How to Choose the Perfect Watch

A leather strap is classic and old-school

See our leather band watches

A metal bracelet elevates your look and fits in anywhere

See our bracelet watches

Look for features like a chronograph (with stopwatch functionality) and a date display

See our chronograph watches

Pair classic and bold with a traditional band and a colorful dial such as blue or green

See our blue dial watches

Case

The watch case is the outer housing that contains the watch face (the dial) and the mechanicals. It includes the bezel, case back, lug, and crown. It can be made from a number of materials such as gold, stainless steel, or titanium.

Dial (face)

The watch dial (also known as the face) is the visible part of the watch that includes the timekeeping components such as numbers and hands and sits in the case just below the crystal (the glass that covers the dial).

Crystal

The crystal is the glass that covers the dial in the case.

Crown

The crown is the knob on the side of the watch used to set the time. The crown is also used to wind manual mechanical watches.

Bezel

The bezel is the ring that surrounds the watch dial. It’s part of the watch case and typically holds the crystal in place. It also contributes to the overall watch style - it might include diamonds or other accents. In some cases, bezels can also rotate to serve a functional purpose for timing, such as on diving or GMT watches.

Markers and hands

On analog watches, markers indicate hours and other time periods (and may display either a 12 or 24 hour clock). Hands indicate hours and minutes and optionally seconds and can vary in style.

Subdials

Watches may optionally have subdials for functions like the date or chronograph (stopwatch).

Case back

The case back seals the movement inside the watch and helps protect it from impacts and the elements (such as dust or moisture). It allows easy access for servicing.

Lug

Most watch cases have four lugs: two at the top and two at the bottom. These form points where the strap or bracelet attaches to the case. The distance between the lugs determines the strap or bracelet size. The total vertical length from the top lug to bottom lug determines whether the watch will fit your wrist (or will be too long).

Pusher

Watches such as chronographs with additional functionality have buttons called pushers to control the functions.

Case diameter

Case diameters are measured in millimeters and typically range from 23mm to 50mm.

Movement

The movement is how the watch is powered. Watches can be powered mechanically (automatic or manual) or via a battery and quartz crystal (referred to as “quartz”).

Quartz

Quartz watches contain a tiny quartz crystal that vibrates (typically once a second) when an electrical current passes through it (powered by a battery). These vibrations regulate a motor that moves the watch hands. Watches can be either quartz or mechanical.

Mechanical

Mechanical watches have mechanical movement powered by a mainspring instead of a battery. These watches can be automatic (self-winding) or manual (require manual winding).

Automatic/self-winding

Automatic or self-winding watches are mechanical watches that you don’t wind manually. These watches wind themselves through the movements of your wrist.

Manual

Manual watches are mechanical watches that require you to wind them manually (by turning the crown to wind the coiled mainspring) to power them. A wound watch typically has enough energy to be powered by 40-80 hours before requiring additional winding. Some watches have longer mainsprings or other mechanics for longer life.

Mainspring

The mainspring is a coiled spring inside a mechanical watch. When you wind a manual mechanical watch (or your wrist movement winds an automatic mechanical watch), the mainspring coil tightens. This spring slowly unwinds, which releases energy to drive the gears and in turn causes the hand movement.

Analog

Analog watches have hands and markers on the face rather than a digital display. An “analog quartz” watch is a watch that doesn’t have a digital display and is powered by a battery and quartz crystal.

Band

The watch band can be either a strap (typically adjusted with a buckle) or a bracelet (typically made of metal links).

Strap

A watch strap is made of a flexible material, such as leather, canvas, or rubber. It is typically adjustable with a buckle.

Bracelet

A watch bracelet is made of metal links and is typically adjustable by adding or removing links. It generally closes with a clasp.

Chronograph

A chronograph watch includes stopwatch functionality. This type of watch has two or three subdials for tracking seconds, minutes, and/or hours, along with a start/start and reset button.

Military

A military style watch is rugged, easily to read, and has only necessary functionality to reduce points of failure. These watches often have a matte finish (to reduce reflections), large numbers and easy-to-see hands on the face, a durable strap, and are shock and water resistant.

Pilot

A pilot style watch is easy to read and use and includes a GMT (displays two time zones) or chronograph (stop watch) function to help tracking time zones and flight times. These watches are large (generally 42mm+) with a high contrast dial, have an oversized crown that’s easy to use with gloves, and generally feature an indicator (such as a triangle) at 12:00 for quick orientation in low light or turbulence.

Scuba/Dive

A scuba (or dive) watch is built to be used underwater. It’s water resistant to at least 100m, has luminated hands and markers to increase visibility in dark areas, has a unidirectional rotating bezel to track dive time, and features a screw-down crown and case back for a watertight seal.