Starter Pack to the Luxury Watch Game: Part I

We’ve all been there. You’ve just started earning a bit of cash and there’s a bit of loose change sitting in your bank account. The Instagram accounts you follow are full of people humble-bragging and borderline flaunting wrist candy.

Rolex. AP. Patek Philippe. Omega. The list goes on.

You want to get in the game but you don’t want to blow a fortune. That’s understandable. We’ve all been there. Where should you start?

The first part of this series gives you an introduction to all the essentials of buying a watch. Having a half-decent watch is key to accessorizing for men. It’ll offer your look a whole other dimension and give credence to yourself, even if it isn’t an AP. It says a lot about your character and personal style. In short, a watch maketh the man.

1. Watch Movements

3 kinds.

a) Mechanical

✓ Coveted by watch enthusiasts due to tradition and complexity in manufacturing.

✗ Not super accurate and requires constant winding.

b) Automatic

✓ Not hand-wound. Has just as much character as a mechanical due to craftsmanship.

✗ Will stop if not worn for a while or in a watch winder.

c) Quartz

✓ Accurate. Low maintenance. More affordable.

✗ Does not possess the same kind of charm as mechanical or automatic pieces.

2. Styles

a) Aviation.

• IWC Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48
• Breitling Exospace B55
• Bell & Ross Collection Aviation BR
• The Longines Avigation
• Hamilton H64715535 Khaki Pilot Watch

b) Diving.

• Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph
• Citizen Promaster Diver
• Seiko Prospex Scuba Sumo
• Rolex Submariner
• Tag Huerer Aquaracer Calibre 5

c) Dress.

• Nomos Orion 38 Weiß
• Grand Seiko SBGW253
• Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
• Jaquet Droz Grande Second Moon Onyx
• Rolex Cellini Moonphase

d) Driving.

• Baume & Mercier Clifton Club Shelby Cobra Limited Edition
• Breitling for Bentley Supersports Chronograph
• Chopard Superfast Chrono
• Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Titanium Carbon
• IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium

e) Minimalist.

• Mondaine Classic
• Junghans Max Bill Quartz
• Daniel Wellington Classic St Mawes 36mm
• Tsovet SVT-CV43
• Shinola S0100026

3. Anatomy

(source: http://www.tourneau.com/watch-education/watch-anatomy.html)

4. Straps

a) Bands

Usually made of rubber or plastic for sport watches.

b) Straps

Usually made of nylon or leather. Ideal for dress watches or daily use.

c) Bracelets

Normally made of metal. Most common and can be resized by adjust the links.

5. Buckles

a) Ardillon Buckle

b) Deployant Buckle

There you go! A primer on the essentials to getting your first watch. The most important aspect would be figuring out your style, how often and where you would be using it and how your watch would fit into your life.

In the next part of the series we’ll be talking a bit about the history of watches.