Watch buying guides

A little history of watches and a few advices for buying the perfect watch. Aquis Date Relief, 43.5mm stainless steel case, stainless steel bracelet. Responsibility and luxury watchmaking haven’t always been natural bedfellows, but there are companies looking to change that. At the vanguard is Oris with its eco-conscious watches. Some use recycled materials, or there’s this, the Aquis Date Relief. Based on the brand’s still very reasonably priced diver’s watch, it’ll accompany expedition swimmer Ernst Bromeis as he attempts to cover 800km across Siberia’s Lake Baikal this summer, to draw our attention to the plight of the world’s water. Whether he makes it or not, the watch will be expected to hold up — its 43.5mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 300m. It gets its name from its bezel’s timer scale, produced in relief. All said, a good-looking watch for decent money with an important message behind it.

Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. Though any number of great Timexes could’ve made this list, we’re particualrly enamored with the newly reissued MK1 — a recreation (of sorts) of a short-lived 1980s military-issue watch. While the original was meant to be disposable and had a mechanical movement inside and a plastic case protecting it, this version swaps both with a more reliable quartz engine and a higher-quality case made from anodized aluminum. A direct descendant of the original G-Shock from 1983, the modern G5600 version and similar watches are as tough as ever. For under $100 you get some nearly indestructible wrist gear that is more accurate than any luxury mechanical watch, and no need for battery changes with solar power. Just make sure you get one that says “Tough Solar” on it, and has a positive display for the best legibility. Further, G-Shocks are just fun, unpretentious, hassle-free, and extremely comfortable to wear.

TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland, and long a favorite of motorsports enthusiasts, is a name that commands instant respect in every watch-loving quarter. Only occasionally are any of their pieces attainable under the £1K mark — and when they are, you should definitely drop the coin. With a rubber strap and stainless steel case, this watch is ideal for rugged adventures. While it is not suited for scuba diving, it is capable of withstanding up to 660 ft of water. In addition, the iconic Formula 1 model has the distinction of having been worn by actual Formula 1 drivers. An updated pilot watch is a sharp style that adds something interesting to any watch collection, thanks to its intricate looking chronographs and large numbers you can read at the quickest of glances. Alpina is known for its pilot watches and movements, so if you are looking for one under £1,000, this is the brand to beat. This clean timepiece on a stainless steel bracelet also looks great with a T-shirt and jeans since it has been designed with the modern man’s movements in mind.

WatchNerd aims to be the world’s go-to-source for watch enthusiasts to discover their perfect watch. Developed by watch lovers for watch lovers, it provides a smart, simple, and fun way to research the right watch for you. The team behind WatchNerd combines their passion for mechanical watches with their technological expertise, developing data-based solutions to give their community the confidence they need and deserve in a decision this significant. Their algorithm and data-driven approach allows them to proudly give unbiased advice, so users can find the watch that speaks to them, fully knowing all the most important information. See more info on Watch Lovers Blog.