It’s easier than ever to buy great watches for men. There’s more information about watches in the form of thriving communities on the internet and Instagram such as The Idaho Watch Collective. In the age of smartwatches, there is near-universal acceptance of the idea that buying a traditional men’s watch is a smart choice—stylistically, financially, and spiritually.
It’s for those reasons that buying a timepiece can feel harder than it’s ever been. How is one supposed to choose between a mechanical or a quartz? What counts as a good investment? For the beginner, it can often seem as if there’s too much information to make a smart call. We’re pleased to say - that’s not really the case. Yes, buying a fine watch can be a bit daunting—not only because you’re investing your hard-earned money, but because it takes time to understand what you like, and why you like it.
Watches can be categorized two ways: dress and sports watches. Dress watches are typically slim in profile, made with the finest materials, and are usually outfitted with a leather strap. On the other hand, a sports watch often comes in steel with a matching steel bracelet, band of rubber, or fabric strap. The greatest variation comes within the sports watch category.
There is no greater dividing line in the world of watches than the one between quartz and mechanical movements. Mechanical watches are the apple of watch collectors’ eyes. The intricately made pieces rely on a series of wheels, gears, springs, and other mechanics to keep accurate time. Quartz pieces substitute almost all of that with a small crystal made of quartz, which manages to do the work of many different mechanical bits entirely on its own. Because of an abundance of the naturally occurring quartz crystal and the lack of expertise it takes to build a watch with one, these battery-powered watches are much more affordable. But serious collectors today prize mechanical watches for the same reason audiophiles keep buying vinyl, and fashion heads love handmade clothes—these watches take great skill to make, and there’s a real person behind each one rather than an assembly line.
Choose a timepiece that works best for your lifestyle. If deciding between them is difficult, the solution is simple. Own one of each.
Highlighting exclusive timepieces and new watches on the market, The Idaho Watch Collective is a social gathering space for connection with other like-minded luxury watch enthusiasts. Follow them on Instagram @theidahowatchcollective
“A timepiece doesn’t just represent time being displayed. It represents the achievements and triumphs that have established who you are in time.”
-Blake Simmons