How to choose a watch

~Table of Contents~

・About choosing a watch

・What is a movement? Types and characteristics

・Quartz type

Automatic winding

・Hand-wound

・Waterproof performance

・Types and features of watch straps (bands)

Humans share and live with "time." We live our lives with time.

When we wake up in the morning, when we go to school or work, when we eat, when we go on dates, when we play...and even when we go to sleep, we all spend time with "time."

To know the time, you need a clock. Without a clock, you can't know what time it is.

A clock is a convenient way to tell time, but there are many different types of clocks.

Wristwatches, pocket watches, wall clocks, alarm clocks... What are the functions, mechanical or quartz...? What is the material? What is the strap? What is the shape???

This watch is not cheap, and it will be your reliable companion, telling you the current time.

This page is intended as a reference for choosing a watch. It explains the basics of watch types, which you may be embarrassed to ask about.

First, let me tell you about the different types of watch movements.

Movements are broadly divided into two types: quartz and mechanical.

Among them, "mechanical" watches are divided into "hand-wound" and "automatic" watches .

Goda, a watch buyer, prefers mechanical watches that do not require batteries, while Kawamura, the company's representative, prefers quartz (battery-operated) watches that do not stop even when left alone.

Again, this is a matter of personal preference, so we hope you will choose the movement that is most convenient for you.

By the way, the word "movement" refers to " a moving machine, such as the operating mechanism of a watch, or the moving part of a machine ." (From Wikipedia)

Quartz refers to a watch that is powered by a battery.

It uses a quartz crystal that vibrates at a frequency of tens of thousands of times per second.

In 1969, the world's first quartz (crystal) wristwatch, the Seiko Astron, was released.

Quartz watches are now commonplace all over the world.

First of all, it doesn't stop even if you leave it alone. I wore it today, didn't wear it for two days, then wore it again three days later... and it kept ticking away without stopping.

It's really convenient to have a quartz watch.

Of course, the battery will wear out, and when it runs out, the watch will stop working unless you replace the battery.

We often receive questions such as, "It's a hassle to go to a watch shop, so I'd like to change the battery myself." However , we recommend that you do not change the battery yourself, but have it changed at a watch shop .

Automatic winding is a mechanism in which the rotor built into the movement rotates in accordance with the movement of the wrist when the watch is worn , and this rotation transmits to the gears , automatically winding the mainspring and making the watch run .

Power is transmitted mainly in the following order: rotor, switching wheel, transmission wheel, reduction wheel, intermediate reduction wheel, each pinion, barrel stem, and mainspring.

The word "Automatic" is written on the dial and case back.

First of all, there's no need to change batteries . It's the ultimate eco-friendly solution.

There's no need to go and change the batteries, and of course there's no risk of the battery running out.

Unlike manual-wound watches, the mainspring does not need to be wound by hand; it winds when you wear it on your wrist, making it a suitable watch for those who wear watches to work or every day.

Unlike quartz watches, they will stop if left unattended, and if this happens, you will need to wind the mainspring by turning the crown.

There may also be an error of a few seconds per day.

I don't think there are many people who live their lives in seconds, but for those who are particular about time, even down to the second, quartz watches are definitely recommended.

A manual winding movement is one that has a mechanism to manually wind the mainspring, which is the power source that powers the watch .

As with wristwatches, the most common mechanical movement in pocket watches is "hand-wound." Pocket watches that cannot be worn on the wrist like automatic watches are often "quartz" or "hand-wound."

Just like an automatic watch, there is no need to change the battery. Manual winding watches are also the most eco-friendly.

There's no need to go and change the batteries, and of course there's no risk of the battery running out.

Also, by winding it up at the same time every day, you may develop an attachment to it that you don't get with battery-operated watches.

Unlike quartz watches, these will stop if left unattended. Also, because manual winding watches are operated manually, they must be wound at the same time every day .

We often get asked, "How far should I wind the mainspring?"

This does not mean that you should wrap it with force, but rather that you should wrap it slowly and in large increments.

Also, the winding will become tighter as you wind it, and if you wind it too hard, the spring may break .

It's the same as an automatic watch, but I don't think there are many people who live their lives down to the second, but if you care about time, even down to the second, then a quartz watch is definitely recommended. If you're impatient, then a mechanical watch is not recommended.

Next, let me tell you about the water resistance of the watch.

If you use the watch you are planning to purchase without knowing its water resistance, you could end up in big trouble.

Even though it is not waterproof, people still wear it while swimming or wash dishes while wearing it, which can cause it to break .

However, there are watches called "diver's watches," so there are of course times when you can wear one while swimming.

We recommend that you learn about the water resistance of any watch you plan to wear in the future and take good care of it.

We will tell you about the straps that are always attached to watches.

When describing a watch, you will often see the "type of strap."

There are roughly several types of belts, including leather, stainless steel, rubber, nylon, and plastic .

We explain the "good points" and "slightly bad points" of each.

If you are particular about even a single belt, this is the one for you.

It is an alloy steel containing at least 10.5% chromium.

They are characterized by their rust resistance, durability, and compatibility with any outfit, whether it be a suit or casual wear, making them superior to other belts. These belts are labeled as "stainless steel," "stainless steel," or "SS."

Also, unlike rubber or nylon belts, which become unusable once they crack, it is convenient to use.

As for the disadvantages, they include "it feels a little cold when worn in winter," "it's heavy," "it's a little more expensive than other belts when you buy it," and "it's heavier than rubber, nylon, or leather." However, overall, there are more advantages to it .

Dirt and dust can easily accumulate between the belt links, so please clean them frequently. Polishing them will also make them shine brightly.

The term "leather strap" comes in many different types and colors. Just changing the color of your leather strap can completely change the look .

It's like the impression of a woman with long hair who has transformed into a boyish woman with a very short haircut ^^;

Leather belts come in a variety of materials, including crocodile, calfskin, lizard, and buffalo.

The more you use a leather belt, the more it will develop its own unique character . However, if you don't take proper care of it, it will simply become a worn-out leather belt. Daily care is also important.

Durable and flexible rubber strap.
They are comfortable to wear, feel good on the skin, and are extremely light. They are also easy to purchase at an affordable price .
This strap is less prone to deterioration than leather straps and is often used for outdoor and military watches.
It is a softer material than urethane and is more susceptible to scratches.

It is resistant to moisture and is more affordable than silicone.
It is characterized by being slightly harder than silicone, and when it deteriorates it hardens through hydrolysis and may eventually crack.
Although it is said to be water resistant, moisture can get in and cause deterioration.
Other materials that affect the speed of deterioration include salt and ultraviolet rays.

If left unattended, it may cause rashes in people with sensitive skin due to poor breathability .

To clean it, wash it with a mild detergent diluted with water or soapy water and it will get a certain level of cleanliness. After that, be sure to dry it in a well-ventilated place. Also, do not scrub it too hard. When washing the band, be sure to avoid contact with the watch.

Water-resistant nylon straps are often used for military watches and are popular for their lightness and durability . When combined with a watch that uses a bracelet, they can reduce the watch's weight by an astonishing amount.

Like rubber straps, nylon straps become unusable once they become frayed or cracked and need to be replaced. However, non-genuine straps can be purchased at reasonable prices, starting from around 1,000 yen.

There is no particular way to care for it, but when washing the nylon belt, remove the spring pin and wash it by hand.

You can also wash it with water, but if it becomes particularly dirty, we recommend replacing it with a new nylon belt.