Watch Buying Guide & Strap Adjustment

 Buying The Correct Watch          

Choosing the right watch can sometimes feel like a test.

As with all fashion, choosing a watch means deciding what statement you want to make. Afterall, a cursory glance at your wrist (assuming that’s where you wear your watch) can tell a stranger a lot about who you are: a besuited traditionalist, sleek minimalist, bold and proud or a seasoned retrophile.

Frankly, that’s all on you – we’re not here to dictate. We’re proud of you whatever – like a slightly overbearing parent figure.

That said – the nitty gritty technical aspects can be confusing. So, here’s a run-down of all you need to know about watch ‘tech specs’ and strap considerations (it’s a thing – trust us).

 

Movement & Features

The watch movement is the internal mechanism that makes a watch 'tick'.

The movement is often the heart of the watch and the design housing it. While all watches show you the standard time, more complex movements can also power features like a chronograph (stopwatch), dual time zone, GMT, date and many more.

There are three types of movement to watch out for (pun fully intended), each one a reflection of your needs and budget.

  • Quartz: Found inside most watches, Quartz movements are your trusty, reliable, battery-powered stalwarts of the timepiece world. They also tend to be incredibly accurate, though you’ll want to fit a new battery every couple of years to avoid stopping time.

 

  • Mechanical (Automatic): Known as a ‘self-winding’ movement and less common than Quartz, these technical marvels harness the power of your kinetic energy, keeping time ticking by your activity. A backup power reserve affords you around 48 hours of naked wrists, though you can manually charge by twisting the crown. When you get restless, remove the watch and flip over the watch – there may be a little glass window showcasing its exquisitely crafted movement in action. Predictably, these watches tend to be pricier.

 

  • Mechanical (Manual): In most respects, this manual movements are exactly the same as automatic – with one pretty major difference that you may have guessed already… you’ll need to manually twist the crown to keep time. No pressure.

 

Strap Adjustment          

You purchase a new watch, and one of three things happen: it’s too loose, too tight or it’s just right. Here’s how we recommend overcoming the ‘goldilocks conundrum’.

  • Leather & Silicone/Rubber: These straps are easily adjusted at any time by pulling the clasp to the correct hole. If your wrist is still too small – or too large – then contact us and we’ll see if we can find you a different sized strap. That or punch in some more holes.  

 

  • Mesh Bracelet: Mesh bracelets are the easiest to adjust. Simply un-clip from its current position by lifting the metal section in the direction of the arrow. Once lifted, move to the correct position and close shut. Easy.
  • Metal Link bracelet: Although these bracelets are the most difficult to adjust, there are several options available:
    • A jeweller will remove links for a small fee.
    • We can also do it for you – contact us and we’ll make the adjustment for you – but beware that this will void the return period.
    • To do it yourself, when you purchase, select the option on the product page to purchase a metal link removal tool. Look for arrows to show you which direction to push the pin out. 

If you’d prefer to talk to us about strap adjustments or to help you choose the right watch, our team would love to help – contact us today.