Watch Types
In the world of high quality watches there are many different types, each designed for specific reasons to suit the particular needs of the wearer. It is useful to consider these types in the selection of a new watch so as to be certain that the correct type is chosen to fit well into the life style of the wearer and also to meet the expectations of the watch that one has.
Fashion watches are a type of watch that are primarily designed with their looks in mind. This does not mean that they are automatically lacking in functions (also called complications), it merely means that aesthetic appeal is their primary function beyond that of telling the time accurately. Many times, fashion watches are actually so amazing in appearance that they are closer to jewelry or even works of art than they are to a simple utilitarian watch. The more expensive the watch, the more likely it is to be a primary personal adornment and symbol of success.
Men’s dress watches vary in their style with the recent rise of highly complex sports watches, which are both rugged and rich in a variety of complications, coming to be seen as dress watches for men due to their sheer expense. In the past, a solid gold watch with a typically thin band was considered a men’s dress watch and was generally preferable in a more plain style. Women’s dress watches, on the other hand, are often small but far more intricate in their details, containing a selection of jewelry worthy gem stones arranged in various patterns. Costume watches for women offer a cheaper alternative to the general jewelry type watch. Geek watches, while not necessarily dress watches, are considered another type of fashion watch that offers satellite navigation, anticlockwise time display and other complications suited to the geek subculture.
Space watches are sought after because of their profound complications that make them very interesting for collectors and the average watch enthusiast alike. This type of watch must undergo extensive testing as if it were actually going to be worn into the zero gravity environment of outer space, an attractive feature for many. These durable and highly precise watches have quite a fan base, many of whom favor the Omega brand since it is associated with NASA or the brands of TAG Hauer and Breitling.
Watches designed for scuba diving have a strong fan base, as well, because this type of watch has a high level of durability and is obviously resistant to water. Using gaskets to form a water tight seal with the proper sealant, they are able to resist water. Since the International Organization for Standardizations does not allow the term “water proof” to be used with watches, water resistant has become the descriptive term of choice for most manufacturers. Heavy testing in a lab setting is used to ensure that the watches live up to their claims of water resistance to make them safe and usable not only for scuba divers, but the general public.