Article: Gateway Watch Guide
Nobody needs watches anymore, we’ve all got phones that tell us the time. But you want your wrist to show some personality and not just remind you of the last time you got some sun.
If you’ve got ambitions to join the #watchfam but you don’t know where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
Let’s get the basics out of the way:
- Quartz: A quartz crystal is used to regulate time on the watch. The crystal is usually powered by a battery. Super accurate and affordable.
- Mechanical: A mechanical movement, time is regulated using a system of gears and springs. Usually classed as a automatic or handwound movement. What the watch losses in accuracy, it gains in coolness.
- Handwind: By turning the crown on the watch, the mainspring is put under tension and gives the watch power.
- Automatic: While still using a mechanical movement, power is given to the watch by a weight that is spun when the watch is physically moved in different directions, in turn winding the mainspring that powers the watch.
Now you’ve just got to ask yourself one question, do you want a quartz or mechanical watch to start this journey?
Quartz Recommendations
Snobby enthusiasts will turn their nose up at quartz watches and only recommend mechanical watches. But quartz watches still have relevance in the day of phone time keeping and luxury mechanical watch brands.
- Casio: One of the biggest quartz watch manufactures and an instant time machine into the 80’s. These watches haven’t changed much and there’s a reason for that, they just work. Pick up something digital and cheap and call it a day.
- G-Shock: Yes, they’re technically still Casio’s watches, but G-Shock’s deserve to be highlighted. Watches are usually small, delicate objects. But G-Shock’s are water and shockproof, and built to outlast the person that’s wearing it. If you’re scared of getting a giant watch, stick to the square G-Shock range, we’re huge fans.
- Recommendations: DW-5600E, GW-M5610BC, GMW-B5000
- Timex: Another horological giant, that’s gone through a lot of history. Like Seiko they have both affordable and slightly expensive models. If you want a traditional analogue watch that still delivers the goods, and isn’t a cheaply made fashion watch, you can’t go wrong with Timex.
- Recommendations: Weekender, Expedition, Waterbury, Fairfield
- Citizen: Another Japanese watchmaker in this section, provides loads of entry level watches. These are great for dipping your toe into the world of watches. Similar to Seiko, but without the huge following, they have some seriously great looking watches for their price.
- Recommendations: EcoDrive Range
Mechanical Recommendations
- Seiko: This brand punches well above it’s weight class. Almost bringing down the whole mechanical watch world by releasing the first quartz watch, they have everything you could ever want in a watch company. Affordable, mechanical, handwind, quartz and luxury watches, they make everything for everyone.
- Orient: Yes, Seiko does own Orient, but Orient still produce their own moments and have their own design style when it comes to watches. If you’re just getting started and can’t yet afford a Rolex, many enthusiasts started with an Orient or a Seiko.
- Tissot: Switzerland is the watch Mecca of the world, but most people don’t want to spend thousands on a hobby they don’t know much about. Tissot will scratch the Swiss itch and do it well. They have all the history and the backing of the big watch makers, but they won’t break the bank.
- Vintage: Buying a vintage watch isn’t something to be taken lightly, but bargains can be had for some seriously great timepieces. But the risks can be high, with frankenwatches abound and service costs that will make your wallet cry, but sometimes the search for the perfect piece is worth the reward.
- Recommendations: Omega, Rolex, King Seiko, Grand Seiko, Universal Geneve, Cartier, Heur
