Watches are one of the most popular accessories. In addition to keeping time, they convey a sense of style and status. Almost everyone has seen someone wearing an impressive looking watch and at least in the back of their mind thought “they’ve got it going on”. A good watch carries a different vibe than most accessories. Most people either own at least one watch or several and can name at least a few of the most popular watch brands on the market. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn't familiar with the name Rolex or Timex but when it comes to choosing a watch, the style options and functions along with the quality of craftsmanship are the bottom line.
Popular Watch Styles
There’s a lot of watch styles that people may choose to pick up. Some of the most popular ones include:
- Automatic - With automatic, or self-winding, watches there's no need to replace batteries because they wind themselves with the motion of arm and wrist movement using a pivot system. They are designed to store enough energy to operate the movement of the watch for up to 2 days without any movement on the wearer's part so no need to continually reset the dial. They've been around since 1923 and have maintained their popularity throughout the years. Seiko, Patek Philippe, and Rolex are just a few of the most popular brands of automatic watches.
- Chronograph - The familiar looking but often misunderstood watch, the chronograph showcases a number of subdial features that provide tools for sports and fitness enthusiasts, astronauts, sailors, doctors and collectors alike. Usually featuring at least one stopwatch, modern versions can make complex calculations like measuring tides, heartbeats, and split second measurements. Popular chronographs include the Rolex Daytona, the Omega Speedmaster, and the TAG Heuer Carrera.
- Skeleton Watches - The squelette style watch, recognized as the skeleton watch in English, is a favorite among collectors and gadget enthusiasts. Designed to reveal the working mechanisms inside the watch, they vary in how much of the insides are exposed, from just a small peak on the face, to entirely transparent cases that reveal the watch's inner mechanisms. They were once mostly featured on pocket watches but can now be found on a variety of modern wrist-worn watches. The artful and intriguing design has made them an enduring favorite over the years. Lucien Piccard Loft Automatic, Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart, and the Tissot T-Complication Squelette are just a few popular skeleton watches.
- Smartwatches - The smartwatch digital device keeps time but also includes a variety of features such as a heart rate monitor, activity tracker, notifications, pedometer and sleep monitor. Similar to a smartphone, these devices are worn on the wrist and connect with the internet through data and wifi services. So whether you want to check stock prices, monitor the weather or play your favorite web-based game, the smartwatch might be the right choice. Popular smartwatches include the Apple Watch Series 6, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 and the Fitbit Sense.
Best Watchmakers
Watchmaking is an art form as well as a science. From the casing design to the precise movements of the mechanisms that keep time, the most important innovations in the industry were introduced by horologists, or watchmakers, you may have never heard of. These watchmakers are known for their expert craftsmanship and unique contributions to our favorite fashion accessory.
- Abraham Louis Breguet - Abraham Louis Breguet, who lived from 1747-1823, created over 17,000 hand-crafted unique timepieces, with no two alike. The father of the self-winding watch, he is remembered for his craftsmanship and many innovations including better shock protection and for increasing the watch's accuracy with the continuously rotating tourbillon.
- George Daniels - Another important innovator in horology, George Daniels, was responsible for designing the coaxial escapement that catapulted watchmaking into the 21st century. The escapement is responsible for providing the impulses within a clock or watch that advances the hands on the timepiece. His innovation eliminated the sliding friction customary in timepieces, to provide more precise timekeeping.
- Pierre Michel Golay - Today, Pierre Michel Golay is considered one of the best watchmakers in the world. During his early career, he worked with Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe and eventually gained fame with his creation of the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4. Considered the most intricately designed wristwatch in the world, Golay managed to include 36 unique functions, known as complications, in the world of watchmaking.