Journal

Watchmakers have always sought to push the craft forward. A community of vocal and dedicated aficionados constantly pushes trends in different directions. Because style, whether based on watch movement or case size, is anything but uniform. 

In the early days of watch development, complications (the other activities a watch can perform besides timekeeping) were unheard of. In an era where watches were too large even for pockets and were only accurate enough to tell the hour, progress meant better accuracy and smaller size.

Jack Mason is here to explain the hefty beginnings of the watch and the reason why thin watches became and remain desirable today. 

What Makes a Watch Size?

There are many practical considerations and demands upon the size of a watch. While watch sizes are most often measured by the case size, the element which most impacts case size is that which the case protects: The movement. The movement powers the watch, and more complicated movements demand more complicated machinery.

Most ultra-thin watches, in pursuit of lightness, do away with extensive complications, returning to the root of the timepiece as a timekeeping device. 

The upper limit for a thin watch is fairly generous, with any watch under 8mm being considered thin. Generally, 8mm and below watches are “thin,” 8mm to 12mm watches are average, and anything above 12mm is thick. However, although 8mm watches are considered thin, watchmakers would go much further in pursuit of the world's thinnest watch.

A History: Early Thick Watches 

Ironically, the very developments that made portable watches possible also condemned them to be large, unwieldy accessories. This was due to the now-defunct fusee.

This invention was a large cone that attached to the mainspring and would serve to increase accuracy as the mainspring began to wind down. While the fusee was a groundbreaking development, it was eventually phased out due to a tendency to break, as well as the size it added to watches. 

Early Thin Watches 

The earliest development of thin watches came about in the 18th Century. Watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lépine, while experimenting and attempting to make pocket watches smaller, invented what would be considered the modern mechanical movement. Through much work, he was able to ditch the drum-shaped movement created by the fusee.

In 1903, a new pocket watch movement, the Caliber 145, was invented. This movement was an astonishing 1.38mm thick. While watchmakers would tinker and slowly whittle down the record for the thinnest watch, the next major event in the history of the movement came from Japan in 1969.

The Quartz Revolution 

1969 was the year that quartz movements were introduced to the world. Prior to quartz, all major watch movements were mechanical in nature. Though automatic watches existed, automatic movement is a subtype of mechanical movements. Quartz watches eschewed the delicate mechanical engineering in favor of something else: Electricity.

At their core, quartz watches are battery-powered watches. The quartz crystal which gives the watch its name vibrates precisely when electricity passes through it. This powers the entire movement with a fraction of the previously needed watch parts.

With the invention of quartz, the needed interior components were simplified heavily. 

The Battle for the Thinnest Watch 

With a new, slender movement, it was only a matter of time before companies competed for the thinnest watch. In contemporary sizing, a watch is considered thin if it is under 8mms in thickness.

In 1979, the Delirium was introduced. This watch melded the caseback with the bottom plate of the watch movement and measured only 1.98mm in thickness. The later Delirium IV measured only .98mm. The latter watch did not feature traditional hands and was thin enough that it could not be worn without bending it.

The war of the thin watches ended ironically with a watch too impractical to wear, inverting the problems plaguing them in their early history.

Benefits To Wearing a Thin Watch 

We have discussed a bit of the hubris of the industry. However, when crafted sensibly, there are numerous benefits to wearing a thin watch.

• Comfort: Thin watches are lightweight without looking cheap. For those with smaller wrists or who simply don’t want to feel the weight of their wristwear, a thin watch can be more comfortable than a bulky one of similar case size. 
  
  
• Minimalism: Many have a strong need for the additional complications offered by sport watches. If, however, you desire a simpler watch to wear on your wrist, thin watches by nature tend to have simple, aesthetically oriented designs.
  
  
• These designs are created to take advantage of every surface while remaining as distinctively slim as possible.
  
  
• Cost: Unless you are going for an ultra-thin watch, thin watches tend to be cheaper than their standard and oversized counterparts. There are a few reasons for this.
  
  Firstly, many thin watches are made from smaller quartz movements, which are cheaper to make than mechanical or automatic movements.
  
  Secondly, due to necessity, many thin watches lack other complications, making them simpler and easier to construct.  

• Style: In a market where big watches are markedly trendy and are often used as statement pieces, a thin, understated piece makes an equally powerful statement. A thin watch subverts the trend to create a daring statement.
  
  A thin watch stands for sleekness and sophistication. It says that the wearer believes the strongest statement does not have to carry the most physical weight.

Cons of Wearing a Thin Watch 

No matter the craftsmanship, no watch is universally excellent. Despite their benefits, thin watches do have a few downsides relative to their larger counterparts.

• Durability: In eliminating all unnecessary elements, some things must be sacrificed. Thin mechanical watch movements are sometimes assembled in a way that is unstable, prioritizing thinness over construction.
  
  Also, as previously stated in regards to the Delirium IV, some ultrathin watches are more prone to damage. Still, as long as proper care is taken, durability should not be a concern unless dealing with highly specialized thin watches.

• Simplicity: Many thin watches lack the complications or safety features demanded from a pilot or divers watch. Save the thin watch for where it can shine, and use more durable sports watches when the situation calls for them. 

How To Find Your Watch Thickness 

After reading this, you may want to check out a thin watch for yourself or measure the thickness of the watches in your existing collection. However, aside from the notably ultra-thin watches, pieces are usually not advertised by their thickness.

There are many ways to figure out the thickness of a watch when this information is not readily available, but these are a few of the simpler ways:

1. Check Yourself: If you have a watch physically in front of you, the simplest way to measure the thickness is to lay the case flat, then place a ruler perpendicular to the length of the case, being careful not to scratch it. The measurement should be read from the very top of the crystal.
   
   
2. Search Company Websites, and Analyze Case and Movement Size (Estimate): Note that this measurement will not always give you an exact thickness but will still help you figure out how it will fit on your wrist. Using the internet to find out more about your watch can be simple and easy. 
   
   For example, Jack Mason’s Ellum showcases a Miyota 1L45 movement, which a Google search shows has a thickness of 2.93mm. The watch also has a 40mm case size, which is on the smaller end average for cases, and suggests a potentially smaller than average thickness. 
   
   
3. Inquire Directly: Many companies have on their websites the ability to contact them directly. Jack Mason, for instance, allows its users to send inquiries regarding specific watch models, whether the question is about the thickness or any other attribute.
   
   A watch is an investment, so we encourage doing your research before finding the perfect fit for you. 

How To Know if Wearing a Thin Watch Is Right For You 

Ultimately, there are only two questions to ask when deciding whether or not you should wear a thin watch.

Firstly, can you physically wear it? Though there are guides that can lead you to your ideal watch size, generally, band and case size are bigger concerns than watch thickness.

The second question is simpler: Do you want to? Choosing a watch, at least where thickness is concerned, is not quite the same as choosing a shirt. Watches of nearly every thickness are available to you, but what matters most is what you feel happy and confident wearing.

Thin watches provide a sleek and slender piece of wristwear, part of a historic hunt for perfection in both form and function.

Whether you want an alternative to the bulky, complication-packed sports watches in your closet, or simply wish to express your appreciation of the simpler things in life, a thin watch makes a wonderful way to exhibit your personal style. 

Sources:

How to Choose a Watch for Your Wrist Size I The Trend Spotter 

History of Watchmaking I Haute Horlogerie

The Concord Delirium I American Time Magazine

Watches come in remarkably different sizes. Being able to properly measure your own watch can be a godsend, especially when examining vintage watches or evaluating what you aesthetically want from the next addition to your wrist. Style is not the only concern at hand: An improperly sized watch can cause discomfort and even nerve damage. Over the course of this article, we will show you how to easily measure any wristwatch you own in the comfort of your own home.

Why Measuring Your Watch Case is Essential 

When purchasing a shirt, you would do more than simply look at it before making your purchase. Why, then, should watches be examined under a lesser degree of scrutiny? At Jack Mason, we understand that even the smallest details matter. Every single measurement of a watch is interrelated, affecting the overall size and appearance of the piece, which creates a distinct mark on your outfit and impression. 

Oftentimes, companies will list the dimensions of their offerings online. In practice, the listed dimensions may not always be perfectly accurate, or some important measurements such as thickness may be omitted. For these reasons and more, it is highly important that you be able to take the measurements of your watch yourself.

Depending on how a watch was acquired and where it is from, accurate information on dimensions may not be available. In their early history, watches tended to be smaller, and many vintage watches have since undergone changes in design relating to size upon reissue. Furthermore, it is possible for the features or embellishments of a watch to obscure the true size of the case.

The most common factor at play is the bezel. A watch with a thick bezel but a comparatively small dial will appear to have a smaller case than a watch with more proportionate features. However, in reality, the bezel can significantly add to the diameter of a case, which then adds to the thickness of the overall piece. 

Watch Size and Style

It should be noted that watches do not demand as perfect a fit as, say, a pair of shoes. A wrist can fit a range of sizes, allowing you to choose what you wear to make a statement matching your personal style. This is not to say that your choice in size should not be deliberate. Generally, men’s sizes start at around 34mm, though women’s watches and many vintage watches may run smaller. Tool watches such as dive watches tend to have larger case sizes to accommodate their extra features.

Additionally, for both men and women, large watches are becoming more popular. A large watch case may look great on your wrist under many conditions, but too thick a watch may cause your shirt or suit sleeves to bulge uncomfortably. On the other hand, too tight a watch may pinch or damage your wrist. 

How To Measure Your Watch Case 

A caliper will be needed for the measurements below, with one exception. A ruler may work in a pinch, but a caliper, ideally a digital one, will be the best tool for giving you the precise measurements needed. All measurements will be listed in millimeters, as that is the most commonly used metric for sizing. We will be covering the following topics:

• How To Use Your Caliper
• Measuring the Case of a Watch
• How to Measure Lug Width
• How To Measure Lug-to-Lug
• Measuring Thickness

How To Use your Caliper 

Because using a caliper is slightly more complicated than using a ruler, we will be briefly explaining how to use it. If you already know how to use one, feel free to skip to the next section, “Measuring the Case.”

Due to their accuracy and ease of legibility, the following description assumes that a digital caliper is being used. A caliper consists of a beam and a movable plastic or metal attachment, which assists in taking measurements and reading the scale. On one side of the caliper is a set of exterior-facing jaws meant to take measurements such as length and diameter. On the other side is a set of interior-facing jaws, meant for taking inside measurements such as the distance between the lugs of a watch.

One half of each set of jaws is connected to the beam, and the other half is connected to the movable attachment. On the attachment is a thumbscrew, which adjusts the jaws of the caliper. There is also a lock screw, which holds the jaws in place. Digital calipers have additional features such as a battery compartment and an ABS button that resets the digital measurement to zero, as well as a button that switches the measurement between inches and millimeters.

To take an interior measurement, loosen the lock screw, place the exterior-facing jaws in the space you are measuring, and adjust until the upper jaws touch the wall of the hole. Then, tighten the lock screw. Remove when finished.

To take an exterior measurement, follow a similar pattern. Instead clamp the interior-facing jaws around the facet of the watch you are measuring. 

Measuring the Case of a Watch 

To measure the diameter of your watch, place the interior-facing jaws of the caliper on two opposite ends of the timepiece, making sure to measure across the center of the watch. Always be gentle, so you don’t scratch your timepiece. You should endeavor, if possible, to take your reading from the three o’clock to nine o’clock position. If your watch has a crown or other feature preventing an accurate measurement from these positions, you can elect instead to take your reading slightly offset from them, such as two o’clock to eight o’clock or four o’clock to ten o’clock.

For watches that are not perfectly round, you should attempt to take a measurement, still crossing the center of the watch, where the diameter will be the smallest. While this is an imperfect solution, it is the most accurate one to gauge how it will lay on your wrist. Once you have the calipers properly placed, you can take a reading in millimeters to find the case size. For the most proportionate look, try the following case sizes based on the size of your wrist:

• Six inches: On the smaller end. Try 34mm-38 mm cases.
• Seven inches: Medium-sized. 39mm-42mm cases will work best.
• Eight inches: For individuals with large wrists, cases between 44mm and 47mm will give the most proportionate appearance.

How To Measure Lug Width 

Knowing how to measure the width between lugs is as important as knowing how to measure the case itself, as the lug width directly impacts the width of the strap you need to fit your timepiece.

Place one exterior-facing caliper on each lug, and make sure that you are measuring from the inner side of the lug and not the outer. Only the inner lug measurement determines the ideal strap width.

How To Measure Lug-to-Lug Distance 

Not to be confused with the lug width, lug-to-lug distance refers to the distance between the lugs on the opposite sides of a watch. This measurement affects how a watch will lay across your wrist, which is essential information. With your caliper, use the interior-facing jaws to measure the distance between two parallel lugs on opposite sides of the watch. This measurement, taken with your wrist size, will let you know how comfortably it will sit on your wrist.

Measuring Thickness

Thickness is a less measured, though no less important dimension of a watch. All previous measurements and features we have alluded to, which is to say the bezel, case size, and lug width, have an impact on watch thickness. Generally, a larger case size means a thicker watch. For individuals with especially slender wrists, a thicker watch may cause discomfort when worn with proportionate dress clothes. However, larger watches often come with more special features than their smaller predecessors.

For example, the Jack Mason Solar Watch is made from recycled material, features solar-powered movement, and is tested for water resistance for up to 100 meters. Thickness is the one metric where simplicity works best: Lay your watch flat and gently push a ruler, standing up against it. Avoid using a caliper, as in order to measure with it, you would have to clamp the jaws onto the crystal itself. Watch thicknesses vary less than case sizes, with most being between seven and nine millimeters. 

After Measuring 

Whether you have now measured every watch in your collection, wanted to prepare for future endeavors, or were simply curious about the topics of this article, you are now one step closer to being in complete control of your wardrobe. A word of advice: Every rule has exceptions. 

While the measuring guide should be taken as written, you know your own body and style better than anyone. Suppose you have a smaller wrist but want to show off a watch with an impressive case, or have a larger wrist but enjoy the look and feel of a smaller, sleeker design. In that case, we at Jack Mason encourage you to follow your true self and carry an extensive selection of watches to help you find them.

Sources:

How To Measure A Watch Case Size Easily [GUIDE] | The Slender Wrist

Radial Nerve Dysfunction | MedlinePlus

Digital Calipers: Why You Need This Tool in Your Collection | Family Handy Man

The watch is the quintessential fashion item. Whether worn for purely functional purposes or used to elevate an outfit, the benefits of wearing a watch far outweigh the negligible-at-best downsides.

Whether one wants a refresher on how to wear their favorite accessory or gain an introduction to an article whose reputation for style and dignity precedes itself, Jack Mason is here to offer the ultimate guide on how to wear a watch.

Fundamentals

There are a few key elements that are absolutely essential to one's horological future. How do you properly wear a watch? How do you navigate the numerous types and movements?

And how do you figure out the proper watch size for your wrist?

How to Wear a Watch 

One of the key rules to be aware of when wearing a watch is knowing which hand to wear it on. Most people wear their watch on their left hand. We say “most” for a reason: the non-dominant hand is the proper one on which to wear a watch. By wearing a watch on your off hand, you extend its lifespan and protect it from getting scratched in any of the myriad activities or exertions we use our dominant hand for.

Matching Your Watch to Your Outfit 

Choosing when to wear your watch is just as important as where you wear it. True fashion etiquette has become less rigorously structured since the latter half of the 20th century, but there are still some axioms about wearing your watch that hold true. 

Firstly, if you elect to wear a leather strap while also wearing leather shoes, both types of leather should match. This becomes easier to manage if you can find a watch with quick-release pins, which allow you to easily change and customize your strap to fit your outfit.

Secondly, if you have multiple metallic accents on your outfit, such as your belt buckle, shoe buckle, or cufflinks, you should endeavor, if possible, to match your case or band to the other metals. 

Deciding Which Watch is Right for You 

Now that you have had an introduction to rules to keep in mind when wearing your watch, it is time to take active steps in choosing an ideal watch. We will now be introducing the two key facets affecting both the aesthetic and practical functions of watches: Movement and type. 

Movement refers to the mechanism powering the movable elements of a watch, whereas type refers to the overall functionality of a watch.

Watch Movements 

There are three key types of watch movements: Mechanical, automatic, and quartz. Of these, mechanical is the oldest, followed by automatic, with quartz movement first appearing a scant 52 years ago.

Mechanical watch movements are defined by intricate, precise machinery and exquisite craftsmanship. These watches are powered by hand-wound springs and take daily maintenance. They often have partially clear case backs to exhibit the delicate machinery, which makes them appreciated by connoisseurs.

Automatic watch movements are actually a subcategory of mechanical watches, called automatic for their self-winding motors. The movement relies on the motion of the wrist, and for this reason, automatic watches were not successful until the popularization of wristwatches in the early 20th century. A rotor inside the watch rotates with movement, thus generating the power for the watch.

Automatic watches can still be hand wound however, as if they are not worn for a lengthy period of time the stored kinetic energy will deplete, and the watch will cease to function until it is wound or rotated once more. Automatic watches boast a heftier weight and increased size due to necessity than their mechanical and quartz counterparts. Both automatic and mechanical watches feature a constantly moving second hand, creating a beautiful legato, sweeping motion that they are appreciated for.

Quartz watch movements do not rely on mechanical parts like the previously listed movements do. Instead, a battery sends carefully measured bursts of electricity to a quartz crystal, which vibrates in precise measurements. Quartz watches tend to be more accurate but generally lack the fine, consistent sweeping motion. Instead, they create a staccato “tick tick” movement.   

Watch Types 

In truth, there are enough watch types to merit an article dedicated solely to them. But, for a general guide, we are going to briefly cover a few of the most common types.

Dress watches feature elegant designs and are meant to be appropriate under all formal situations. Though dress watches can be worn with casual attire, it is important for a dress watch to be smaller so that it can fit under long-sleeved shirts without bulging or bunching.

Field watches were originally developed for combat use, and this shows in their modern design. Practical, legible, stylish, and rugged: field watches make for the perfect all-terrain watch, no matter the occasion. 

Closely related are pilot watches, simple timepieces that feature larger dials and hands for maximum legibility. They also often are built to be more shock and water-resistant than other watches. 

Racing watches come packed with a massive array of complications, including chronographs, and for this reason, they tend to be larger than other watches.

Diver’s watches were developed in tandem with modern scuba equipment and are built to be more water-resistant as well as highly legible. Cinephiles may enjoy knowing that James Bond, in his current incarnation, often wears diver’s watches.

Sizing Yourself for Your Watch 

By now, you have received general style tips and been given an introduction to both watch movements and types. Only one step remains before you go forth and accessorize confidently: Measuring your wrist in order to discover your ideal watch size.

There are two easy ways to measure the size of your wrist. The first is to wrap a tape measure around your wrist and take the measurement that way. If you do not have a tape measure handy, there is a simpler, albeit less precise method, to take your measurement. By wrapping a dollar bill, which is six inches long, around your wrist, you can estimate by the amount of coverage it gives you what your wrist size is. Following our guide, wrist sizing works roughly like this:  

• 6 inches: Cases around 34mm - 38mm. 
• 7 to 7.5 inches: Cases around 39mm, 40mm, and 42mm.
• 8 inches and larger: Cases between 44-46mm, or even 47mm.

Additionally, we recommend the following dimensions for band size:

• 6.0 - 6.5” wrist or 150 - 164mm = 120/70mm
• 6.6 - 7.0” wrist or 165 - 178mm = 125/75mm
• 7.1 - 7.5” wrist or 179 - 190mm = 130/80mm
• 7.6 - 8.0” wrist or 191 - 203mm = 135/80mm
• 8.1 - 8.5” wrist or 204 - 216mm = 140/85mm
• 8.6 - 9.0” wrist or 217 - 229mm = 145/90mm

Navigating Watch Hazards 

Even for the most cautious of individuals, life happens. For that reason, these next few sections will discuss the most deadly dangers your watch may face on a semi-regular basis. After this, you will be fully equipped to find a watch you love and to wear and take care of it to the best of your ability.

Magnetism

A disclaimer: Magnetism is primarily an issue with mechanical and automatic watch movements, as quartz watches have components protecting them from the effect of magnetism. Many objects in daily life are magnetic to a small degree: Cell phones, tablets, radios, and other tech. Magnetism in small doses should pose no issue to a watch.

However, sometimes when a watch is exposed to a high degree of magnetism, the internal machinery can become magnetized, which translates to seconds or minutes gained or lost every day. The fix in cases like this is fortunately simple: Either take your watch to a local watchmaker, or else you can purchase a demagnetizer online.

If you are unsure whether or not your watch has been magnetized, you can try holding it above a compass. If the needle of the compass moves as the watch approaches it, then your watch has been magnetized and needs readjusting.

Beware of Water 

Water can spell demise for any kind of watch. Aside from diver’s watches, timepieces are largely not designed for use in water, merely to survive being used in water. When purchasing a watch, the depth of water resistance is listed, usually measured in meters. The most common water testing depth is 100 meters, though divers watches can be tested much deeper. This does not mean you can be totally carefree at the pool, however.

The depth test measures the amount of water pressure the protective gasket of the watch can withstand, and abrupt changes in pressure such as those caused by jumping off a diving board into a pool repeatedly can strain the gasket and cause water to leak into the watch. Additionally, adjusting the crown or other components of the watch underwater may temporarily break the seal created by the gasket. Neither the electronic components of quartz watches nor the machine components found in mechanical and automatic watches are water-proof, but with proper caution, water should prove no issue for your timepiece. 

You should also be wary of your watch band: Leather and some metals may be damaged by water, so for this reason, we recommend keeping these bands far away from the beach or pool. If they do get wet, immediately wipe them off to minimize damage.

Keeping Time in Check

Ultimately, the best watch for you is one you feel comfortable and confident in. Watches can be dressed up or dressed down, and there’s a watch for every hobby, event, and lifestyle. 

With careful love and treatment, your watch should keep ticking as long as you do. 

Sources:

The Five Main Watch Types… | Wristworthy

Tom Ford Interview: The Rules to Wearing a Watch | British GQ

What to Do if Your Watch Is Magnetized  | NY Times

As long as watches have existed, so have watch calibers. The caliber, also known as the movement, is a key component of any timepiece. Whereas the case protects the components of the watch, and the dial displays the time, the movement is the mechanism that causes all the movable elements of the watch to function. In this article, we at Jack Mason will endeavor to explain the subtle differences between two types of watch movements: Mechanical and Automatic.

Mechanical Movement: The First of Many 

The earliest mechanical watches appeared in the late 15th century and were so large they had to be worn on a belt. Worse, these clocks were only able to measure time by the hour. Subsequent centuries would improve the accuracy and efficiency of these materials, but the basic premise of the mechanical watch movement would remain the same. 

A mechanical watch movement starts with a tightly coiled flat spring. Without anything to control its movement, the spring would unspool immediately. However, the spring feeds into a series of slowly turning gears, which themselves are controlled by a secondary spring, called the hairspring. Jeweled bearings within the watch protect it from vibration and other motions which would otherwise damage or morph the internal components.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries would see the mass production of mechanical wristwatches, and WWI would solidify the significance of contemporary mechanical watches forever. Before the 20th century, mechanical wristwatches were predominantly used by women exclusively. By the end of the First World War, it became commonplace for soldiers to wear wristwatches and thus be able to read the time while keeping both hands free to fight. Nearly six years after Armistice Day, however, a rival to the old mechanical watch emerged.

The Entrance of the Automatic Watch

In 1924, John Harwood filed a patent for the world’s first automatic wristwatch. In truth, the history of the automatic watch is disputed, having started sometime in the late 18th century, but it is undisputed that Harwood brought automatic watches to the forefront as a convenient alternative to mechanical watches. 

The patent showed many improvements over older mechanical watches. Much of the interior remained similar, with one crucial difference: The automatic watch, true to its name, was self-winding. Whereas a mechanical watch needed to be hand-wound and would stop functioning after a few days without this maintenance, Harwood’s automatic watch held an oscillating weight that would wind the spring in response to the wearer’s kinetic energy.

In layman’s terms, the simple act of moving while wearing the watch winds the spring, which then unspools in a manner similar to that in ordinary mechanical watches. Otherwise, automatic watches are still operated by similar machinery to that in mechanical watches.

Here, we reveal to you the secret of these two watch varieties: All automatic watches are also mechanical watches. Both these watch movements use mechanical components to keep time, as opposed to quartz watches, which use electricity to power their movement. For the sake of clarity, we will still be using “mechanical” to refer to non-self winding watches, specifying all mechanical watches where relevant.

Winding Your Watch 

All mechanical watches still need to be wound, though automatic watches rarely need to be manually wound. A mechanical watch should, ideally, be wound every day, as its movement becomes less accurate the less taut the mainspring becomes. To wind any kind of mechanical watch, simply wind the crown clockwise. Once it has been properly wound, the watch should produce a bit of friction, essentially telling you it has been wound enough. Overwinding can damage the delicate machinery, but only if you force it well beyond the resistance point.

Automatic watches, on the other hand, cannot be overwound. They are created with specific mechanisms designed to prevent this from happening. If the natural movement of your wrist is not enough to power the movement on a sedentary day, or if you have not worn it and thus not powered it in a long time, gently shaking, winding, or rotating the watch should be enough to restart its movement. If you have an extensive collection of automatic watches, it is even possible to purchase a watch winder to wind your automatic watches while they are not being worn.

Durability and Accuracy of Different Watch Movements 

We will briefly discuss quartz movement again to offer a comparison between quartz watches and all mechanical watches. Quartz watches attained popularity in the 1970s and offered a sometimes sleeker, battery-powered alternative to mechanical and automatic watches. It is no secret that quartz watches, with their electrical components, have mechanical and automatic watches beat when it comes to accuracy. Mechanical and automatic watches both begin to lose accuracy as they come unwound, though not so severely as to render them definitively inferior. However, quartz watches do have some significant aesthetic differences from mechanical and automatic watches that merit discussion. In quartz watches, the movement of the second hand has a staccato, “tick tick” appearance, owing to the movement. In mechanical and automatic watches, the movement of the second hand is consistent and sweeping, owing to the constant spring or rotor movement occurring inside the watch.

How Do Mechanic Watches Differ in Feel From Automatic Watches? 

The internal differences in mechanical and automatic movements force some exterior differences as well. Mechanical watches are filled with delicate, precise machinery and dozens of moving parts that are sometimes so small that they require special tools made for watch repair. Many mechanical watches will have partially clear cases to expose the intricacy of the machine, turning the machine on your wrist into a work of art, in addition to a fashion piece and practical part of your attire.

Automatic watches, however, tend to be larger and weightier than their mechanical counterparts. The machinery inside, the weight, in particular, is larger and heavier than the internal components of mechanical watches. In some watches, it is possible to physically hear and feel the rotor moving as you rotate the watch, which to some may be a deterrent and to others may be a euphoric reminder of the craftsmanship they wear. 

Practical Considerations for the Watch Wearer 

Mechanical and automatic watches do share some similar weaknesses, and we would be remiss not to mention them here. Being mechanical, both are susceptible to the magnetism found in television, speakers, and other technology, as well as electric shocks. The negative impact these may have is easily fixed by merely adjusting the time when you have a nearby clock to use for reference.

A more practical issue, depending on your activity level, is the mechanical watch’s durability in regard to water. All watches are water-resistant to a degree while not being water-proof, but regular mechanical watches, in particular, are sensitive to moisture due to the complex array of precise machinery operating the movement. While a drop of water here and there would not cause the destruction of a watch, we recommend leaving your mechanical watch off for swimming unless the piece in question is a diver’s watch or otherwise has a high water resistance. 

Mechanical vs. Automatic: Pro and Con 

After this, you should feel a little more comfortable around the different types of watch movements, even if the debate over which one is best is not going away any time soon. Below, we are going to summarize some of the strengths and weaknesses of mechanical and automatic watches.

Mechanical 

Pro:

• Elegant machinery and movement.
• Many vintage watches will be mechanical.
• Longevity, if properly cared for.

Con:

• Needs daily winding.
• Will lose accuracy as it comes unwound.
• Generally more sensitive than quartz counterparts. 

Automatic 

Pro:

• Self-winding
• Smooth, sleek second-hand movement.
• Cheaper and easier maintenance than regular mechanical watches.

Con: 

• Will need to be rewound if you are inactive or not a daily wearer.
• Noise and feel of weight moving may be a pro or con, depending on preferences.

Many of the strengths and weaknesses of automatic and mechanical watches are similar. This is because they both have a closely related heritage, the former belonging to the larger, latter group. Mechanical watches may not be for everyone. Certainly, automatic watches are significantly simpler in regard to upkeep for those of you who find yourself on the go more often than not. Whichever route you take, the level of detail bestowed upon these watches is something not to be missed.

Mechanical Vs. Automatic: The Final Analysis 

By now, you have learned about the storied history of mechanical timepieces and had a chance to view some of the complications they have and continue to overcome. In our opinion, it is not up to a single authority to declare automatic or mechanical watches to be superior.

We believe that they are both of equal value, whether you choose to wind by hand or by the strides you take in your life every day. What we can say in confidence, however, is that by wearing any kind of watch, you are dedicating yourself to interacting with a degree of craftsmanship and innovation whose history is as elegant as its execution.

Sources: 

History of Watchmaking I Haute Horlogerie

How World War I Changed Watches Forever I Bloomberg

Over-Winding A Watch: Automatic vs Mechanical vs Hand-Wound I The Slender Wrist

What defines the value of a watch? Certainly not the price. Is it the case size? Watches in the last half-century have started to trend bigger, but size does not speak to the exterior beauty of a piece or to the nuanced internal machinery that helps give watches their singular, stylish appeal. We would like to propose this particular factor as being crucial: The movement.

The movement of a watch is the beating heart around which all other practical and aesthetic considerations must be designed and thus determines what a watch is and what it can be. Automatic watches, in particular, marry classic craftsmanship and modern ingenuity for a pragmatic and gorgeous solution to your daily needs. This article will examine what makes automatic watches special and showcases some of the best offerings under $500.

Mechanical, Automatic, and Quartz: Differences Between Watch Movements 

Perhaps you are already familiar with automatic watches. Perhaps you are merely familiar with the phrase “watch movement.” It may even be that you are looking to find an entry point into the world of watches. Regardless of whether you are a connoisseur or an eager novice, it is essential when searching for a new watch to fully understand what sets it apart from the competition. For this reason, we will be briefly touching on other types of watch movements and what makes automatic watches uniquely attractive. 

Simply put, the watch movement is the function that causes the movable parts within a watch to operate and allows the watch to accurately measure time. The three most prominent watch movements will be discussed: Quartz, mechanical, and, of course, automatic. 

Quartz Watches 

Quartz watches emerged during the latter half of the 20th century. Rather than relying on the fine-crafted machinery of their mechanical and automatic counterparts, quartz watches use battery-powered electrical currents in order to produce the vibrations that make a clock tick. Electricity is sent in controlled bursts to a quartz crystal, which then vibrates in a precise manner to cause the hands to move forward in the familiar ticking fashion.

Because of the movement, quartz watches may be marginally more accurate timekeepers than their counterparts. However, by virtue of their simple interior, quartz watches tend to lack the complicated caseback visuals that mechanical and automatic watches showcase elegantly. 

Mechanical Watches 

A word on nomenclature: All automatic watches are mechanical watches. In truth, there are two main types of watches: Electric and mechanical. Mechanical watches are then subdivided into nonwinding, often simply called mechanical, and automatic. However, mechanical watches as a whole predate automatic watches by centuries.

The earliest portable mechanical watches appeared in the late 15th century, though “portable” is a phrase to be used with a disclaimer: The earliest mechanical watches were so large that they had to be worn around one's neck or belt. The element that distinguishes mechanical watches from electronic watches is their movement. In mechanical watches, the movement is caused by a complex series of small machinery, powered by a slowly uncoiling wound-up spring.

The spring slowly unwinds into a series of gears, whose turning speed is controlled by a secondary spring, called a hairspring. Mechanical watches must be manually wound, and while they do showcase fine and delicate craftsmanship, they also become less accurate as they come unwound. In addition, they also require more upkeep than other movements.

Automatic Watches 

Automatic watches still rely on inner machinery to properly measure time, but unlike their normal mechanical counterparts, they do not need to be manually wound. Rather, automatic watches are wound by the energy generated by the wearer's activities of daily life. This self-winding feature is the key difference between automatic watches and their counterparts.

An automatic watch’s movement is powered by a weighted rotor which turns in response to the user's wrist movements. As such, an automatic watch lives in a space where it exhibits both the detailed craftwork of mechanical watches and the low upkeep of quartz watches.

For these reasons, they offer the wearer a crucial solution in both form and functionality. An additional feature unique to automatic watches: The weighted rotor inside often adds a palpable weight to the watch, giving them a special sense of gravitas.

The Origins of the Automatic Watch 

The earliest automatic watches appeared in the 1770s but failed to become popular due to their unreliability. During the 1770s, pocket watches were still the norm, and as such, the mechanisms remained too sedentary to be functional. Wristwatches, prior to the 20th century, were primarily seen as womenswear. They became popular across the entire market following military usage in the Boer War and WWI. A few short years later, in 1923, John Harwood claimed the first patents for automatic wristwatches. The need for larger internal mechanisms meant that automatic watches were often heftier than their mechanical counterparts, which contributed to the trend for the big watches we see today. A happy complication of the increased size is that automatic watches often have additional features, adding to their practicality and design.

The Best Automatic Watches Under $500 

By this point, you have been introduced to the unique appeal which has helped automatic watches gain a foothold in the market for the last century.

Below, Jack Mason has collected some of the best automatic watches under $500 on the market, taking into careful consideration the special features which set them apart not only from other watches in general but other automatic watches in particular. 

Pursuit Automatic Box Set: $289 & $319 

The Pursuit Automatic Box Sets feature two different 42mm models, which we will discuss together and then separately. Both models feature sapphire crystal and 316L stainless steel cases to maximize protection and sleekness of appearance, as well as crisp Miyota 8215 movement. Included are SuperLuminova markings on the watch dial, allowing for easy readings at night. Inspired by a timeless pilot’s watch design, they both highlight an elegant caseback. This allows one a glance at the watch’s inner workings, which automatic watches are known for.

For $289, the Pursuit has an understated black case and dial, which you can accent in a tasteful monochrome with a black NATO strap or highlight more flashily with the tan Italian leather strap that comes included in the box set.

For $319, the Pursuit 2 features a more elegant, classic appearance, featuring a stainless steel case and a navy dial with gold accents. The watch comes with both a stainless steel chain-link bracelet band and a more neutral leather strap. Both are easily customized with the quick release pins of the watch, allowing for a more formal or casual appearance, depending on the occasion. For additional options, both the Pursuit and the Pursuit 2 are compatible with any Jack Mason 22mm strap.

• Highlights: Both contemporary black and classic steel case styles are available to match your personal preference. Further customization options are available with the quick-release pins and additional strap included in either box set. 

Canton Day Date: $289 

This starkly stunning 40mm watch creates its eye-catching silhouette through a beautiful blue dial with cutting, silver dauphine hands. With sapphire crystal, durable 316L steel links, and water resistance tested to 100 meters, the Canton Day Date is built with legacy in mind. The watch additionally includes SuperLuminova markings for increased legibility at night and is compatible with any Jack Mason 20mm watch band, allowing for customization. 

Also featured is the exhibition caseback, which makes the intricate machinery special to automatic watches visible, increasing the intrigue and visual appeal of the timepiece.

In summation, the Canton Day Date in style and function harkens back to the very elements that have made automatic watches great while offering enough innovation to hint towards the movement’s future.

• Highlights: The classic design, sky-blue dial, and multifaceted indices make this watch visually stunning while still combining contemporary aesthetic choices. The understated caseback gives a glance at the Miyota 8205 movement, which makes this watch truly unique.

Seatrek Automatic Box Set: $359 

If you are searching for a hefty tool watch to suit any practical needs you may have, look no further than the 42mm Seatrek Automatic Box Set. True to its name, this diver’s watch is water resistance tested at 300 meters, additionally featuring a screw-down crown, divers extension, and sapphire crystal to ensure your watch has the maximum protection and comfort possible.

This box set comes with both a rubber strap and a stainless steel band, easily interchangeable through quick release pins, meaning that the Seatrek Automatic will be ready-to-wear immediately, in any context. Additionally, the sleek, monochromatic dial and bezel feature dual-colored SuperLuminova markings, allowing for quick and accurate readability at night or in darkness.

• Highlights: With a bevy of features designed for divers, the Seatrek is an affordable, durable, and intensely gorgeous watch. Legibility-enhancing markings on both the dial and rotating anodized aluminum bezel assist with reading at night or on deep dives in a fashion-forward manner.

Watching Trends

Watches are a rich part of our history as a culture and continue to dazzle and assist us as we go about our everyday lives. However, owning and keeping watches can be expensive.

With Jack Mason, everyone is offered a chance to live out their dreams: whether a businessman on the go or an explorer swimming to the bottom of the sea. These watches may be fit for every day, but they are truly one-of-a-kind. 

Sources:

Men's Watches Keep Getting Bigger I New York Times

History of Watchmaking I Haute Horlogerie

History of Automatic Watch I History of Modern Watch

Watches make fantastic statement pieces. They are mechanical works of art worn on your wrist that can add class to any outfit. But getting into watches can be overwhelming; there is a lot of terminology that gets thrown around, and it can be difficult to understand all of it at first. 

Jack Mason is here to help unpack a little bit of that and to teach you about automatic watches and what sets them apart from the rest.

A Broad Overview of Watches 

When first picking a watch, there are two big choices to make when it comes to what kind of watch you want. The first is to choose between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch. 

Quartz Watches vs. Mechanical Watches

Quartz watches have a small battery inside that is used to power the movement, the movement being the internal mechanism of the watch that causes the hands to move. Mechanical watches lack a battery, and instead, their movement is powered by the assortment of gears inside. 

This is when you have to make your second big choice; choosing between a manual winding and an automatic watch.

Manual Winding vs. Automatic

Manual winding watches require you to, as the name implies, manually wind up the mainspring, which powers the movement via a crown on the side of the watch face. The mainspring is a spring that's nestled inside of the watch that, as the crown is wound, will get tighter and tighter. The unwinding of that tension is what makes the hands move.  And as that tension is gradually lessened throughout the day, each second that goes by means another tick, and the "battery" runs lower and lower. 

Most mechanical watches have a life anywhere between twenty hours or forty hours. Some extremely high-end watches can last for seventy hours. But no matter how long the battery is, you're still typically winding your watch every other day. Automatic watches can have a significantly longer battery life as the mainspring is "recharged," in a sense, by the natural movement of your arms swinging. Let's go into some detail on how that works now.

How Does an Automatic Watch Generate Power 

The idea is that an automatic watch can take the natural kinetic energy from the movement of your arm and wind the mainspring with it. A semi-circular weighted rotor on the inside of the watch is connected to the mainspring through a series of gears. That way, as your arm moves, so does the rotor. When the rotor makes a rotation, the mainspring is wound tighter and tighter. 

The best part of this is that if you're wearing an automatic watch, you will no longer have to wind your watch every day, or even every other day. Oftentimes you can wear your watch for several weeks at a time without needing to manually wind it again. 

This does come with two downsides. One is that the watch is naturally thicker than its manually-wound counterparts, as it has the additional component of the rotor inside. The other is that you then have to wear that one watch every day if you want to get the most out of that automatic winding functionality.

Info on Winding an Automatic Watch 

When you first purchase an automatic watch, you'll need to do a bit of hand-winding to get the mainspring going, as there probably hasn't been enough kinetic energy to keep it wound. To do this, just push the crown (the circular knob on the side of the watch) all the way in and turn it clockwise. This will wind the mainspring. 

The only time this differs is if the automatic you purchased is a sports watch. These are designed to have their crowns screwed in so that they can't break off and damage the movement if the watch is hit. To wind, the mainspring just unscrews the crown out a bit from the case, and then you should be able to wind it normally.

One of the more frequently asked questions is, "Is it possible to overwind in an automatic watch?" This is an issue that can crop up with normal hand-wound watches. With those, if you are hand winding and you don't notice the increasing tension, it's possible to damage the internal mechanism. Fortunately, this is not something you'll have to worry about with most automatic watches.  

How to Choose an Automatic Watch 

Watches are in a really interesting place right now. It's never been easier to know exactly what time it is. It's on our phones; it’s on our computers; it's even on our ovens. But watches remain as popular as ever. And the reason for that is twofold. 

Firstly, there are circumstances where having a watch is a necessity. Divers use them to check how long they've been under the water for, soldiers in the field use them as an analog replacement to tell the time, sailors use them in extended trips; there are scenarios where watches just tell the time better than a phone. 

And secondly, watches are amazing fashion pieces. They can radically enhance an outfit, they can make conversation pieces, and so, in the same way that suits will never go out of style, watches will be around for a long, long time. 

Kevin O'Leary, of Shark Tank fame, is also a renowned watch collector, and his collection is valued in the millions. He has a quote that expresses his philosophy on watches, saying, "I don't care about telling the time, I care about the dial. I use my phone to tell the time." This works for him because he's most likely wearing watches during business meetings, while filming, or going out on the town. The practicality of the watch isn't a concern for him because it's not something that he has to worry about.

But of course, not everyone has the life of luxury that Mr. Wonderful has. Some people need, or just want, practicality, a timer, a calendar function, a barometer, a star chart, or maybe even the phases of the moon. What's most important is to find what matters the most to you and to think about when and why you'll be wearing this timepiece. And, while there's nothing wrong with wearing a watch just because it's beautiful, it's also important to know how to style it.

How to Style an Automatic Watch 

When purchasing a watch, you need to think about why and when you'll wear it. Try and match your watch with the scenario you'll most likely be wearing that watch in and the outfit that that activity might require. Let's take a look at a couple of common scenarios now.

Sports Watches

As the name implies, it's impossible to go wrong with a sports watch. These typically have their crowns screwed into the case so that, no matter how hard it gets hit, it won't break off into your movement and destroy the internal mechanism.

If you live by the seaside and enjoy sailing or diving, a diving watch makes an excellent choice as they typically have the best water-resistance ratings. 

Everyday Wear

A common everyday watch would be one comprised of a stainless steel face and bracelet because they're simple, beautiful, and pair with almost any outfit. As they’re made from stainless steel, they also benefit from being incredibly durable. 

Another excellent option would be a field watch. Field watches were originally made for soldiers in WW1 but retained their popularity because they're well constructed, sturdy, and still manage to look great. They often come with canvas straps, which can pair easily with anything from simple outdoor wear, to beachwear, to jeans and a casual button-up shirt. Just make sure to get a strap and dial that don't clash with the typical colors of your wardrobe.

Formal Wear 

For the office, try a leather strap. If you can, try and find leather that matches your belt and shoes, as that will create a very cohesive look and elevate your outfit. If you often find yourself at black-tie events, simple is often be better. Try a black leather band paired with a simple white face. In those situations, you don't want the watch to be too distracting from the rest of the outfit.

Automatic watches make excellent starter watches. Just be sure to wind it every so often if not wearing it every day, and try and match your watch with the outfits you might most frequently wear it in.

Sources:

What is kinetic energy? | Khan Academy 

Black tie dress code explained | British GQ

Kevin O'Leary | Shark Tank | ABC

Watches have been a staple in fashion for hundreds of years and, just like anything with such a long record, that comes with a lot of history and vocabulary. Why, for example, do collectors value automatic watches more highly than quartz watches when quartz watches are almost always more precise? 

Below, we'll go over a bit of the history between automatic and quartz watches, some keywords frequently used in horology (aka the art of making watches), and what the common consensus is on them now. Let's start with a little bit of history.

A Brief History of Watches 

The first wristwatch was made in the early 1800s as a gift to the Queen of Naples from Swiss horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet. Because the watch was intended for a queen, wristwatches were commonly viewed as women's luxury items, whereas men would primarily wear pocket watches.

That, like so many other things, changed during the onset of WW1. Soldiers had to carry an enormous amount of equipment, and one such item was a pocket watch. These were fragile, clunky to take out and put back in their pack or coat, and were viewed as just one more item to carry around. 

And so, the trench watch was born. They had canvas straps, were significantly more durable than pocket watches at the time, and, because of their placement on their wrist, no longer had to be stowed when not in use. They became a permanent fixture on the soldier's arms.

After the war, American soldiers continued to wear their wristwatches as they'd grown so used to wearing them. Because of this, watches became something of a cultural icon. Seeing these victorious men-at-arms returning home, wearing wristwatches, created an image of masculinity and power, and so watches became mainstream pieces for men to wear.

The Quartz Crisis 

After the war, the technology of watches accelerated rapidly. Because of their prominence amongst soldiers, they now had to be made for a variety of weather conditions, they needed to be waterproof, and they needed to be accurate. 

And so, in 1969, Seiko unveiled the quartz watch. It was battery-powered, and because of that, it was significantly cheaper to mass-produce. It also had fewer moving parts than an automatic watch, meaning that they were less prone to failure and more accurate than the mechanical movements of the day. They exploded in popularity, and Swiss watchmakers were suddenly in danger of going out of business.

What wound up saving Swiss watchmaking was the Swatch. They were cheap, brightly colored mechanical watches made of plastic. They also only had 51 parts, which was around half of what the average mechanical watch had at the time. 

Whereas before, your options for a wristwatch were between a relatively expensive automatic watch and a cheap quartz one, Swatches created a cheaper mechanical market that didn't previously exist. They were fun and colorful, and they had some brilliant marketing behind them.

Because of this new low-end market, the higher-end market began to grow in popularity again. As with so many things in fashion, the automatic watches that were starting to be seen as expensive and old became highly desired items again. The lower-end market became saturated with Swatch imitators, and people wanted to go back to the classics. Automatics and their fascinating movements became popular again, and now the watch market has largely balanced itself out.

What Is Automatic Movement?

The word movement has been brought up several times now, so let's go over what it actually means. Movement is a name for the mechanical underpinnings of the watch that work to power it, meaning the dial and any complications such as a calendar, a day/night cycle, or alternate time zones. A complication is a name for the parts on the face of a watch that does anything other than telling the time.

A mechanical watch is any watch that has a mechanism, called a mainspring, that powers its movement. A mainspring is a spring that gets wound tighter and tighter, and, as it releases its tension, the dials on the watch begin to move.  An automatic watch falls under this category but, what sets it apart, is that it can use the kinetic energy of your arm's movement to wind its mainspring.

Automatic watches are equipped with a weighty, semi-circular rotor. As your arm swings back and forth, that rotor will spin around, tightening the mainspring and powering the watch. If you wear your automatic watch every single day and have an active lifestyle, you main never have to manually wind the mainspring after your initial purchase. If it just sits without any movement, a typical automatic watch can take anywhere from thirty to forty hours for the mainspring to fully wind down. 

What Is Quartz Movement? 

Quartz watches are a relatively new creation, having only come out in 1969. They are powered by a battery instead of a mainspring. Inside of them lies a quartz crystal which vibrates when electricity passes through it. That vibration is sent to a stepping motor which is then sent to a dial train. The dial train causes the hands to move.

The key difference is that the most complicated component on a quartz watch is the circuit board, which can be mass-produced on a much larger scale than the machinery required for an automatic watch. And because the quartz watch has such a small number of parts, instead of the potentially hundreds of parts of a mechanical watch, they are less prone to wearing down, so they're overall more accurate.

All of this comes with a downside, though. Quartz watches die. They are, after all, a piece of consumer electronics. And so, in the same way that your laptop might falter and die after a decade of use, so too will a quartz watch. For some, this is a non-issue. But for you, if you want your watch to be a piece that your children might inherit someday, that could pose a problem.

So now you're faced with the same conundrum that consumers have faced for the past fifty years: automatic or quartz?

Deciding What Kind of Watch Is Right for You 

It all comes down to what you want in a watch. Automatic watches are incredible works of craftsmanship and, if you have one with a clear back, you can even see the hundreds of small gears working away, showing you the passage of time. And if you give an automatic watch the proper level of care, they can run for decades, if not lifetimes. They are conversation pieces; they show artistry and craftsmanship, and the process of winding/daily wearing can be cathartic for some. But maybe that's not the case for you.

If you are searching for a watch that you know you can rely on, with little maintenance or daily care, quartz watches are amazing. They are incredibly accurate and reliable. If you're just getting into watch collecting, you don't want to deal with the added work of an automatic watch, or you just want a simple watch without the added filigree, quartz watches are an excellent watch.

Keep in mind what you're looking for in a watch and, no matter your choice, you'll have a beautiful accessory to add to your outfits.

Sources:

A Timeless History of the Swatch Watch | Mental Floss

Watch Market – Growth | Trends | Forecasts (2020 - 2025) | Mordor Intelligence

3 Types Of Watch Movements | Difference Between Quartz | Real Men, Real Style

Why You Might Want to Replace Your Band 

When initially breaking into watches, you will typically try to find faces and bands that work together, pieces that look beautiful as a whole. But the day will come sooner rather than later where you find a face that captivates you, but when you see the band, you find that it doesn't work as a whole or doesn't fit your style.

Like most things in fashion, there are many factors to consider when looking at watch straps. Maybe you don't like the leather that the watchmaker originally chose, maybe you want to have a stainless-steel bracelet for a little bit of added durability, or maybe you just don't like the feel of the strap on your wrist. Whatever the reason is, you're looking to change things up. 

But watches are expensive items, and it can be a little scary to make changes, especially if this is your first time swapping a band. But don't worry! Watch bands are much easier to replace than you might initially expect.

In this guide, we'll go over the tools you'll need and provide you with a few easy techniques so that you can upgrade your watch band to be in line with your style.

Tools of the Trade for Changing Your Watch Band

Here's a quick list of everything you'll need to get you started:

1. The original watch with strap attached
2. The strap you'd like to use as a replacement
3. A spring bar tool or a dull knife

If you don't own a spring bar tool, don't worry. Using a dull knife can be just as effective. There are some guides out there that recommend using a sharp knife, but a sharper blade doesn't really add any tangible value, and you don’t want to damage your best kitchen knife.

All that said, although a dull knife can get the job done, we would still recommend purchasing a spring bar tool. They're relatively inexpensive, and they will ensure that you have the easiest experience in taking off and replacing your strap.

Step 1: Check the Strap Size 

This may seem obvious to some, but differing watch strap sizes are an issue that is frequently overlooked by newcomers to the hobby. Fortunately, it's easy to check! 

Use a ruler, or a pair of calipers if you want to be even more precise, and measure the distance between the lugs. The lugs are the two bits of metal that stick out from the watch case and hold the spring bar in place. The spring bars are the little bars that hold your watch strap in place. The space between the lugs is commonly referred to as lug width.

Lug width is almost always measured in millimeters and on most watches is normally within the range of 18-26 millimeters. Watch straps themselves typically come in even sizes, with 18 mm, 20 mm, and 22 mm being the most common sizes. If you're not sure what size straps you had on before, some brands will have their size written on the straps themselves. 

Another easy way is to just look up the watch online. Most retailers nowadays have all the information you might need on their websites. Either way, the most important thing is to get a watch strap that fits your lug width.

Step 2: Taking Off the Old Strap

Turn your watch so that it is face-side down on a soft, flat surface; anything from carpet to a mousepad can work here. The main idea is just to set it on a material that won't be able to scratch or damage it. Next, check the band and identify the spring bar type. There are two kinds.

Quick Release Spring Bar

If you have a newer watch, it may have a quick-release spring bar. You can identify this by seeing if there's a small piece of metal sticking out from the spring bar, the part of the strap nearest the watch face. If there is one, simply pull the metal tab that's poking out towards the middle of the strap. At this point, the strap should disconnect from the face.

Traditional Spring Bar

If you do not have a quick-release spring bar, you'll need to begin by placing your spring bar tool on the space between the strap and the lug. There's typically a small ridge on the right side of the band. You can feel it if you run your finger along the bar. That's the specific point where you'll want to be applying said pressure.

Push down on that ridge and then, while applying downward pressure, push in towards the middle of the bar. This should cause one end of the bar to come off the lug. Typically, once one side of the bar comes off, the other can simply be pulled from the other lug with your fingers.

Your old strap should now be removed!

Step 3: Reinserting the Spring Bars 

Once you've gotten your strap away from the main face, pull out the spring bar from the strap. This can be done with your fingers. Now, take the spring bars you just removed and, using your fingers, push them through the holes in the new strap until the bars are poking out on either side of the strap. 

If the spring bars you're replacing are of the quick release variant, just push down on the metal tab and then insert into the strap, making sure that the metal tab is sticking up on the side where their hole will be located. 

Step 4: Replacing the Strap 

Take your new strap and, using your hand, push one side of the spring bar that's poking out into the lug. Then take the forked end of your spring bar tool and push down on the other end of the spring bar so that it lays flush with the strap. 

Carefully maneuver the bar so that it lines up with the lug and, once you pull the tool away, it should snap into place. Voila! You have successfully replaced your watch strap.

How to Replace a Metal Band 

If the band that you'd like to replace is a metal watch band, instead of a leather strap, this can add some additional steps. First off, check and see if it has a typical spring bar attaching it to the lugs. If you don't see any holes on the exterior, then you can just follow the guide above! If you see that there are little holes, that means the spring bar is attached with small screws instead of the traditional spring bar. Don't worry; this is a fairly simple process!

The first thing you're going to need is to get a screwdriver. It's going to need to be fairly slim, as the holes in these kinds of bands are often very small. Insert the screwdriver into the hole and turn until the screw comes out. Afterward, simply turn the watch over and give it a tap. The screw should fall right out. Now you can pull the spring bar out as we did before.

Grab the new metal strap that you'll be using to replace the old one, and thread the spring bar into the hole at either end so that the bars are sticking out a bit. Place these back into the lugs and, once they click in, simply screw the pieces back in.

Go to a Watch Store

At the end of the day, if you don't feel confident about replacing the straps yourself, or if you feel like it'll be too much of a hassle, you can always go to a watch store. Look online, check their reviews, and find a shop that does quality work. Changing a strap doesn't take much time at all, and the employees in these stores can often change a strap in just a few minutes. Just bring in the watch and the new strap you'd like to put on it, and they should be able to put it on in no time.

Enjoy the Process 

The important thing is to just remember to take your time. The process is relatively simple and, with the right tools, can only take a couple of minutes. Knowing how to change your watch strap can be a useful skill to have and can help deepen your bond with your watch. As long as you keep track of all the components while taking them out, know the location of your spring bar, and have the right tools, you should be able to have that new band on in no time!

Sources:

These Are the Best Tools for Changing Your Watch Strap | Gear Patrol

The Spring Bar = Genius! 

How to Change a Watch Strap without a Trip to the Jeweler | Gear Patrol

An active lifestyle demands a watch that can go the distance. For that reason, Jack Mason has compiled the eight most exciting sport watches currently on the market.

What Is a Sports Watch? 

The sports watch, as a fashion term, is difficult to pin down. This is precisely because of the broad range of the term. Sports watches can be made for specialized activities such as diving, aircraft usage, or racing. They are often are made with additional complications or reinforcements to allow the exploration of such activities.

There are no specific requirements for a “sports watch,” though there are tendencies. Sports watches, being activewear, need to be more durable, shock, and water-resistant than their dress watch counterparts. They also often come with complications, or additional features, relating to the task at hand.

Racing watches may come with tachymeters or chronographs, and pilot watches in some situations may be specially constructed to adjust to changes in pressure. Similarly, diving watches often feature press-in crowns and other features to protect themselves from any chance of water.

With this brief introduction handled, we are ready to move on to our watch listings. 

Pursuit: $149 

In the air, every second matters. For that reason, the Pursuit, built for everyday wear, harkens back to the design choices which gave vintage pilot’s watches their timeless appearance. 

The hard and resilient sapphire crystal protects the watch so it may become a lasting legacy, and the SuperLuminova markings and indices improve legibility under all conditions.

A quartz Miyota 2315 movement aids the precision of the watch’s measurements. With starry designs on both the caseback and crown, every inch of the Pursuit is built not only to last but to last while keeping in mind the rich heritage of the pilot’s watch.

• Highlight: With durability, legibility, and an affordable price point, the Pursuit remains the most affordable watch on this list without sacrificing one iota of style.

Pursuit Automatic Box Set: $289 

At first glance, the Pursuit Automatic has many similarities to the previous pilot’s watch on this list. The automatic features the same durable case and sapphire crystal, as well as indices and legibility markings.

The box set also comes in two variants, with one featuring a navy dial and steel case and the other sporting a less-traditional black dial and case. What separates the Pursuit Automatic from the Pursuit and from most other watches on this list is its movement.

The watch uses a Miyota 8215 automatic movement, unlike the electronic quartz movement that powers most others on this list. As such, this 42mm watch has a heft and thickness to it that sets it apart. Even better, the exhibition caseback gives the wearer a peek into the gorgeous machinery that keeps the timepiece ticking.

Speaking of ticking: While quartz watches often showcase short, punctuated second-hand movements, the automatic exhibits sleek, streamlined motions that give the passage of time an elegant sweeping motion. 

• Highlight: The evocative, classic design and caseback revealing a beautifully complex inner mechanism makes the Pursuit Automatic Box Set a worthy pilot’s watch.

Mirabeau Chronograph: $219

For the speed demon in all of us, the 40mm Mirabeau Chronograph is designed to evoke the feel of mid-century sports cars. The unique caseback of the watch is built to resemble the curves of a steering wheel and the tread of a tire, announcing its status as a racing watch to the world.

The built-in tachymeter solves all timing needs, and the sapphire crystal and french blue dial compliment the tri-color chronograph to create a sports watch as visually stunning as it is practical. The Miyota OS21 quartz movement ensures the precision of the watch and all its complications.

The Mirabeau Chronograph is also water-tested to 100 meters and features subtle SuperLuminova markings to improve legibility in any context. 

• Highlights: The sporty caseback, tachymeter, and tri-colored subdials make for a watch that is as eye-catching as it is useful.

Pursuit World Timer: $219

Inspired by the jet-set travel lifestyle of the 1950s, the Pursuit World Timer is the perfect aviation watch for any current or would-be world traveler. The watch features hands specifically tracking GMT, as well as a bidirectional bezel with airport codes for the 24 different time zones.These airport codes are replicated in further detail on the back of the stainless steel case.

The dial is marked with SuperLuminova technology. The bracelet that comes with the World Timer is also made from individual links, ensuring that it conforms comfortably to your wrist. The watch is also made with quick-release pins, allowing for easy customization.

• Highlights: The numerous airport codes listed on both the bezel and the caseback give the Pursuit World Timer an international appeal that is practical for the traveler and uniquely stylish for all others.

Avigator: $289 

The 45mm Avigator Multi-Scale Chronograph takes inspiration from classic 1930’s men’s watch design, and in doing so, evokes the “Golden Age of Aviation.” This loyalty is most readily seen in the sleek caseback, embossed with a winged star design instantly recognizable as an aeronautical emblem.

Every aspect of this chronograph, from the 316L stainless steel case and water-resistance testing at 100 meters to the sapphire crystal, is built to last. On a visual front, the distinctive sunray dial ensures the Avigator remains as ruggedly gorgeous as it is durable.

• Highlights: A larger case and aeronautical flourishes make the Avigator a watch whose appearance and complications belie the rich history of both aircraft and the watches made to take to the skies.

Seatrek Automatic Box Set: $359

So far, all the watches on this list have been designed as either racing or pilot’s watches. However, no list of sports watches would be truly complete without mention of an excellent diver’s watch. The Seatrek Automatic Box Set more than remedies that need.

The Seatrek is water resistance tested at 300 meters and features a screw-down crown and divers extension to assist with function and comfort, whether directly on your wrist or over a wetsuit. The 42mm case and dual-colored SuperLuminova markings assist with legibility both on land and underwater. Luminescent markings can also be found on the 120 click uni-directional bezel.

The Seatrek is also highlighted by a  Seiko (SII) Caliber NH35A automatic movement, one of the most popular automatic movements on the market, with a power reserve of 41 hours. 

Finally, the Seatrek Box Set, in particular, comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap, ensuring that it will be ready-to-wear in any context right out of the box.

• Highlights: With a 300 meter tested water resistance, a horde of other features for diving, and a rubber strap included, the Seatrek is a one-of-a-kind watch with the craftsmanship signature to automatic movements.

Pursuit Chronograph: $219 

Alluding to the past while moving forward in the present, the Pursuit Chronograph offers a modern take on the classic pilot’s watch. The caseback exhibits a frontal view of a vintage aircraft, as well as highlighting that the watch has been water tested as deep as 100 meters.   

While both styles of the 42mm Pursuit Chronograph showcase stainless steel cases and three sub-dials, one features a navy sunray dial with a brown Italian leather strap, and the other features a black dial with a matching black strap.

Both styles include indices and luminosity markings to improve legibility, as well as sapphire crystals and a Miyota OS10 movement for durability and accuracy.

• Highlights: The indices and luminosity markings combined with a sunray dial results in a highly legible chronograph, both functional and fashionable.

AOPA Pilot's Chronograph: $500 

The AOPA Pilot’s Chronograph is the brainchild of the collaboration between the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Jack Mason. By combining AOPA’s love of the skies and Jack Mason’s love of watchmaking and craftsmanship, they have created a pilot’s watch unlike any other.

The caseback features a winged shield with the founding date of the AOPA and names the other design choices of this pilot’s watch. For the first time, Jack Mason introduces multicolored tritium luminosity markings on the watch’s hands and dial, ensuring visibility in the darkest of cockpits.

The crystal, unlike many other offerings, is made of acrylic to allow for flexibility under changing altitude and air pressure. The watch also comes equipped with a Swiss Ronda Caliber 5030.D movement that is specially protected from magnetism, good for daily use, and essential for cockpit use.

The Pilot’s Chronograph has also been protected with a layer of PVD coating to provide a high level of environmentally-friendly protection for years to come. For a practical, historic, and truly awe-inspiring pilot’s watch, one needs look no further. 

• Highlights: The collaboration between AOPA and Jack Mason has resulted in a watch designed with pilots in mind and developed in collaboration with the users who need it most. With special consideration in construction and design given towards anti-magnetism, water resistance, and operation under changing pressure, the AOPA Pilot’s Chronograph is the rare sports watch that is able to function on land, air, and sea. 

Sources:

What is a Sports Watch? I Chronometer Check

The Secret Benefits of PVD Coating I Engineer Live

What is an Automatic Watch... | British GQ

Some of the newest timepieces to hit the market, solar watches are marvels of modern watchmakers. They combine the best parts of earlier types of watches while still maintaining the classic look of a traditional wristwatch, all while being a modern and eco-friendly alternative to other contemporary watch movements.

If you’re new to the world of solar timepieces and are hesitant to adopt this fascinating new technology, fear not—we’re here to explain how these cutting-edge timepieces work.

The Different Watch Movements 

In order to understand why the solar watch is such a revolutionary invention in the world of watchmaking, we must first explore the other types of watch movement. A watch’s movement is, for lack of a better phrase, the thing that makes it tick. Some movements use batteries, and others use hand-wound mechanical components, but they all fulfill the same purpose: telling time. These are the various types of movement that watches are made with:

Mechanical 

Mechanical watches, as the name suggests, are fully mechanical. They’ve been around for centuries—long before lithium batteries were invented—and derive power from a tiny, tightly coiled strip of metal called the mainspring.

The mainspring is wound by the watch’s wearer by twisting the crown of the watch (the crown is the knob on the side of the watch), and the other components of the watch work together to gradually release tension from the mainspring in small, measured increments that ultimately make the dial move.

The mechanical watch is truly a marvel of mechanical engineering, but it does come with one problem: it needs to be wound. If you put your mechanical watch down for a few days, you’ll pick it up to find that it’s slowed and the time is inaccurate—or that it has stopped running altogether. It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to constantly have to wind your watch, especially if you’re a collector with multiple mechanical watches or even a watch bracelet in your collection.

Automatic 

The automatic watch was invented to solve the problem of mechanical watches. Instead of needing its wearer to manually wind its mainspring, an automatic watch winds itself—sort of.

An automatic watch is built with a special weighted rotor that rotates as the watch moves. When the watch’s wearer swings their arms as they walk, this weighted rotor spins around, gradually winding the watch’s mainspring.

While the automatic watch is certainly more convenient than the mechanical watch due to its self-winding capabilities, it comes with a similar problem: you have to be wearing it in order for it to wind itself. If you set it down anywhere from for a few days to a long period of time, just like with a mechanical watch, it will slowly lose power and eventually stop working.

You can always wind the watch and set the time again, and you can also get a special automatic watch winder, but if you’re looking for a watch that doesn’t need to be wound at all, you’ll need another option.

Quartz 

The quartz watch is a 20th-century invention made possible through the use of a lithium battery. These tiny batteries replace the mainspring, making it possible to engineer a watch to tell accurate time for a long period without needing the watch’s wearer to do the work of winding it.

Many watches these days are built with quartz movements because of the ease of production and use—because they don’t use a mainspring, they can be made more compact and with fewer moving parts than their mechanical and automatic counterparts.

The one problem with these lithium batteries is that they need to be replaced regularly in order for the watch to maintain accurate time. As soon as they start to run out of power, the watch will start to lose accuracy, until eventually it no longer is useful as a timepiece.

Lithium batteries are not to be confused with lithium-ion batteries, which are more complex and powerful. They are used to power computers, cameras, and tablets. 

Solar 

Enter the solar watch onto the watch scene in the 70s. The newest of the watch movements, the solar watch harnesses the power of the sun to fuel its rechargeable battery while it stores energy. How does it do this? Read on for a detailed exploration of this cutting-edge technology.

Solar Watches 

Solar watches rely on the power of the sun in order to run, constantly converting light energy into electronic energy through the use of a solar cell. A solar cell unit is in pretty much every type of solar-powered item that relies on light exposure, whether it’s a small sun-powered garden lamp or a massive panel in a solar farm. 

How Solar Cells Work

As previously mentioned, the solar cell is the device that makes solar-powered watches possible. These solar cells (also called photovoltaic cells) work by receiving light energy from the sun and turning it directly into electricity—they’re like batteries, but instead of making electricity through the use of chemicals the way that batteries do; they harness the power of the sun.

Light is made of tiny particles called photons, and a beam of sunlight can carry trillions of photons to earth. If a solar cell is placed in that sunbeam, the solar cell catches the photons and converts them into a flow of electrons, making an electric current.

While large solar panels are able to power entire houses, it doesn’t take a giant panel to power a watch—all that’s needed is a single, small solar cell cleverly implanted in the watch. To look at a solar watch, you may not even see the solar, rechargeable cell—but it’s there, and it’s always working, even during a cloudy day, as long as there’s light to convert into electricity. 

Are Solar Cells Efficient? 

If you think back on your physics classes, you may remember the law of conservation of energy—this law states that energy can’t be created or destroyed. What that means for solar cells is that they can’t create any more energy than they receive from the sun. And while the sun sends a lot of light energy cascading down to earth, solar cells are really only able to absorb a small amount of that energy—converting about 10-20 percent of the energy they receive into electricity for a solar watch charge.

Still, solar cells are a much better source of electricity than fossil fuels, which emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every day.

What About Batteries? 

You might find yourself thinking, “well, watches don’t emit greenhouse gases,” and you’d be right—your mechanical, automatic, quartz, or solar watch doesn’t pollute the planet from your wrist. And if you’re a fan of the quartz movement for its use of batteries, you might assume that the battery inside of that watch doesn’t cause any pollution, either.

The problem is that the production, transportation, and disposal of batteries by watch manufacturers can cause a lot of pollution. Not only do factories that produce batteries emit a lot of greenhouse gases, but the methods used in mining natural resources for use in batteries can be very costly. Batteries can also cause harm once we’ve used them—disposable batteries can wreak havoc on the environment long after they’ve outlived their usefulness in your remote control, your flashlight, or your watch.

The Impact Of Batteries 

If you’ve ever purchased a new battery for your quartz watch, you might know that the batteries used in watchmaking aren’t your standard AAAs, but small, round, metallic batteries called lithium batteries—named for the material used in their production.

The lithium used in lithium batteries (the kind found in quartz watches) doesn’t come out of thin air—it needs to be mined. And lithium mining can have devastating impacts on the environment, killing vast amounts of wildlife—not just the fish that live in water but the animals that drink that water as well.

It’s undeniable that batteries offer a much more sustainable energy solution than fossil fuels, but they don’t come without their own problems. We can lessen our impact by using as many rechargeable batteries as possible rather than disposable ones—so that we use fewer resources and contribute less waste.

Jack Mason’s Solar Watch 

At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a solar watch in our collection. Our solar watch is made with sustainable materials and a solar-powered movement, but its eco-friendliness is only one of its many features. Complete with a compass for the avid outdoors people among us—and engineered to be water-resistant up to 100 meters for the divers in our midst, our solar watch is a highly versatile piece of timekeeping equipment.

In Conclusion 

There are many reasons why solar watches, especially beautiful analog versions, have become so popular today across the time zones of the world. Not only are they convenient and long-lasting, but they’re also environmentally friendly. In today’s world, we’re constantly looking for ways to lessen our individual impact on the planet we call home. 

While watches are always a stylish accessory, not all are created equal in the way that they affect the earth—and a solar-powered watch from an eco-conscious manufacturer is a perfect purchase for anybody who’s looking for a timepiece that reflects their environmental values. If you’re hoping to find a watch that’s accurate, convenient, and environmentally friendly, clasp a solar watch onto your wrist.

Sources:

Law of conservation of energy | Energy Education

How do solar cells work? | Explain That Stuff

The spiralling environmental cost of our lithium battery addiction | Wired

Since almost the beginning of time, humans have relied on the sun as a light source and to help us tell the time. Early humans could figure out how long they had until nightfall by looking up at the sky and gauging the position of the sun in the sky; later, the invention of the sundial allowed people to check the time by looking at the shadow cast by the sun across the dial’s face.

In today’s technologically advanced world, we’ve again come to the point where we can rely on the sun to aid in our timekeeping abilities. The solar watch is among the newest and most advanced inventions in the world of watchmaking. There are many reasons why solar watches have become so popular recently—and we have every reason to believe that their popularity will only grow as more people become aware of the benefits and features of these fascinating timepieces.

The Different Movements 

In order to understand why solar watches are such a revolutionary invention, we must first look at the other types of watch. The thing that makes a watch work is referred to as its movement, and there are only a few different types of movement:

Mechanical 

The first watches were invented way back in the late 16th century, and they were purely mechanical (batteries wouldn’t be invented until hundreds of years later). In order to power these mechanical watches, watchmakers engineered their timepieces with a tiny, tightly coiled strip of metal called the mainspring.

The mainspring is what makes a mechanical watch work—it’s essentially the engine of the watch. The watch’s wearer winds the mainspring by twisting the watch’s crown (the knob on the side of the watch), which increases the tension of the mainspring. The other components of the watch work together to gradually release tension from the mainspring in tiny, measured increments—as tension is released, the various components of the watch tick forward, allowing the watch to tell accurate time.

Mechanical watches are marvels of mechanical engineering and must have seemed magical when they were first invented. Today, you can still find mechanical watches for sale, and they’re incredible timepieces. There is one problem with mechanical watches, though—they have to stay wound in order to work. If you set your watch down for a few days, you’ll pick it up to find that it’s no longer running (or, if it is, that it’s slowed to the point where the time is no longer accurate). It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to have to constantly wind your watches, especially if you have a sizable collection.

Automatic 

The automatic watch was invented to solve the problem of constantly having to wind mechanical watches. Automatic watches are engineered to wind themselves—kind of. Inside of an automatic watch, you’ll find a special weight rotor. As the watch’s wearer walks, the natural motion of their swinging arms makes the rotor spin around inside the watch—and as the rotor spins, it winds the mainspring.

Because of this self-winding mechanism, automatic watches are much more convenient than mechanical watches—but they still come with a caveat. In order for an automatic watch to wind itself, the internal rotor needs to be put in motion by human activity. So, as with the mechanical watch, if you set your automatic watch down for a few days, it will need to be wound again before it can accurately tell the time.

Quartz 

The quartz watch is a 20th-century invention, and it was made possible because of advancements in battery technology. Instead of relying on a mainspring to power the watch, quartz movements use a small internal battery—a lithium battery.

The use of lithium batteries allows watchmakers to design compact, relatively simple quartz watches, which is why many inexpensive watches feature quartz movements.

The one problem with quartz movements, however, is that batteries inevitably need to be replaced. Over the life of a quartz watch, you may end up having to replace the battery several times. Not only can it be inconvenient and expensive to go to a watch repair shop to have somebody replace the battery, but disposable batteries can have devastating impacts on the environment.

Solar

The newest of the types of watch, solar watches combine the best features of all the other movements: the longevity of mechanical and automatic movements with the accuracy of quartz movements. And when you factor in that they’re efficient and eco-friendly, it’s no wonder why watch enthusiasts and environmentalists alike should be big fans of the solar watch.

Like quartz watches, solar watches are equipped with internal lithium batteries. The biggest difference is that solar watches’ lithium batteries are rechargeable, and they’re constantly charging by using the power of the sun.

How Do Solar Watches Work? 

You may have seen a solar panel affixed to the roof of a house, or maybe you’ve driven past a massive farm of solar panels. While solar panels are obviously too large to put on a wristwatch, solar watches use the same technology of solar power, although in a much smaller form.

Solar Cells 

Solar cells are the smaller pieces that make up giant solar panels, and they can be very small—in the case of solar watches, they can be small enough to be well hidden on the watch’s face, so the wearer doesn’t even notice as it converts light into power.

To overlook the complicated details of their mechanics and provide a basic explanation: solar cells work by absorbing light energy and converting it into electricity. When a solar cell is placed on a solar watch, this electricity is used to recharge the lithium battery.

Do They Need The Sun?

The name “solar” might be something of a red herring—solar watches can absorb any kind of light and don’t need to be in direct sunlight in order to function. So even if you live at the office and barely see the light of day, your solar watch will still absorb and channel power from artificial light into its battery.

Benefits Of Solar Watches 

While the inner workings of a solar watch are pretty incredible, most people find themselves interested in solar watches for their many features and benefits. Not only are solar watches reliable and long-lasting, but they’re durable and eco-friendly, turning solar power into electrical energy. There are plenty of reasons to consider adding a solar watch to your collection:

Reliability And Accuracy 

Because solar watches are constantly recharging their batteries, they reliably tell time with unparalleled accuracy—with many solar watches vastly outperforming their atomic timekeeping, quartz, mechanical, and automatic counterparts.

Longevity And Efficiency

Even though solar watches rely on light in order to recharge their batteries, those rechargeable cells have a long life. Solar watches can retain battery life for anywhere from a week to several months—and that’s without any light at all. As soon as light hits the solar cell inside the watch, its battery will begin to charge again.

When the solar cell needs to be charged once more, your watch will signal the alarm by moving at two-second increments.

Durability And Water Resistance 

Solar watches are often incredibly durable. This is due in large part to the fact that you don’t need to access the battery or wind the watch much—so their cases can be made with heavy-duty materials like titanium and hardened crystal.

Solar watches are also often highly water-resistant for the same reason. Because solar-powered watches don’t often need to be opened or fiddled with, the rubber gaskets that protect the inner workings of the watch from water penetration don’t wear out as quickly as with mechanical, automatic, or quartz watches.

Eco-Friendliness 

It’s no secret that fossil fuels are harmful to the environment, and it may seem like batteries are a much more efficient and eco-friendly power source than materials like oil and coal. That is mostly correct, but batteries come with their own problems.

Not only does the production, transportation, and disposal of batteries create carbon emissions, but the mining of the materials used to make batteries can cause some pretty harmful effects to the environment. And when disposable batteries have outlived their purpose, the chemicals that leak from them when we throw them away can pollute the ground and the water.

Still, batteries are better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, but there are ways we can use them wisely. We can lessen our negative impact by using as many rechargeable batteries as possible, which limits the amount of resources used and the number of battery replacements that we throw away.

Jack Mason’s Solar Watch 

At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a solar watch in our collection. Our solar watch with an analog display is bold and modern and designed with the wellbeing of the planet in mind—the case is made from recycled stainless steel, and the strap is made from recycled ocean plastic with a velcro clasp. One of the best solar-powered watches, it's complete with a fully functional digital compass and engineered to be water-resistant up to 100 meters; this is the signal of the perfect watch for the avid outdoors people among us.

With Jack Mason, all our bands are replaceable. If you prefer a leather strap, swap out the bands for an instant dress watch. You can have a multi-band collection with your favorite solar stainless steel watch.

You may enjoy our other adventuring watches: the Halyard Sport Chronograph with stopwatch and countdown timer capabilities and luminous hands or the Mirabeau with Japanese quartz movement. The date tracker will help you keep track of world times as you travel.

Whether you’re traversing through the wilderness or diving into the ocean to catch a glimpse of life below the water’s surface, Jack Mason’s solar watch offers the reliability, durability (protected by sapphire crystal), and functionality to get you where you need to go.

Sources:

A History of Watches and Timepieces | Racked

The spiralling environmental cost of our lithium battery addiction | Wired

How Do Solar Panels Work? | Photovoltaic Cells | Live Science.

Long before the traditional chronograph watches were invented, people could tell the time by watching the sun cast a shadow across a sundial. Centuries later, after generations of innovation in watchmaking, we’ve come full circle. Thanks to modern advances in timepiece technology, people are once again using the sun to tell the time—but with something a bit more contemporary than the sundial.

We’re referring, of course, to the solar watch.

Solar watches are among the newest and most advanced timepieces in existence, and it’s no wonder that watch collectors and enthusiasts are such big fans of these incredible devices. If you don’t know much about solar watches or have never even heard of them, don’t worry—we’re here to tell you all about them and why you should add one to your collection.

Different Movements 

Before we get into the specifics of the solar watch, it’s important to understand the basic mechanics of watches—namely, what makes them tick. Up until the invention of the solar watch, there were three different mechanisms (called movements) that made watches different from a standard bracelet and overall, how they work: mechanical, automatic, and quartz.

Mechanical 

Mechanical watches, as their name suggests, are watches that work purely mechanically. A mechanical watch derives its power from a device called a mainspring, which is a tightly wound strip of metal that releases tension at tiny, measured increments—as tension is released from the mainspring, power flows through the various components, like the dials, of the watch.

The problem with a mainspring is that it eventually will run out of power, so watches that rely on mainsprings must be regularly wound in order to keep running. That’s easy enough, but if you have multiple mechanical watches for different occasions, it can be annoying and time-consuming to have to wind a watch and set the time every time you take it off the shelf.

Automatic 

Built with many of the same mechanics and components of mechanical watches, automatic watches also rely on a mainspring in order to function. The major difference between mechanical and automatic watches, however, is that automatic watches wind themselves—kind of.

While a mechanical watch needs a human—or a special watch winder—to twist its crown (the knob that’s used to wind the watch), automatic watches are built with a weighted rotor. As the automatic watch’s wearer swings their arms, the rotor turns inside the watch, constantly winding the mainspring.

Although this is an amazing feature, automatic watches’ self-winding mechanism comes with a caveat: if you don’t wear the watch, the rotor won’t wind it, and it’ll run out of power. You’ll have to wind it by hand in order to get it running again.

Quartz 

For those who don’t ever want to wind a watch, quartz movements offer a simple and modern alternative to the mainspring: a battery.

Built with internal batteries, quartz watches never need to be wound—they keep running as long as their batteries have power. Of course, as everybody with a remote control knows, all batteries eventually need to be replaced. If your quartz watch has a lot of special features, they might run down its battery fairly quickly—and constantly replacing watch batteries can get expensive.

In 1969, the watch manufacturers at Seiko invented the Japanese Quartz movement.

Solar 

This brings us to solar watches—watches built around newer movements that harness the power of the sun (or strong artificial light). Instead of relying solely on batteries, solar watches absorb light and convert it into energy that keeps the watch running through solar power.

There are many benefits to this type of movement, and we’re going to get into all of them up ahead.

Why Solar? 

There are many reasons why watch enthusiasts are crazy about solar watches these days. Not only does their ability to harness the power of light make them effortlessly perfect for even the most fast-paced lifestyles, but they also are incredibly well-designed in every other aspect.

Light Is Everywhere

The name “solar” might be something of a red herring, as solar watches don’t specifically require sunlight in order to work—any light source will do. So even if you never see the light of day, as long as there are some light sources (even artificial ones), your solar watch will continue to power itself.

Special Features Often Come Standard 

Because solar watches don’t rely on the power of a mainspring in order to keep running, it’s possible to add plenty of additional features to solar watches that would otherwise drain less advanced watches. You might see similar features in some mechanical watches, but these features will use up more of the mainspring’s power, which means you’ll have to wind it more frequently. But with a solar watch, you don’t need to worry about that—you can just enjoy their special features.

Compass 

We can’t always rely on our smartphones to get us from point A to point B, especially if we find ourselves in a location without cell service. If you’re an avid outdoors person, you need to have a digital compass with you to aid in navigation—with a solar watch equipped with a compass, you already have one right on your wrist.

Barometer 

Even if you’re constantly checking the weather, you can never fully trust the accuracy of a weather forecast. That’s why many solar watches come equipped with a barometer that helps measure barometric pressure—so you can act as your own weatherperson simply by looking at your watch. Who needs a thermometer when you have a barometer?

Durability And Water Resistance 

Solar watches are often made from very durable materials, such as titanium or stainless steel for their cases and hardened crystal or sapphire for their

Watches that are water-resistant are incredibly useful—both for those who forget they’re wearing their watch when they hop into the shower, and those who need to keep an eye on the time when they’re underwater.

Because you don’t need to access the battery of a solar watch very often, and there’s no need to wind it, solar watches experience limited wear and tear of their external parts. The rubber gaskets that maintain a watch’s water resistance can wear down over time after many windings and battery replacements—but with a solar watch, those gaskets can keep working for longer.

Longevity 

Even though solar watches rely on light in order to keep running, they still have very long battery life. Many solar watches can last without sun for over a week or even up to six months—so whether you’re working in a coal mine or living through an Alaskan winter with one sunrise, your solar watch will keep on ticking.

Accuracy 

Telling time accurately is arguably the most important aspect of a watch, and solar watches accomplish that task amazingly well—they’re among the most accurate watches on the market, outperforming most watches with mechanical, automatic, and quartz movements.

Environmental Friendliness 

While fossil fuels like oil and coal are the cause of major air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, batteries have their own negative impact on the environment. They’re a much cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, but they still come with problems—the production, transportation, and distribution of batteries consumes plenty of natural resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but when you dispose of batteries, they can end up polluting the water that we drink and that animals live in. For these reasons, rechargeable batteries are much better for the environment than disposable ones.

Because solar watches don’t need their batteries replaced nearly as much as quartz watches, the negative environmental impact of a solar watch is much smaller than that of its quartz counterparts. So if you’re looking for an eco-friendly watch option, the solar watch may be the perfect choice for you.

Affordability 

To hear about all the incredible features of solar watches, you might find yourself thinking that they must be obscenely expensive luxury pieces—but they’re not. While some solar watches can run as high as $1,500, you can also find them for much more affordable prices.

Jack Mason’s Solar Watch 

At Jack Mason, we’re proud to offer a highly fashionable, functional, and affordable solar watch with an analog face. Built with a recycled stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal, our solar watch is incredibly durable. Good for casual divers, it’s also water-resistant up to 100 meters and comes equipped with bright and easily readable SuperLuminova® markings, making it a handy tool for underwater use. The strap is made from recycled plastic, and the clasp is handy velcro. It comes with a deadly accurate second hand and compass on the bezel. The calendar will help you keep track of world times. Our solar watch is a smart, stylish option for any watch enthusiast to add to their collection.

In Conclusion 

Solar watches may be one of the newest types of watch on the market, but they’re still a classic-looking option for those looking for a stylish, durable, long-lasting watch that comes with the added benefit of being one of the most eco-friendly options in the watchmaking world.

As we continue to forge new frontiers into how we tell time, it’s also important to think about the impact that we have on the world in which we live. Solar watches draw on the natural power of the sun and use few resources compared to other watches. While solar watches may look timeless and classic, they’re highly modern timepieces that are perfect for our rapidly changing world.

Sources:

Sundial | Definition, History, Types, & Facts | Britannica

Why Should I Carry A Compass? | Your Hike Guide

Environmental Problems That Batteries Cause | Sciencing