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Watch features: Chronographs

The chronograph is one of watchmaking's most recognized complications, but it is often misunderstood. With several hands whizzing around the main dial and a collection of sub-dials (normally two or three) it can be easy to get confused. Additionally, it is not uncommon for the bezel to be printed wi...

Watch Styles: Dress Watches

If you want to get a good idea of what the modern watchmaking industry regards as a dress watch, you have to look back in time to the classic, thin watches that used to be worn by many. Common features include a small (by modern standards), gold (or gold-toned) watch, with a classical typeface (either Roman numerals or an elegant Arabic script) or baton markers, set against a plain dial background.

Watch Styles: Racing Chronographs

Racing chronographs make up a very specific, but highly popular niche of watchmaking. In fact, as a testament to their popularity, the most expensive wristwatch ever sold - at a price tag of $17,750,000 - is a racing chronograph. But before we discuss the remarkable story of that particular watch, l...

Watch Features: Jumping Hours/Minutes/Seconds

One of the first things you associate with a mechanical watch is the smooth sweep of the seconds hand. In fact, many people would assume that the easiest way to tell the difference between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch is whether the hands "sweep" or "step". Regrettably, for fans of neat def...

Watch Styles: Sports Watches

In 2019, Odell Beckham Junior stepped onto the field in Week 1 of the NFL football season with a 350k Richard Mille strapped to his wrist. He wasn't alone. Tennis star Rafael Nadal powered his way to a 19th Grand Slam title while sporting the same brand. On the greatest stage, under the brightest li...

Watch Styles: Dive Watches

The dive watch segment is perhaps one of the most crowded and competitive in the watch industry. But how did these serious tools that play a significant role in keeping recreational and commercial divers safe become such a voluminous segment of the watch market? As watchmaking took strides to redefi...

Introduction to Watch Bands, Bracelets, and Buckles

There are many different types of deployant clasps, all with slightly different names. The fold-over deployant clasp means the strap is never under the same stress or strain as it is when using an ardillon buckle. It’s also a security mechanism, because once the clasp has been correctly fitted to th...

Watch Bands: Band Materials

While a watch strap or bracelet serves a practical purpose to affix a watch head to your wrist, it is also integral to the design and has the ability to completely transform the appearance of the watch. Watchbands come in many different styles and materials. Here we will run through the latter, alth...

Watch Styles: Railroad Watches

Many of humanity's great inventions were born of necessity. This was particularly true in the 20th century, where the post-industrial world saw an explosion of scientific discovery and technological progress. One invention, which pre-dated the 20th century but became increasingly relied upon, was ra...

Watch Bands: Types of Bands

As well as rubber/leather/fabric straps, there are also metal bracelets to consider. Bracelets can be made from precious metals and even be set with precious stones. Good, integrated bracelet designs are often as famous as iconic watch references themselves. Even if your watch does not come with a m...

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