How to Choose a Men's Watch

Many men put a good wristwatch on the same level as a car, and for good reason - a properly selected accessory emphasizes the status and position of its owner, determines his style and character. The Kronostime team will tell you which wristwatch is best for a man, what to pay attention to when choosing a model and introduce you to the leading manufacturers of popular brands.

 
Men's wristwatches: main criteria for selection

First, decide on the age category and style of the future owner of the watch:

  1. Young people aged 18-30 – usually follow fashion, actively engage in sports and like to stand out from the crowd – watches will be a bright, unusual accessory for them. Take a closer look at electronic models, as well as collaborations with famous athletes and TV stars;

  2. Practical men aged 30-40 often use watches for their intended purpose – they choose models with large dials and minimalist design;

  3. Status men aged 45 and older no longer chase fashion, preferring reliable models of reputable watch brands with a long history - such watches look expensive, high-quality and respected.

In addition, take a closer look at the country of manufacture of the desired model - Switzerland and Japan will be leaders in quality and prestige, but the price of such watches will also be appropriate.

Once you decide which category your man belongs to, move on to a detailed review of each characteristic: case material, strap and glass, bracelet size, additional functionality, and so on.

 
Mechanism

There are two main types of wristwatches:

  1. Mechanical - their main element of the mechanism is a clock spring, which must be wound manually or with the help of an automatic winder (in more expensive models). Correctly selected mechanical watches with proper care can last for decades and even be passed on to grandchildren;

  2. Quartz watches are battery or solar powered watches that are highly accurate and do not require winding, but require battery replacement and have a shorter service life.

 

A separate block should be allocated to electronic watches (the most popular today are smart models). They are the same quartz mechanism that starts the electric generator, counting the time. Such models have a lot of functionality: a pedometer, a heart rate monitor, the ability to receive calls, and so on.

Clock face

There are 2 main types of dial:

  1. Arrow - a classic option for mechanical and quartz models, on it the time values ​​are reflected in the form of Arabic or Roman numerals, or dots. Two or three hands point to the images: hour, minute, second. Depending on the design, the dial can be complemented with decor or be minimalistic;

  2. Digital – used in electronic models. Time is displayed in numerical form on a liquid crystal or LED display. In addition to time, the dial may also contain other parameters: days of the week, date, outside temperature, etc.

There is also a mixed model - it combines both types of dials.

Frame

The case material determines not only the appearance of the model, but also its durability. Men's watches are usually made of two types of materials: plastic and metal.

Plastic is used to create the cases of electronic watches, its quality strongly depends on the price - choosing a more expensive accessory, you get strength and durability, as well as the lightness of the watch itself, corrosion resistance and functionality.

When choosing a metal case, take a look at the following options:

  1. Stainless steel – highly durable and suitable for any watch style;

  2. Brass – lighter than steel, with anti-corrosion properties;

  3. Aluminum is soft, inexpensive and lightweight, but less durable;

  4. Titanium – combines the lightness of aluminum and the strength of steel, it is used to make luxury watches;

  5. Gold is the most expensive option, emphasizing the status of its owner.

Recently, ceramic watches have also become popular – they look unusual and stylish, but we do not recommend them for men who lead an active lifestyle – ceramics are very fragile and can easily be damaged if handled carelessly.

Glass

Common materials for inexpensive watch models are plastic and mineral glass. However, plastic, in addition to the obvious advantage of low price, has a number of disadvantages - for example, it is very easily scratched and accumulates condensation due to high hygroscopicity. In this case, it would be better to give preference to mineral glass.

The best option would be to choose a watch with sapphire glass - it is resistant to damage and does not lose its original appearance over time.

 
Functional

In addition to the basic functions, you may need additional options, for example:

  1. Date determinator;

  2. Multiple time zones;

  3. Chronograph;

  4. Heart rate monitor;

  5. Compass;

  6. Backlight;

  7. Waterproof;

  8. Alarm.

If you need more advanced functionality, it is better to turn to smart watches, designed specifically for this and replacing an entire smartphone.

 
Design

Traditionally, it is customary to distinguish between several basic styles of wristwatches:

  1. Classic – most mechanical watches are made in this style. Its features are a round or rectangular shape, numbers or hour divisions on the dial. The strap is usually leather or metal, it is of moderate thickness, the case is also small in size. In classics, it is not customary to highlight and emphasize individual elements. Classic watches are small, laconic accessories, with sophistication and simplicity;

  2. Casual – watches for everyday wear, somewhat similar to classic ones, but not so strict. The main condition is versatility and ease of use. These are watches of a slightly curved “physiological” shape, with large elements and a large selection of straps and bracelets of different colors and materials. Most of the casual assortment is quartz watches of different price categories;

  3. Sport – watches for fans of an active lifestyle, extreme sports and tourism, as well as for those who are inspired by unusual massive models with great functionality – large protruding buttons, wide straps, many windows with barometer readings, starry sky, compass, etc. Sports watches are also shockproof and waterproof.

In addition, there are also designer or original watches - those that do not fit into any category, with some distinctive unusual feature (for example, skeletons) or models from famous fashion houses.

 
Size

Another important factor is the fit of the watch on the hand. A wristwatch should be the perfect size for its owner, the diameter of its case should not exceed the width of the wrist and at the same time not be too small. For an average hand, the optimal size is 40-42 mm, and for a large hand, the size 44 mm is suitable.

Bracelet

Different materials are used in the production of watch straps:

  1. Leather (genuine or artificial) is a universal option that suits any style;

  2. Metal – steel or brass, their color is selected to match the body material. Durable and strong option;

  3. Rubber is soft, comfortable, hypoallergenic and wear-resistant;

  4. Silicone is a good option for owners of bright and unusual watch models, it has a rich color palette and is easy to wear.

Also, don't forget to pay attention to the strap clasp - this determines how comfortable and secure the accessory will be on your wrist. Also with good watches you can buy, sell or part-exchange a luxury watch in premium watches shop if you want. There are three types of clasps:

  1. Classic;

  2. Butterfly

  3. Folding.

The last option is considered the most reliable one.

TOP 2022 best brands

There are many large manufacturers of men's wristwatches on the world market. The most famous companies in different price segments are the following:

  1. Citizen is a Japanese company with a recognizable style, producing wristwatches in the mid-price segment;

  2. Rolex is a reliable and high-quality Swiss manufacturer with a long history that justifies the high price tag;

  3. Casio is a Japanese company with mid-range and premium watches, and is a leader in the electronic watch market;

  4. Tissot is a stylish Swiss brand for those who want to emphasize their status;

  5. Omega is a Swiss watch company that produces luxury models;

  6. Breitling is another Swiss luxury watch manufacturer;

  7. Diesel - originally a men's casual clothing brand that began to create bright designer models with an unusual appearance;

  8. Certina is a Swiss brand of high-precision wristwatches with a sporty design;

  9. RADO is a Swiss watch manufacturer that has won numerous awards for its design and advanced technology.

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