Selecting a Good Watch

With so many manufacturers, styles, and places to buy watches, the process of shopping for a watch can be overwhelming. Luckily, the variety of styles, price points, and types of watches available make it possible to find a watch to suit each person's individual needs. Besides the choice of a men's or women's watch, factors you may want to consider when shopping for a timepiece include style, price, and type of mechanism.

Beyond the designation of men's, women's and kids' watches, timepieces can be categorized by the type of movement, metal or leather bands, and by style. Today most watches have highly accurate quartz movement, but classic mechanical workings can still be found, especially in luxury models.

Price Point is the first decision you need to make when you start shopping. Quality quartz watches are available from the $30 to $40 dollar fashion price point, and luxury timepieces can be as expensive as an $80,000 diamond encrusted Rolex. For a cute trendy fashion watch, check out the TOCS watches from tocswatches.com. Their Glitz model, at $65, was featured on Oprah's O List for 2008. Another TOCS model that really stands out is the Ani-Digi Solar Alarm Chrono model. This watch is solar (or indoor light) powered and also has a lifetime battery backup. On the luxury side of watch shopping, the Titanium Men's Tissot T-Touch is an example of a sporty styled luxury watch. We priced the Tissot T-Touch Classic Touch Screen Watch at $595.00 eWatches.com. This is great status watch, with a sporty and technical style.

Rolex Daytona Oyster Perpetual models retail around $11,000 dollars for basic models and are the most classic example of the watch as status item. When you are wearing a Rolex, everyone will know the quality. They keep their value forever. Vintage Rolexes remain highly collectible.

After deciding price point, the next thing to consider is the style. Both men's and women's watches come in an array of styles from sporty to elegant. Jewelery styled watches are perfect for an elegant evening look, or you may prefer the sport look of a divers watch. There are also technical models with digital displays and advanced features. Looking for something with a geek charm reminiscent of the 1980's? Try a Casio calculator watch. Amazon.com sells models ranging from under $20 up to $75.00.

One of the most important decisions you will make when watch shopping is the type of mechanism. One man we know requires a self winding watch with no battery. He literally cannot keep a battery running in a watch for more than a few months before they burn out. For this gentleman the solution was a Citizen Eco Drive. Citizen is one of the most popular watch manufacturer in the world. The gentleman described above wears a Citizen Eco-Drive WR-100 with a titanium bracelet. A similar watch is available from Amazon.com for $255.00.

Keep your watch shopping fun by trying on different models at a retailer in your area. If you are having a difficult time deciding on the perfect watch for you, remember that there is no reason you have to settle for only one. You may like to have a special watch for evening wear, and an everyday watch for work. Fashion watches are available in all sorts of colors and styles. With all of the lovely choices available who could fault the watch shopper for ending up with a watch to match each outfit and event.