Which men's wrist watch is better to choose. What watch to choose for a man

An accessory that does not lose its value over time is a wristwatch. You can use smartphones as much as you like, but the chronometer has been and remains an attribute of self-confident, successful individuals, whose image is no stranger to aristocracy and sophistication. It is also an important and necessary device for athletes, and for kids, a watch is not just a toy, but a means of learning and understanding the world. Which is better to buy for an adult and a baby - the article will tell.

Types of watches

The main parameter on which the type of chronometer depends is the age of the owner. Despite the fact that such a division is very arbitrary, there are two main types: adults and children. Traditionally, among devices for adults, male and female are distinguished. Some manufacturers offer series for girls and boys. As a rule, they mainly differ in the color of the case and the strap, as well as the plot of the background image, if any.
Distinctive properties of accessories for women

With rare exceptions, it is not difficult to visually determine that the chronometer is designed for a ladies' audience. For example, at first glance it becomes clear that the sophisticated CK Amaze K5D2M121 should adorn a graceful girlish wrist.

By the way: For three hundred years, wristwatches have remained exclusively women's accessories. The resemblance to jewelry - bracelets - was so negatively perceived by men that they did not change traditional pocket models until the end of the 19th century.

Since the middle of the 16th century, when the first bracelet watches appeared, the main distinguishing features of women's models have changed little:

the body is thinner and smaller than that of men. This is due not only to anatomical features, but also to the desire to emphasize the fragility and femininity of the owner. The C4566/1 will do just fine for this task;
lighter devices for gentlemen. To minimize weight, manufacturers are experimenting with mechanism and design;
the design of accessories for girls is much more diverse than men's. The color combinations of the case and strap, their shape and thickness make it possible to offer fashionistas such elegant models as the T-Gold Nubya;
exclusive items like the CK Connect K1D23503 are designed not so much for practical purposes as for decoration. Such an accessory will be the final element of the image, emphasize the impeccable taste and status of the owner.

Characteristic features of devices for men

Men's watches owe their appearance to the military. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, employees came up with a device in the form of a case with straps, in which they put pocket chronometers and put it on their hands. In battle, it was problematic to get and hide the watch in your pocket, so the invention took root in the army environment. But the mass production of factory models for the representatives of the stronger sex, not burdened by military service, began only in the twentieth century.

The key features of men's accessories to this day are closely connected with the history and reasons for their creation:

- the main requirement of men to the device. Therefore, models are produced for them from materials that are resistant to shock and scratches - stainless steel, titanium alloys (for example, T-Touch Expert Solar Tony Parke);
the functionality of the device is also important. Additional features require the addition of appropriate parts - both in the mechanism and on the case. Therefore, chronometers for men are more massive than women's ones, and all kinds of controls are located on the case. Confirmation of this is the F16599/7 with a built-in chronograph.

Features of watches for children

A good watch for a baby meets the following requirements:

Manufacturers know that learning is easier when a child likes and wants to use the tool. Therefore, chronometers for children have a bright, attractive design. A good example is Doodles ALIEN in light green;
for the case and strap use materials that are resistant to mechanical damage. On models like the VR15J005Y, these parts are made from polymer;
to facilitate perception, the numbers and other designations on the dial and case should be large and clear, as on VQ96J018Y;
splash and rain resistant models like VR41J009Y will last longer. Even if the child forgets to remove the watch before washing their hands, the mechanism will not suffer.

Country of origin of the mechanism

The states that produce the most reliable and high-quality watch movements are deservedly considered Switzerland and Japan. It is the accuracy and durability of the mechanism that determines the cost of the chronometer. Therefore, when choosing an accessory, they are primarily interested in the country that produces the "heart" of the watch, and only then evaluate the design and functional features.

The mechanisms of Swiss companies are necessarily marked with the words Swiss Made. A product with this mark must meet strict requirements:

The movement is made in Switzerland.
The chronometer is assembled in Switzerland.
A quality control check took place in the same place.

Given that some firms produce fakes with Swiss markings, the country's special departments are making every effort to combat fraudsters. Thus, the illegal use of the quality mark entails the confiscation of goods and huge fines.

Miyota and SEIKO are the recognized leaders with a Japanese “registration”. Both brands create movements of high accuracy and reliability in price segments from budget to premium. Japanese movements are used mainly in the watches of Asian companies.

Movement: quartz or mechanical

Each of the two types of mechanisms has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before choosing a watch, it is important to decide whether it should be mechanical or quartz.
Features of mechanical chronometers:

Long term work. The specificity of the mechanism and the high quality of the assembly ensure the durability of devices like the Tissot Couturier Automatic.
Mechanisms of this type can be repaired, which significantly increases their service life.
Models with a mechanical "heart", like Tissot Heritage, emphasize the status of the owner, help to form an expensive image.
Brands produce not only devices in a classic style, but also with a sporty design bias. For example, Tissot T-SPORT Seastar.
For devoted fans of mechanical chronometers, models without the usual dial were created so that the owner could contemplate the work of the mechanism. This decision was embodied in Chemin Des Tourelles.
Mechanical devices come with and without automatic winding. In the second case, the owner needs to independently start the accessory from time to time.

Features of quartz models:

1. Almost perfectly accurate move. Some specimens show a deviation in one direction or another by only five seconds per year. Devices of this type do not require winding. The battery is replaced as needed. As a rule, the life of the installed battery is indicated in the instructions for the chronometer.

2. This type of mechanism is less susceptible to bumps and drops. Therefore, athletes and tourists prefer models like Candino Sport Lines.

3. Models with quartz often have additional features such as a stopwatch, compass, heart rate monitor. So, the Quickster Chronograph has a chronograph.

4. This mechanism is lighter than mechanical, so it is often placed in children's and women's devices.

5. Automated assembly of quartz can reduce its cost. So models with it are cheaper than mechanics.

Housing material

For cases, various materials are used, differing in strength, reliability and, of course, cost. The quality of raw materials is also reflected in the cost of the chronometer. The main materials are plastic, alloy, brass, steel, titanium. In addition, the jewelry type of products is often decorated with gold plating (for example, Q645-402Y). Such models emphasize the status of the owner, and their cost significantly exceeds the price of conventional metal devices.

Plastic housing

Positive points:

1. The ease of obtaining and processing this material form its low cost. Even the best types of plastic of increased elasticity and strength have an affordable price.

2. Light weight compared to other materials makes wearing the accessory comfortable. This property is especially relevant for the production of sports men's and women's models. So, even well-known brands use plastic in expensive sports timepieces like the M118J001Y to reduce weight. For the same reason, plastic is optimal for children's watches like VQ13-009.

3. Plastic, of course, does not reach the strength of metal. But the resilient texture allows plastic devices to withstand drops and small impacts with dignity. For athletes and children, this ability of the material is a plus.

4. Moisture and sun do not affect plastic as negatively as other materials. Therefore, no protective coating is required for the surface of the chronometer.

Negative points:

scuffs and scratches appear on inexpensive plastic rather quickly. Therefore, the appearance of the chronometer quickly loses presentability;
You won't be able to “booze” with plastic watches - they are still inferior to gold-plated models with diamonds. But for those who prefer a sporty and military style, a case made of this material is what you need.

Alloy alloy body

This material is created by an alloy of zinc and aluminum. In addition, it is saturated with a gas mixture. Therefore, alloy has a porous structure, which allows it to be resistant to stress. The composition also provides a small weight of the material. The cost of alloy chronometers is not much higher than plastic ones.

brass body

Brass is considered one of the most popular watch materials.

Positive traits:

more durable and reliable than the two previous types, it is, however, slightly more expensive than plastic and alloy.

Flaws:

the material is subject to oxidation from contact with air. In addition, the process is accelerated by the sweat of a person who somehow gets on the chronometer while wearing it. As a result, dark spots form on the body. And they significantly spoil the appearance of the accessory. Therefore, modern manufacturers cover the brass body with a special coating for protection. It can be nickel or gold plating with hypoallergenic properties.

Steel case

Products made from this material are resistant to damage and scuffs, and also have hypoallergenic properties. Therefore, stainless steel chronometers have firmly entered the range of famous Swiss brands and manufacturers of smart watches. Confirmation of this -.

Material advantages:

Presentable and solid appearance without additional coating. High-quality grinding and subsequent polishing allow you to make a flawless case.
Steel with additions of other substances (eg chromium) is resistant to strong acids. Therefore, in domestic use, she is not afraid of contact with cleaning and dishwashing detergents and other household chemicals.
To create a watch case, steel with different levels of strength can be used. Most often, it is 316L - one of the most resistant to wear and shock.
Facilitates the work with the material of its plasticity. Therefore, stainless steel cases can be of various shapes. The same quality allows you to return the device to its original appearance by polishing.
The material is not magnetized, which makes it possible to avoid embarrassing situations when in contact with magnetic objects in everyday life and at work. For aircraft pilots, this is also an important feature.

Possible complaints:

steel devices are quite heavy. But this weight is rather pleasant.

Titanium case

Watchmakers decided to use titanium alloy following the example of aircraft manufacturers. The highest strength of the material is complemented by lightness, so luxury chronometers with a titanium case are a success along with steel ones.

Other advantages of the material:

The premium matte shade looks solid and chic.
The alloy is hypoallergenic, so anyone can wear a device made of this metal.
Titanium does not cool down, the bracelet, respectively, does not freeze and does not cause discomfort on the hand, so products using it are popular in countries with cold climates.
The material is resistant to direct sunlight and is not magnetized.

Golden Corps

A symbol of the high status and success of the owner are models with gold cases. The use of this material came into vogue in the 80s of the last century. So, in some companies there was a tradition to encourage employees who retire with a similar gift - it was a sign of respect and recognition of the merits of a colleague.

The metal, soft in processing and polishing, has been used to create chronometers since the 13th century. But devices made of it for wrist wear could not withstand daily loads and were deformed. Therefore, at the end of the 20th century, gold began to be alloyed with other metals in order to strengthen and make it harder and more durable.

The greatest demand in the 21st century is for products made of precious metal in yellow and pink. Highly valued in jewelry, white gold is less popular in this case, since at first glance it can be mistaken for steel. Traditionally, the world famous Rolex is famous for the best gold devices.

Tightness level

In addition to accidental drops and bumps, ordinary water can damage a complex mechanism. Even increased air humidity adversely affects the details of the chronometer. Therefore, manufacturers develop and apply special systems to protect against moisture. At the same time, the level of protection varies from primary and secondary, as in, to professional.

To unify the parameters of moisture protection, the ISO 2281 standard is used. If the case meets all the requirements and successfully passes the test, then water resistant is marked on the back of the chronometer. Depending on the pressure that the mechanism can withstand, the level of protection is additionally indicated. This indicator is denoted by meters or the ratio of atmospheres to bars (ATM / bar). So, 10 meters corresponds to the value of 1 ATM / bar, 20 - 2 ATM / bar, 50 - 5 ATM / bar and so on.

The owner’s capabilities depend on the level of protection - do not remove the accessory while washing hands, swim in the pool or scuba dive:

Marking	Rain, splashing water	Washing dishes, swimming	Snorkeling underwater	scuba diving	Deep sea diving with helium
WR	Yes	No	No	No	No
WR 30m (3 bar)	Yes	No	No	No	No
WR 50m (5 bar)	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
WR 100m (10 bar)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
WR 200-300m (20-30 bar)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
WR from 1500m (150 bar)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

What not to do even with a watch with a high level of water resistance:

press the buttons underwater, not being sure of the capabilities of the device;
"bath" in a hot bath and use in the sauna;
take a shower - soap can damage the mechanism.

How to take care of a waterproof chronometer like:

rinse with fresh water after sea water;
avoid sudden changes in temperature;
to replace batteries, use the services of authorized service centers;
carefully study the instructions and follow their recommendations.

Often this element of the chronometer is underestimated. The material of the glass seems insignificant compared to the case and movement. Nevertheless, the protection of the "stuffing" of the device, its resistance to shock depends on its quality. Therefore, the type of glass significantly affects the price of the accessory. There are three main types: plastic, quartz and sapphire. Each of them has its pros and cons.

plastic glasses

Easy to process, this material is flexible and lightweight. Such glasses are the most inexpensive, they are put on budget and children's models.

the flexibility of the material allows glass to be molded into a wide variety of shapes. This is true when creating extravagant, unusual accessories and sports devices;
the structure of the plastic makes it durable and resistant to mechanical damage, so breaking such glass is not easy;
affordable cost allows you to replace the glass with a new one without hitting the budget;
polishing will help get rid of small scratches.

the material is easy to scratch, scuffs appear over time;
plastic absorbs moisture, therefore, with temperature fluctuations and high humidity, condensation droplets form on the inside.

mineral glass

Quartz glasses are put on most models of the middle price segment. Modern technologies have made it possible to process the material in a special way to increase its resistance to scratches.

the material has high transparency and attractive appearance;
scratches can be removed by polishing;
Quartz glass, which has been specially adjusted, has the properties of a magnifying glass. Therefore, the chronometer will be convenient to use even with poor eyesight.

such glass is not particularly resistant to mechanical damage, so in extreme situations it is better to save an accessory with it;
when used in dusty rooms, the material may become cloudy;
from direct sunlight, glare appears on the quartz, which makes it difficult to see the values on the dial. As an option - purchase a model with an anti-reflective coating.

For those who love technology:

Sapphire crystals

The most expensive and prestigious material is put on premium models.

glass is not afraid of scratches - it is so resistant to mechanical damage that it can only be spoiled with a diamond;
high transparency makes the values on the dial clearly distinguishable, regardless of the quality of the lighting;
cloudiness and dullness will not appear even after a long time.

for all its merits, the material is fragile, and will not withstand a strong targeted blow.

Straps and bracelets

One of the important elements of watch design are straps and bracelets. The choice depends both on the style of the accessory and on the requirements of the material.

Bracelets

Metal bracelets are created for classic male and female models. They complement and decorate the product, give it a jewelry look. Chronometers with bracelets look organically with a business wardrobe, and are also relevant as an accessory to an evening dress or suit.

The prestige of a bracelet depends on the metal from which it is made. The most commonly used are titanium, stainless steel, brass, silver, gold and platinum. Items made of precious metals can be decorated with precious and semi-precious stones. At the same time, bracelets have high wear resistance and retain a presentable appearance for a long time.

Straps are used with accessories of different styles and price categories. This is facilitated by a wide choice of materials of manufacture and design solutions. Most often, straps are made of natural and artificial leather, rubber, fabric, silicone, carbon fiber.

Leather look solid and stately. Their cost mainly depends on the type of leather used and the design. The leather is pleasant to the touch and breathable. These straps complement the classic models. But it should be remembered that with active wear, the leather product will have to be changed every 3-4 years due to wear and tear.

Rubber straps are more suitable for sports and youth models. Natural material has a small weight and is able to tightly fit the brush. Rubber is resistant to moisture, so the straps made of rubber complement professional chronometers for sports on the water.

Straps from fabric suitable for those who love variety and bright design. They are made from natural and artificial fabrics. At the same time, the material allows manufacturers to experiment with colors, weaves and textures in any way, creating unusual, original models for every day. A fabric with a special impregnation will make the strap resistant to water and sweat.

Silicone straps are a little different from rubber. They are designed mainly for youth and children's audiences - silicone is easy to clean, and straps from it are produced in various colors.

Straps carbon fiber put, as a rule, on sports and men's models. They are resistant to any mechanical damage and water. Sometimes, to soften the hard material, fabric or leather is sewn to the inner surface.

Functionality

Each additional function in a wrist chronometer means a serious complication of the mechanism and, accordingly, an increase in cost. Therefore, before you pick up a watch with auxiliary features, you should accurately determine for yourself whether these features are really needed.

The following functions can be added to mechanical and quartz models:

1. Chronograph or a stopwatch built into the movement. They are controlled by two buttons. One is for resetting the indicators, the second is for starting and stopping.

2. Repeater. An optional but pretentious feature. It consists in the fact that the chronometer will report the exact time to the owner by battle. In terms of accuracy, such a mechanism can be hourly, fifteen-minute, five-minute and minute.

3. World time. The function works with the help of a design: the bezel on the case is made rotatable and divisions are applied to it, indicating time zones. This mechanism was invented back in the 20s of the last century.

4.power reserve scale. The indicator shows how many hours the mechanical chronometer will run without winding. This function is relevant for models with automatic winding and devices with a power reserve of several days.

5. Dynamometer. It will come in handy for punctual individuals, as it informs the owner of the level of accuracy of the mechanism at the moment.

6. Calendar. It can be of four types: simple, triple, eternal and "big date". On a simple one, only the current number is displayed. Triple shows, respectively, the day, month and day of the week. Perpetual is an additional mechanism that does not require control, with an indication of leap years. The most difficult - "big date" - consists of two or three discs. You can consider its meaning without eye strain.

7. Alarm clock. A separate barrel is provided for this function. You can set an alarm only for a period of time in the next 12 hours.

When choosing a watch according to the parameters, do not forget about your own tastes and preferences. A colleague wears a cool sportswear and at the same time works as a trainer in the gym? There is no need to follow his tastes when trading on the stock exchange - in this case, the classics will remain relevant.
Mechanics are expensive and prestigious. But if there is no true passion for such mechanisms, it is better to stop at "quartz", such chronometers are in no way inferior to traditional ones.
The strap reflects and complements the overall image no less than the device itself. Therefore, do not rush and take a model in which something does not suit you. Finding "your" watch will be rewarded with the pleasure of daily wear.
If there is a need to change the watch frequently, inexpensive devices are the best solution. Without a twinge of conscience, you can buy the next model you like in six months or a year.
Design is a personal matter for everyone. The main thing is that the appearance of the chronometer pleases the owner, and not others.

Thus, when choosing a chronometer, one should take into account both technical indicators and personal feelings. Even the most expensive model may not bring joy, while a seemingly simple and inexpensive quartz watch on a fabric strap will become a favorite piece of jewelry for every day. But when choosing a status device for the office and business meetings, you should still evaluate the quality of the alloy for the case and bracelet and, of course, do not skimp on the movement.

Wristwatches have long ceased to be a device for determining the time, now they are an indispensable attribute of a successful and self-confident man. A well-chosen watch can tell about the tastes of a person, about his wealth and social status. However, when going shopping, many are not at all sure that they know how to choose a men's watch.

You should not buy cheap fakes that copy well-known brands. Such watches will only testify to the complete bad taste and lack of an elementary sense of style. If the amount necessary to buy a good watch is not available, then it is better to wait a little with their purchase. Men's watches are exactly the accessory that you should not spare money for.

The most important question when buying: "How to choose the right men's watch?" First of all, you need to remember that a good quality watch cannot be cheap. If a seller offers an accessory of a well-known brand, which at the same time costs much less than the real price, then this product is definitely a fake. You should not buy watches in transitions or on the market, you need to do this only in specialized stores.

When making a choice, you need to take into account your lifestyle and characteristic style of clothing. Of course, the ideal option is a few hours that fit various "images". If there is no opportunity to purchase several different accessories, then the best option would be to buy a watch designed in a sporty-classic style.

Naturally, people who are wondering how to choose men's watches know that those made in Switzerland are considered the best. However, not everyone has the means to buy such expensive models, because a good Swiss chronometer will cost at least 90,000 rubles.

There are several types of watches: electronic, mechanical and quartz. Therefore, before choosing a wrist watch (for men), you should decide what type you would like to have.

In mechanical devices, the source of work is a tightly wound spring. Such watches have a significant drawback: the unwinding of the spring occurs at an uneven speed, and therefore the time may not be displayed quite accurately. To reduce the risk of such an error, manufacturers usually use automatic winding, in which the spring is automatically tightened, for example, by movement when walking. However, such a device is not always able to save the owner from the need to wind the watch manually, because such a winding mechanism is not effective during sedentary work or rare use of the watch. Therefore, before choosing a mechanical watch for men, you should think about whether it will be convenient to use it.

A quartz-type watch uses a battery, which can be either conventional or solar. The oscillatory system in such a device is replaced by a special quartz crystal. These watches are highly accurate, reliable and in high demand.

In electronic watches, the display indicator is digital, although there are also models on sale in which, along with a digital one, a traditional display with arrows and numbers is provided.

Before choosing a men's watch, you should think about which device will be convenient to use and which model would be preferable, and then the purchase will be really successful.

For many of us, a watch is not only a device that shows the time, but also a status accessory. Firstly, the watch itself, namely: the brand, case material, and most importantly the price - demonstrate your taste, status and financial condition. Secondly, beautiful men's watches give men solidity, and women's watches give elegance to women. Agree, if you have a Maurice Lacroix watch on your hand, then the first impression of you will be built by the person itself and quite good. In this article, we will try to give you useful tips on how to choose a wrist watch.
Next, we will consider the following questions:

How to choose the right watch

In order to choose the right watch, you need to focus not only on the watch company, but also on their price. Yes, no doubt, an expensive watch cannot be a wrong choice, but, nevertheless, the watch has a lot of technical features that you need to pay attention to when choosing a model so that it not only emphasizes the status, but also suits you according to its main characteristics. .
So, let's go directly to the watch parameters that you need to consider when buying.
Mechanism
The first thing you need to start your choice with is the type of watch mechanism. Watches are mechanical and quartz. Let's look at their features in more detail.
Mechanical watches
A mechanical watch is a watch that has a very complex movement mechanism, which was invented many centuries ago, but is still in great demand. The design of a mechanical watch consists of springs and wheel gears, which, when interacting with each other, produce the movement of the watch. The service life of high-quality mechanical watches is about 20 years. Mechanical watches work without a power source, which is very convenient - you only need to wind them up every 3-4 days. However, they do have their drawbacks.
Probably, the most important disadvantage of mechanical watches is their rate error, which is from 10 seconds per day. The accuracy of the movement is affected not only by the serviceability of the mechanism, but also by the position of the watch and the ambient temperature. Mechanical watches require more complex repairs, which can affect the price.
Quartz watch
Quartz watches are based on a quartz oscillator, due to which electrical vibrations are created, which ensure the movement of the watch. Such a mechanism provides a more accurate clock, the error of which is no more than 20 seconds per month. Quartz watches do not need to be wound periodically, which will be very convenient for many. Thanks to this design, quartz watches can include other additional features, which we will discuss below.
Time display
To date, there are 3 ways to display time: pointer, electronic and combined.
Strelochny
Arrow way of displaying time - when time is displayed using arrows. Depending on the model, the arrow can be either two - hour and minute, or three - hour, minute and second. The second hand can be placed both on the main dial and on a separate one. The pointer way of displaying time is the only way to display time on a mechanical watch, and as one of the display options on quartz ones.
Electronic
Electronic way of displaying time - when time is displayed using numbers. For some, this way of displaying time is more convenient. This method of displaying time is used only in quartz watches. Thanks to this, in addition to displaying the time, informers of other watch functions can be placed on the dial.
Combined
As you may have guessed from the name, the combined time display uses both arrow and digital time display methods. This time display is used exclusively in quartz watches.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the existence of a new time display system "Twelv", which displays each hour in a separate color, and minutes - in a kind of space filling, something similar to the moon. But there are very few models of such watches and they have not gained such wide popularity, maybe because they were recently created, or maybe because of their unusualness or inconvenience.

Digit type
If you prefer the arrow display of time on the clock, then determine for yourself what type of numbers on the dial you would like. The numbers on the dial can be either Roman or Arabic. Each of the options has its own advantages, which we will talk about when giving advice on choosing a watch.
Also, it is necessary to determine the number of digits on the dial. The dial can be: 12 hours, 4 hours and 24 hours. Most often you can find watch models with a 12-hour time format, this type is called classic. That is, the display shows numbers from 1 to 12, which is actually very convenient and familiar. In order to unload the watch display, the creators sometimes place 4 digits on the dial: 12, 3, 6 and 9. Such watches are convenient for their minimalism, but as they say, for an amateur. In addition, very rarely, but you can also find watch models with 24 digits on the dial, but not everyone will be comfortable with such an arrangement of numbers. It is also worth mentioning those watches, the dial of which does not have numbers at all, but consists of 12 divisions - for lovers of minimalism.
Time Format
The time format is how the time is displayed on the digital display. There are three time display formats: 12-hour, 24-hour and combined.
With a 12-hour time format, the day is divided into 2 intervals of 12 hours: before noon and after noon, denoted by "AM" and "PM", respectively. This is very convenient, since we are used to perceiving time according to such a system, for example: “three in the morning” or “two in the afternoon”.
The 24-hour format displays the time of day in normal mode, starting at 0000 hours and ending at 23 hours 59 minutes. This format is most common in European countries.
The most convenient are watches with a combined time format, when the user can independently choose in which format the clock displays the time.
Second hand
As a rule, the vast majority of wristwatches have a second hand on the main dial. But there are also watch models in which this hand can be transferred to a separate dial, or even absent altogether. The presence of a second hand in the watch is determined based on its need.
Energy source
Clock power sources may vary.
As mentioned above, in a mechanical watch, the source of energy is a spring mechanism, which, due to its pressure, drives the entire watch mechanism. When the winding of the spring weakens, the watch stops and must be wound again, or to prevent this from happening, rewind. One plant is usually enough for 48 hours. In addition, there are models of mechanical watches with automatic winding. Thanks to the self-winding feature, the watch will automatically wind up without you having to worry about it. Automatic winding occurs through vibrations when a person moves, so if your activity exceeds 8 hours a day, then automatic winding will be effective for you.
The power source in a quartz watch is a battery, its charge lasts for several years. This option is convenient for those who forget to wind their mechanical watch or who need additional functions in the watch.
Another source of power for the watch is a solar battery. That is, the rays of the sun falling on the watch pass through the translucent dial and fall on the photocell, which converts them into energy and accumulates, which actually feeds the watch mechanism. But such a source of energy is very inefficient, since it is necessary that the sun's rays periodically fall on the clock, and this is difficult if you work in a room where there is no sunlight and in winter, when solar activity is very low.
Clock shape
Hours come in the following forms:

Barrel-shaped;

Square;

round;

oval;

Rectangular;

Rhombic;

Non-standard form.

The choice of watch form depends solely on personal preferences.
Watch type
There are four types of watches:

Baby;

Women's;

Men's;

Unisex.

Here, in principle, everything is clear, the only thing that can be explained is about unisex watches. Unisex is a type of watch that is suitable for both women and men.

Housing material
There are a lot of materials from which the cases are made. It makes no sense to list them all, so we will list only those that, in our opinion, are the best and are very popular.
Gold
Of course, the very first thing to note is the watch cases made of gold. The gold case is one of the most prestigious and beautiful. Despite the softness of this metal and the very high price, it is still one of the best.
Platinum
The most expensive metal for a watch case is platinum. Compared to gold, platinum is a harder metal, but also heavy. As a rule, platinum watch cases are made to order.
Palladium
Palladium is also often used as a material for watch cases. Surely you know about this metal, it is often called "white gold". Palladium looks similar to platinum, but is lighter. The metal itself is very good, as it does not oxidize and there are no signs of corrosion on it, and most importantly, its surface lends itself perfectly to polishing.
Titanium
Titanium is a good material for a watch case: it is quite light, very durable, and also quite beautiful in appearance. Such watches, as a rule, have a fairly reasonable price compared to previous materials.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel watch cases are quite common. The body of this metal is very strong and durable. The disadvantage is that scratches form on the surface of the case, which can later be removed by polishing. Ideal value for money.
Plastic
The most budget watch case material is plastic. Its only advantages are practicality and cheapness.
Bracelet or strap
Wristwatches are fixed on the hand with a strap or bracelet.
Straps are: leather, textile, plastic and silicone. As for leather straps, they are more comfortable due to their softness and look very nice on the hand. Textile straps are an alternative to leather straps, they are cheaper, but naturally not as durable and strong. Straps made of plastic and silicone are used in cheap and children's watch models.
As for bracelets, they are made from various metals: gold, stainless steel, titanium and other materials. The watch bracelet is also an indicator of its price and your status. Sometimes the bracelet plays an important role in the beauty of the watch, no less than their case. If you choose a watch for status, then this is a watch with a gold bracelet, but if you want something simpler, then this is a stainless steel bracelet.
Skeleton
Skeleton is a watch with a transparent case through which the clockwork can be seen. Such a watch is very beautiful, just imagine that you can constantly see this wonderful mechanism, consisting of constantly moving gears, springs and wheel gears.
Glass
The last parameter that you need to focus on when buying a watch is the type of glass that covers the dial. There are 4 types of glasses to protect the dial:

plastic glass;

Mineral glass;

Sapphire crystal;

Combined glass.

Plastic glass is used in cheap types of watches, so such glass does not have a special quality, and besides, it is prone to scratches. Mineral glass also scratches and can be easily broken. Sapphire glass is fairly scratch resistant, but also breakable easily. The best option is a combination of mineral and sapphire glass, which combines strength and scratch resistance.

How to choose a men's watch

First of all, men's watches must be chosen based on what their purpose is. If their goal is to show time, then these are watches made of steel or titanium. If you want your watch to emphasize your status, then this is a watch, the case of which is made of: palladium, gold, and in the best case, platinum. If you prefer a watch with a strap, then give preference, of course, to a leather strap. Regarding the bracelet, the best option for status is a watch with a gold bracelet, and more practical ones with a stainless steel bracelet. For status, it is better to choose a watch with an arrow time display and a 12-hour dial with Roman numerals.
Also, in addition to time, watches can include: a calendar, an alarm clock, a chronometer, a chronograph, a compass, a stopwatch, a backlight, the time of several time zones, etc.
It is worth mentioning such useful features of the watch as shock resistance and water resistance. If the watch is shockproof, then the mechanism will be protected, but please note that this does not protect the case and protective glass from damage. A waterproof watch prevents moisture from getting inside, so depending on the watch's water resistance rating, you can shower or dive to a specified depth.

How to choose a women's watch

For the fair sex, the analog clock is best suited. Watch case material: stainless steel or gold. As for the numbers on the dial, it is best to give preference to minimalism. For status, it is better to give preference to a watch with a bracelet, a more practical watch with a leather strap.
Women's watches, as a rule, do not include such wide additional features as men's, and they are actually useless. The only thing we can note is: shockproof and calendar.

Which watch brand to choose

The most popular watch brands are:

Appella;

Casio;

Citizen;

essence;

Fossil;

haas;

Jacques Lemans;

Jowissa;

ORIENT;

Romanson;

Skagen;

timex.

Which Swiss watch to choose
From Swiss watches, we recommend choosing the following brands: Appella, Patek Philippe, Jaguar, Nina Ricci, Philip Laurence.
Which gold watch to choose
If you want to buy watches made of gold, we recommend brands: Romanson, Dolce & Gabbana, Appella, Breguet, Jaguar and OMAX.

Wristwatch, you should carefully examine yourself. Each person has his own style of behavior, manner of dressing and preferences in choosing accessories. In addition, social status is of great importance. A watch is not only a quick way to tell the time, but also practically the only piece of jewelry that a man can afford.

Decide how much money you are willing to allocate for this purchase. However, remember that watches should not look more expensive than clothes or, on the contrary, look too cheap against its background. Both of those are wrong. It is better for a business person to choose several models of watches: classic for work, sports for outdoor activities, everyday for everyday life and representative for important official events. Usually, two of the listed types of watches are quite enough, which everyone chooses for himself.

Classic watches should be strict and elegant, without unnecessary details. They only show the time and date, and no extra features like a calculator or calendar. Under a business suit, a leather strap in black or brown is suitable. Most often, the dial of classic watches has a round shape, but it can also be square, rectangular or barrel-shaped. Keep in mind that their elegance and thinness come at the cost of low water resistance, so you need to be careful when it rains or snows.

Sports watches are usually more massive due to the high water resistance, besides, they have additional shockproof protection of the case. Choose a rubber or steel bracelet, leather quickly fails. Such watches are much heavier and look rough due to the many additional functions and enlarged symbols on the dial. They can have a chronograph, pedometer, tachymeter, etc.

Casual watches are similar to classic ones, but they have a metal bracelet. They are suitable for any clothing and are better protected from water, accidental bumps or falls. In principle, they can be an excellent replacement for the first option.

Executive watches are a choice, because they are needed precisely in order to impress. However, remember that clothes should match this accessory. Expensive watches against the background of a cheap suit will look strange. In addition, the color of the leather strap should perfectly match the color of the belt and boots. It is better to prefer the Swiss brand, such watches always look advantageous.

Remember that the diameter of the dial should correspond to the width of the wrist. If it is too large, the hand will look small, and vice versa, a small watch on a large hand will look like. When buying a model with a leather strap, pay attention to the quality of the leather and the neatness of the seams. For watches with a steel bracelet, choose the optimal length. They should not be too loose and at the same time move freely when you turn the brush. You can remove extra links from the watchmaker.

Best Inexpensive Watch Brands for Men

3 Q&Qs

Best price
Country: Japan
Average price: 3,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Compared to competing companies, Q&Q is less well-known, but it is she who is completely focused on the production of budget products. This is the case when a low cost gives rise to unintentional moderation, conservatism with a touch of classics or seasoned simplicity. Buying such watches will not be considered bad manners for people of “great prosperity”, since outwardly almost all of them look rich. A good example of this is the analog version of the Q&Q A436-401 watch with a dial and a bracelet made to look like gold and silver.

Q&Q also produces a series of rubberized watches designed for outdoor activities and sports: an example for this segment is the Q&Q DG04-001 model.

Advantages:

the company is focused only on the production of budget products;
moderate design solutions, often making watches expensive;
the presence of a line of sports models.

Flaws:

not detected.

2 Diesel

Abundance of original models
Country: Italy
Average price: 11,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Italian firm puts a lot of emphasis on creativity. The model range of wristwatches from "Diesel" is a solid originality, which is expressed not only in the form of the dial or the materials used, but even in the banal color scheme or filling the space of the chronometer. Here you can find everything from classics on leather straps with a moderate analog dial (a good but expensive example: Diesel DZ1145), ending with very bold concepts like the budget Diesel DZ4310 or digital quartz DZ7187.

Along with creativity, the company also maintains the good quality of wristwatches. Users (mostly) respond positively to the experience of using their products, however, they note a certain satiation with the appearance that comes after a long time of use.

Advantages:

a variety of models suitable for absolutely any style;
sustained quality, corresponding to the status of the company;
a large number of budget models.

Flaws:

sometimes creativity is satiating.

The best watch manufacturers

The list of the best wristwatch manufacturers is quite long, but even from such a variety one can single out the most colorful representatives.

Rolex. A Swiss company whose name is known even to small children. From time immemorial, it has been producing premium watches worth more than one thousand dollars. Every year, the watch models of this company diverge in the amount of approximately 500 thousand copies.

hublot. Quite a young watch brand from Switzerland, created specifically for the premium segment. It features a unique design of the dial, for which it has received worldwide fame. The overall style of products is defined as "fusion" - freedom of variation in appearance, combining many directions.

Casio. A Japanese brand that was launched in 1946. In the manner inherent in the Japanese to adapt to technological trends, the company made a successful attempt to enter the market of mechanical (electronic) watches, where to this day it maintains a strong leading position in the middle and premium segments.

Citizen. Japanese watches of the middle price segment. They went into production in 1930. A distinctive feature of the company's products is a commitment to the old style, combined with versatility.

Tissot. The Swiss grand watch manufacturer of medium and premium classes, which is an icon of good taste and status. If Rolex is aimed more at a frilly demonstration of wealth, then Tissot is focused on subtly emphasizing the importance of the owner.

1 Casio

The best quality of manufactured products
Country: Japan
Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Casio produces a variety of products aimed at consumers of all income levels. However, in one component they do not occupy: despite such a strong ranking of products by cost, they always achieve from wristwatches if not perfect, then close to it.

As for the lineup, diversity also prevails here: from classic analog watches like Casio LIN-169-2A to "space" Casio Edifice EFR-303D-1A, customized with an interesting dial in the form of a world map and combining the functions of an alarm clock and stopwatch. Today it is perhaps one of the most reliable manufacturers of inexpensive watches for men.

Advantages:

an extensive range;
coverage of several price segments at once;
high quality products;
a large number of interesting design solutions.

Flaws:

not identified.

The best watches of the middle price segment

5 Swiss Military Hanowa

High popularity. Collections for every taste
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 11,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A non-trivial Swiss company, whose history is worthy of retelling and a considerable degree of admiration. Prior to the fundamental change in the concept, this company was called Hanowa, which was formed by a combination of the founder's name (Hans Noll) and the English word "watch". Having existed in this version until the early 90s, the brand managed to make a lot of noise - watches were produced in any way, up to visualization for clips, pendants and small pendants.

However, the lack of demand forced the company to drastically reconsider the concept of further development, and after a short pause, a new "classic" player appeared on the market - the Swiss Military Hanowa trademark. Produced by the order of the Swiss army, the watches of this company quickly overcame the "professional" barrier, becoming mega-popular among the mass consumer. The main advantages here are the average price level, an abundance of collections (both quartz and electronic), as well as a catchy, laconic design.

4 Emporio Armani

Product durability. Huge design variability
Country: Italy
Average price: 12,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Emporio Armani is another trend of the famous Italian designer's activity, which has absorbed the same originality, elegance and sophistication that pervades each new collection of the master's clothes. Initially, this brand had to accept the struggle imposed by electronic (at that time super-popular) wristwatches, the superiority of which could be reversed only by a non-trivial approach to their own production. Armani went in the right direction, choosing as a tactic relying on ancient traditions and the custom of skilled craftsmen who were not afraid to experiment and embody new combinations in miniature products.

The result of all this was a huge collection of men's watches for every taste - from strict, almost "commander" models to unpretentious and easy-to-perceive fashion designs. Users overwhelmingly approve of the brand's activities, noting in the reviews an acceptable price and a high degree of durability of the finished product.

3 Orient

The best line of classic wristwatches
Country: Japan
Average price: 20,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Japanese company founded in 1901. Unlike competitors within its own country, it specializes exclusively in the production of wristwatches, which naturally bears fruit. Production covers all price levels: the starting cost for the models is about five thousand rubles and reaches an impressive one hundred thousand (note: the ORIENT EL02003H model and identical ones). As for the conditional representatives of the middle class, here we can note, in general, a pleasant appearance - the company is much on bold decisions that not everyone likes, but the adherence to the classics in this case turned out to be unshakable. Visual representatives: analog ORIENT EL05002B and ORIENT DE00002W, made in basic steel color. As a result, we have another interesting brand that is popular with domestic users.

Advantages:

coverage of almost all price levels;
the predominant classic look of wristwatches.

Flaws:

controversial decisions on the appearance of some model lines.

2 Citizens

The best combination of price and quality
Country: Japan
Average price: 30,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Another worthy representative of the Japanese side in the hard work of making watches. As in the case of the leader of the rating, Citizen are among the elite manufacturers of products of the highest quality, but also focused on the middle price segment. This includes models with a more classic look, not distinguished by versatility and bold decisions. A clear example of a representative of the middle segment can be considered Citizen AW1231-07E - a watch on a leather strap with an analog dial, powered by solar batteries. This is a discreet classic, moderately elegant, but very technological and practical. The complete opposite of it is the elite analog model Citizen AS4025-08E, saturated (or even oversaturated) with small chronometer elements. And even if the last example belongs to the premium class, all this objectively reflects the breadth of the model range.

Advantages:

more than 1000 watch models in stock;
adapted solar power system;
a wide range of prices (from budget to expensive models).

Flaws:

not identified.

1 Tissot

Extensive range. Choice of Experts
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 28,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Wristwatches from Tissot are positioned by many as representatives of the highest price segment, but this is only partly true. Despite more than a century and a half of the company's history, Tissot has always been distinguished by moderate demands in terms of price (compared to the same Rolex). In turn, users received almost indestructible watch models created to the highest quality standards. In this line you will not find pretentiousness and riot of creativity - everything here is designed in a conservative classical style and is not without a glimmer of luxury. As evidence, we can cite several opposite, but worthy models from an extensive line: a wristwatch on a leather bracelet Tissot T035.617.16.051.00, as well as steel and gold Tissot T031.410.22.033.00 made to match the color scheme.

Advantages:

an interesting lineup with a predominance of calm (not pretentious) luxury and conservative design;
compliance with the highest quality standards;
virtually indestructible clockwork.

Flaws:

not detected.

The best premium watches

4 Vacheron Constantin

The most titled brand. Unique jewelery finish
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 5,000,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

At one time, the owners of products from Vacheron Constantin were Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, Alexander II and Princess Diana. The commitment of the royal nobility to this brand is easily explained: at the beginning of the 20th century, it was the first to use precious alloys - palladium, gold and bronze in the production of mechanisms, thereby increasing the accuracy of their movement. At the world's first competition from the Geneva Observatory, the Vacheron watch was recognized as the most accurate and received a gold medal. Soon the company received the right to apply the Hallmark of Geneva to its offspring as a symbol of their technical and aesthetic perfection.

The masters of the watch house spend from 3 to 6 thousand working hours to create luxury items, and jewelers require 20 thousand at all. There is nothing to say about the quantity and quality of premium materials: for example, for the Kalista watch, it took 140 g of 18k yellow gold and 118 white baguette diamonds of 130 kt. The copy was sold for 5 million dollars, but today it is worth almost 11. This is an example of how an expensive purchase is actually a long-term investment in the future.

3 Richard Mille

The most expensive serial watch in the world. The technical complexity of the mechanisms
Country: France
Average price: 11,000,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Among reputable firms with a long history, the young French brand, named after its owner Richard Mille, looks like a daring teenager at an aristocratic reception. He is only 20 years old, and the average cost of one Richard Mille chronometer is 170,000 euros. This is a lot even for the most eminent Swiss manufactories. And what is remarkable, at least 6,000 copies are manufactured and sold per year - even the fabulous price does not stop connoisseurs from buying them! What makes them take such a step, bypassing the recognized masters?

The uniqueness of watches from the French company lies in the use of avant-garde ideas, high-tech materials and the latest processing methods. In other words, Richard Mille does not go down the road by offering gold chronometers set with brilliant-cut diamonds - these models are just the most budgetary in its range. The most valuable options here are those in which it was required to use the maximum of human inspiration, attention to detail and professionalism. For the same reason, Richard Mille was the first to decide on the use of materials that were previously considered unsuitable for the watch industry: carbon nanotubes, hardened ceramics, elastomers. Add to this list crash-testing by the most eminent athletes (Rafael Nadal, Johan Blake, Jean Todt, etc.), and the presence of several zeros in the price tag becomes quite understandable.

2 Hublot

High quality of manufactured products
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 80,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Representative of an extensive Swiss family of watch manufacturers. Despite the relatively recent appearance on the world market, the popularity of the Hublot brand can be compared with the eminent "oldies". A distinctive feature of the brand is the combination of the incongruous - this is how you can characterize the style that all watch models without exception represent. In addition, the approach to creating the geometry of the dial is also interesting - Hublot presents many forms and variations, sometimes successful, sometimes not very good. But nevertheless, the fact of searching for a new, original and unhackneyed solution is worthy of praise. Yes, the watch is expensive, but those few of the Russian users who own it, and experts agree on the quality factor of the brand as a whole.

Advantages:

constant search for non-standard solutions;
a combination of the new with the already proven old;
excellent product quality.

Flaws:

missing.

1 Patek Philippe

Favorite brand of the world elite. High authority and eminence of the brand
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 500,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The legendary Swiss company Patek Philippe is the manufacturer of the most expensive watch movements: the cost of its initial Calatrava line starts at $11,000, and in 2016 a wrist model with its own label was auctioned for a record $11 million. The chronograph that made history was born in 1943 and became the first mass-produced device with a perpetual calendar function. It is noteworthy that a total of 281 copies were made, all were made of pink gold and only 4 of them received a metal case. One of them caused a sensation in the watch world.

The company, from its inception in 1839, initially focused on the luxury market. One of its founders, Jean Philippe, was engaged in the development of new models, and the other, Anthony Patek, attracted influential customers, including monarchs. Both of them did an excellent job: Patek Philippe owns hundreds of patents, and among its clients are the most eminent people in the world. So, in Russia, her watch was seen at Vladimir Putin, Yuri Luzhkov, from foreign celebrities they are worn by Nicolas Sarkozy, Paul McCartney, Bill Gates. Over the entire period of its existence, only 600 million serial movements were produced under the brand, so the possession of one of them allows you to join the elite caste.

The best sports watch

3 Luminox

The most comfortable sports watch ever. The presence of backlight
Country: USA
Average price: 14,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The American trademark Luminox was founded in 1989, when the company's permanent boss Barry Cohen received a patent for the right to use the Swiss LLT technology. Its essence was the ability to illuminate the watch dial - a very practical function for night voyages or deep-sea diving.

The first collection of Luminox watches went on sale in 1993 and made a great impression on diving enthusiasts and people close to military service. This was followed by large government orders to equip the US military with special versions, the development of new, very inexpensive collections and the long-awaited entry into the world market. Today, the Luminox brand is still one of the most sought after among athletes of any orientation. The main advantages of these watches are comfort, showiness and the absence of everything superfluous, which is reflected in the positive feedback from consumers.

2 U.S. Polo

Best price
A country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 4,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The manufacturer of classic quartz watches is also a very strong opponent in the fight for supremacy in the category of sports devices. It is worth recognizing that the sports series from this brand is not as popular as that of a direct competitor in the category, but in general it is in stable demand among the active population. The flagships of the line - U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Men "s US9061 and U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Men" s US9057 - are rubber watches with a wide and interesting dial that includes analog and digital displays for displaying time and additional indications (stopwatch and timer). Reliable mechanism, good lighting and overall design makes you think of the company in an exclusively positive way, which, in fact, is what happy users and many experts do.

Advantages:

low price for models;
interesting design decisions;
high-quality Japanese movements (according to some reports, supplies are from Casio).

Flaws:

not so popular brand.

1 Casio

The most popular line of sports watches
Country: Japan
Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Casio once again takes the lead in the category, this time for sports watches. There really is something to be proud of here: despite the almost flawless production of classic models, the Japanese did not stop there, but went further and relied on the development of special series for physical activity. What is worth mentioning is one line of G-Shock, which for more than five years of history has gained incredible popularity among sports fans from all over the world. Of course, there are other representatives in the company's lineup, but it was G-Shock that achieved more success. As for the rest, enough was said about Casio even in its first appearance in the rating and, obviously, it is not required to repeat.

Advantages:

the punchy G-Shock line is the most popular series of sports watches in the world;
great brand quality.

Flaws:

not identified.

How to choose a good watch

A brief digression into the world of wrist watch brands does not give a clear certainty on the choice of a particular model. Therefore, we recommend that you pay attention to the following important characteristics:

Form. It's no secret that each person has an individual body structure, including wrists and hands in general. If you have a wide wrist, then you should give preference to a watch with a narrower strap, which will visually reduce the size of your hand. However, if the wrist is narrow, then in this case a watch with a strap of any width will suit you.
Style. In this matter, it is better to build on a more preferred appearance. Moderate classic models are suitable for a business style, while casual watches accept watches of any direction.
Color scheme. Everything is simple here - a bright personality requires a bright design. However, for men, it is better to pay attention to neutral watches in gray, black, steel, gold or a combination of colors. For women, there is no such restriction, but there is a chance of overdoing it in the presence of a decorating "husk".
Mechanism type. At this stage, there are three types of clockwork: the ancient mechanical, the good old quartz and the innovative electronic. Which one to choose is up to you. However, the most common and, at the same time, reliable is precisely the quartz-type mechanism.
Brand popularity. Not fatal, but a very important aspect on which the performance of purchased products may depend. Of course, the brands listed in the rating are not exhaustive (at least, Japanese Seiko or Swiss Certina can also be included here). But when choosing a watch from another company, require a mandatory certificate of quality.
Price. A standard parameter for all products, which does not at all reflect the real state of affairs on the market. Even cheap watch models can last for decades. The main condition is proper maintenance and elementary accuracy when using.