Your Cart is Empty
More than 35,000 Satisfied Customers Worldwide. All Natural Wood. Free Shipping. 30 day free returns.
SPRING SALE! Discounts up to 30%
For some, watches are a humble time-teller and trusted companion, sticking by their side through thick and thin. For others, they’re no more than a noble accessory, elevating any outfit with a touch of elegance and grandeur.
However you choose to look at it, watches have occupied an integral part in our lives, evolving in their design along the way.
It’s no surprise then that a certain amount of thought goes into picking the perfect watch, right from its fit to its very purpose.
In our watches buying guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about buying a watch, along with a handful of tips to help you make the right selection.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re spoilt for choice and, considering the sheer number of watches out there, spoilt is an understatement.
So how do you know where to start in your quest to find the perfect watch? And does it even exist? Well, as you may have guessed, it really comes down to your unique needs and what you want out of a watch. Think of a watch as an extension of your personality.
Once you have a rough idea about what you’re looking for, you’ll need to factor in various features, sizes, and styles. So, let’s dive in and see what these include.
Perhaps one of the most important things you need to consider when buying a watch is how well it fits. Even if the watch looks like a dream, it won’t be of much use to you if it either keeps slipping off your wrist or is too tight.
For wider wrists, a sturdy band paired with a big dial will look much better than a small watch. Similarly, smaller wrists will do well with medium-to-small-sized dials.
In order to find the right fit, there are two key features that you need to check for.
Traditionally, watches typically come with metal and leather bands. The choice of the band, of course, depends on the type of occasion you want to use your watch for, your style, and your personal beliefs.
Nowadays, there are many more options when it comes to band material.
When deciding on the size of a dial, it is important to consider the size of your build, particularly the size of your wrist and forearm. Depending on the size of your wrist, a large dial will either look right-at-home or completely mismatched.
Having said all this, style is absolutely personal. If you have the desire to wear a massive watch on a tiny wrist, then own your style and carry it with confidence.
A common question that arises in the minds of most buyers is whether they should stick to the classics or experiment with the latest trends.
Truth be told, this is yet another consideration that comes down to your personal taste and preferences. Both these styles have their own appeal. If you’re still confused, you could always mix things up and balance them out with timepieces that are contemporary yet classic.
Neutral colors, for example, never go out of style and will complement almost all your outfits, no matter the setting.
We’ve listed some of the most sought after watch styles below:
The basic and most noticeable difference between analog and digital watches is their display. While digital watches can more closely resemble your mobile screen, analog watches are old-school with 12 static numbers and hands for the hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds.
Digital watches are more common in sports watches whereas vintage or casual watches are typically analogs.
With the additional functionality that many digital watches come with, it is important to consider that digital watches can be more complicated to set up and adjust than their analog counterparts.
Though buying a watch is completely a matter of personal choice, there are some undeniable benefits of analog watches.
Constantly evolving in functionality as technology advances, some of the benefits offered by digital watches include:
As helpful as digital watches are, there are a few disadvantages to them, which include:
The price of a watch is a key consideration that you just can’t ignore. You may like a particular brand or model but unless it fits in your budget, you won’t be able to purchase it.
To avoid this, always start by setting a budget and look for options within that range.
In fact, overstretching your budget is a bad financial investment. Unless you’re purchasing a vintage model, limited-release design, or extremely high-end timepiece, your watch is only going to depreciate in value after your purchase.
While the weight of a watch is often overlooked by many, it can actually make or break your entire experience. You should go for something that is comfortable, not something that is too delicate or too heavy on the wrist.
If you want something lighter on the wrist, leather or fabric bands tend to be lighter than metal ones so that is one tip.
Again, an overlooked factor, but a crucial one. The type of clothes you wear should style seamlessly with your accessories such as watches. You don’t have to be a stickler for fashion but paying attention to the basics will make your entire outfit seem more put-together.
If you have a soft spot for gold watches, pair them with deep tones of browns and blacks to give them more heft. Likewise, silver metal bands look better during the night with more formal outfits.
Most watches are water-resistant to some degree, which can save you from the occasional splash or getting caught in the rain. This is usually denoted as 3 ATM.
However, lovers of water sports should opt for watches that are resistant up to 200 meters, or Water Resistant 20 ATM. Divers, on the other hand, should look for watches with water resistance ratings specifically suited for diving.
Seasoned watch owners are usually biased towards certain brands owing to their experience with them. If you have a specific brand in mind, make sure you don’t get blind-sighted by the aura of the brand but also give due consideration to key features weighing it against your needs and requirements.
Brand research should always be a key part of your watch buying process. This is because brands with great brand value and reputation are likely to have good customer service and better quality standards.
That’s not to say that a relatively unknown brand won’t have something right for you, just that a trusted name is usually a safer bet.
Luminosity may not be an important consideration for many, but it’s nevertheless a useful feature to have on hand.
Simply put, luminous hands light up in the dark, which offers good visibility at night or in low-light conditions. What makes these hands light up is a photoluminescent pigment that is painted on the watch’s hands, dial, and numerals. The pigment both absorbs light and gives it out as well, depending on the situation.
All watches need some kind of power source to keep them ticking. Typically, watches are powered by these four sources of power:
Sustainable watches are gaining widespread popularity and it’s no surprise why. As brands are becoming more conscious of their impact on the planet, watch manufacturers are finding creative and elegant solutions to appease their environmentally-minded customers — from solar powered watches to timepieces handcrafted from 100% natural wood or other sustainable materials.
While these watches are incredibly stylish, and a great accessory for any wardrobe, they are just as beneficial for the environment as they are:
Buying a sustainable watch is far more than jumping on the eco-warrior bandwagon. These watches are handcrafted with careful attention to detail and offer some great benefits.
As eco-friendly as sustainable watches are, they may not be the best fit for certain people.
Buying the right watch isn’t something you should rush or do in a hurry. This is, after all, an accessory that reflects your style and complements your activities, and therefore requires careful evaluation.
At the same time, you don’t have to limit your choices if you find yourself drawn to a number of different watches. You might have that one classic timepiece that comes out on special occasions, and another for everyday wear.
At Zeitholz, you can find an array of stunning watches to add to your wardrobe-essentials. All our watches are crafted with 100% sustainable wood, making them friendly for the environment and your wallet too. In addition, we pledge to plant 1 tree for every watch sold. Explore our range of handcrafted wooden watches today.
