Choosing the perfect watch for the man in your life might seem like an easy task, but when you start looking, you'll realize just how vast the world of men's watches is.

To help you decide which type of watch is best for your boyfriend, husband, father, or whoever, we've put together a comprehensive guide to watches for men .
Whether it's to find out the most common types of watches or find out what types of watches the man in your life appreciates, this article can help you.

Types of watches

The first thing to consider when choosing a watch for the man in your life is the type of watch you are looking for. There are different types of watches, all with different aesthetics, features, and functions . In order to help you decide which watch is the best, we've compiled a list of common watch types and their benefits.

Automatic watches

The first type of watch to consider is the automatic watch. The automatic watch is a sophisticated timepiece that uses impressive self-winding technology. They are powered by a mainspring and the hands of the watch are able to move through a gear system, but do not require the wearer to wind them up to keep it running. Instead, automatic watches use your movement to wind themselves throughout the day.

Although automatic watches work best when worn constantly, you shouldn't hesitate to buy one and not wear it every day. You can buy a winder that will simulate movement, ensuring that it stays constantly wound even when you're not wearing it. Keeping it wound up is important not only to keep the time accurate, but also to keep all other display functions accurate.

Mechanical watches

Mechanical watches have an interior similar to automatic watches. Again, they are powered by a mainspring that moves a gear system. The main difference is that they don't wind up automatically, you have to wind them up by hand. Once wound, the mainspring of these mechanical watches slowly unwinds and moves the hands of the watch.

The quality of these types of watches will dictate the smoothness of the movement of the hand around the face of the watch, as well as the accuracy of the time throughout the day. As with most other watches, the price is an indicator of the quality of the mechanics and how smoothly the watch runs.

Mechanical watches are traditional watches , so they are highly valued by connoisseurs and are often considered a luxury watch . Watch enthusiasts who understand the history, engineering and craftsmanship of mechanical watches will definitely appreciate this mechanical watch gift.

Quartz Watches

Quartz watches are the most common type of watch for the average person. These watches differ from automatic or mechanical watches because they are powered by a battery rather than a mainspring.

They are called a quartz watch because in addition to the battery, there is a small quartz inside the watch. As electricity from the battery rises through the quartz, it causes it to vibrate. The vibrations are converted into an impulse which then moves the hands.

Since quartz watches are powered by electricity and have a battery, they have fewer moving parts. Fewer moving parts can have several impacts on the watch. First, it means that if something breaks, it won't need heavy maintenance.

In addition, it allows them to be more durable and resistant than mechanical or automatic watches. They are therefore a good option to consider if you are buying a watch for a sportsman or a particularly active man.

Another key benefit of the simplicity of quartz watches is that they can be purchased cheaply. Depending on the intended use of the watch, you can get quartz watches ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. So you have a good chance of finding a quartz watch that fits your budget .

Dress watches

Dress watches appeared in the early 20th century and were made for upper-class men who wanted to switch from pocket watches to wristwatches. This trend towards the upper class has remained a constant for dress watches, as they can be used to elevate outfits and are often paired with suits. However, the dress watch is worn today by men from all walks of life.

As for the aesthetics of this watch, it is generally very thin and includes a leather strap . The dress watch face tends to display the time in indexes and can come in a plethora of different styles, such as saber or Roman style numerals, to make them easy to read. The case is generally plain, although some of the more expensive high-end cases come in gold or silver.

A dress watch is a perfect option if the man in your life is looking for a classic style watch. It's not too over the top and they can be used to dress up an outfit. Although dress watches don't pair very well with everyday casual looks, they are a great accessory for those occasions when you need to amp up your look!

Diving watches

If your man is looking for the 007 aesthetic, the diver's watch is the way to go. Popularized by the James Bond films, the diver's watch is one of the most popular men's watches today . These are mid-size watches, with metal straps and easy-to-read displays on a glass dial. The outer case of the diver's watch is unique to this type of watch as it includes a rotating bezel.

One of the best features of the dive watch, as the name suggests, is that it is water resistant . Most dive watches can be safely worn up to 100m underwater, making them a good choice for those whose hobbies revolve around water. In order to be water resistance, these watches are usually made of stainless steel which gives them a polished look.

Smart watches

Smartwatches are the newest addition to the world of watches . As well as being your traditional watch, they're essentially small wearables. Smartwatches can do different things but are rarely used as standalone devices.

Instead, they are connected and synchronized with other technological devices, the most popular being smart phones. Once synchronized, they have different functions, such as sending and receiving phone calls, playing music or simply using the calculator function.

When it comes to their aesthetics, smartwatches are quite versatile. Straps used for smartwatches can be made from a range of different materials and can sometimes be interchangeable.

Smartwatches are digitized and look like a small smart phone with touch screens. The screens themselves are fully customizable, be it fonts, background or other settings. A smartwatch is the perfect gift for a tech-savvy man.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Watch for Your Boyfriend, Husband or Dad

Now that you know what the most popular types of watches are, here are some tips to help you narrow your search further. There are a multitude of things that can influence your decision making on which watch will be best for the man in your life, so let us introduce them to you.

Brands

It is very important to think about the type of person you are buying a watch for. Do they pride themselves on owning all the latest fashion pieces or do they prefer functionality over aesthetics? It is important to keep this in mind when buying watches because there are many different brands of watches .

No doubt, your budget will tell you what kinds of brands are available to you, but no matter what prices you work with, you'll be able to find a brand you like.

If you are looking to buy a luxury watch, you will probably be looking for brands such as Rolex, Breitling or TAG Heuer. If you're looking for cheaper options, which still look great but are less hard on the wallet, you should look into brands such as Casio, Seiko or Tissot.

wrist size

One thing that many people overlook when buying a watch is the importance of knowing the wrist size. Respecting the proportion between the wrist and the watch is extremely important. If you buy a watch that is too big or too small for your wrist, it will look out of its element.

The easiest way for you to determine the size of watch you need is to simply estimate it. As soon as he puts it on, it should be obvious if he is too big or too small. If it is a gift, you can observe his current watch size to make your decision. Either way, it's important to keep proportionality in mind when buying watches .

Glass

The materials that make up a watch play a big role in its price. They also dictate its use and lifespan . When a cheap glass dial is used, these watches can break easily and will end up not being used as much as you would like.

There are three types of glass to consider when buying a watch:

• Mineral glass is a common type that is highly resistant to abrasions and will protect your dial from most external threats.
• Sapphire crystal is similar to mineral glass but is not as durable.
• The least resistant type of glass commonly used is acrylic , which is resistant to light and impact, but scratches more easily.

A more expensive watch will be stronger and have a longer lifespan. A less expensive model won't be as durable but might be more suitable for your needs.

Bracelet

A watch's strap gives it its essence and largely determines the overall aesthetic of your watch. You should think about the ideal style of the man you are buying for.

If you're looking for a more suave and sophisticated look, opt for a traditional leather strap. On the other hand, if you want a more modern look, you can opt for a metal strap.

Cost

As mentioned earlier, the quality of the watch you buy is dependent on its price. It is therefore important to establish your budget as early as possible to ensure that you have realistic expectations.

Although the watch world is known for its luxury watches, don't be discouraged if you can't afford $20,000 for a watch. There are plenty of affordable options that will allow you a similar aesthetic and that you can wear with confidence.