What You Need To Know When Buying Your First Watch

What You Need To Know When Buying Your First Watch

Combining elements of both dress and sports watches, the IWC Portugieser makes for a perfect all-rounder.

It can be nerve racking when it comes to buying your first watch. Combining the array of timepieces out on the market, with the price tag of some of them, buying your first watch can be overwhelming. So here are some things to help you breakdown the watch choosing process.

Know Your Movements


Most watch enthusiasts would hold the moment of the watch as the biggest importance. There are two main groups. Quartz watches, which use a tiny quartz crystal to provide steady timing, and automatic movements which use mechanical technology to self wind and keep time without any electrical component. Quartz watches require a battery to power the electrical component, but automatic watches require kinetic energy or manual winding to wind up the movement.

Choose An Appropriate Size


Size does matter. No one likes an oversized watch on a wrist, so make sure when you try it, check yourself out and make sure it doesn’t look awkward. Plus, if it is oversized, you’d be more prone to accidentally knocking and scratching it, and that’s the last thing you’d want to be doing. Watches should compliment your outfit. So don’t try to overstate it by wearing an over-sized watch. You’ll look silly when wearing a suit and people will take more notice of your wrist, rather than your beautifully tailored suit. And remember smaller watches are coming back into fashion.

Understand Complications


Complications are essentially added features to your watch. Chronograph (stopwatch), perpetual calendar (automatic calendar), minute repeater (audible chime) and tourbillon (design to counter the effect of gravity). Having all these complications may seem cool, but the more complications you have on your timepiece, the more expensive it becomes. Having complications on your watch also means that it will require more movements. This will in turn make your watch larger in thickness and in size, to internally accommodate all the movements.

The Types of Bracelets & Straps


The bracelet of your watch can dramatically change the feel of your outfit. Metal bands can come across as slightly more casual compared to leather bands. Leather bands tend to dress up your outfit and be more formal. There are plenty of aftermarket straps that are available, and if you really want, you can learn how to swap your straps over by yourself using the right tools.

The Right Price


We all live the dream that we can have whatever we want, but unfortunately for most, budget does matter. So stay within your allocated budget and resist the temptation to go over. If you do however fall in love with a watch that is above your price range, you can always look into the second-hand market. You can find great deals depending on the year, condition and demand. If resell value is a consideration, stick to classic timepieces, mainly from brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. If you do get your hands on a limited addition, it may even become a stylish investment.