Unless you already have a ton of watches and are just adding to your collection, buying a watch is something that should be done very deliberately. Otherwise, you could end up with more of the same.

If you are replacing your only watch, you want to buy something you can use daily—one that can be worn either casually or formally. If it’s not your only watch, you need to look at what you already have, identify what you need, and be very intentional when shopping.

Buying Yourself a Wristwatch? What to Consider

If, like most people, you still choose to wear a watch and are looking to buy one, you must determine what you want, as wristwatches come with a variety of options and functions. Here are some questions to guide you:

• Do you want a digital or an analogue watch?
• What type of band do you want? Leather, rubber, or metal?
• Do you want a quartz or mechanical movement?
• Do you want a Japanese movement or Swiss Made?
• Do you want a sapphire crystal or mineral crystal?

Below are some tips to help you make your decision.

• Do you want a digital or an analogue watch?
  Digital watches are usually sports/activity watches and should only be worn casually. Analogue watches, on the other hand, can be worn both formally and informally.

• Do you want a leather strap, rubber strap, or a metal bracelet?
  Leather straps can be worn formally and informally but should be avoided for sporting activities, as sweat will shorten their lifespan.

Rubber straps should be worn informally—that is, for sports activities and casual wear. Ideally, you shouldn’t wear a rubber-strapped watch with a suit.

Metal bands can be worn either informally (for sports or casual wear) or formally, making them the most versatile. However, when wearing them formally, ensure the watch is not so bulky that it cannot be covered by the cuffs of your shirt.

• Do you want a quartz movement (battery-powered) or a mechanical movement?
  Many people often ask which is better. If accuracy is your primary concern, quartz watches are more accurate than mechanical movements, though the difference is only a few seconds per year.

Regarding maintenance costs, quartz watches require battery changes, but the cost and frequency are negligible compared to servicing mechanical movements, which is significantly more expensive.

In terms of initial cost, mechanical watches are typically up to 60% more expensive than their quartz counterparts.

• Do you want a Japanese movement or Swiss movement/Swiss Made watch?
  "Japan mvmt" on the case back of a watch indicates that the watch movement is made in Japan, while "Swiss movement" or "Swiss Made" indicates that the movement is of Swiss origin.

Japanese movements are usually cheaper and commonly found in fashion brand watches, making them more affordable. Swiss movements are more expensive and are used in high-end watches.

A Swiss-made watch always contains a Swiss movement and must meet certain Swiss manufacturing standards, making it more desirable and expensive than a watch with just a Swiss movement.

• Do you want a sapphire crystal or mineral crystal?
  The crystal, commonly called the glass, protects the watch dial from external elements. The three main types of watch crystals are acrylic/plastic, mineral glass, and sapphire glass.

Acrylic/plastic is the cheapest and most easily scratched, found in lower-end watches. Mineral glass is tempered, making it more scratch-resistant and durable, commonly used in fashion brand watches.

Sapphire glass, though synthetic, has the same hardness as real sapphire—one of the hardest substances known to man. It is virtually scratch-proof except against materials like diamond, making it the most expensive option.

If you are tough on your watches and plan to use the watch for a long time, investing in a sapphire crystal watch will be worth it in the long run.

For more, please read our article on “Buying Yourself a Wristwatch? What to Consider (Part 2)”.