From an analog wristwatch featuring a cartoon mouse to an intricately designed, antique pocket ticker, watches run the gamut from fun and functional to fancy and deliciously decorative. When deciding on a new watch to purchase—or which of your existing watches to wear for a specific occasion—there are plenty of factors to consider. Which is more durable? Does the day call for complete comfort or a sprinkle of amusement? Which watch appropriately matches the aesthetic of the occasion? Will you use your timepiece strictly for time telling, or will you require a stopwatch or other capabilities? It's time to check out some popular watch types and styles.
Types of watch movement
Keeping track of time might seem like a pretty simple task. However, watches require a specific system of moving parts all working in perfect harmony to keep perfect time. While continuously moving to keep pace with each passing second, different types of watches are designed to move in very different ways.
Mechanical watches
Considered the epitome of horological (the science of measuring time) craftsmanship, mechanical watches don’t have batteries and do not require charging. Instead, a spring, called a mainspring, is wound, which stores the watch’s timekeeping power. As the spring unwinds, it rotates the part of the watch called the barrel, which transitions the power to the wheel train (the toothed gears inside watches). The varying sizes of these watch gears determine their turning speed, establishing the speed of the hour, minute and second hands’ rotations on the watch dial.
But that’s not all! An important part of mechanical watches, the escapement, controls the release of energy from the spring, regulating the watch's movement and ensuring accurate timekeeping. Without it, all the power stored in the spring would be released at once, and your watch would stop moving until it is rewound. Most mechanical watches have about 130 parts that must work together to display time precisely.
Automatic watches
Automatic watches are a subcategory of mechanical watches. While the mechanical aspects are essentially the same, automatic watches don't require manual winding. Instead, the movement of the wearer's wrist automatically winds the mainspring. This self-winding mechanism, often called a rotor, makes them convenient for daily wear.
Quartz watches
Quartz watches contain a battery that provides energy to a tiny quartz crystal (shaped like a small tuning fork) to power it. The energy causes the quartz to vibrate at a high frequency (more than 32,000 times per second). This vibration results in extremely precise timekeeping, consistently moving the second, minute and hour hands. Not only does this provide extremely accurate timekeeping, but it's also more cost-effective than building many tiny watch gears. Because the quartz loses very little energy upon vibrating, little power is used, allowing batteries to last a long time.
Solar watches
As expected, light energy powers Solar watches. A solar cell converts sunlight into electricity, which charges a battery that powers the quartz movement. These watches offer exceptional accuracy and longevity without the need for battery replacements.
Watches are incredibly complex. Regardless of the movement type, their intricacy is truly impressive, with so many parts working together properly to keep them working. To ensure your watch "keeps up with the times" for years to come, make sure you properly care for it with necessary cleaning, storage, sizing, and regular maintenance.
Types of watch styles
Now that you're an expert on the different mechanisms that make watches tick, let's look at the various popular watch styles available.
Daily wear watch
A daily wear watch is a versatile timepiece designed for everyday life. It combines style, functionality and durability. These watches are often characterized by their classic or modern designs, comfortable fit and water resistance. They can range from casual quartz models with leather or stainless-steel bands to more sophisticated automatic watches with a mix of materials. The ideal daily wear watch adapts to various occasions, from work to leisure, without sacrificing style or practicality.
Dress watch
Dress watches scream elegance and sophistication. Characterized by their minimalist design, they are typically crafted from precious metals like gold or platinum and feature slim cases and leather straps. Dress watches are designed without complications, with clean lines and classic aesthetics. They are the perfect accessory for formal occasions and black-tie events.
Dive watch
Dive watches are built for adventure and performance. Robust and water-resistant, these timepieces are designed to withstand the rigors of underwater exploration. A key feature of dive watches is its rotating bezel (that ring around the edge of the watch face that you can turn) that lets divers track how long they’ve been underwater. Other features include luminous hands and markers for low-light visibility and a durable case that resists impact and pressure. But don’t let the “dive” name fool you; dive watches are equally appropriate for the office or the ocean floor.
Chronograph watch
While watches are known for telling the current time, chronograph watches (think stopwatch) can also measure specific time intervals. To achieve this capability, chronograph watches add multiple subdials to the watch face, allowing the wearer to measure elapsed time with precision. Chronographs can range from sporty and casual to elegant and sophisticated, depending on the design. They are popular among athletes, professionals and watch enthusiasts.
Pilot's watch
Pilot's watches were initially designed for aviators. They are characterized by large, legible dials and clear markings and will likely include a chronograph function. This function helps pilots measure flight times, fuel consumption, or how long it takes to climb to a certain altitude. Modern pilot's watches have evolved into stylish and versatile timepieces that appeal to a wide range of wearers.
Pocket watch
Pocket watches are timeless classics that have been a symbol of elegance and status for centuries. Traditionally carried in a pocket, these watches are generally larger than wristwatches and often feature intricate designs and ornate cases. They are typically mechanical, with either manual or automatic winding mechanisms. Pocket watches bring a sense of nostalgia and are cherished by collectors for their historical significance and craftsmanship.
Smartwatch
Smartwatches are the modern evolution of the wristwatch. Combining traditional timekeeping with advanced technology, these devices do much more than simply tell the time. Smartwatches can connect to smartphones, track fitness activities, display notifications and even make payments. They are becoming increasingly popular for their versatility and convenience.
Types of watch by display
To recap, watches use different methods to keep track of time and have different styles appropriate for different occasions. Now, let's look at the different displays available in watches. Whether you like a quick-read digital watch or a traditional watch with ever-rotating hands, there’s a watch display for everyone.
Analog watches
Analog watches use hands that rotate around a dial to indicate the time. The hour hand completes one full rotation in 12 hours, while the minute hand completes one full rotation in an hour. A second hand often sweeps around the dial once per minute.
Digital LED watches
Digital LED watches use light-emitting nodes to display the time as numbers. Known for their high contrast and visibility, they tend to have a shorter battery life than LCD digital watches due to the amount of energy required to light the display.
Digital LCD watches
Digital watches display the time numerically using liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. They provide a clear and precise time reading, often with additional features like date, stopwatch and alarm functions.
Hybrid watches
Hybrid watches combine elements of analog and digital displays. They typically feature traditional watch hands for hours and minutes and a digital display for seconds, the date, or other information.
Skeleton watches
Skeleton watches showcase the intricate inner workings of the watch’s movement. Much of the dial is removed to reveal the “bones” of these watches, including the gears, wheels, and other components that power them.
Low vision watches
Low vision watches are specifically designed for individuals with impaired eyesight. These timepieces often feature larger dials with bold, high-contrast numbers and hands for improved visibility. Some models incorporate additional features like talking functions, which announce the time verbally or tactile markers (raised textures or patterns, similar to braille) for those with limited or no vision.
Insuring your watches
Whether you prefer a mechanical pocket watch to ensure you’re not “late, late for a very important date” like a very famous, fictional white rabbit, or your style aligns more closely with modern smartwatches, consider insuring your valuable timepieces with a personal jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. It’s an affordable option that covers the cost of repairing or replacing your piece if it ever gets lost, stolen or damaged. Check your rate by clicking the button below.
