

*This guide is not complete, I will add more stuff, feel free to contribute in the comments. Last Edit: 23/02/2026
Buying a watch may seem simple, but there are five things you have to look out for first before buying.
-
Fitting: There are many sizes of watches; some may seem big and heavy or too small on your hand. Picking the right size is very important. That’s why you should always try a watch on your hand first!
Watch Size Guide: What’s the Perfect Size for Your Wrist?
How to Measure Your Wrist for a Watch: A Step-by-Step -
Price/Budget: Ask yourself first, “How much am I willing to pay for a watch?” Then set a price range and search for the one you are looking for.
-
Movement: Movements are the heart of the watch, what makes them operate every day, and so there are three movements to choose from: quartz, manual, and automatic.
-
3.1 Quartz watch movement uses a battery as its primary power source to keep time. Quartz watches are also known for accurate timekeeping.
-
3.2 Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the watch by hand regularly. Turning the crown winds the mainspring, storing energy that powers the watch until it needs winding again.
-
3.3 Automatic watch movements, also known as self-winding movements, harness the natural motion of the wearer's wrist. A rotor inside the watch spins with movement, winding the mainspring automatically.
Different Watch Movements Explained
Watch Movement Types Explained By The Experts
-
-
Style/design: Whether you are looking for a dress watch, a diver's watch, or an everyday watch, you have to choose based on your style. Be sure to consider the colour of the case, the dial, the straps, the numerics (Roman or Arabic), and so on.
The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide
A Man’s Guide to Wristwatches: How to Choose a Watch
Watch Brand hierarchy/guide
| Consumer | Enthusiast | Quasi-Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Bulova | Alpina | Anordain |
| Calvin Klein | Archimede | Ball |
| Casio | Aristo | Baume & Mercier |
| Citizen | Damasko | Christopher Ward |
| DW | Doxa | Ebel |
| Fossil | Edox | Eberhard |
| Invicta | Farer | Epos |
| Junkers | Glycine | Eterna |
| Mathey Tissot | Hamilton | Formex |
| Mondaine | Laco | Fortis |
| Movado | Le Jour | Gucci |
| MVMT | Luminox | Hanhart |
| Nixon | Marathon | Junghans |
| Orient | Revue Thommen | Longines |
| Pulsar | Seiko Prospex | Maurice Lacroix |
| Sea-gull | SevenFriday | Meister Singer |
| Seiko | Squales | Mido |
| Skagen | Steinhart | Monta |
| Stuhrling | Stowa | Muehle-Glashuette |
| Swatch | Yema | Oris |
| Timex | Zodiac | Rado |
| Tissot | Frédérique Constant | Raymond Weil |
| Victorinox | Sinn | |
| Vostok | Titoni | |
| Tourby | ||
| Tutima | ||
| Union Glashuette/SA | ||
| Wempe | ||
| ZRC |
| Entry-Leven Luxury | Luxury | High-End Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Bell & Ross | Breitling | BlancPain |
| Bremont | Bulgari | Row 2 |
| Carl F.Bucherer | Cartier | Chopard |
| Chanel | ChronoSwiss | Credor |
| Graham | Corum | Frank Muller |
| Hermes | Dior | Girard-Perregaux |
| Kurono Tokyo | Grand Seiko | Glashuette Original |
| Minase | IWC | Harry Winston |
| Ming | Louis Vuitton | Hubolt |
| MontBlanc | Officine Panerai | Jaeger-Le-Coultre |
| Nomos | Omega | Roger Dubuis |
| TagHeuer | Zenith | Rolex |
| Tiffany & Co | Ulysse Nardin | |
| Tudor | ||
| Vulcain |
| Ultra Luxury |
|---|
| A. Lange & Söhne |
| Richard Mile |
| Armin Strom |
| Arnold & Son |
| Audemars Piguet |
| Bovet |
| Breguet |
| CZAPEK |
| H. Moser & Cie. |
| Jaquet Droz |
| MB&F |
| Patek Philippe |
| Piaget |
| Ressence |
| Vacheron Constantin |
| Van Cleef & Arpels |
AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants)
F.P Journe
Philippe Dufour
Photo Guides



Do you want to news about expensive watches and anything else regarding watches? Check these websites:
All Watch News
Monochrome-Watches
Watches by sjx
Hodinkee
A Blog to Watch
Worn & Wound
Fratello Watches
Quill & Pad
Watchicity
Time & Tide Watches
Where does solar fit in? I'm guessing the movement is quartz, but with power coming from light rather than (only) a battery? Also, and this might be outside the scope, what about mentioning kinetic watches? Many, many years ago, I asked a shop owner about fixing a kinetic watch and he pointedly told me that I had a self-winding watch, not a kinetic one. I assume (hope?) I'm not the only one who's made that mistake.
Best Affordable Dive Watches If You’re Tired of the Seiko Turtle
8h 31m ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from twobrokewatchsnobs.comMechanical Watch: Exploded View - Fredrik F. Ellertsen
8h 33m ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from fellerts.noThe Updated Traska Venturer GMT Doesn't Wander Far — Just Far Enough
8h 29m ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comMechanical Watch | a guide to build a mechanical watch
1d 3h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from ciechanow.skiInsight: The Chain and Fusée
1d 3h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from watchesbysjx.comMoonwatch Dials: The Most Expensive Book I’ve Ever Bought
1d 3h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comNew releases from MB&F, Hanhart, Angelus and more | LAST WEEK IN WATCHES
2d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from timeandtidewatches.comIn-Depth: Diving with the new Doxa SUB 200 T.Graph II, The Return of the Brand’s Diving Chronograph
2d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comNews: Philippe Stern, Honorary President of Patek Philippe, Passed Away on 14 June 2026
2d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comBest Watches For Everyday Wear Under $1000
7d 11h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from twobrokewatchsnobs.comIntroducing: Hodinkee Magazine Volume 16
6d 14h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.hodinkee.comIntroducing the Autodromo Group C Turbo Sport, the Brand's First Ana-Digi Watch
6d 14h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from wornandwound.comCitizen Loads a Tide Graph and Sailing Compass Into an Affordable Eco-Drive Watch
7d 11h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from twobrokewatchsnobs.comInsider: Breguet Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035—Blue Grand Feu Enamel and Open Architecture in Rose Gold — WATCH COLLECTING LIFESTYLE
7d 11h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.watchcollectinglifestyle.comSea-Gull gives its signature 1963 chronograph a full overhaul with new 1963 Premium models
7d 11h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from timeandtidewatches.comOne Watch To Rule Them All: What Is Your "Set And Forget" Watch?
9d 5h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comA Majestic Journey Through Clocks & Watches Made for Royalty: King Philip II of Spain and the Rise of a Dynasty that Ruled by the Clock - Worn & Wound
9d 5h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from wornandwound.comAwake Sơn Mài Union Jack | HANDS ON
10d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from timeandtidewatches.comBring a Loupe: A Cartier Platinum Pocket Watch, A Gilt Rolex Explorer, An Omega Railmaster, And A Broad Arrow Polerouter
11d 9h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.hodinkee.comeBay Finds: A Waltham in Great Condition, a Few Affordable Seikos, and the Most 80s Watch You've Ever Seen - Worn & Wound
11d 9h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from wornandwound.comRado Just Dropped Three Skeleton Automatic Watches With Seriously Great Colors | Two Broke Watch Snobs
11d 9h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from twobrokewatchsnobs.comGuide to Mechanical Watches
12d 1h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from tbjewelers.comWhat are your favorite unusual/unique/weird watches?
12d 6h ago by suppo.fi/u/cm0002 in watches@lemmy.zip from lemmy.zipTimex Atelier Chronograph Automatic M1a Titanium Watch Review: Neo-Vintage Italian Charm
12d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.ablogtowatch.comHands-On With My Latest Purchase — The Sinn 103 St Ty Hd
12d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comDispatch: A Visit to Philippe Dufour's Workshop, Thirteen Years Since Our Last
13d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.hodinkee.comSeiko Celebrates 60 Years Of PADI With A Limited-Edition "Turtle" — Meet The HBB002
13d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comThe 5 Best Dive Watches of 2026 So Far | Two Broke Watch Snobs
13d 7h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from twobrokewatchsnobs.comReading Time at HSNY: Playtime — Horological Society of New York
14d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from hs-ny.orgIntroducing: The Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition, a Baseball-Themed Big Crown Pointer Date
14d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comA Petite, Powerful Movement Inside Blancpain’s Marilyn Monroe Watch | SJX Watches
14d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from watchesbysjx.comJust Because: The Well-Timed Release of the Ochs und Junior Pendant Watches
14d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comFratello On Air: Catching Up, Accutrons, And Family Additions
15d 5h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comThe New Delma Commander 40mm, A More Compact and Versatile Pilot's Watch
15d 5h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comHands-on: The Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite, a Celestial Dial for the 75th Anniversary
15d 5h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comRoger Dubuis Excalibur Lady Of The Lake Sylvan Green Watch With New 36mm Case Hands-On
16d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.ablogtowatch.comArcange Selenograph
16d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from timeandtidewatches.comPraesidus Commemorates The 82nd Anniversary Of D-Day With The A-11 LMUV — Featuring Dials Made From Willys MB Jeeps
16d 6h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comBring a Loupe: A Polerouter Super, A Movado Bill Time, A Vintage Rolex Sub, And A Louis Vuitton Monterey II
17d 14h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.hodinkee.comA map with Microbrand watches
17d 23h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from microbrandatlas.comPondering Swatch’s Relevance: Is Adrenaline-Fueled Hype Enough To Remain A Player In The Watch Game?
19d 12h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.fratellowatches.comRussell Crowe gushes over Parmigiani, Czapek releases new documentary, TAG Heuer announces new INDYCAR brand partner
19d 12h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from timeandtidewatches.comFirst Look: The Favre Leuba Deep Raider Revival Orange, a Colourful and Sporty Retro Diver
19d 12h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comFirst Look: The Complex Oris Artelier Calibre 113 with Business Calendar
20d 4h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comIntroducing: Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne Holland Edition
20d 8h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from monochrome-watches.comMy new Timex Expedition Field Post Titanium Automatic
20d 18h ago by retrolemmy.com/u/JakeSparkleChicken in watches@lemmy.zip from lemmy.zipInsider: Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing Mystery—Hands-on with the World's Thinnest Mechanical Watch — WATCH COLLECTING LIFESTYLE
21d 1h ago by lemmy.zip/u/roserose56 in watches@lemmy.zip from www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com













































