We made this guide in the hopes of demystifying the watch buying process. By the end of this article, you should have a much better understanding of how watches work and how to discuss them. We’ll also introduce you to some of our favorite watch brands and share what makes them so special.
Types of Watches
Diver’s Watch
Diver’s watches, also called dive watches, were originally designed to be worn by–you guessed it–divers. Today, they’re popular with everyone, even those who’d prefer to stay on dry land. However, they are still designed to perform well underwater. This is no small feat for a piece of complex, fine machinery like a watch! Many watches are water resistant to an extent, but diver’s watches take those features a step further.
Diver’s watches are specially crafted with airtight seals to prevent any water from entering the watch case and rusting the timepiece’s delicate parts. They are also built to withstand higher levels of pressure than other watches, so that they can safely descend through the water. Finally, diver’s watches typically have more simplistic faces than other watches. They need to be legible despite the distortion and darkness that impact our vision while we are underwater.
Field Watch
Like diver’s watches, field watches were originally designed with a very specific purpose: to help soldiers tell time. These durable timepieces are now popular with outdoorsmen and anyone else who leads an adventurous lifestyle.Field watches came about in World War I. They were designed as a more efficient alternative to the pocket watch. No longer did soldiers have to waste time on the cumbersome process of digging out a pocket watch, opening it up and reading it. Now, they could simply glance at their wrists to tell time.
Like diver’s watches, field watches needed to be easy to read. They featured uncomplicated displays, dark faces and light-colored numbers. That’s still the case to this day. Field watches also have hardy straps made from materials like canvas, perfect for carrying with you on an adventure.
Chronograph
Chronograph watches are typical display watches with one simple but vital extra feature: a stopwatch. In addition to the main dial, which features the standard hour, minute and second hands, chronographs have at least one sub-dial to be used as a stopwatch. More complicated chronographs might include numerous sub-dials to measure with precision down to fractions of a second.
Modern chronographs may include other features on the display. They might show dates, days of the week, or moon phases. Many chronographs include a tachymeter inscribed around the rim of the watch. Tachymeters help measure speed based on time and distance. With a quick calculation, the wearer can use a watch tachymeter to figure out how quickly they are walking, biking, or driving.
Dress Watch
Dress watches are luxurious accessories meant to be shown off on formal occasions. Their main purpose is to add a touch of class to your finest outfits, while also, of course, telling time accurately. Many luxury watches are considered dress watches.
Dress watches may have a number of features, but often, they boast sleek, uncomplicated displays. Their cases and bands are usually made from stainless steel or high quality precious metals.
Pilot’s Watch
As diver’s watches were originally designed for divers, pilot’s watches were originally designed for pilots. Sometimes called aviation watches, pilot’s watches offer specialized features designed to help pilots navigate the skies during flight. They may include chronographs, tachymeters, world clocks and other time zone indicators, and enhanced durability.
Though modern airplanes now feature all of the instruments a pilot needs in order to fly safely, these watches are a fashionable and nostalgic accessory enjoyed by both pilots and everyday watch enthusiasts.
Racing Watch
Yet another watch born out of necessity and intended for those in a specific profession, racing watches were first designed for racecar drivers. Since precise timing is so vital in the world of competitive racing, these watches typically feature exceptionally accurate chronographs that measure down to fractions of a second. Tachymeters, which help calculate speed, are another vital component of a racing watch.
In addition to these functional components, racing watches are often designed with a distinct aesthetic that pays tribute to the sport. It’s common to see racing stripes, gauges modeled after car dashboards, and more.
Skeleton Watch
They may sound spooky, but skeleton watches are actually fascinating accessories perfect for any timepiece enthusiast. Skeleton watches are mechanical watches that show the inner workings of the timepiece. They come in a number of styles, including ‘full skeleton’ configurations which reveal the entirety of the watch’s mechanics, and ‘partial skeleton’ displays which show a sliver of these inner parts.
Watch Movements
The term “watch movement” refers to what powers the components of a watch and keeps it running smoothly. Each type of watch movement has its own unique set of benefits.Quartz Watches
The first quartz movement watches were created by Japanese manufacturers in the 1960s. They were the first watches to rely on batteries rather than solely mechanical components. Quartz watches contain quartz crystals, which vibrate when they receive electrical signals from the watch batteries. The vibrations of the quartz spur the watch hands and other components to move.Quartz watches are highly accurate, and they tend to be more affordable due to the simplicity of their design. The only drawback is that they require occasional battery changes.
Automatic Watch
Automatic watches are self-winding mechanical watches. They draw their power from the movement of the wearer’s wrist, and therefore don’t require batteries. Automatic watches were created by Swiss watchmakers in the 1770s, and have left quite the legacy in the world of fine timepieces ever since.Automatic watches require highly complex machinery. This means they require more intensive labor, and so they are typically more expensive than quartz movement watches.
Mechanical Watch
Mechanical watches date back to the 1670s. They rely on a mainspring to power the watch hands. Instead of drawing their power from the wearer’s movement, mechanical watches require the wearer to wind the watch periodically. They aren’t the most convenient of timepieces, but many watch enthusiasts appreciate the craft that goes into designing a quality mechanical watch.
Parts of a Watch
Bezel
The bezel of a watch is the outer ring around the dial or face of the watch. It can be decorative or feature measurements such as a tachymeter.Case
The watch case contains the entirety of a watch’s contents. It’s the metal outer shell that protects the watch movement.Crown
The crown is the knob at the side of the watch, which you can pull out and turn to adjust certain watch measurements, such as time and date.Dial
The dial is the main display of the watch which shows the hour, minute and second hands in addition to any extra features. The dial is sometimes called the watch face.Hand(s)
Hands move around the watch dial to indicate time. Watches can have a number of hands on the dials and subdials for precise timekeeping.Jewels
Jewels are synthetic crystals set within the components of a watch movement which help reduce friction between the watch’s parts and keep it running smoothly. The more jewels in a watch, the smoother it typically runs.Lugs
Lugs are the point at which the watch strap affixes to the watch case. Lugs can come in different sizes. They usually attach to the watch case in two places.Strap
The watch strap is what wraps around your wrist to keep your watch attached to you! Straps are adjustable and can be made from many different materials, including canvas, leather and nylon. If it’s made from metal, it’s typically called a bracelet rather than a strap.
Our Watch Brands
Now that you know more about watch design and watch components, it’s time to look into some popular fine watch brands to determine what appeals to you. Each watch brand has its own unique aesthetics, history and specialties. Here are the watch brands we carry at Ware Jewelers.Norqain
Swiss watchmakers are widely regarded as some of the most innovative, and Swiss watch companies have produced some of the world’s most iconic, accurate and beautiful watches. Norqain is no different.Based in Nidau, Switzerland, Norqain is a family-owned brand that has been producing premier timepieces since 2018. Though they have only been around for six years, they’ve already built a reputation as an excellent watchmaker. Prices vary, but most Norqain watches fall between $2,000 and $6,000.
Bulova
Bulova celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. With that kind of longevity, you can rest assured this brand is a legendary manufacturer of incredible watches. Watch enthusiasts appreciate Bulova for fine craftsmanship, while casual watch wearers appreciate this brand for its incredible value. Bulova watches are quite affordable, especially considering the quality of the timepieces.Glock
Glock watches are made with a commitment to both style and precision. These rugged watches are designed to take on life’s challenges with you, while keeping accurate time along the way. With a sporty look and interchangeable strap system, Glock watches offer modern design for the modern watch enthusiast.
Oris
Another renowned Swiss watch brand, Oris has been crafting fine watches from their Holstein headquarters since 1904. Oris offers hundreds of watch models, including casual and dress watches as well as specialty pilot and dive models. Most Oris watches fall in the price range of $2,000 to $6,000, and boast the kind of quality and longevity only possible with true craftsmanship.Citizen
Founded by a team of Japanese and Swiss investors in 1930, Citizen has spent nearly a century designing innovative watches at attainable prices. They’re renowned for their solar powered watches, made possible by their cutting-edge Eco Drive technology. Citizen has an extensive line of watches in casual, dress, and specialty models for both casual watch enthusiasts and true timepiece connoisseurs. You can find many Citizen watches for prices under $1,000 or even $500.TAG Heuer
Considered a true luxury watch brand, TAG Heuer has been designing world-class timepieces since 1860. TAG Heuer has been responsible for some of the greatest innovations in watchmaking history. They are considered one of the leading brands in racing watches, especially, though they have a vast collection of models, each offering its own unique benefits. As a luxury brand, TAG Heuer watches can cost tens of thousands of dollars, though there are many models under $5,000.Hamilton
Founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Hamilton company got its start making railroad watches. These watches had to be especially precise in order to keep the rail system working safely and efficiently. The company later provided the US Navy with marine watches during World War II. Hamilton’s legacy of innovation continued when they introduced the world’s first electric watch in 1957. Now, Hamilton watches are enjoyed by everyday watch enthusiasts around the globe. Hamilton watches are an excellent choice if you’re seeking a high-end, well engineered watch at an attainable price point.Find Your Perfect Watch at Ware Jewelers in Alabama
With the holidays around the corner, now is the time to consider buying a watch for yourself or for someone special on your holiday shopping list. Ware Jewelers is not only proud to carry the brands listed above, but we’re also proud to have plenty of watch experts on staff to help you discover your next favorite timepiece. With locations in Opelika, Spanish Fort, Montgomery and Auburn, there’s no better place to find a watch in Alabama.We don’t have every watch brand in every storefront, so please call ahead to see which brands we carry in the store nearest you.
A note on ladies’ watches: We carry Michele Watches for women. Stylish, reliable and affordable, Michele is one of the most popular ladies’ watch brands out there today. Our collection includes not only watches, but smartwatch cases and bands, too.