In a time of smartphones, it is becoming more and more rare to see anyone carrying around a watch that’s sole function is to tell time. Everyone already has access to the time with a click of a button, so why wear a timepiece? Slowly, watches have drifted to a fashion accessory instead of a functional device.
There are, however, watch enthusiasts out there who still love to have a watch on their wrist. If you are interested in joining that group here is a beginner’s guide to wristwatches.
Analog vs Digital
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Timekeeping devices have been around since the ancient Egyptians, perhaps longer. The first known sundial, to keep track of the movement of the sun, is located in Egypt. The 16th-century is when wristwatches first made their appearance. Since then they have had many changes, to the point that people are now able to wear tiny computers on their wrists.
The two common watch types that are worn today are analog and digital. Here are the basic things you need to know about each:
- Analog – The face of an analog clock is an hour, minute and sometimes second hand that keeps track of the time by moving clockwise along the numbers on the edge of the face.
- Digital – The numbers are shown in hour, minute and second on the face of the clock and change with the time to display the correct numbers.
What Keeps Them Ticking
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Watches are powered by many different things. Here are a few of the most common power sources.
- Mechanical – A completely mechanical watch is powered by a mainspring and has to be regularly manually wound. Once wound up, it slowly releases itself to move the hands of the watch.
- Automatic – There are no batteries required for this clock and it winds itself. As you wear the watch a weighted plate inside rotates around and automatically winds the watch for you.
- Quartz – Electricity is put into quartz crystals to cause the crystals to vibrate at a fixed rate powering the watch and moving the hands.
- Battery – Battery-powered watches will need to be charged or have their batteries changed out periodically.
Specialized
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They make watches for just about everything these days. If you play a sport they probably have a specific watch for you. Do you have an intense hobby? There is probably a watch for you as well. Here is a quick list of some of the specialty watches that are available.
- Hybrid – Both an analog and digital watch.
- Diver – This watch is waterproof and can withstand the pressures at deep depths.
- Sports – Often lightly waterproof and shock resistant. They offer special features like a stopwatch and monitoring your heart rate.
- Chronograph – These watches are able to keep very precise time for sporting events.
- Aviator – This watch can still function well at low pressure and high altitudes.
- Military – If you need a watched designed for the harsh military life this one should fit that bill. They typically come shock resistant, dust resistant, and weather resistant.
Now that you’ve dipped your toe into the world of watches it’s time you start doing a little more research on types and brands. Find what works for you by visiting a watch dealer like Infinity Coins. Are you a Rolex type of guy or does a fashion watch from Walmart suit your needs just fine? Only you can decide that.