They will be on video but won't see you.
Make sure to enable your mic if prompted.
Language:
Watch Buying Guide
In order to purchase a new watch with confidence, there are a lot of design factors worth considering. For example, understanding the range of different materials, case options and watch movements available will empower you to make the right choice.
Whilst buying a watch can be impulsive or a statement of your aspiration, style and identity, this guide will help you get clued up about watches so that you can successfully navigate your way through the huge array of timepieces available.
With such a huge amount of choice, understanding the design elements of a watch is the smartest way of ensuring that you find the right watch for you. The perfect addition to any outfit that can either complete your accessorised look, or stand alone as a stylish statement – enjoy finding your perfect timepiece!
Water resistance
The term water resistance refers to the watch's ability to withstand water to varying degrees – from splashes right through to use under the sea.
The resistance of a watch is only an indication of how waterproof it is. If you are swimming with a watch, the movement of your arms will drastically alter the pressure that the watch is under. Or if you use your watch in a hot tub, sauna, bath or shower, the heat could cause the seals to expand. This would cause the water resistance to be compromised, making your watch less water resistant or even causing it to malfunction completely.
Water resistance is tested in still or static conditions. So, if you dive into a pool wearing a watch which is 50 metres water resistant, the pressure impacted upon the watch on hitting the water will be far greater than that experienced at a 50 metre static test. As a result, the number of metres shown on a watch face does not indicate the depth that the watch can be taken to.
What is a mechanical watch?
If you're a fan of tradition, this centuries-old type of watch is for you. Mechanical watches ooze class thanks to the fine craftsmanship and intricate work that has gone into putting them together. In a mechanical watch, a series of tiny components and moving gears work together to power the piece. It gets its energy from a mainspring that is wound every day or every few days. As this wound spring uncoils, it powers a balance wheel, which turns a number of times per second to move the watch's hands.
You don't need to look much further than the dial to clock a mechanical watch. Check out that second hand – if it's moving in a smooth, sweeping motion, you're looking at mechanical movement (as opposed to the individual 'tick-tock' of quartz movement).
What is an automatic movement watch?
Another type of mechanical watch, an automatic watch is self-winding and gleans power every time you move your wrist.
But how do automatic watches work? While they're similar in many ways to mechanical watches in how they keep time (with the balance wheel and a mainspring), automatic watches house a weighted pendulum, which spins with the wearer's movements. This energy is then transmitted through to wind the spring. This type of watch will store energy for up to 48 hours, so it needs to be worn regularly, but requires little maintenance otherwise.
Abraham-Louis Perrelet is considered the inventor of the automatic winding pocket watch, but it was Bolton-born watch repairer John Harwood who first applied the idea to wrist watches. Rolex can lay claim to being the first brand on the scene with this modern rotor winding system when it brought us the Oyster Perpetual in 1920 – and the technology behind this Rolex movement hasn't changed in the 100 years since.
What is a quartz movement watch?
This type of watch is battery-powered and has few moving parts. Quartz watches first became available in the late 1960s and have grown in popularity since thanks to their accuracy and low maintenance. With a quartz watch, you can expect around half a second a day gain or loss – impressive accuracy in comparison to some other movement types.
But how does a quartz watch work? An electronic charge from the battery makes a tiny piece of quartz vibrate at a set frequency to regulate the time. The principle is less complicated than some of its counterparts so it's less expensive to manufacture – meaning most quartz watches are cheaper to buy.
While watch enthusiasts will always go for the technical expertise of mechanical movement, quartz watches are big news in fashion. They're stylish, affordable and display superior accuracy.