Buying Watches Online - Everything You Need to Know

The problem of size comes first. Over the previous few decades, watches have gotten significantly bigger. Newer men's timepieces range in size from 38 to 42 millimeters (mm), with some going as large as 55 mm. As expected, rectangular watches are slimmer than their circular counterparts. Men's rectangle watches typically have a case width between 28 and 34mm. Even while larger watches photograph beautifully, you should limit yourself to watches between 40 and 44 millimeters in diameter unless you know for sure that you enjoy wearing such a large accessory.

Even though many women now choose to wear men's watches, ladies' timepieces have grown in size as well. A woman can make a strong style statement by wearing a huge watch on her wrist. However, if you're looking for a watch box for men, you should know that anything under 24 millimeters is called "petite," 24-28 millimeters is "normal," and 28 millimeters and up is considered huge. The standard size for a ladies' rectangle watch is 18-22 mm.

Mechanic vs. quartz clocks. You may be confused about the distinction between a quartz watch and a mechanical or automatic one, having heard the names but not knowing what they mean. Quartz watches are essentially electronic timepieces that run on batteries (though there are solar and kinetic energy models available). An excellent quartz watch can be relied on for pinpoint accuracy every time. Their cost is also lower than that of mechanical timepieces. Only changing the batteries once in a while is all that's needed to keep them running well. For the vast majority of people who need only an affordable and dependable timepiece, a quartz watch is the way to go.

"Eco-Drive" is Citizen's marketing term for its solar-powered, quartz watch technology. When completely charged, the capacitor inside solar-powered timepieces can power the watch for months without needing to be replaced. Casio isn't the only company that makes solar-powered watches, though; several others do as well.

Mechanical watches are those that you wind up and, once wound, use a spring to turn a set of gears and, ultimately, the hands. It's an older, more time-honored method of technology. Mechanical "automatic" watches wind themselves. The mechanism relies on the rotation of a tiny rotor located at the back of the watch's movement, which spins with your wrist. It winds a spring as it rotates, supplying energy to the watch. When fully wound, a watch's spring provides power for around 42 hours before it needs to be rewound.

Collectors and watch lovers tend to favor mechanical timepieces. A well-kept mechanical watch can become a family heirloom and serve its owner for generations.

Digital against analog. Any timepiece that utilizes hands that may be moved across the face is considered an analog timepiece. A digital watch is a wristwatch that displays the time in digital form on a tiny LED or LCD screen. In comparison to digital watches, analog ones have a more classic and formal air about them. Time, date, and perhaps a stopwatch and an alarm are the extent of an analog watch's capabilities. The capability of digital timepieces typically far exceeds that of their traditional counterparts. Some of the newest digital watches have various alarms, timers, thermometers, altimeters, barometers, and compass features.

There's also the "crystal" to think about. The dial is protected by crystal, which is glass. Acrylic, mineral glass, or cultivated sapphire crystal are the most common materials used to create crystals. Although it scratches fairly easily, acrylic can be polished to eliminate light scuffs.

Mineral glass is more scratch-resistant than acrylic, but it cannot be polished once it has been scratched. However, it is affordable to replace. If you're careful with your timepieces, a mineral crystal one should last for quite some time.

In theory, a sapphire crystal can only be scratched by a diamond or another sapphire. Indeed, watches with sapphire crystals cost more initially, but they maintain their luster for much longer.

The case material is crucial if you want a "workhorse" watch that you can wear every day for a long period. Timepieces made of stainless steel, titanium, or gold will endure far longer than those made of a cheaper metal that has been plated. As a bonus, they won't rust and won't cause as many skin responses.

Japan takes on the Swiss. Watches are either created in Switzerland or Japan, and both countries are known for producing high-quality timepieces. Quartz watches, invented in Japan, are arguably the country's best-known export. The three most popular Japanese watch brands—Seiko, Citizen, and Casio—are known worldwide for their precision and durability. You can tell a Swiss-made watch by its small label that says "Swiss Made" on the dial. This stamp of approval ensures that the watch was made in Switzerland and is of at least the minimum quality specified by the Swiss government. While their mechanical watches tend to get more attention, the Swiss also make some very good quartz models.

Comparison of a Leather and Metal Bracelet. While personal preference is a major influence, there are additional considerations. Leather straps are more elegant and sophisticated than other materials, but they wear out with time from perspiration and dirt on your wrist. Although some may find them to be less comfortable, metal bracelets are more widely worn in the United States than in other countries. Rubber bracelets are an attractive compromise between the hardiness of metal and the softness of leather. Rubber straps are increasingly common on high-end timepieces, and are even appropriate in some business settings.

When purchasing a watch online, it is important to ensure that you are happy with the vendor's return policy if the watch you received is not satisfactory. Similar to other online purchases, you should check your watch thoroughly as soon as you get it so that you may notify the seller of any issues right away. Major suppliers have excellent quality control procedures in place.

Be careful that not every watch will fit your wrist right out of the box if your wrist is over 8 inches (for men) or 7 inches (for women). You can get assistance finding a watch that fits your wrist perfectly by contacting the store's customer service department, which is typically excellent at online watch retailers.

Finally, when searching for a place to buy a watch online, be on the lookout for a retailer that offers daily bargains. Most online watch retailers also offer daily deals that can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on the watch of your choosing, in addition to the convenience and incredible variety they offer. Call the watch store up and beg for a discount if your preferred timepiece is never on sale. Many times they will give you a discount on the spot that you won't believe