Wristwatches and at the beginning of the last century were more an accessory than just a chronometer. Today, with the advent of mobile phones, the prevalence of status over functionality has become even more noticeable. Properly selected watches will help you to add an opinion about you when you come to work, make an impression on the opposite sex, or emphasize your individuality. However, sometimes you really can't do without them: in serious meetings, on a camping trip or during extreme sports, a mobile phone with its built-in clock is not your assistant. Our article will help you choose the right watch, which will cope with its main functions, and it doesn’t look good.
Content:
The best manufacturers of watches - which company to choose
If you need a really good model, choose watches of famous brands (of course, taking into account your financial capabilities):
- Patek philippe
- Longines
- Rado
- Tissot
- Seiko
About these and many other popular brands of watches you can read more in our article about the best models according to customer reviews. Those who want to choose a good chronometer for themselves, not limited to the name on the dial, should read this instruction to the end.
The principle of operation and device hours
All watches are divided into 2 types according to the type of drive:
- mechanical
- quartz.
Mechanical models - the oldest, but still relevant type of chronometers - are assembled from a variety of levers, spiral arms and gears. The engine here is a compressed spring, which is tightened at the time of the plant and ensures the operation of all mechanisms when it straightens. So that it does not “shoot” immediately, a regulator (balance) is set in the case, which stabilizes the movement of the clock, as well as the anchor descent. The latter causes the balance wheel to rotate evenly, maintaining a stable spring tension.
This is what is inside the watch. But the owner can see completely different elements:
- Glazed housing;
- Plant head;
- Arrow transfer mechanism;
- Actually hands and dial.
Quartz watches otherwise work. Here a battery is installed inside, which starts a stepping motor - an electric impulse from the generator comes to it every second, and as a result, the arrows move.
By the way, the electronic clock is also quartz, although in our country nobody calls it that way. There are no more gears that set the dial mechanism in motion - the electrical signal is transmitted to the display, which displays the necessary numbers.
Types of watches
Studying the principle of operation of watches, we have already become acquainted with the types of chronometers with different types of drive. Now you need to understand their features, and most importantly - to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages.
Mechanical
In turn, they are divided into watches with manual and automatic winding. In the first case, you will have to tighten the spring yourself so that the clock continues to go (usually it is done every 3-4 days).
Self-winding models deliver less hassle. The constant movement of the mechanism here is ensured by a weight attached to the drive axis, which biases the center of gravity. Each hand movement in such a watch causes it to "fall" under the influence of gravity. Part of the energy is transferred to the spring, and it is no longer necessary to start it manually.
Pluses of mechanical watches:
- Simplicity of design;
- Long service life (at least 50 years);
- Do not stop at the wrong time, as in the case of a dead battery;
- Status, including due to manual assembly.
Minuses:
- Serious error - from 5 to 60 seconds / day;
- High price due to the need for fine tuning.
A mechanical watch is not just a chronometer, it is a lifestyle that the owner adheres to. They are chosen by those who know a lot about good things and prefer everything to time-tested classics.
Quartz
This watch is more modern and accurate, although analog models look practically the same as mechanics. The correctness of their progress depends on the selected pulse frequency, and it, in turn, is calculated mathematically. True, quartz crystals are also subject to aging, so that here the error can manifest itself over time.
Pros of quartz watches:
- No need to start regularly;
- They have a minimum error (15–20 sec / month);
- Compact housing;
- Weight less than the mechanics;
- Reliable and durable;
- More affordable.
Minuses:
- 2-3 times a year require replacement batteries.
Quartz watches are the choice of those who need absolute precision and a stylish modern accessory with no claim to elitism.
Electronic
Although these watches are also quartz, we decided to allocate them into a separate group. This is because they display time in a completely different way - on an electronic display, rather than using an analog mechanism. Here you have the opportunity to work in the 24-hour format, and at the same time display on the board other useful information (alarm clock, calendar, etc.).
Advantages of electronic watches:
- Advanced functionality;
- Maximum informative display;
- Accuracy and durability of quartz watches;
- Convenient time format;
- By the "behavior" of the clock, you can determine that the battery will soon sit down;
- Relatively low cost.
Minuses:
- The display is more likely to fail than the dial mechanism.
- They usually have a plastic case that does not add elegance to them.
Electronics is more often chosen by young people, athletes and people in general who lead an active lifestyle.
There are also a quartz watch with a combined display of time. They have both a conventional analog dial with hands and an electronic display. But, as often happens, the combination of the two systems only aggravated the shortcomings of the individual models. In this case, it affected the reliability and durability of the watch - the combined chronometers were the least tenacious, and their functionality remained limited.
Selection options
Having dealt with all the features of watch drives, you can proceed to the choice of models for all other parameters - no less important than accuracy.
Body material
First of all, you need to decide what your ideal watch case should be made of. There are enough options here, and everyone has different tastes, so let's briefly touch only the most popular materials:
- Titanium is very light and very durable. Looks great on the watch case, does not cause allergies. Especially prized titanium chronometers in cold countries - because of the lower than the other metals, thermal conductivity, they do not hold their hands in the winter.
- Gold is a timeless classic and a symbol of prestige. Alas, it fits little for everyday wear: with its high price, gold remains heavy, soft and easily damaged metal.
- Palladium - lightweight and non-oxidizing material is a good choice. And although it is not used in its pure form, it is introduced as an alloying element into precious metal alloys, obtaining one of the varieties of white gold. Such a watch with light damage will be easy to restore by polishing.
- Stainless steel is a simple and budget option for everyday watches. Such enclosures are durable, although they are prone to scratches. But defects are polished without problems, and corrosion is not at all terrible to them. The only thing is that the presence of nickel in the alloy can provoke irritation on the skin, so it is better to choose surgical steel.
- Brass is a cheap metal that requires an obligatory decorative coating. Otherwise, dirty stripes will remain on the wrist due to oxidation.The back cover for these watches is made of stainless steel.
- Plastic - despite its apparent cheapness, this material is very popular in the manufacture of electronic watches. It is lightweight, does not corrode, but is afraid of scratches and becomes brittle in the cold.
Platinum is considered to be the best metal for watch cases. And although it is really quite durable, because of its high cost, it is used only in the manufacture of exclusive watches.
Glass
Here, the choice depends on the neat appearance of the watch during long wear. So, in view of the glass that protects the dial, you also need to pay attention:
- Mineral - scratch resistant, but break it pretty easily. But the price of it is available, and the organic watch glass is produced in large quantities - it will be easy to replace it in the workshop.
- Sapphire - an expensive material that is used only in the production of luxury models. Scratch resistance is close to diamond properties, but fragile synthetic sapphire is broken even lighter than quartz.
- Plexiglass is the cheapest and most scratch sensitive material. But minor defects from its surface are easily eliminated by polishing, but breaking such a “glass” is in fact difficult.
- Supplex - the combined two-layer material. It is based on durable organic glass, which is simply covered with scratch-resistant sapphire.
Athletes should also look at watches with anti-reflective coating. Its presence makes it easy to read information from the dial or display in sunny weather. At the same time, it may seem that there is no glass on them at all - very impressive and convenient.
Protection level
According to this indicator, wristwatches can be restarted to be divided into types, but the protection of the case and internal mechanisms from external factors is not always necessary. Basically, this question concerns athletes and people who work in difficult conditions, where there is a risk of wetting, breaking or ruining the clock by crowded fine dust.
The level of moisture protection of chronometers is indicated in units of atmospheres or bar (they have approximately the same numerical value). Hermetic cases of such watches can withstand external water pressure from 1 to 20 atm, which corresponds to 10–200 m of water column:
- Models marked “Diver’s” or 20 atm have the highest level of tightness and allow deep-sea diving;
- 10 atm - respectively, diving without scuba gear not deeper than 100 m;
- 5 atm - in such hours you can splash in the river or in the pool;
- 3 atm - they are not afraid unless of rain and short hand washing;
- Chronometers with the words “water resistant” do not have any protection at all.
Shockproof models are also quite diverse, since each eminent manufacturer has its own unique security system. But usually it comes down to the usual anti-shock. It ensures uninterrupted operation of the mechanism even after shock, vibration or just a long shaking, but neither the case nor the glass protects it.
Remember that shock watches are any watches that can survive a fall from a height of 1 m onto a wooden floor - no need to check their durability with a hammer.
Strap or bracelet - which is better to choose
Here, the choice depends on personal preferences, but you need to understand that the dial bracelet lasts longer than any strap - sometimes as much as the watch itself. Alas, his ability to adjust to the size of his wrist are much more modest. Also, the presence of a bracelet increases the final cost of watches, although it gives them a more solid look and supports the overall design.
However, the straps can also show themselves quite well, especially if they are made of genuine and durable leather. And most importantly, such a mount sits more tightly on the arm and is easier to replace if necessary.
What wristwatches to choose
1. Athletes and people leading an active lifestyle are ideally suited for mechanical wristwatches with automatic winding or electronic models.The case here is needed easier - titanium or plastic, but the glass is better to use a combination. It is desirable that the chronometer has a convenient strap and anti-shock system. The level of water protection, choose in accordance with their preferences.
2. Those who work in harsh conditions will need an inexpensive stainless steel or plastic watch with plexiglass glass. It is better that they are shockproof, quartz and have an appropriate degree of moisture protection. For fastening on the hand, it is also worth choosing a strap, because an inexpensive bracelet may accidentally unfasten.
3. In the world of business people their own rules for the selection of accessories - here will have to focus on the unspoken laws of your circle. But this only applies to the price and brand of watches. As for specific criteria, it is better to turn to classical mechanics (in some cases automatic winding is allowed) in a heavy case of precious metals. Glass - sapphire or sapplex; fastening is preferably on a bracelet, but a good leather strap is not considered a move by the windstone either.
4. For women, design is more important than functionality or durability of watches. However, the presence of the calendar does not hurt, and women will like the light slim body more. This means that it is better for them to dwell on quartz models. Moisture protection is sufficiently within 1-3 atm, the choice of glass, fixings and decorative elements remains for the lady.
5. For children, it is worth looking for inexpensive variants of quartz watches with electronic time display in a 24-hour format or with a combined dial - it's easier to navigate. Choose a plastic case and glass, the water protection level up to 3 atm will not hurt either. Also, children's models may have additional features such as sounding time and alarm.
How much are wrist watches
This is the most difficult question, and here you will have to focus not only on the type of model chosen, but also on your own financial capabilities. Simply put, your watches will cost as much as you are willing to pay for them - look at these numbers:
1. Men's mechanical watches without any frills can be bought for 1500 rubles, and for 3 million - it all depends on the name on the dial. The same mechanics, but in the case of precious metals, they are already selling at prices ranging from 17 thousand to 8 million rubles.
2. The most expensive female models with a mechanical drive cost “only” 1.2–2.5 million rubles, but you can find watches easier within 3000–16000 rubles.
3. Analog quartz watches for men are sold at a price of 600 rubles, women's and children's from 400-500. Upper ceiling of 900 thousand.
4. Electronic male models cost from 400 to 100 thousand rubles, female ones are on average cheaper (800–28000 rubles), children’s will cost no more than 3 thousand.
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