Watch style: Picking the Right Watch

Even the most fashionable people can be clueless when it comes to buying the right watch. Watches are complex and often expensive. It can be tough to wade through the dozens of watches on the market to find just the right piece, so it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for one.

Before you begin your quest to find the perfect watch, take a look at your wardrobe and budget, then ask yourself where you plan to wear the watch, how often you plan to wear it, what you want it to do and how much you’re willing to spend on it. Read on for 5 helpful tips to pick the right watch.

Picking the right watch and achieving BALANCE.

1.) Consider the Case 

The first thing you’re going to want to think about is the watch’s case. This is sometimes called the frame. When it comes to analog designs, the case can be any shape; from round to rectangular and anything in between. The case can be inlaid with jewels or left plain. There are literally thousands of case styles to choose from.

Another thing to mention is the case material. It can be made from any type of metal like titanium, gold, silver or platinum. Getting a watch that is made from a precious metal will be far more expensive than choosing a simple titanium or steel design.

2.) Consider the Watch Crystal

The watch crystal is the clear covering that protects the inner watch face. The crystal can be made of plexiglass, regular glass or even a synthetic type of sapphire. Plexiglass is the cheapest material and it’s also the least likely to shatter, but it can scratch easily. Glass is more likely to shatter, but is less likely to scratch. Synthetic sapphires are the most costly, but they are the least likely to scratch. They can break fairly easily, however.

3.) Consider the Band Type

Aside from the actual watch, you’ll want to look at the band. Bands are usually made of brown or black leather or whatever type of metal is used on the watch case. Digital or sport watches typically have plastic bands. Plastic banded watches are often referred to as non-traditional, a class that encompasses all types of sport or fitness watches.

4.) Consider the Available Gadgets

Watches can do a lot more than just tell time. For techies, students and engineers, watch gadgets can be a big draw. Watches can include things like calculators, digital cameras and even email reading apps. Gadget watches often come with steep price tags, so they aren’t for the bargain-shopper.

5.) Consider the Fit

Whatever type of watch you wind up choosing should fit you properly. The band should be snug, though not tight. It should not move when you raise or lower your arm and it shouldn’t spin around on your wrist. However, when you remove the watch, there shouldn’t be an imprint either. If you choose a plastic or leather band, you can likely adjust the watch to fit you, but if you’ve chosen a metal band, you may need links added or removed to create the proper fit.

Choosing the right watch is easy when you take these 5 tips into consideration. Once you’ve found the right timepiece for your style and needs, you’ll always have the perfect accessory that’s functional, stylish and classic.