Watches, the most popular accessories for men. Where ladies have a lot of choice in the field of all kinds of jewelry, there is really only one real piece of jewelry for men, a watch. Partly because of this, this accessory is so important and popular with men. Not only because of the interesting technique, but also because of the design, materials and colors. A watch is no longer just a time instrument, it is an accessory that shows your taste, where your interests lie and how much money you are willing to spend and can spend.
Watch brands such as Breitling, Rolex, IWC, Patek and Tag Heuer are known and famous worldwide. They are brands that have built their reputation and fame by combining impeccable quality with fantastic designs. Do not forget that these brands are quite old and have always managed to innovate, also during competition from Japanese brands, the introduction of mobile phones and later the smart watches. These watch brands are more than just a producer of beautiful watches, they create status symbols. A Rolex or Breitling watch has a certain appearance. They are very popular for a reason. We often hear stories of men who got their first job after college and after a while wanted to reward themselves by buying a nice watch. This watch symbolizes their development and is a reward for the path they have chosen. These watches are often followed by other watches, but the first one always remains special. It is preserved and even passed on to future generations. In this way a watch is much more than just a time instrument.
We naturally see a lot of watches around us, from different brands and in different price ranges. A beautiful Rolex watch is of course the pinnacle of technology and design, but we can also enjoy watches from other brands. Brands that are priced much lower but offer a lot of quality and fun as well. A good example is Epos. This Swiss watch brand offers a lot of quality at a very competitive price. The brand is relatively small and produces a small amount. This makes Epos watches an excellent choice for watch enthusiasts who want an excellent combination of quality and a competitive price.
We are regularly asked what the best watch is. We can't really answer that question because what the best watch is depends on many factors. Mainly from the question of what the best watch is for you. What is the best watch depends on what the person has as wishes and preferences. What is the best watch for me may not be the best watch for you. The question of what the best watch is, is actually impossible to answer. But we can help you by describing what is the best watch for you. The best watch may be a MeisterSinger watch for one person and a Rolex watch for another.
Movement type
First we need to explain the different techniques used in a watch. You have probably heard of a quartz watch. This is a watch that functions by means of a battery. If the battery is empty, replace the battery and the watch will function again for 2-3 years. The main advantages of a quartz watch are the reliability in terms of time measurement, price and shock resistance. Watches with a quartz movement are very accurate and display the time accurately to the second. Watches with a battery are also generally cheaper to buy. The technique is relatively simple and the timepieces are produced a lot, which means that the costs are low. Another advantage of a quartz watch is that they are not so sensitive to shocks and blows. The quartz movements are strong and durable and can take a beating. This combination of properties is decisive for many watch enthusiasts to wear a quartz watch.
Have you ever heard of an automatic watch? Perhaps you are thinking of a watch from an uncle or your grandfather. In the past there were no quartz watches and all watches were automatic or mechanical. An automatic watch obtains energy through movement, which is why a watch winder is also such a handy accessory for such a watch. Automatic watches are certainly not old-fashioned, because all high-end watch brands that are well known almost exclusively produce automatic watches. Good examples are Rolex, IWC, Breitling, Omega, Oris and Tag Heuer. An automatic watch has charm, because it has a beautiful but complex technique. The parts of the timepiece are perfectly matched so that the time is displayed, without battery! This also makes the technology vulnerable in some cases, for example if you bump or drop an automatic watch. Yet almost all watch enthusiasts have automatic watches in their collection. The charm, technique and beautiful appearance make this type of watch the most popular.
Another well-known technique used in watches is the mechanical technique. A mechanical watch has to be wound by hand by turning the crown. The timepiece does not receive energy from itself or from a battery. The timepiece is wound by turning the crown. This is actually the most ancient technique and used in the first wristwatches. Today, mechanical watches are still produced and sold, albeit to a much lesser extent than quartz and automatic watches. Yet watch lovers are extremely charmed by mechanical watches. It is one of the purest forms, and also a beautiful technique. The movement of a mechanical watch is made up of many parts that must work together to perfection in order to accurately display the time.
The shape of a watch
In addition to the technology inside the watch, the shape of the watch is also important. Most watches have an almost round watch case. This is the most common form. But there are also watches that have a different shape. For example, tonneau-shaped watches that have a more rectangular watch case. You see this, for example, with the Franck Muller brand. There are also square watches such as the Apple watch. Watches with a round case are the best known and most often worn. Simply because this shape best mimics the clock and can be worn very comfortably.
The shape of the watch is often determined by the design and background of the brand. In terms of shape, you can also think of the size of the watch. Well-known brands that produce oversized watches are, for example, RSC from Belgium and Lapizta from the US.
The wearing comfort of a watch is partly determined by the shape and weight of the watch. This is an important point to take with you when you want to buy a watch.
Different types of watch straps
The watch strap connects the watch itself to the wrist. That is why the watch strap is a very important part of a watch. The watch strap is also important for wearing comfort. A good watch strap is made of durable material, fits nicely on the wrist and fits well with the watch in terms of appearance and color. The right watch strap makes the watch. On the other hand, a watch strap that does not fit well with the watch or does not fit well can be a big disadvantage. Before purchasing a watch, always determine which material and type of watch strap you prefer. One person likes a stainless steel bracelet, the other a beautiful leather strap. Of course there are also straps made of rubber and plastic.
Stainless steel watch bracelets have the property that they are durable and resistant to wear. A leather watch strap, on the other hand, is less durable in use and you will have to replace it every 1-2 years with daily use. In addition, a leather watch strap is less resistant to external influences such as water and perspiration. An important advantage of a good leather watch strap is the wearing comfort and the beautiful combination with the watch itself. In addition, this type of strap is often light and therefore the combination with the watch is not too heavy. This is a disadvantage of a stainless steel strap, the weight is higher, which can be at the expense of wearing comfort.
Whether you prefer a leather, rubber or stainless steel strap depends entirely on your preference. Most beautiful watches, for example from Locman, combine perfectly with a beautiful leather and stainless steel watch strap.
Materials of which a watch is made
We now zoom in on the watch itself, in particular the watch case and the glass. The timepiece is housed in the watch case and must therefore be well protected. Most watch cases are made of steel, and usually stainless steel. This material is hard, relatively cheap and durable. Yet there are also watches that have a watch case made of plastic, titanium or carbon fiber. We actually only see a plastic or plastic watch case with cheaper watches. We prefer to ignore this type of watch. However, titanium and carbon fiber are excellent materials with very positive properties to make a good watch case. Titanium has the advantages that it is extremely strong and light. A disadvantage is that it is more expensive than a stainless steel case. Carbon fiber is not used very much but has the advantage that it is very strong and modern. A major drawback is that it is significantly more expensive than stainless steel and titanium.
The glass of the watch is also placed in the watch case. There are various types of materials from which watch glass is made. Well-known are mineral glass, plexiglass and sapphire glass. Mineral glass is a great option if you are very careful with your watch and do not expect to make many scratches. Sapphire glass, on the other hand, is much more resistant to scratches because of its hardness. Sapphire glass is most commonly used in modern watches. Plexiglas has a more retro look and is very soft as a material. It is relatively cheap but is less resistant to external influences, which means that it can easily scratch or tear.
Our preference is sapphire glass. This glass is used, for example, in the watches of Glycine, Epos and Davosa. With this type of glass you don't have to worry about a lot of damage. This glass protects your watch very well, so that it still looks good even after years of use.
Watch design
In addition to the shape of a watch, the design is also an important part. The design largely determines the appearance. In terms of design, there is a choice of classic and modern watches, but also sporty or more modest watches. In terms of modest watches, you can think of Eone Time and Iron Annie, for example. These are watch brands with a calm appearance without much frills.
The design largely determines whether the watch appeals to you or not. Where one person likes to wear a classic watch, the other prefers a modern or sporty watch on his or her wrist. But you can also think of pilot watches, diving watches or digital watches. Each has its own design, depending on the brand and the history of the brand. A good example of a watch brand that has its own design is the German Laco. Laco watches are inspired by pilots and aviation. As a result, Laco has a very nice pilot's watch collection that is very appealing to watch enthusiasts. In addition, this brand has a special history.
A watch brand with a very special concept and design is Eone Time. This brand from the United States produces watches for the blind and partially sighted. The design allows visually impaired people to perceive time. By touching the dial, the wearer can immediately feel what the time is. The nice thing about Eone Time watches is that this has not been at the expense of the design. The Eone Time watches are beautiful and offer an extremely high wearing comfort due to the titanium watch cases. As a result, design is perfectly combined with functionality.
Are you an athlete yourself and do you like to wear a sporty watch, then there is a lot of choice. There are many watch brands that manufacture sporty watches. A sporty watch is mainly characterized by a modern design and durability. In terms of modern design, you can think of contemporary trendy shapes and colours. The durability is reflected in the solid materials such as stainless steel, rubber and sapphire glass. In addition, sporty watches are often equipped with extra functions such as a chronograph, stopwatch and tachymeter. Good water resistance is also important because sporty watches often have to endure more than normal watches. They must therefore not only be able to withstand a knock, they must also be resistant to influences such as water. For example, when you go cycling, rowing or walking, the watch must be able to withstand a good rain shower. A good example of a watch brand that makes sports watches of excellent quality is Davosa. Davosa watches are sporty, solid and offer features that you can use to exercise, swim or survive a weekend.
Classic watches have a more calm design and character. These watches are not intended for sports or to be exposed to extreme conditions. Classic watches are also sometimes called a "dress watch". You can wear this type of watch with a casual chic outfit or a bee suit. Classic watches often have a smaller watch case, of 38-40 mm. In addition, they have a quiet dial without all kinds of bells and whistles. The hands and perhaps a date function or moon phase are the most common in a classic watch. This type of watches usually comes with a nice leather watch strap. When we look in our collection brands such as MeisterSinger and Van Speyk are good examples of brands with beautiful classic watches.
What does a good watch cost?
It is a misconception that a good watch is very expensive. There are many watch brands that offer a beautiful and durable watch for a very interesting price. The trick is to search, compare and choose exactly the watch that appeals to you. We all know the high-end watch brands from Switzerland. For example, IWC, Breitling, Omega, Oris, Patek and Tag Heuer. Beautiful brands with an extensive history and a lot of experience in the production of high-end watches. With these brands you get a top watch, but you also pay a part for the name and appearance of the brand. This category of brands includes various watch brands that offer exactly the same in terms of quality, finish and functionality, but for a lower price. These brands may be less known and spend less money on marketing and expensive advertising campaigns, but they are an excellent choice for the watch enthusiast. As a rule, they offer an excellent price/quality ratio. A good example is Epos. This brand from Switzerland produces beautiful Swiss made watches of impeccable quality. Nevertheless, the prices of Epos watches are considerably lower than of the above-mentioned brands. Why? Epos is a relatively small brand and spends much less money on marketing. Other good examples of such watch brands are Davosa and Damasko. Both of these brands from Germany produce very good watches with excellent movements.
In principle, what you expect from a watch determines the amount you want and can spend for it. If you do not have too many requirements in terms of timepiece, brand, functionality and materials, you can buy a nice watch for relatively little money. If you have more wishes, you will notice that the price also increases. However, a good watch does not have to be expensive. Watch brands such as Iron Annie and Van Speyk have been proving this for years. If you want something special in terms of brand, materials and type of timepiece, this also has a price.
What should you pay attention to when buying a watch?
If you have determined yourself what your wishes are and what amount you want to spend on a watch, then there is really only one advice left; "buy the seller". With this term we want to say that it is important where you buy the watch. In other words, if you buy a watch from a good and reliable seller, you have more security than when you buy a watch on Marktplaats or the local market.
An official dealer is connected to the relevant watch brand and is supported by the brand. This has the advantage that you as a customer can also benefit from this support. This is especially nice in the event of a defect for which you claim warranty or in the event of a repair outside the warranty period that must be carried out. In addition, an official dealer can provide you with good advice. With knowledge and experience, he will advise you and present the options in terms of different watches, techniques, materials and price ranges.
Another piece of advice we want to give you is that cheap often leads to expensive purchases. Something that seems too good to be true often is. Always inform yourself well about a certain brand and the specific product. If you have any doubts or questions, do not hesitate to contact the seller. Often you immediately notice the level of customer service. Ask the questions you find important and compare various websites and products. This way you come to a good decision with regard to the purchase of a good watch.
We, BensonTrade, are official dealer of various watch and watch winder brands. Mostly for more than 10 years. We believe it is important to provide optimal service to our customers. Every product purchased in our webshop is original and new. Of course, every product is equipped with the official accessories such as a manual, certificate and warranty. With more than 15 years of experience in the field of watches, watch winders and watch boxes, we are happy to help you.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a good and beautiful watch, determine for yourself what your wishes and financial possibilities are. There are many different watch brands that make beautiful watches. Watches that you will enjoy for years to come. Each with their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of technique, material, color and design. Cheap leads to expensive purchases and "buy the seller" are two tips we want to give you.
But most importantly, enjoy the purchase process. Just like when choosing a holiday, new car or restaurant where you want to eat; the anticipation is just as important!
Do you have any questions or comments regarding this article? Or are you looking for a beautiful watch from one of our brands? Please feel free to contact us. We inform you without obligation and are happy to help you.