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Whether or not you are considering a first time purchase or are a novice or serious collector, there are many features to consider prior to making a watch purchase. In no particular order, here are a number of options available to you.
- Would you prefer a mechanical, quartz, sun powered or an automatic model powered by wrist motions? The latter two choices do not require a battery.
- Would your timepiece be worn primarily for work, sports, and causal or after dark, dressy functions? While one model might serve all possibilities, it's very practical to own several models to best fit the occasion.
- Consider the shape and size of the dial; the traditional round dial, the more modern square or rectangular dial or the futuristic styles that come in an array of shapes and sizes.
- Is a genuine leather strap, a rubber strap or a stainless steel bracelet that may need to be re-sized by a jeweler more appealing to you?
- You need to consider if you prefer a simple timepiece which may or may not contain a date window, or a multifunction model featuring subsidiary dials that may indicate the month, year, 24-hour day/night and a power reserve. Other models have even more bells and whistles such as a chronograph, stopwatch feature, alarm and multiple time zones.
- Although the number of jewels may not be a major consideration, other qualities are important to consider; Swiss timepieces have been made for over 300 years and are known for their high quality standards. Some timepieces feature a sapphire or a sapphire top-coated crystal. The diamond is the only gem that can scratch a sapphire, hence the ability to maintain a scratch-free crystal for years. Some manufacturers utilize the 316 L series of stainless steel on their bezels, cases, bracelets and or buckles. This is the finest quality available.
- While there are other factors to consider (e.g. $$$), one should consider the features listed above rather than walking into a discount store and saying “I want that one”.
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Goldsmiths and other jewelers began crafting timepieces in Geneva as early as 1541 and by the end of the century these timepieces were valued for their high quality. With an increasing number of watchmakers in Geneva, many migrated to the Neuchatel Mountains. This northwestern region of Switzerland was referred to as "Watch Valley". Daniel Jean Richard, the founder of watch making in this region, produced the first watch without any training. Over three hundred years later, this area boasts the highest concentration of watchmaking companies in Switzerland.
The beginning of the 19th century spawned an increasing number of steamboats and railroads. Swiss timepieces were no longer reserved just for the wealthy due to the expanded need for timekeeping and scheduling. These requirements escalated the sale of pocket watches not only for the conductors and steamboat crews, but for their customers. As World War I was beginning, Maurice Eberle was granted a Swiss patent for innovative watch movements and continued to elevate overall watch construction.
Swiss watchmaking became a state-of-the-art industry that included the first wristwatch, the first water resistant wrist watch, the first quartz movement, the thinnest wristwatch, etc.
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| The following presentation does not presume to be an inclusive listing of all the finest qualities found in all Luxury/Prestigious timepieces. Rather, it is a representation of selected features that increase the value and desire to own one of these fine timepieces. The first characttistic is name recognition such as Rolex, Conino Lamborghini and Tag Hauer. These timepieces not only retain their value, but they are much sought after for their prestigious value. The feature that immediately comes to mind is "Swiss made". Many of the pioneer watchmakers were of Swiss descent who not only crafted timepieces of the highest quality and strived to improve their creations; they very often worked with family members and passed their skills and knowledge to their sons. Another sought after feature is a sapphire crystal or a sapphire top-coated crystal. Sapphires are very hard gems that can only be scratched (in the gem world) by a diamond. This feature rewards the owner with many years of scratch-free viewing of the time. Many Luxury watches feature 316L series stainless steel cases, bracelets and/or buckles. This is the highest grade of stainless steel used in watchmaking and produces a very high sheen.
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As we started this website, we had thought selling watches would be a desirable line of products to sell. As a result, my husband has become a watch afficionado and I have learned far more than I ever thought I would know about watches (a good thing). There are so, so many brands with different designs and features that it's sometimes hard not to keep some of them for ourselves.
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