A wristwatch is an accessory out of time, though it may sound very extraordinary. Even in the era of digital gadgets, “traditional” wrist watches are not surprising and emphasize the style and status of the owner.
Choosing a wristwatch, the problem of choice cannot be avoided. However, the main priorities should still be set in advance.
Watch movements
Before choosing a watch model, you should decide on the type of watch movement. If not taking into account electronic alternatives, watches are divided into those with quartz and mechanical movement. A quartz movement utilizes a battery as its primary power source and mechanical need to be wound manually.
Quartz watches are good because they are relatively light, very accurate and all you need is just to replace the battery from time to time. An important plus is: quartz models are cheaper than mechanical ones. At the same time, they may incorrectly show time at critically low or high temperatures — below -6 ° C and above + 40 ° C, which, it must be said, is not very convenient in winter and on a hot day.
Mechanical watches are appreciated for reliability, durability and no need of using batteries. They are preferred by people who need to emphasize their status, and the models themselves are significantly more expensive than quartz ones. Such a watch requires careful maintenance of the mechanism and constant manual winding. Due to the peculiarities of the mechanism, they can sometimes be not very accurate.
The crystal of a watch
The crystal of a watch is the clear cover that goes over the dial and protects it, it can be made of a variety of materials. Plexiglas (plastic) - the cheapest material, but it is difficult to break. For this reason, watches with plexiglass are chosen by people for whom inexpensive, but durable coverage is important. Plexiglas is used in children's watch models.
Mineral glass crystal is the most commonly used option. It looks quite decent, nevertheless, it still can be cracked and scratched. Considering this, most manufacturers provide the crystal replacement procedure quick and convenient.
Artificial sapphire crystal is considered to be the most expensive and durable. There are practically no scratches on it, and the material itself maintains crystal clarity and does not get cloudy after a while.
Strap
Straps can be made from natural materials (leather, jewelry and metal bracelets), or from artificial ones (eco-leather, plastic, nylon fiber, silicone).
When choosing a watch for everyday use, take into account the convenience of the strap itself and whether it is comfortable to wear it for a long time. So, leather straps are considered to be the most popular, but it is not advisable to wet it in water, and even with careful maintenance, every 2-3 years you need to replace it with a new one. Bracelets with jewelry look beautiful, but they are rather heavy and not always convenient for everyday use.
Bracelets that are made of metal links or mesh are quite versatile, however, over time, the metal can rub up and lose luster. Silicone and plastic straps are convenient to replace, but in hot weather, they literally create the effect of a steam bath on your wrist. Nylon straps are also great because you can change their colors.
In addition to the strap, also pay attention to the shape of the dial - if you plan to wear a watch every day or every now and then you will have contact with the child, it should not have sharp corners and buttons.
Functions
A set of specific functions helps to choose the "right" watch. For example, if you travel a lot, the world time indicator is useful to quickly and easily switch to a new time zone. People who play sports will like a watch with a built-in stopwatch, and business people often need a calendar with a date that is automatically updated. Rotating Basel (upper ring on the body) is used to measure time intervals.
By the way, if you decide to buy a mechanical watch, pay attention to the presence of a power reserve indicator. This feature is very convenient if there is a chance that you forget to start the clock next time.
Water resistance
Resistance to a wet environment is rather an important option. However, please note that the “waterproof” watch is protected just from water splashes (during rain, playing with a child, washing hands, etc.). But the real "waterproof" is more serious and depends on the number of atmospheres, which are indicated on the back of the watch. With a high degree of protection against water, you can even dive with your watch on your wrist. At the same time, note that even the most waterproof watches can be damaged by sudden changes in temperature - for example, if their owner runs out of the sauna and jumps into a cold pool.
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