People & Lifestyle
A Man’s Guide To Wrist Watches: How To Choose A Watch
The Watch For You
A watch isn’t just a status symbol, and it’s not just a means of keeping time. A watch tells people about the style with which you identify. A watch can be a valuable heirloom passed down from generation to generation. It can even serve to store important data and keep you in contact with social media. Do you like James Bond? Some watches even have gadgets like lasers.
Technology has miniaturized to the point where computational power greater than any desktop in the nineties or early aughts can be worn on your wrist. The “smart” watch movement has managed to gain some traction. A touch screen atop a tiny computer that’ll stay charged all day provides you with more than just timekeeping convenience.
As a man, if you’re going to get the right watch, these factors represent just a few of the things you’ll want to take into account. As with anything in life, how something appears, and how it is, are often two different things. Accordingly, we’ll go through a few key things every man should consider before buying a watch.
- Occupation
Where do you work? What kind of environment defines your day-to-day? If you’re involved in hard physical labor, it’s not a good idea to have the most expensive Rolex you can afford on the job site every day. You might keep such a watch for special occasions, and wear one that’s more sturdy during the workday.
It’s really easy to break the face of a watch if you are involved in something physically straining and your arm gets pinched, or knocks into something. Also, some of the more expensive watches aren’t designed to take a lot of abuse, or get wet. However, there are high dollar options designed to be waterproof and take a beating.
- Travel And Longevity
Do you travel often? A watch that needs a new battery on a regular basis can represent a chore that’s quite inconvenient. Also, sometimes the cost of replacing a battery is so near the cost of the watch itself, you might as well just wear the timepiece until it quits working then buy a new one. However, there are kinetic innovations out there.
A kinetic watch is energized by the motion of your body. Such watches never need a new battery and they never need to be charged. However, they tend to be a little bit more expensive than other options, and susceptible to water damage. Men tend to wear the watch they like not only during the day, but at night. Then they wake up and take a shower without remembering the watch is still on their wrist.
Unless you’re disciplined enough to take the device off and put it back on without losing it daily, it’s better to find watches that don’t require new batteries and won’t break if they get wet. Especially if you scuba dive, or you go fishing on a regular basis, you want a timepiece that is versatile.
- What The Watch Says About Yourself
A sturdy timepiece that’s waterproof and kinetic says you’re professional, serious, and ready for any situation. A watch that’s expensive but isn’t designed to take a beating speaks of professional engagement. A cheap watch that just tells time could say that you’re a reductionist, not maintaining unnecessarily costly tools, but seeking utility over style. - Options Conforming To Your Available Budget
Budget is a big deal. Thirty-five watches that cost $10 a piece may work fine for your needs, and last you a decade. When one breaks, or the battery goes out, you just put on a new watch. For around $100 you can find some surprisingly excellent options. At around the $300 to $400 mark, you can look into smartwatch options that are essentially mini computers.
Making The Best Choice
Budget considerations, social statements, occupation, and longevity represent some key items worth thinking about when you’re in the market for a new watch.
You can find all manner of wearable timepieces—including newer designs and more classic ones—across the web; My Watch Den’s advice can help you get the best timepiece for your situation; whether it’s occupational, or you just go fishing on the regular and don’t want your timepiece to quit working if it gets a little wet.
A watch can say a lot about a man, and many men have unique things they’d like to say about themselves. If you want to find the best solution, you’ll benefit from taking the time to see what’s available, what you need, and what you can afford.