How to Choose a Watch
A good watch should suit your wrist, your style and how you plan to wear it. This guide covers the choices that matter most, from movement type to seller trust, so you can compare watches with confidence.
Step 1: Choose the movement
- Quartz: battery powered, accurate and low maintenance, usually the most affordable.
- Automatic (mechanical): powered by the motion of your wrist and valued for craftsmanship, but it needs periodic servicing.
- Smartwatch: tracks fitness and notifications, with frequent charging and a shorter product life.
Step 2: Get the size right
Case diameter and lug-to-lug length decide how a watch sits on your wrist. Many wrists suit cases between roughly 36 and 42 mm, but fit also depends on thickness and strap. When possible, check the lug-to-lug measurement in the specifications.
Step 3: Consider materials and water resistance
- Crystal: sapphire resists scratches better than mineral glass.
- Case: stainless steel is durable and versatile, while titanium is lighter.
- Water resistance: a rating suited to daily wear is not the same as one for swimming or diving, so match it to how you will use the watch.
Step 4: Check the seller
When buying a new or pre-owned watch, look for authenticity guarantees, a clear returns policy, warranty terms and whether the box and papers are included.
Other things worth checking
- Strap options: a quick-release strap makes it easy to change the look.
- Servicing costs: mechanical watches need maintenance every few years.
- Total cost: import duties and shipping can change the final price when buying from another country.
Specifications and prices change often, so always confirm details on the store page before ordering.