Why is this watch more expensive than that one?

When buying a watch, one may ask why we should pay a much higher price for a certain brand or model of watches when another similar model or brand may only cost a fraction of the price.  To ensure value for money, you should look at into the following factors:  

1.       Movement

a.       In general there are 2 broad categories of movements.  They are Mechanical (manual winding and Automatic) or Quartz (powered by battery).  In recent years, a hybrid movement pioneered by Seiko known as Auto-quartz (watch movement with quartz accuracy and is self powered by the movement of the wearer hand) has also been introduced into the market.      

b.       Mechanical watch by the nature and complexity of their movement will generally be more expensive than Quartz watch.

c.        Even for watch that uses the same movement, the price differences can be very big.  Main reason for the price differences is because of the extremely stringent quality control and high manufacturing standards employed by the manufacturer of expensive watches.  They ensure that all parts are of the highest quality by putting them to the most stringent tests.  The parts are also handled and finished with great care (e.g. all steel components are polished; bridges are decorated and chamfered).   

2.       Case Materials

a.       Case materials of watch vary.  Some of the common materials used for watch casing are arranged below in descending order based on their cost starting from the highest cost:

                                                               i.      Precious metals (These metal include gold, sterling sliver and even platinum and are usually used on more high-end watches)

                                                              ii.      Gold-plated base metals ((prices will vary depending on the karatage of the gold, the higher the karatage the more costly.  The thickness of the plating which is measured in microns will also affect the price and is normally ranged from 2 to 30 microns, again the higher the microns the more costly the watch will be).

                                                            iii.      Stainless Steel and Base metal ( most widely used)

                                                             iv.      Plastic and Resins (normally used in sport or fashion watches).

3.       Crystal Types

a.       Watch crystal normally refer to the glass-like covering designed to protect the dial of watches.  Some of the common crystal types used for watch are arranged below in descending order based on their cost starting from the highest cost:

                                                               i.      Sapphire crystals (Most expensive crystals used for watches and is also the most sturdy and is highly scratch-resistant)

                                                              ii.      Mineral glass ( one of the more commonly used covering)

                                                            iii.      Plastic ( used mostly in lower-priced and mass-market watches)    

4.       Bracelets

a.       Materials of watch Bracelets vary and depending on the material used, it will dramatically affect the cost of the watch.  Some of the common materials used for watch bracelets  are arranged below in descending order based on their cost starting from the highest cost: 

                                                               i.      Precious metal or titanium ( used for high-end watches)

                                                              ii.      Leather straps (Depending on the kind of leather used, the price range can be very big.  In general, price range for leather straps is between $10 to $100)

                                                            iii.      Plastic or Rubber (used mostly in sport or lower-priced watches)

To ensure value for money, you should look thoroughly at the above 4 categories when buying a watch.

Today, the highly competitive market is such that the quality of watches is inexorably pushed upward, a trend which translates into a range of products constantly improved in order better to meet consumers' need and expectations.

DNA of a Watch (Part III)

Water Resistance

What does it mean when the manufacturer said a watch is water resistance? Table below summarised the usage recommendation from most watch manufacturers when water resistance level of watches.  

Usage recommendation

CASE	Water Resistance up to		Splash Rain	Swimming/ Car Washing	Snorkling/ Diving	Scuba Diving
	Feet	Meter
Unmarked	-	-	NO	NO	NO	NO
Water Resistant	-	-	YES	NO	NO	NO
1 ATM	33 FT	10m	YES	NO	NO	NO
3 ATM	100 FT	30m	YES	YES	NO	NO
5 ATM	165 FT	50m	YES	YES	NO	NO
10 ATM	330 FT	100m	YES	YES	YES	NO
20 ATM	660 FT	200m	YES	YES	YES	YES

DNA of a Watch (Part II)

Materials Used by Watch Maker
A variety of materials are used to make a watch.  Some of the most common and cost effective materials available in the market are stainless steel, plastic, mineral glass.  At the other end of the market segment we have luxury watch maker making use of some of the most precious materials like gold and diamond etc in their watches. Below is a list of materials used by watch maker and the characteristic.

Stainless Steel
An extremely durable alloy of steel and chromium that can be polished to resemble a precious metal and is virtually immune to rust, discoloration and corrosion.  Most watch maker using Stainless Steel for their watch case will make use of 316L.  However, Rolex is one of the few watch maker than make use of 914L grade steel which is 3 times tougher than the industry norm of 316L. 

Titanium
Titanium is a metallic element found in the earth’s crust. It is 30% stronger and 50% lighter than steel. Titanium watches are particularly durable, resisting corrosion, especially salt water corrosion. It is hypoallergenic and nickel-free and due to its lightness very comfortable to wear.

Gold
A valuable, soft, yellow, corrosion resistant element, the most pliable metal and yet one of the heaviest substances known. It is too soft in its pure form so it is therefore mixed with other metals to produce an alloy; the proportion of gold in alloys is described in carats. A carat is 1/24, that is 1 part in 24 by weight. 18 carat is therefore 18/24 or 3/4 gold.

More updates coming up.........

DNA of a Watch (Part I)

What good does a strap do, if it is not fitted on a watch head.  Below is some of the common terminology used commonly in the watch industry, which I have gathered from various source for all to reference to.  Today, I will be updating all on the various movement available in the market today

1. Movement:
• Mechanical:
• Mechanical movements are an intricate system of tiny gears and springs which use mechanical energy to operate. These watches have a mainspring, which is wound by hand. The spring power is then transferred to the hands of the watch via a precise timing mechanism known as a balance. Photo of a maunal winding watch movement is shown below  

• Automatic:
• An automatic is a mechanical watch whose mainspring is wound as a result of the wearer‘s arm motion. Instead of the wearer having to wind the watch to generate power, the watch winds itself automatically when worn.  Photo of a Automatic watch movement is shown below

• Quartz:
• A mechanism which regulates time by sending an electric current from a battery (which lasts several years) to a tiny quartz crystal, which vibrates at precise and predictable rates. Quartz movements are superbly accurate and reliable with an annual variation of only about one minute. As there are no Quartz watch in my current collection, I was not able to take a photo of a quartz movement.  As such, have made used of a photo taken from the web of a Rolex quartz movement which is shown below.  I