The ultimate wrist accessory, watches have been part of our jewellery collections ever since the 16th Century when Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein designed the first timepiece to be worn on the body. Watches have evolved a great deal since those days, but how do you go about finding the perfect watch to suit you and your needs? We've put together a guide to help you find a classic timepiece that you'll want to wear for years to come!
First things first - size. Take a look at your wrist. Are you the sort of person who could carry off a large watch, or are you more suited to a smaller design that isn't going to overwhelm your and hand and seem heavy on the wrist? Whilst it comes down to personal taste, sizing should definitely be considered before investing in a potentially expensive piece. Whenever you read about millimetres on a watch specifications, it's regarding the diameter of the watch face. Men's watches tend to fall in the 34mm-50mm range, and usually anything above this tends to look a little outlandish, whilst women's watches come in slightly smaller at an average of 26mm-29mm. Think carefully when looking at the finer sizing details. Making sure that the watch is comfortable on your wrist is incredibly important, as it's likely that you'll be wearing this watch every day.
Consider your lifestyle. If you're very active, then perhaps a sports watch that you can wear whilst exercising might be a better option than one with flashy diamonds that you have to keep taking off. On the flip side of this, if you're in a corporate job then a designer watch is more likely a better choice, as it's a great way to make a style statement and add more intrigue to your outfit - particularly if you wear a suit and are looking for that ideal finishing touch.
Check for the features. Is it water resistant? Is the glass face scratch-proof? And what about other features - do you need to be able to read it in the dark, for example? Do you want to be able to swap straps at some point? A watch has to withstand more everyday wear-and-tear than any other jewellery piece you'll wear, so it's important to pick one that won't go faulty after a few months. The best watches can last for generations, making longevity a key factor when you decide to go shopping for a new timepiece. Go for a well-known manufacturer like Rolex, Gucci, or Rado, as all of these brands are renowned for their quality.
What material works best for you? Leather straps are always a classic choice, as are stainless steel pieces. Fabric straps are less common, but might be more comfortable. Again, analyse your lifestyle and see what options are available to you.
Pick your style and shape. Watches can vary widely, even as far as how the numbers are displayed. Do you prefer Roman numeral hour markers, or normal numbers? Some watches don't have any numbers at all and stick to a very minimalist look; others are much busier and can even show the date and other information such as alarms and even moon phases! Shape should also be considered. Whilst a circle watch face is the most classic choice, a rectangle or square shape might suit those who fancy something different.
Good luck finding the perfect piece! Here at Design Centre Jewellery, we have many designer watches on sale. Check them out now!
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