Besides telling time and accessorizing, a watch is a personal expression of style and class. Over time, watches have improved from the classic analog to the stylish digital. Digital watches are more advanced in design, technology, and of course quality. Just like your outfits, you can have as many digital watches as you want, to fit a variety of occasions.
For instance, a sporty design accessorizes your gym wear perfectly and can also be a great fit for outdoor activities. A vintage design is a perfect accessory at the office or your chill spot after the office. In this article, we give you some factors to check out before buying a watch as well as some of our best selections in the market currently.
Water is the most detrimental factor for watches. Any quality watch should therefore be water-resistant. This aspect varies in degree; the least should be 3 ATM waterproof. A watch that is 3ATM waterproof can withstand hand washing, while 5ATM waterproof can withstand showering. A watch at 10 ATM water resistance means the watch can withstand up to 100meters or 10 bar water pressure. The degree of water resistance is usually marked at the back of the watch.
The typical digital watch should at least have stainless steel. Usually, it is marked at the back of the watch. It means that the material will not rust when exposed to moisture, and you will rarely have skin irritation. Some brands use 316L stainless steel which is better as it has a higher purity level. It is important to have a PVD coating on your watch either in silver, gold, black or rose gold. The coating prevents fast discoloration.
Most good and affordable watches have a quartz movement which is powered by a battery. Others have certified mechanical movement. The quartz movement has fewer moving parts which is a plus as it makes the watch more affordable and time accurate. Other movements include Ronda, Miyota, and Seiko. These have proven their durability and worth for the price. If well maintained, watches made of these movements can last years and years.
Most average watches are made of crystal or mineral glass. In contrast, most quality watches are made of sapphire glass which is a higher quality and more expensive material. It stays clear and scratch-free throughout unlike the cheaper crystal or mineral glass.
A good brand with a rich history gives you some sense of security. The security comes from the reasoning that they have survived the market for so long which can only mean their watches are of high quality. A watch from a long-term brand has also gone through several improvement phases which makes it more advanced in quality. The availability of spare parts for a watch that has been in the market for a long time is also high. This does not mean you cannot buy an emerging brand. Some new brands have great quality watches. But, if you are disappointed with the new brand, you can always go for renowned brands for security.
A great watch should have an attractive, neat, and comfortable finish. Above every other factor, the look of the watch will determine whether it gives out a cheap vibe or class. While a perfect design sounds expensive, it does not mean you can’t find a well-finished watch at an affordable price. There is a difference between cheap and affordable. Look out for scratches or speck, shady straps, loose index, or any other fault.
The Casio G-Shock G-100BB-1AJF Digital Watch is one of the digital watches in the Casio military series. It comes with a full auto-calendar, a timer, and an alarm. It has a rugged design with its body covered in resin which makes it shock-resistant and ensures up to 200mm water resistance. These qualities make this watch work perfectly as a heavy-duty outdoor accessory. It has a built-in auto LED light and is manufactured from an anti-magnetic structure.
What we like about it;
Shock-resistant coating
200mm water resistance
What we don’t like;
Fairly small for a big wrist
The Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar is, as the name suggests, a solar-powered digital watch with touchscreen sensors. The touchscreen comes with a variety of functions such as a compass, the altimeter, the weather forecast, and dual time zones. It is a high-end tech watch sealed with sapphire glass which is clear and scratch-resistant. The watch strap comes in a variety of materials. You can get one in titanium, leather, or silicone depending on your liking.
What we like about it;
Swiss-quarts solar movement
Scratch-resistant
Watch strap variety
What we don’t like;
Not quite easy to navigate
The Suunto Core is an outdoors-designed digital watch with a shiny, black body. It is 30-meter water-resistant. Along with time, it comes with a variety of functions such as air pressure, altitude, and temperature updates. It also has a weather indicator with a sensitive storm alarm sensor that alerts you of dropping air pressure. It also shows sunrises and sunsets.
What we like about it;
30m water resistant
Functions variety
The storm alarm sensor
What we don’t like;
Not quite durable straps
The Casio Pro Trek PRW-7000X-1JR is a solar-powered digital watch made with Casio’s sturdy technology. It has a rugged design, perfect for outdoor activities. It combines its functionality with modern technology and ease of use. It has a nice design with slip-resistant diamond-shaped buttons. It comes with an altimeter, barometer, and direction function. These functions give you immediate updates on the info acquired on the move.
What we like about it;
It is solar-powered
Perfect outdoors watch
High-end tech with a variety of functions
What we don’t like;
Relatively expensive
The Timex Expedition Shock CAT is a perfect outdoors digital watch. It has a sporty design with a long-lasting resin strap. It is made of a strong shell that guarantees up to 100m water resistance and I.S.O Standards shock resistant. It is a durable and affordable watch that perfectly suits your adventures.
What we like about it;
Perfect for outdoors
Durable straps
Strong shell for shock resistance and 100m water resistant
What we don’t like;
The display can be hard to read under certain lights
