Watches have evolved so much over the past years. While these little machines on your wrist have one main function, telling time, they are also often a style statement. Recent evolutions have made them much smarter, of course, with some having advanced features like being able to take an ECG or check phone notifications with a twist of the hand. The world of watches might seem small, but there's a lot to know about them, and if you're new to it all, then here are some common types of watches you should know about so you can find one that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic.
Types Of Watches: A Comprehensive Guide On The 9 Essential Ones To Know About
Types According To Functionality
Analogue Watch
Analogue watches may look simple, with two or three hands that indicate time on a numbered dial, but they involve a movement of intricate gears. These types of wristwatches embody the essence of traditional horology (the art of watchmaking) and the beauty of mechanical precision. Its simplicity is what really makes it lovely. When it comes to fashion, these types of watches are a wardrobe essential, a classic and timeless piece that completes any look.
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Smartwatch
Digital Watch
Before smartwatches came about, digital watches ruled the roost by being the most trendy high-tech timepieces to sport. They’re classic, sophisticated, and of course, sturdy, reliable, and able to survive pretty much anything. Easily nostalgia-inducing in every 90s kid. These types of watches don't have dials, gears and needles but rather a screen that tells time with precision.
Pro-Tip: Check out digital watches to buy online here.
Hybrid Watch
A hybrid watch combines the greatest features of digital and analogue watches. These types of watches keep the classic look of a wristwatch while providing state-of-the-art features. They typically have a secondary dial or display on the main one. You may use it to keep tabs on your vitals (heart rate, steps taken, and sleep quality), as well as receive alerts and incoming calls.
Chronograph Watches
Chronograph watches are known for their stopwatch functionality, which is what makes them a popular choice among athletes and racing enthusiasts. The intricate subdials and pushers add a sporty yet sophisticated touch to these timepieces. Chronograph watches have two or three subdials, and two pushers that initiate and terminate the stopwatch functions with immense accuracy.
Types According To Watch Movement
Mechanical Watch
A mechanical watch is driven by its main spring. The fundamental mechanical system for powering this watch is by slowly unwinding the spring. The strain of the spring unwinding gradually (rather than all at once) drives a set of toothed wheels, which in turn move the dial's hands. Of course, such types of wristwatches do not require batteries. All of this may sound complex, but all together brings a watch that's a result of pure craftsmanship. Usually, the seconds hand sweeps rather than ticking, which just adds to the beauty of it all.
Automatic Watch
Automatic watches feature a self-winding mechanism to keep the watch running. This means that this type of watch uses the movement of your wrist to wind the mainspring instead of manually winding them by turning the crown, and needs no batteries. Your watch's mainspring allows it to retain precise time for a long period without needing to be wound. Many designs feature a transparent back panel, so you may observe the inner workings. Needless to say, the heart of these timepieces is the mechanism inside. If you don't regularly check the time on your wrist, the automatic movement in your watch may stop ticking and require a thorough shake to get it going again.
Quartz Watch
A quartz watch resembles a mechanical watch but is powered by batteries rather than being wound manually. This watch is noted for its precision and is less expensive than mechanical watches.
Solar Watch
A solar watch, as the name implies, is a type of wristwatch that is powered entirely or partially by sunlight. Sunlight gets absorbed, collected, and converted into electricity, making this one of the more sustainable choices when it comes to buying watches. The solar cells are usually hidden under semi-transparent dials or even on top of the dial or screen of the watch.