Considerations Before Buying a New Watch

Finding yourself in a jewelry store full of watches can be a daunting experience.  There are so many brands, styles, and technologies and not to mention prices.  The purpose of the this article is to get you prepared for when you walk in that door, or buy online

Analog or digital.  There are three basic watch formats digital, analog and analog-digital each type has their fans, however most of your topline watches tend to be analog.   Digital watches as a whole are less expensive, Analog-digital are next with full analog the most expensive.  Digital watches have their place.  For example, if you need a stopwatch a digital or analog digital may be your best bet.  Though true analog watches are among the most expensive budget price analog watches can also be found.

Water resistance:  Watches are rated from 30m to 300m water resistant.   You may well want a water resistant watch but most of us aren’t divers that need a 300m (or 1,000ft) rated resistance.  You should look for a watch with at least 3ATM (100m) water resistance.  However; don’t overbuy in this category

Movement:  All watches these days are one of two categories mechanical or quartz.  Quartz watches can be broken down into automatic, battery or solar powered.  Mechanical watches are either automatic or hand winding.  Most mid-priced watches will be battery powered.  Mechanical watches, and more specifically hand winding watches, once the mainstay of watches have been largely replaced by Quartz models.

Watch Shape.  Classic men’s watches are round, square or rectangular, with round being the most prevalent.  Women’s can be these same shapes while fashion watches can be of almost any shape.  However, the round, square, rectangle classic look can be worn with just about anything, anywhere.   Best to go classic for men.  Women can buy watches for the outfit but classic are still your best buy for all around wear

Case and band materials:  Case and band materials are typically stainless steel, ceramic or plated base metal. The choice is largely up to the consumer.  However stainless steel and ceramic will last the longest without showing wear.  Gold-filled is preferred to gold plate, the thickness of the gold filling being 100% greater than gold plate.  Gold filled like solid gold and unlike plated gold is non allergenic.  Solid gold or silver of course is the ultimate but the price will be high and is most appropriate for dress wear.  Let me not leave out Leather bands, they are classy, and usually less expensive to replace.  They are very attractive on a dress watch but one should think twice before buying them for strenuous work or play regiments.

Case size: Case size is typically between 40-44mm for men and 36mm or smaller for women.  There are exceptions and size is largely a matter of taste.  However as a general rule watches should not extend wider than the wrist.

Features: Features are many and should be chosen by need.  Most watches have a 12-hour dial, but 24-hour dials can be had.  Watches with chronographers, altimeters, calculators, alarms, backlights, atomic radio controlled and compass are all functions that are available in the marketplace.  However one word of caution is the more accessories you pile on a watch the greater the likelihood of failure of one or more.  Buy the functions you need, don’t be for example, and be lured into an altimeter in Kansas.

I hope this brief article will you give you some things to think about before buying that watch and narrow the choices before you face the salesman.

How to Buy Your First Grown Up Watch

Buying your first luxury watch can be surprisingly tough based on the number of choices of brands, technologies, styles, sizes and costs.

Brands:  Consider brands that have a history of making quality timepieces.  If a watchmaker has been making timepieces for a long time he has developed his craft.  Iconic brands are easier to get parts for repair.  However, consider brands that don’t  have a large advertising budget but have a deep history of quality timepieces.  Do your research.

Style:  Classic is the best style for beginners.   They never go out of fashion and they look good with anything you wear.  Avoid the overly complicated high technology watches, which are prone to failure .  You probably won’t use or need the function anyway.  Bling  often doesn’t translate to value

Size:  For the average man a watch with a face between 40-44 mm is a good size.  Watch lugs should not extend beyond the edge of the wrist.

Cost:  Don’t think of your luxury watch as an investment. It’s  unlikely you’ll ever  get the money back you spent on it.   Extra jewels and fancy precious metals  added to case materials can drive up the price of the watch without adding true value to the quality of the watch

Buy your own watch:  You will be wearing it from 10-20 years buy a watch that you like.  Don’t be influenced by a friend or relative.  The watch is  an expression of you.

Reward Yourself.  A quality watch speaks of achievement. 

A Short History of a Premium Watch - TAG Heuer

You may have thought that TAG Heuer was a manufacturer of watches. Of course they do make watches but they also produce fashion accessories eyewear and mobile phones.

This article will focus on their long history of making watches tracing their roots back to 1860 in St Imier Switzerland by the Heuer Watchmaking Company. They are now headquartered and manufacture in La Chaux-de- Fonds, Switzerland. Here patented their first chronograph in 1862 and in 1867 patented an oscillating pinion still being used in mechanical chronograph watches

It wasn’t until 1914 Heuer produced their first wrist chronograph patterned after the pocket watch chronograph. Shortly thereafter they introduced the “Multigraph” with

1/100-second accuracy and the “Semikrograph", a stopwatch that offered 1/50 of a

second timing, as well as a split-second function (which allows the user to

determine the interval between two contestants or events).

In the mid 1940;s Heuer expanded the chronograph line to both two and three

register models including a full functional calendar with three registers

(day/date/month)

In the 1950;s Heuer produced two watch lines (the Seafarer and the Auto-Graph.)

for Abercrombie-Fitch the American retailer. The Sea fairer had three registers

colored blue, green and yellow to track the tides and the phases of the moon.

During the 50’s and 60’s Heuer was the major producer (by volume of sales) of

stopwatches and timers and became popular in auto racing among drivers and

crewmembers. In 1962 Heuer was the first watchmaker in Space being worn by

John Glenn in the Mercury Atlas 6 spacecraft.

In the mid-1960s, Heuer partnered with Breitling and Hamilton (and in competition

with Seiko and Zenith) to introduce an automatic chronograph. Resulting from this

secret competition were Heuer's first automatic chronographs named the Ataxia,

Carrera and Monaco.

In1975 Heuer produced its first Analog and LED/LCD split screens.

AG Heuer was acquired in 1985 by TAG (Techniques d'Avant Garde),

manufacturers of high-tech items such as ceramic turbochargers for Formula One

cars, In 1999. TAG Heuer accepted a bid from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton

S.A. for controlling interest.

In 2011 TAG Heuer introduced the Mikrogirder with 1/1000 second accuracy

TAG Heuer's current lines include Formula One, Aquaracer, Link, Carrera, Monaco,

Connected, and Grand Carrera

- BTQualityWatches.com

The 4 Best Watches For Women

Not all watches for women are created equal. Knowing what your options are can help you determine what watch you should get. With that said, here are the four best watches for women. 

The Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 - This watch is relatively new to the market, and it features a sleek looking chocolate dial color. It also has diamond hour markers, which give the watch a nice touch. Not only that, but its functions includes a chronograph hand and there is a date window. This watch looks elegant, is reliable, durable, affordable and it will look good on your wrist. If you're looking for one of the best watches for women, then look no further than the the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28.

Timex Women's T2H331 - The Timex T2H331 watch may be one of the most affordable watches on the market, as you can buy it for under $50, but it is one of the best watches around. The watch features a dial that you can easily read. The dial background is classical white and it has a genuine black leather strap. Perhaps one of the best features is it is water resistant to up to 99 feet. 

Its surface lights up thanks to the night-light feature. Don't worry about the night-light using too much battery power because it actually uses less power than many of the other illumination systems in other watches. This means you can rest assure the battery in this Timex watch will last longer. 

The Slow Mo 09 - Women who are looking for a good watch should consider getting the Slow Mo 09, which has a soft strap made from Italian calf leather. It is water resistant and is made with stainless steel. It only has one hand, which rotates every 24 hours. The watch sells for around $250, but it is durable and has a great look to it, and it is comfortable to wear. This is why it's one of the best women's watches on the market today. 

Emporio Armani Ladies Watch (Model AR1802) - This watch is one the expensive side, but it is worth every penny. It is a trendy watch that is slender. It has a mother of pearl dial that features rose gold detailing and the crystal indexes glisten. The rose gold plated case is a nice touch and the black leather strap is sleek, but provides you with plenty of comfort when it is wrapped around your wrist. This watch is ideal for woman who want a great looking watch to wear to the office or for casual purposes. This watch can be worn with virtually any outfit too, which is why it makes the list of best watches for women to get.  

The above watches are the best ones for women to get. They all have their own unique features, but each one is reliable, look great and affordable. Best of all, you can buy those watches online and have them sent to your doorstep. Compare the above watches and order the one you like the most.

- BTQualityWatches.com