Choosing Nice Watches for the Men in Your Life

Lifestyle

When shopping for a man's watch, you should first consider his lifestyle. Think about when and where he is going to be wearing it. If he is actively involved in sports, then it might be best to go with something rugged and durable, like a sports watch. If he's a businessman, he might appreciate something well-crafted and classy. Is he tech savvy? If so, he might love a watch with special features, like a chronograph watch, which often comes with a stopwatch and calendar. Modern high-tech watches have unique features such as Bluetooth technology, a usb function or even a video function. Whatever the case may be, pick something specific to his personality.

Movement

In watch lingo, the term “movement” refers to the interior mechanism that powers the watch; this is an important deciding feature. The three main types of movements include mechanical, automatic and quartz.

A mechanical movement is the most traditional of the three. Mechanical watches are driven by a wound-up spring. The slow unwinding of the spring is what drives the time-telling function in the watch. Once the watch is wound, it lasts for about 36-40 hours on average. Typically, the wearer gets into the habit of winding the watch everyday. Mechanical watches also tend to lose a few minutes per month, so the wearer should readjust the time periodically. These types of watches are best appreciated by those who love fine craftsmanship and classic tradition. Because of the maintenance involved, this type of movement is probably not suitable for somebody who is constantly on the go.

An automatic movement also runs on a spring, but the mechanism is powered by motion rather than manual winding. This is also known as a “self-winding” watch. As long as the watch is being worn, it will continue to run. If it is not going to be worn, then it can be placed on a watch winder. Like a mechanical watch, automatic watches also have the tendency to lose a few minutes per month and should be readjusted periodically. Automatic watches are useful for those who appreciate mechanical, but don't want the hassle of winding it everyday.

A quartz movement watch functions using a quartz crystal and battery, which needs gets replaced after about a year and half. Quartz movements are very accurate, losing only seconds a month. For those who depend on a reliable low maintenance timepiece, quartz is the way to go. This movement is used in both affordable and luxury watches.

Case and Band Type

The case is the circular portion protecting the insides of the watch. When choosing the case material, consider its function and his personal style. Gold is high-end and luxurious, while stainless steel is sleek and durable. Titanium offers the same benefits as steel, but it weighs much less. When it comes to the band, you can choose between bracelet, which consists of metal links, and strap. Again, take comfort and style into consideration. If it's a sports watch, you might want to go for something comfortable and opt for a rubber strap. A leather strap is good if he wants something casual and professional.