If you are interested in wristwatches or just like them, you will most likely want to start your collection or at least buy your first luxury watches for yourself. However, in order to make the right choice and not regret the money and nerves spent later, read this article, in which we describe the criteria for choosing a Swiss watch.
The reason for the popularity of Swiss-made watches
Why, when we talk about luxury watches, do we immediately think of Swiss ones? Did you even know that the Swiss watch industry is about 500 years old? They were high-class specialists who mastered processing precious metals and stones, who created magnificent jewelry and watches. However, the ideas of Protestantism that Luther preached came into conflict with the desire for luxury, so making jewelry was not very promising. Competition between jewelers led them to study watchmaking as they required similar technical skills. As a result, the first professional guild of watchmakers was created in 1601 in the same place in Geneva. It included several hundred people at once. In one city, it became more and more difficult for such a large number of craftsmen to sell their products, so they settled further from the capital. Thus, tens and hundreds of workshops appeared in all parts of Switzerland. It took the country about 50 years to become the leading watch manufacturer globally!
The main criteria for choosing a Swiss-made watch
- Quartz or mechanical ones.
You may wonder which Swiss watch to choose – quartz or mechanical. Which mechanism is better and more durable to use?
- Quartz watches differ from mechanical devices of the power supply system of the watch movement, which significantly affects its accuracy and other qualities. A quartz watch is powered by a battery installed in it, from which power is supplied to the electronic unit and the stepper motor. Every second, an impulse sent by the electronic unit to the engine allows them to move.
- The operation of a mechanical watch is mainly dependent on a coil spring. When winding up the watch, the spring is twisted. Then it begins to spin, the movement is transferred to the device, which starts the operation of the entire watch.
It turns out that even inexpensive versions of quartz watches are superior in accuracy to mechanical ones. However, a mechanical watch often plays the role of a status accessory.
- Water resistance
There are significant differences in waterproof models. A small amount of water will not hurt most water-resistant watches in a short period, such as after being exposed to rain or washing your hands. But, if you are going to take a shower or swim, it is better to take off the watch to avoid moisture getting inside and damage to the mechanism.
The indication on the watch of meters of water resistance corresponds to a certain pressure that the product can withstand. A bar is a metric unit of pressure, the pressure of a column of water ten meters. Just do not take this as permission to swim with the watch underwater at a depth of 10 or 30 meters.
- The degree of watch impermeability
- Sealed watch 3 atm (30 m) – 5 atm (50 m)
If the watch case has the “Water Resistant” or “Water Resistant 30m” badge, or 5 atm (50 m), this indicates the minimum level of water resistance. The mechanism can withstand pressure up to 3-5 atm. In general, you may not worry if it rains, but you cannot get into the shower, swim or dive with them.
- Sealed watch 10 ATM (100 m)
The inscription “WaterResistant 100m” on the case indicates that the watch movement can withstand a pressure of 10 atm. with this watch, you can attend any workout on the water, but it must be taken off before diving under the scuba diving.
- Hermetic watch 20 – 30 atm (200 – 300 m)
Products labeled “Water Resistant 200m” and above can be part of your scuba diving equipment, but the time is limited to a few hours.
- Glass type
Undoubtedly, one of the most critical functions – a protective one – in a watch is performed by the glass. After all, any speck of dust that gets into the device can cause damage. Also, thanks to the glass, the dial is protected from various mechanical damages. The quality of the glass affects how well the readings are visible on the dial. For example, sports watches are equipped with anti-reflective glass to improve visibility. The additional properties and improved characteristics of the glass are reflected in the cost of the watch.
- The cost of a Swiss watch
The cost of a watch fluctuates greatly and depends on several factors: the popularity of the manufacturer, the complexity of the mechanism, decoration with precious stones, crystals, and other elements. If buying a watch is not a matter of prestige for you, then sports or designer watches can be selected among quartz models with high accuracy. In this case, you will gain in price and quality. Today, products are produced in different price categories, and you can choose a model at quite reasonable prices.
Where to buy your first luxury watch?
Without a doubt, to choose a branded Swiss watch, you need to go to a brand boutique or contact an official distributor. On the Internet, many Swiss-made watch portals represent Swiss brands, where you can find information about points of sale. Here you can compare prices, find out addresses of stores with a wide range of products, such as swiss formex, and not waste time analyzing the market yourself. On the site’s pages, it is convenient to get acquainted with the offers and characteristics of the best watches. You just have to choose the model you like, and the experts will advise on all issues.