz: Quartz watches feature a quartz crystal that is electrified by a battery. The crystal produces vibrations that power the motor, which moves the watch hands. These watches are very accurate, and often more affordable than mechanical watches.
- Automatic: Sometimes called “self-winding,” this mechanical movement is powered by the natural arm movements of the wearer. If an automatic watch is worn everyday, it will not require winding. But if it is worn more periodically, it will occasionally require a quick winding to stay on-time. A watch winder keeps the watch wound when it isn’t being worn.
- Solar: Solar watches provide accurate timekeeping without having to worry about winding or replacing a battery. These timepieces feature a solar cell that absorbs light transmitted through the dial. The solar cell then converts that light into energy and caches it in a lithium-ion cell in the movement. One of the most popular solar watch brands is Citizen, whose watches are powered by any light.
The Watch Case
This is the metal structure that protects the inner workings of the watch. Watch cases are often round, but they can be found in many geometric shapes. Popular case materials include:
The Watch Crystal
The watch crystal is a clear covering of glass, plastic, or synthetic colorless sapphire that covers the face of the watch. The two most common crystals are:
The Watch Band
Metal watch bands are usually referred to as bracelets, while bands of leather or other materials are called straps.
The Clasp
You’ve probably seen many of these watch closures without realizing what they were called. Below is a breakdown of the most common watch clasps:
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Watch Buying Guide | Kay