Everything You MUST Know Before Buying A Watch - Essential Beginner's Buying Guide

Summary

This video offers an in-depth guide to purchasing a watch, focusing on movement types—quartz, mechanical, and automatic—and their advantages. It discusses materials, with an emphasis on 316L stainless steel, and crystal types, favoring sapphire for durability. The script addresses water resistance, finishing quality, sizing, and style preferences. It advises on brands to trust and where to buy, warning against overpriced or fake products. The video concludes with budget recommendations, suggesting £60 for a quartz watch and £100 for an automatic, highlighting the sweet spot of £150-£250 for quality without excessive brand markup.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The movement is the most crucial aspect of a watch, with quartz, mechanical, and automatic being the main types.
• ⚙️ Quartz movements are common in entry-level watches, are battery-powered, and require less maintenance.
• 🔩 Mechanical movements are classic, hand-wound, and provide power through a clockwork mechanism.
• ⚙️🔄 Automatic movements are a type of mechanical movement that winds with the natural motion of the wearer's wrist.
• 💼 For practicality and low maintenance, quartz watches are recommended, especially for manual jobs or where accuracy is necessary.
• 👔 For a classy look or special occasions, mechanical watches, particularly automatic, are a good choice due to their smooth second hand movement.
• 🛡️ Watch materials are significant; 316L stainless steel is the industry standard for durability, while resin is lightweight and impact-resistant.
• 🔎 Crystals can be acrylic, mineral, or sapphire, with sapphire being the most scratch-resistant and premium choice.
• 🏊‍♂️ Water resistance is vital and should be considered based on the wearer's activities; a minimum of 10 bar is recommended for swimming.
• 🛠️ Finishing is essential for quality, including accurate brushing or polishing, and craftsmanship in finer details.
• 📏 Sizing is subjective but has guidelines; case diameter and lug-to-lug size are crucial measurements for a proportional fit.

Q & A

What are the three main types of watch movements?

The three main types of watch movements are quartz, mechanical, and automatic.

How does a quartz movement work?

A quartz movement uses a mini electrical circuit powered by a battery and a tiny piece of quartz that vibrates at a specific rate when a current is passed through it. This vibration is converted into a single pulse per second.

What is the difference between a mechanical and an automatic movement?

A mechanical movement requires manual winding by the user, while an automatic movement winds itself using the natural motion of the wearer's wrist throughout the day.

Why might someone choose a quartz watch over a mechanical one?

Quartz watches are more accurate, require less maintenance, and are less susceptible to impacts, making them a practical choice for those who need accurate timekeeping or are involved in manual jobs.

What materials are commonly used for watch cases?

Watch cases are commonly made from resin (plastic), brass, zinc alloy, or 316L stainless steel.

Why is sapphire crystal considered the most desirable for watch crystals?

Sapphire crystal offers the best scratch resistance and is only damaged by diamonds or huge impacts, making it highly durable.

How is water resistance measured on a watch?

Water resistance is measured in ATM, bar, or meters, which are pressure units that indicate how well sealed a watch is against water.

What is the minimum water resistance rating recommended for swimming?

For swimming, a minimum of 10 bar or 1080m or 100 meters of water resistance is recommended.

What factors contribute to the overall fit and finish of a watch?

The fit and finish of a watch includes the accuracy and precision of brushing or polishing, craftsmanship in finer details, and the quality of custom shapes and parts.

What are the two important measurements to consider when choosing a watch size?

The two important measurements are case diameter, which is the width of the watch, and lug-to-lug size, which is the measurement from one set of lugs to the opposite side.

What are some popular and versatile watch styles that are generally well-received as gifts?

Retro digitals, dive watches, and chronographs are popular and versatile watch styles that are often well-received as gifts.

What is the recommended minimum amount to spend on a steel quartz watch and a steel automatic watch?

It is generally recommended to spend no less than about £60 on a steel quartz watch and £100 on a steel automatic watch.

Outlines

00:00

🕒 Understanding Watch Movements

The first paragraph introduces the critical aspect of watch movements, which are the mechanisms that power the watch. It discusses three primary types: quartz, mechanical, and automatic. Quartz movements are common in entry-level watches, powered by batteries and known for their accuracy and low maintenance. Mechanical movements, an umbrella term for clockwork mechanisms, require manual winding by the user and are more traditional. Automatic movements are a subtype of mechanical that uses the wearer's wrist motion to wind the watch, offering convenience without the need for regular manual winding. The paragraph also touches on the pros and cons of each type, such as accuracy, maintenance, and the visual appeal of the second hand's motion.

05:00

🛠 Materials and Construction of Watches

The second paragraph delves into the materials used in watch construction, focusing on the case and crystal. It compares various materials like resin, brass, zinc alloy, and stainless steel, discussing their durability, weight, and resistance to damage. The paragraph also explains the different types of crystals: acrylic, mineral, and sapphire, each with varying levels of scratch resistance. Additionally, it covers water resistance, an important feature for watches, and how it's measured in ATM, bar, or meters. The discussion includes practical advice on choosing a watch with appropriate water resistance for intended use, such as swimming or diving.

10:02

🎨 Aesthetics and Fit of Watches

The third paragraph addresses the aesthetics and fit of watches, emphasizing the importance of case diameter and lug-to-lug size for a proper fit on the wrist. It provides guidelines for selecting the right size based on the wearer's wrist dimensions and offers advice on choosing a watch that complements the wrist size and personal style. The paragraph also touches on the thickness of watches and the impact of domed crystals on perceived thickness. It suggests being cautious with sizing, leaning towards smaller watches if in doubt, and discusses various popular watch styles, such as retro digitals, dive watches, and chronographs, suitable for different occasions and preferences.

15:04

💰 Buying and Pricing of Watches

The final paragraph discusses the practical aspects of buying a watch, including where to purchase and how to avoid counterfeits. It advises against buying from dubious sources and recommends authorized dealers or reputable retailers for assurance of quality and warranty. The paragraph also addresses the question of how much to spend on a good watch, suggesting price ranges that offer good value for different budgets. It warns against overpriced watches that don't deliver commensurate quality and encourages consumers to watch for paid reviews that may not reflect the true value of a watch. The paragraph concludes with a suggestion to check out additional resources for personal watch recommendations.

Keywords

💡Movement

Movement in the context of watches refers to the mechanism that powers the watch, often likened to the 'engine' or 'heart' of the watch. The video script explains that there are three main types of movements: quartz, mechanical, and automatic. Quartz movements are common in entry-level watches and are battery-powered, while mechanical movements are a more traditional type that requires manual winding by the user. Automatic movements are a subtype of mechanical movements that wind themselves using the motion of the wearer's wrist. The choice of movement can greatly affect the functionality and aesthetics of a watch.

💡Quartz

Quartz, as mentioned in the script, refers to a type of watch movement that uses a small electrical circuit powered by a battery and a piece of quartz crystal. This crystal vibrates at a specific rate when an electric current is applied, and this vibration is converted into timekeeping. Quartz watches are noted for their accuracy and low maintenance requirements, making them practical choices for everyday use. The script points out that quartz watches are common and often more affordable than mechanical alternatives.

💡Mechanical

Mechanical, in the context of the video, describes a type of watch movement that operates through a complex system of gears and springs. Unlike quartz movements, mechanical movements do not require a battery and instead rely on the user to manually wind the watch or use an automatic winding system. The script suggests that mechanical watches are often chosen for their classic look and feel, and for special occasions, as they offer a sweeping second hand motion that is visually appealing and signifies a higher quality product.

💡Automatic Movement

An automatic movement, as detailed in the script, is a subtype of mechanical movement that includes a self-winding rotor. This allows the watch to be wound by the natural motion of the wearer's wrist throughout the day, reducing the need for manual winding. The script highlights that automatic watches offer the convenience of not needing to be manually wound regularly while still providing the aesthetic appeal of a mechanical watch.

💡Materials

Materials, in the context of the video, refer to the substances used in the construction of a watch's case and crystal. The script discusses various materials such as resin (plastic), brass, zinc alloy, and 316L stainless steel for cases, and acrylic, mineral, and sapphire for crystals. The choice of material affects the durability, weight, and overall quality of the watch, with stainless steel being the industry standard for its balance of durability and resistance to corrosion.

💡Water Resistance

Water resistance is a measure of how well a watch is sealed against water ingress, expressed in units like ATM, bar, or meters. The video script clarifies that higher ratings indicate better protection against water, with a minimum of 10 bar or 100 meters suggested for swimming. It also cautions that real-world use may differ from factory testing, so it's important to choose a watch with a water resistance rating suitable for the intended activities.

💡Finishing

Finishing, as used in the script, pertains to the overall quality of a watch's construction, including the precision of its brushing or polishing, and the craftsmanship evident in its finer details. High-quality watches typically exhibit better finishing, with custom shapes, varying textures, and neater text and logo inking. The script suggests that finishing is an important aspect of a watch's appearance and can significantly affect its perceived value and quality.

💡Sizing

Sizing in the context of the video refers to the dimensions of a watch that affect how it looks on the wrist. The script provides guidance on case diameter and lug-to-lug size, which are crucial for ensuring the watch suits the wearer's wrist size. Proper sizing is important for comfort and aesthetic appeal, with the video offering specific measurements and advice for selecting watches for different wrist sizes.

💡Brand

Brand is mentioned in the script as an important consideration when purchasing a watch. The video advises viewers to be cautious of brands that rely heavily on social media influencers and instead suggests looking for brands with a history of quality watch production. Japanese brands like Casio, Seiko, Orient, and Citizen are highlighted as offering good value for money. The script also discusses the importance of buying from reputable sources to ensure authenticity and access to warranties.

💡Price

Price is a significant factor discussed in the script when it comes to choosing a watch. The video provides a range of recommended prices for different types of watches, from budget options to luxury models. It suggests that for most people, a watch in the £150-£250 range should offer a good balance of quality and value. The script also notes that beyond a certain price point, the increase in cost is often more about branding and prestige than significant improvements in build quality.

💡Chronograph

A chronograph is a type of watch with multiple sub-dials, often perceived as complex and high-quality. The script mentions that chronographs are popular gift choices due to their perceived value and aesthetic appeal. However, it also notes that chronographs tend to be larger and may not suit those with smaller wrists, suggesting that size is an important consideration when choosing this style of watch.

Highlights

Choosing a watch can be tricky due to the variety of sizes, styles, materials, and brands available.

This video covers everything you need to know before buying a classic watch.

There are three main types of watch movements: quartz, mechanical, and automatic.

Quartz movements are common in entry-level watches and are battery-powered.

Mechanical movements are more complex and require manual winding by the user.

Automatic movements wind themselves using the motion of the wearer's wrist.

Quartz watches are accurate, low maintenance, and suitable for those needing precise timekeeping.

Mechanical watches offer a sweeping second hand motion and a higher perceived quality.

Materials used in watches include resin, brass, zinc alloy, and stainless steel for the case.

Crystals can be made of acrylic, mineral, or sapphire, with sapphire being the most scratch-resistant.

Water resistance is measured in ATM, BAR, or meters, with higher numbers indicating better protection.

Finishing is important for the overall quality and appearance of a watch.

Case diameter and lug-to-lug size are important measurements for watch sizing.

Thickness can be a consideration, but it's less important than diameter and lug-to-lug size.

Retro digitals and dive watches are popular and versatile styles.

Chronographs are considered good-looking and make consistent gift choices.

Japanese brands like Casio, Seiko, Orient, and Citizen offer good value for money.

It's recommended to spend no less than £60 on a steel quartz watch and £100 on a steel automatic watch.

Luxury watches over £1000 are primarily about branding and prestige.

For budget options, consider resin Casio watches or titanium field watches.

Transcripts

okay so you're thinking about buying a

watch maybe it's for you or intended as

a gift for someone else nice move as

you've probably found out though

choosing which one to buy can be

trickier than expected there are all

these sizes styles materials and brands

it's difficult to know where to start

well thanks to the youtube gods you've

found yourself in the right place in

this video i was through everything you

need to know before buying a watch as

quickly as possible to help you make a

better purchasing decision after all you

don't want to end up with a piece of

garbage right or worse gifting a piece

of garbage to be clear we aren't

covering smart watches here just the

classic ones let's begin with arguably

the most important factor the movement

the movement is the mechanism that

powers the watch the engine or heart of

the watch if you will there are three

main types with knowing about quartz

mechanical and automatic 99 of watches

will feature one of these three

movements or a variant of them quartz

movements are the most common among

entry-level watches these are mini

electrical circuits powered by a battery

and as the name suggests they involve a

tiny piece of quartz this crystal

vibrates at a very specific rate when a

current is passed through it and other

parts of the movement convert this

vibration into a single pulse per second

you'll notice that the second hands on

analog quartz watches tend to take once

every second for this very reason nite

digital and solar pieces rely on

modified versions of this same

technology and essentially have the same

pros and cons quartz movements are more

accurate than mechanical ones despite

costing far less to produce on average

they also require less maintenance due

to the lack of moving parts and will

tend to keep ticking until the battery

eventually runs out of power whereby it

can simply be changed therefore quartz

watches are a good choice for those in

manual jobs where the watch may be

susceptible to impacts where accurate

time is a necessity in some instances

the ticking noise of a quartz movement

can be audible and the second hands are

often known to miss the markers due to

misalignment both of which can be a

little annoying what's a mechanical

movement then well this is the way all

watches used to be made using a complex

combination of gears and springs the

term mechanical movement is really more

of an umbrella term that incorporates

any watch that uses a clockwork

mechanism to tell the time mechanical

movements rely on you the user to

provide the power for the watch as this

technology predates cheap consumer

batteries when you see this word used on

product listings it typically refers to

hand-wound movements these require the

user to manually wind the movement by

rotating the crown several times which

in turn tightens the main spring this

mainspring gradually unwinds over time

transferring its accumulated energy

through gears to the rest of the parts

the watch will keep telling time until

the main spring has been fully unwound

different movements last for different

durations between winding this figure is

known as the power reserve they've

probably seen on some product pages a

watch that has stopped and fully

depleted its power reserve will need

winding and resetting to start operating

again but you can top it up as you go

along you'd have to wait for it to be

completely juiced this is where

automatic movements come in automatic

movements are essentially a type of

mechanical movement that features an

additional rotating weight mechanism

allowing the watch to be wound using the

natural motion of your wrist throughout

the day many automatic movements still

allow you to hand wind the movement

should you see fit but for the most part

the convenient self-winding rotor

eliminates the need for this so long as

the watch is worn regularly what type of

movement should you buy then well if you

other recipient would like something

practical and low maintenance then

quarter watches are the obvious way to

go some of these also come with

additional functionality that could be

useful depending on your use case

they're no fuss but for the most part

also no frills if you're after something

that looks and feels classier like a

watch for special occasions or as a

reward then it's probably worth

considering some sort of mechanical

offering automatic watches in particular

are a good gateway as they don't require

any fiddly bits to work and the user can

continually charge the watch as they

wear it both types of mechanical watches

offer sweeping actions where the second

hand glides along rather than juddering

once per second this is far more

visually pleasing and together with the

increased weight it gives the impression

of a higher quality product you can

sometimes get these smooth motions in

quartz watches but they are rare to say

the least while impractical hand wound

movements are usually slimmer than

automatics given the fewer parts

resulting in quartz-like slimness that's

difficult to obtain by automatic means

if you or the intended recipient already

relies on their smartphone to tell the

time and the watch will be relegated to

a solely aesthetic purpose then some

type of mechanical watch is probably the

better choice as i think the smooth

sweep looks much more graceful it is to

be noted that due to the intricacy of

the production process mechanical

watches will generally cost you more

than comparatively spec'd quartz pieces

but we'll discuss pricing later before

then we need to mention materials what

are watches normally made of well there

are two main components the case and the

crystal the case is the main housing of

the watch and is usually constructed of

metal whilst the crystal is the

transparent glass-like substance over

the dial the worse these parts are the

more susceptible the watch is to being

damaged the lowest end watch cases are

often made of either resin aka plastic

brass or zinc alloy resin watches like

many casios or g-shocks for instance are

very light stand up well to impact but

do scratch rather easily chromed brass

and non-steel alloys are sometimes used

as cheaper alternatives to stainless

steel these do offer increased weight

versus plastic giving the impression of

high quality but aren't as hard or

durable steel any plating used will

likely wear away or crack over time

meaning these watches aren't

particularly future proofed i'd

personally avoid these and go one way or

the other opt for resin or steel if

possible 316l stainless steel is the

industry standard above the 50 pound

mark at the time of recording this metal

offers good corrosion resistance and is

more durable though will still accrue

some scratches over time some brands ram

this down your throat as if it's an

exclusive miracle metal and while it is

decent it's far from a unique feature

that's worth falling over there are

other grades of stainless steel that you

see used in some wristwatches including

the inferior 304l and the rolex

preferred 904l other exotic materials

include ceramic bronze and a personal

favorite of mine titanium which offers

super lightweight performance but steel

is what you're most likely to see at

retailers there are three main types of

crystal or glass that being acrylic

mineral and sapphire acrylic aka

hesselite or plexiglass is just plastic

this type of crystal scratches very

easily and is the cheapest to produce

some brands up for this as it's more

malleable than the other two and can be

heavily domed at a low cost it's also

shatter resistant mineral glass is next

up the chain and is comparable to the

glass in your windows this copes with

scratches a little better but isn't top

tier some brands offer hardened versions

of this under a variety of brand names

if it's not labeled acrylic mineral or

sapphire it's probably some form of

hardened mineral crystal with gimmicky

branding sapphire is generally

considered the most desirable crystal in

watchmaking it's the most expensive to

produce but gives by far the best

scratch resistance only able to be

damaged by diamonds or huge impacts that

may shatter it you also have raised or

domed versions of all of these three

crystals out there these don't offer any

performance benefits and are simply an

aesthetic choice in most cases the more

scratch resistance you can obtain the

better as people are much more likely to

scratch the watch than they are to smash

it another metric to keep your eyes on

is water resistance this is a measure of

how well sealed the watch is against

water and is normally displayed in one

of three ways atm bar or meters these

are all different pressure units but

they're quite simple to understand one

bar is approximately equivalent to 1 atm

and 10 meters respectively so a 5 bar

rating would be roughly the same as 5

atm or 50 meters and a 10 bar rating

would be roughly equivalent to 10 atm or

100 meters as you can guess the higher

the designation the better the watch is

at keeping water out these ratings are

calculated with static pressure leakage

tests in controlled environments

straight out of the factory and

therefore aren't representative of real

world use take a 380m watch for example

on paper you think that 30 meters of

water resistance would be more than

enough for swimming i mean who really

swims down to 30 meters deep but in

reality the rapidly changing water

pressure and dynamic stresses during

motion would quickly result in water

penetrating the innards therefore here's

what you need to know if the person in

question wants to go swimming with the

watch on your best bet is to opt for one

with a minimum of 10 bar or 1080m or 100

meters of water resistance this is a

sweet spot that should generally keep

you covered anything under that is

essentially splash resistant or maybe

temporarily submerged but shouldn't be

exposed to adam's ale for very long if

it's a dress watch they won't be seeing

much aquatic action then this really

doesn't matter please be aware that many

random chinese brands are stamping all

sorts of water resistance claims on

their watches likely without having

these ratings vetted by the iso if you

really intend on scuba diving i'd avoid

any brand that isn't well known in the

industry unfortunately specs only tell

half of the story you see it's not that

hard to inexpensively cram a bunch of

ticklish components into a watch such a

strategy would look great on paper but

would likely result in a piece that

still looks incredibly cheap in person

that's where finishing comes in this is

the overall fit and finish of the watch

including how accurately and precisely

any brushing or polishing has been

executed as well as how much

craftsmanship has gone into the finer

details low quality watches tend to have

generic markers hands with basic shapes

and will usually look rudimentary upon

closer inspection their cases for

example usually feature a single type of

finishing with a basic structure that's

easy to mass produce higher quality

watches will be done to a better

standard that involves more time and

effort being spent on specific parts of

the watch rather than a reliance on a

load of off-the-shelf parts this can

mean proper custom shapes and parts

varying textures across surfaces and

neater inking of text and logos there is

of course more nuance to it the higher

up the chain you go but i don't want to

stretch this video out for too long

without the experience of handling

multiple watches such factors can be

tricky to judge so it might be worth

comparing several options in the flesh

and keeping an eye out for any quality

control issues which can be much more

obvious such problems are plentiful on

rubbish watches and can include

misaligned markers hands and text as

well as dirt and dust underneath the

crystal of course a watch may perform

well underwater but what if it looks

ghastly on the wrist well there's always

going to be an element of subjectivity

to sizing realistically you can wear

whatever you want regardless of whether

it looks proportionate or not

nevertheless here are some tidbits for

those after a watch that visually suits

the size of their wrist or that of the

recipient there are two important

measurements the main one you'll notice

on product listings is case diameter

this is the width of the watch not

including the crown that juts out of the

side arguably more importantly and often

absent from these pages is look to look

size this is the measurement from one

set of lugs the area that sticks out

holding one end of the strap to those on

the opposite side when the watch is on

the wrist this measurement will

determine whether it lies correctly or

overhangs the edges of your arm if the

watch is for yourself there's a useful

chart on the slenderist.com which i'll

put on screen feel free to pause the

video here if you need to if the watch

is for someone else and you can't

measure their risk without giving the

game away then here's my advice watches

marketed towards females tend to come in

at 36 millimeters or less which is a

sensible size due to their inherently

smaller build girls tend to be able to

pull off oversized stuff better than

guys anyway so the next bit will be

sizing for men exclusively given that's

what i'm familiar with if the recipient

is a skinny guy i'd aim for something

between 35 and 39 millimeters in

diameter ideally with a sub 48

millimeter look to look if they appear

to have a fairly standard wrist size you

can probably opt for something anywhere

between about 37 to 42 millimeters in

diameter and about 42 to 52 millimeters

in look to look size if they've got

chunky arms i'd go for something with a

diameter of 41 to about 45 millimeters

and they'll look to look of 45 to 58

inch if they're a true giant and would

appreciate something flashy then you

could always go bigger than this

thickness is another metric that you

might be wondering about i'd say this is

of lesser importance as even my super

thin wrist can even take some pretty

chunky watches providing that the

previous two measurements are well

tailored watches with domed crystals are

often given a thickness stat that

includes the glass height as well so in

reality they tend to wear a bit thinner

when on wrist than the listing may

suggest the biggest mistake i usually

see is guys wearing watches that

proportionately way too large therefore

if you torn between two watches of

different sizes i err on the side of

caution and tend to go with the smaller

one a watch rarely looks too small

you'll notice that there's a huge

variety of watches out there if the

watch is intended as a gift you'll

likely have some idea of what style

they'll probably prefer though i'll

cover a few of the most popular and

versatile types that should be easy

pleases first up there are the retro

digitals i know these are super popular

from the view counts on youtube alone

the silver versions in particular can be

worn with just about everything and some

are surprisingly good looking luckily

for you i did a full video covering the

best of these which you can see in the

icard above these also have the benefit

of being extremely low cost so if you're

on a tight budget it's a no-brainer

alternatively there are dive watches and

chronographs divers are those sporty

looking models with a rotating bezel

atop them because of the styling and

durability these have become very

popular go-to's in recent years and are

ideal for those into water sports as

well chronographs with their multiple

sub-dials are often considered the

best-looking watches by non-watch folk

at least from my experience i think

there's a correlation between the

complexity of the dial and perceived

quality by non-collectors as such

they're a consistently good gift choice

just be aware that chronographs are

typically larger than other types of

watches so most won't be optimal for

skinny wrists i picked out a few smaller

outliers in another video links in the

icard if you're interested by now you've

probably got an idea of what you're

looking for but which brand do you

choose after all there are thousands of

watch companies out there unfortunately

i don't have time to run through all of

them in this video but here are some

general guidelines first up if the brand

is being rammed down your throat by paid

social media influencers it's most

likely garbage i've reviewed a bunch of

them in the past and the vast majority

have been over hyped and overpriced junk

relying on aggressive marketing tactics

to make sales as opposed to quality

products from my experience you're

better off sticking with brands that

focus on watch production as the core

part of their business and have a proven

history in the industry over the last

couple of years i've found that japanese

brands have tended to offer consistently

good bang for book products so it might

be worth scouting them out as a safe

starting point this includes the likes

of cassio seiko orient and citizen as

well as their subsidiaries where should

you be looking though as always i'd

stick to well-known websites and avoid

dodgy looking listings that seem too

good to be true a rolex for 200 quid

isn't happening obviously a plethora of

fakes are floating around on the likes

of wish.com avoid that site at all costs

unless you fancy scamming yourself or a

loved one if you're planning on spending

a significant amount of money on a

luxury watch most commenters seem to

recommend opting for an authorized

dealer so you can access a

manufacturer's warranty alternatively

you can save a bunch of money on grey

market sites like germashop where you

get a warranty from the retailer instead

which works fine for me on more

affordable watches buying used pieces on

sites like ebay or through forums can be

risky if you're unsure of what you're

looking for so i definitely recommend

against it if you're a beginner

something i'll throw in here too is that

some websites prefer to use renderings

in their product listings these

computer-generated images can look quite

different than the watch does in person

so i'd certainly track down video

footage of the watch in question if you

can some often look better whilst others

can look much much worse here's the

crucial thing then how much do you need

to spend to get a good watch

good one no seriously this is always

going to be a highly debated and

opinionated topic it's a little like

saying how much do you need to spend to

get a good car a fast computer or a

tasty pizza a lot depends on your

preferences and your expectations soon

i'm going to attempt to address this by

recommending the average price of a

watch that's probably enough to please

most people provided that you've taken

on board the previous points in this

video i'd stick to some sort of resin

casio if you're on a tight budget loris

also make a good super budget titanium

field watch if you can find it for a

similar price though stock levels can

vary i'll try and link it below outside

of those if you want to play it safe i

generally recommend spending no less

than about 60 pounds on a steel quartz

watch and 100 pounds on a steel

automatic if you're in the uk i'd say

the real sweet spot is the 150 to 250

pound range if you can stretch that far

after which point you begin to get

diminishing returns i think most

recipients would be very impressed with

the 200 pound watch if he chose wisely

from my experience when you start going

past the 1 000 pound mark you're

primarily paying for branding and

prestige rather than a huge increase in

build quality you basically need a

microscope to see the finer details

which most people aren't carrying in

their back pocket in the us and some

other countries you tend to be able to

get better deals than here so you can

probably convert the prices i just

mentioned and then reduce them by around

20 to get a more accurate figure be

aware though there are plenty of

massively overpriced watches out there

that offer awful quality for high prices

so watch some unpaid reviews first if

you're unsure if you want some of my

personal watch recommendations check out

the video on screen next and i'll see

you there