Watches

From earliest recorded history, humans have been aware of the passage of time in one form or another. The sun and moon helped our ancestors keep track of hours, days, and months. Watches themselves were originally designed merely as “ticking jewelry” – worn to indicate wealth, but terrible timekeepers.

Fortunately, technology has progressed far beyond those early watches, and today you can get a wristwatch, pocket watch, or even a clip watch to suit any occasion or lifestyle.

The Citizen Watch Company has been around since 1930, and is the largest watch company in the world. In fact, Citizen was first to introduce a light-powered watch, back in 1995. Rolex, obviously, is synonymous with luxury. Other watch brands include Movado, Seiko, Cartier, Breitling, Omega, and of course, Timex. The key to choosing a watch, however, does not necessarily lie behind the company name, but rather, the purpose for which you are buying it.

If you are looking for a watch that is also a piece of fine jewelry, you will probably be looking to spend more money on it than, say, someone who wants a knock-around piece he or she can wear while participating in a sports activity. Questions you should consider before beginning your watch-shopping include:

• Should it be waterproof?
• Will it be worn only for special occasions?
• Should it have a leather band or metal?
• Should it be analog or digital?
• Should it have Arabic or Roman numerals on the dial?
• Should it display the date?
• Is a second hand necessary?

These days, you can even get a watch with a GPS tracking system and compass built in, which is perfect for hikers and hunters. Sports watches are typically waterproof, but many of them also monitor heart rate, calories burned, and can withstand the rough demands of any sport. Some watches are made specifically for runners that include countdown timers and a memory function for recording mile or lap times.

Since so many people rely on their cell phones to tell time, watch designers are constantly coming up with new ideas for fashionable watches. You can also obtain fine replica watches at a fraction of the cost of the genuine article. Vintage and antique watches are also quite popular, particularly when a watch has been handed down as an heirloom within a family. Jeweler.com can point you in the right direction for top quality luxury, replica, and sports watches for any purpose or occasion.