How to Buy Men s Watches

Women have handbags, bracelets, brooches and more to choose from when it comes to accessories. For men,prada handbags, on the other hand, it’s all about the watch. Like a good handmade necktie or a pair of bespoke leather shoes, a good wristwatch is a piece of men’s fashion that has both function and a major statement. Your choice of watch is important not just because of the price, but because it’s part of the impression that you create on others.

The Bezel
In horology lingo, the bezel is that metal part, usually a rectangle or circle, that goes around the glass front of the watch. It comes in a variety of materials, and the appearance of the bezel usually dictates much of the final look of the watch as a whole.

Metals make the stylish man, at least with respect to the bezel. Steel is the most common and therefore least expensive of the metals used on watch bezels, while pricey platinum is on the other end of the cost scale. In between are, in increasing order of cost, yellow gold, pink gold and white gold. It’s not just about the outright tag price, though; pricier metals now very often turn out to be much better investments in the long run.

You’ll want to pay considerable attention to the bezel because it’s one of the most visible parts of the watch. A too-flashy or overly shiny bezel might make the wrong impression at a formal affair, while a bezel that’s too tame might not even make an impression.

The Strap
Makers of fine watches use any one of just three materials for fastening the watch to your wrist. There are PVC straps, which are often limited to sport models and pieces you’re expected to wear when sweaty. Metal bracelets are common in low- to mid-range pieces, while leather straps can be found across the whole horological spectrum.

Unless you’re wearing one of those wear-them-while-you-swim watches, a PVC strap is a risky proposition. Not only is the plastic much too casual for a good many occasions, but any situation that calls for a PVC strap probably isn’t one that needs a fashionable watch. Only consider this if you really, really need a watch in a rugged situation like sports.

Metals are a much more fashion-friendly option, whether you’re going casual or really dressing it up. Although metal bracelets are replaceable, it’s still a good idea to go with the stock bracelet for as long as possible, or at least have a replacement that looks very similar to the original. Your watch will look very awkward when the metals of the bezel and the bracelet don’t match, such as when you wear gold with steel or silver.

Leather is the most understated and probably the most versatile of all the possible strap materials. It doesn’t call attention to itself, but it works as the strap for many of the most expensive men’s timepieces in existence. When you’re in doubt about the kind of watch to wear, it’s very difficult to go wrong with leather straps.

The Design
Now that they’re putting so many bells and whistles into watches, the design of the watch tends to change along with its features as well. There’s a greater space for the design of the watches to vary, and you must always be conscious of the occasion where you plan to wear it.

Some of the more high-tech watches, the ones with pressure gauges, for example, often have extra knobs and buttons around the bezel. While this isn’t bad per se, a watch like that is going to be an awkward accessory at formal events. Imagine going to a charity gala in your tux and a watch that looks like a miniature space station. The less feature-heavy and more conservative the design of your watch, the safer a style choice it is.

In today’s digital world, items as artisanal as watches gain extra value, just like a pair of cobbler-made shoes. When chosen properly, a watch is a very small accessory that can make a very big message on your behalf, all without your saying anything.