Avoid watch buying errors
A little history of watches and several tips for purchasing the perfect watch. Aquis Date Relief, 43.5mm stainless steel case, stainless steel bracelet. Responsibility and luxury watchmaking haven’t always been natural bedfellows, but there are companies looking to change that. At the vanguard is Oris with its eco-conscious watches. Some use recycled materials, or there’s this, the Aquis Date Relief. Based on the brand’s still very reasonably priced diver’s watch, it’ll accompany expedition swimmer Ernst Bromeis as he attempts to cover 800km across Siberia’s Lake Baikal this summer, to draw our attention to the plight of the world’s water. Whether he makes it or not, the watch will be expected to hold up — its 43.5mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 300m. It gets its name from its bezel’s timer scale, produced in relief. All said, a good-looking watch for decent money with an important message behind it.
Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. When Swatch launched the Sistem51 — an autonomously assembled automatic movement boasting a 90-hour power reserve — it was a revelation, but its plastic case limited its appeal. Now you can get the same movement cased up in stainless steel, making it a more versatile option for everyday wear. No list of dirt-cheap watches is complete without the Seiko 5. Originally launched in 1963, the 5 has cultivated a feverish following amongst watch fans for its utilitarian mechanical movement and the value it provides. The Seiko 5 comes in many iterations, and the “Sea Urchin” dive watch is one of our favorites. In addition to using Seiko’s workhorse 7S36 automatic movement, it comes adorned with a unidirectional countdown bezel and steel bracelet.
Certina, founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1888, has always been a rather low-key brand. You may not know, but they were innovators in shock protection and water resistance, which is nearly weapons-grade on this watch. The rotating ceramic diving bezel on this 41mm beauty, usually a hallmark of much more expensive pieces, is scratch resistant and nearly indestructible, and the handsome strap features a deployment clasp. Shinola watches, assembled in Detroit, have sparked a renaissance in the Motor City and for American watch brands in general. One of their latest editions of their most popular design, the Runwell, is a subtle version of what can be a busy style. This is destined to become a classic design that will no doubt age well with it’s stainless steel case and durable leather strap. With a clean ivory-colored face and luminous hands, wearing this watch makes a statement that you value good design, but don’t need an overly expensive timepiece to speak for you.
WatchNerd aims to be the world’s go-to-source for watch enthusiasts to discover their perfect watch. Developed by watch lovers for watch lovers, it provides a smart, simple, and fun way to research the right watch for you. The team behind WatchNerd combines their passion for mechanical watches with their technological expertise, developing data-based solutions to give their community the confidence they need and deserve in a decision this significant. Their algorithm and data-driven approach allows them to proudly give unbiased advice, so users can find the watch that speaks to them, fully knowing all the most important information. Read extra details about Watch Enthusiasts Blog.
