How to Choose the Perfect Watch
If you haven’t yet considered wearing a wristwatch, now might be the time.
With the recent arrival of our new watch brand Baume at Secret Location, it had our entire team asking a plethora of questions. First being, why buy a watch?
When smartphones began being adopted by the masses, there was a clear drop in watch sales back in 2009. Why? The answer of course being, why wear a watch when you can check the time by the click of your Home button. However as research sheds more light on the negative effect of blue light, screen time, and the importance of digital detoxes, the question now is why not?
Findings in Harvard Health Publishing show that blue light has an extreme affect on our circadian rhythms. This not only affects our quality of sleep, but how well we’re able to complete daily functions. Thus, encouraging the push to an analogue solution.
Just like all things valuable, choosing the perfect watch can be a challenge. With the amount of choices, and the variety of price points, what’s the right fit for you? A watch is a very personal choice that does more than tell time. It’s a display of aspiration, status, wealth, and style. Before diving into the world of watches, you must first decide when you will wear it. If everyday, consider your lifestyle and it’s requirements.
Helpful questions to ask yourself would include:
- Why do I need a watch?
- Is this watch for everyday use?
- Would I only wear it during special occasions?
- Is my life active, therefore should the watch be durable?
- What type of style do I have?
- What do I want my watch to say about me?
- What is my price range?
- How is the watch serviced?
Once you have a clear idea of what purpose the watch will serve and how it plays a role in your lifestyle, the following information will help make your decision much easier.
WATCH STYLE
Analog
This is a watch that features a traditional clock face, including two hands, and in some cases a third.
Digital
A digital watch showcases the hour, minutes, and seconds numerically. It does not have a clock face or show the time in a more traditional method.
Smart
A portable device, generally powered by your phone. All smart watches include touch screens, various apps, and are chargeable.
Automatic
The most energy efficient watch varietal, it runs automatically and is backed by a rotor. The rotor stores energy from the watches movement which allows it to function day and night. In some cases it is also hand-wound.
Quartz
The quartz watch is generally the most expensive type of watch you’ll find on the market. It comes with a high powered electronic oscillator which is synchronized by a quartz crystal, and powered by a battery.
Analog
MOVEMENT TYPES
Mechanical
Mechanical watches are seen as art. They are complex and sophisticated, and do not require a battery. There are two types of mechanical watches, manual and automatic. Automatic uses a rotor, which is a device that transfers energy from movement, that in turn - powers the watch. The manual does not have a rotor, and is hand wound. The difference? Purely being preference.
Quartz
The quartz movement requires a battery as its primary power source. This battery sends an electric-current through a small quartz crystal which creates dial vibrations. These vibrations are what makes the dial move and drives the motor. The difference between quartz and mechanical movement is that quartz watch offers individual second 'ticks' versus the sweeping motion of the mechanical watch.
Battery
The most common and inexpensive type of watch movement to buy. A battery powered watch will last a good duration of time, should it be properly maintained and taken care of.
The most common and inexpensive type of watch movement to buy. A battery powered watch will last a good duration of time, should it be properly maintained and taken care of.
Mechanical-automatic
SIZE
Case Diameter
The watches case diameter is the entire diameter of the dial of the watch. This is also known as the 'face'.
Case Thickness
This is the thickness or depth of the watch face. The thickness is also dependent on the diameter & style of the piece. If the watch is 40mm in diameter, generally the thickness would sit around 8mm.
For example: If your wrist size is 15cm - 18cm, the recommended size would sit at a 38mm or 40mm watch diameter. If your wrist size is 19cm - 21cm, look toward a watch diameter of 44mm and up. These recommendations are based on our preference of the current larger face trend.
Band Width
Wider watch faces require wider bands to ensure the piece as a whole is balanced, but band width depends more on personal preference than anything else.
Size comparison
Baume doesn’t use secondary packaging (that seemingly chic extra overlay of packaging, which provides no utilitarian purpose what-so-ever except creates more waste). The brand has a supple supply chain to reduce waste at every step. This includes up-cycling from multiple materials - including ocean plastic, recycled PET, and skateboards. Baume watches are proof that you can create something beautiful while respecting society and our planet.
We couldn’t be more proud than to house a responsible brand such as Baume, featuring a Made-to-Order model. Finally a watch brand that takes every detail into consideration to ensure they are ethical and making choices for a better tomorrow!
If you’d like more information on Baume, visit their website. Or join us in store for a complete walk through with one of our Design Consultants.