Need some tips on how to help your premium watch help you become a premium gentleman? Read on! 

1. Don't wear a watch too big for your wrist. Flashy is not classy.

Investing a small amount of time to find out your wrist measurements will save you the embarrassment of choosing a watch that's too big for your wrist. 

Smaller watches are at the peak of style right now, the only reason you should be buying a larger watch is if you have larger wrists that are proportionate with the size. 

Your best bet is to forget about the bling. Large watch cases are misconceived to be more valuable when, in reality, you are going to be flaunting all the wrong things if you walk into a room when your watch is the first thing people see.

2. Don't check the time too often. In most social situations, checking your watch is considered rude. 

To be polite to those around you, staying engaged in the situation at hand is essential. 

If you are constantly checking your watch, you are telling the room that you have better places to be and that this conversation is not worth your time. We know it's easy just to flip your wrist and gaze into your favorite watch, but just don't do it in an intimate group, in a meeting, or even in a casual brush in with a friend at a bar. 

How to be cool, calm, and check the time? Excuse yourself to go to the bathroom or reach for your drink and slip a sly glance down at your up-turned wrist, but don't just do the quintessential elbow bend and balled up hand look at your wrist or you may not be invited out again. 

3. Plan your watch to match your outfit or activity for the day.

You wouldn't wear basketball shorts with a blazer, and in the same token don't wear a watch that doesn't suit the needs of your day. If you are going camping, leave your metal bracelet chronograph at home and go for a sleek field watch, something durable that will work for you. And on the other hand, please don't wear a bright orange dive watch with a silicone band with your tuxedo.

A watch is a worthy investment to show off, but one of your watch's main functions outside of telling time is to compliment your look. Wearing a watch that is blatantly the opposite of your outfit destroys your mystique and damages your credibility. 

4. Balance is everything.

You want to balance your watch strap to your watch case. 

Bright, patterned straps are great. They can be beautiful and fun, but for most of your outfits, occasions, and excursions, you will need a few well-balanced daily drivers, like the plain yet classic brown leather strap--it’s a strap that is going to keep your watch secure and go with almost anything you wear. 

However, having extra straps in your arsenal will not only expand your watch wardrobe but will extend the life of your watch. Having a well-worn strap that fits like a glove is an excellent accomplishment until you lose a spring pin, and thus your entire watch.

4. Strap fit is key to a well-worn watch. 

A strap that is too loose is not only sloppy, but it is also an annoyance when going about your day. 

Imagine your watch flopping back and forth every time you raise your arms during a presentation or if you are that guy who takes a midday run on his lunch break to have your watch flip the wrong way when you stop to check your time. It can be very frustrating. 

Fitting a watch strap is incredibly simple and takes 15 minutes max. We talk about finding the perfect fit in our post here <insert link to new strap fitting article>, and if you don't have the five minutes to spare, pop into a watch shop, it's inexpensive and quick to have your watch strap adjusted for you. 

5. Wear your watch on the wrist that works best for you. 

There is nothing worse than your watch getting in your way throughout your day. 

The wrist that you wear your watch on is up to you. Typically most watches are worn on the left wrist because most people are right-handed and wear their watch on their non-dominant hand because it is more comfortable and out of the way when writing or participating in activities in which you'd be using your dominant hand. 

Which wrist you choose to wear your watch on is going to be the wrist where it feels most comfortable for your daily use. If that is your right wrist and you are right-handed, that is totally acceptable. If it is your left wrist and you are left-handed, that is also acceptable. This is one of those watch rules that is really about personal preference and comfort.

6. Smartwatches are not a luxury watch. They will not take the place of your watch collection.

Smartwatches are great, they keep you connected to the world, they have loads of functionality, but they don't have any style. 

Plus, with new models coming out every year, a smartwatch investment loses value quickly, unlike its counterpart, the luxury watch. The luxury watch is built of components that last, it was created with style and aesthetic and use in mind, it is designed to be durable and last for many years to come.

There are plenty of situations where a smartwatch is a great choice. Headed to the gym? Grab your smartwatch. An afternoon strolling the neighborhood and playing outside with the kids? The perfect time to hit that 10,000 step goal with your smartwatch. But otherwise, a smartwatch is not the right choice. The face of a smartwatch is literally black when it is not in use. There is nothing interesting or accent worthy on a smartwatch. The case is made of delicate glass that can shatter on impact, there are limited watch face designs, and more often than not, they are paired with utilitarian silicone straps. 

7. Wearing the right watch at the right time.

Not every watch is created equal, and therefore they are not all interchangeable. 

Different events and activities in your life require different types of watches. Wearing the right watch to the right function serves you. Watches are made to accentuate your style or be useful to the needs of your day. 

Wearing the wrong watch could hinder your adventure, but it could also make you stick out like a sore thumb if you wear the wrong watch to the wrong function. Be tasteful in your watch choices. A gentleman is thoughtful about his accessories and the balance of his overall look. The watch is matched to the man, not the man to the watch.

8. Watch wrist placement.

This debate is centuries old, but where your watch is worn on your wrist makes a difference. Your watch should be placed above the bone. 

There may be some who disagree with this, but to get the most comfort, have the most style versatility, and increase the longevity of your watch, you should wear your watch above the bone. When you wear your watch above the bone, you get full mobility of your wrist. 

Handcuffs aren't comfortable, they are correctly worn below the wrist bone closer to the hand in order to decrease your hands' movement. Don't be the guy who wears their watch like a pair of handcuffs where your watch gets in the way of basic everyday tasks. Not only does wearing the watch above the bone look more natural, but it will also save you a lot of pain and discomfort at the end of the day.

9. Don't wear the same watch every day.

We all have watches we love-watches that feel like our exact personal style. But, there are a few reasons you don't want to wear the same watch day after day. 

First of all, wearing the same watch, without taking the time to clean it, check the pins, change out the strap--it's going to get beat up. Some patina and some scratches are like a badge of honor and to be expected. However, wearing the same watch everyday puts a lot of work and weight on that one watch. 

The best thing for your favorite watch is to take it off, give it a proper winding and swap it out for a day or two for another one of your favorites. That way, you can ensure that your investment will be around for years to come and that you don't miss something small in its everyday wear and tear that could cause you to lose or damage your watch long term. 

Taking the time to care for your watches is respective of your investments, and sometimes that care comes in the form of a little break.

10. Invest in watches that enhance your lifestyle.

With so many watches on the market, it can be tempting to buy the ones that excite you, but there is nothing worse than investing in a watch that you can't immediately put into rotation. A watch that is going to just sit on a shelf is a glorified paperweight. 

Instead of purchasing the latest and greatest, put your investments in watches you will wear and appreciate. No matter what your occupation is or how you like to have fun, your watch should be a valuable asset to you.

There You Have It 

These 10 guidelines are meant to help you feel confident in your watch choices and get you feeling your best. No matter where you are in building your watch collection, having some basic knowledge on watch etiquette and style will save you loads of headaches and embarrassment down the road. Now, how many of these guidelines can you say you follow?

Sources:

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/11-rules-of-the-watch

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/how-wear-watch/

https://www.trendhim.com/articles/283/how-to-wear-a-men-s-watch-with-style

Watch winders keep your watches wound while you are wearing your watch. Say that sentence three times fast! 

What is a Watch Winder?

A watch winder is an electronic object that is made for keeping your automatic watches fully wound. If you have an extensive watch collection or are a lover of gadgets, a watch winder may be the perfect accessory to add to your collection.

An automatic watch is self-winding. It contains a rotor that spins with the wearer’s movement, and that spin keeps the mainspring wound at all times. Automatic watches include a manual windable crown. If your watch stops working, you must wind your watch before the rotor continues to work to store that natural movement energy for you. However, the natural daily wear creates enough spin in the rotor to keep your watch running between 35 and 45 hours.

If you plan to remove your watch from your wrist for longer than 24 hours, a watch winder could help you keep your watch’s health in check and make sure it stays wound and on time.

How Does a Watch Winder Work?

A watch winder works by slowly rotating your watch within a case or device to remove the process of having to manually wind your watch if you’ve taken your automatic watch out of your daily wear rotation for a few days or weeks. Watch winders are a definite positive if you have multiple watches that you like to rotate through, and you want to keep your watch from totally dying, which can be damaging to your watch over time.

Can a Watch Winder Hurt My Watch?

The short answer is no. Automatic watches have a mechanism in the movement that disengages the winding gears from the mainspring once it has fully wound. However, consider that a watch moving naturally on your wrist does hit resting points throughout the day where the rotor isn’t moving because your hand isn’t moving. Allowing your watch to occasionally rest is healthy for the internal rotor on an automatic watch.

How Do I Know If I Need a Watch Winder?

First of all, owning just one mechanical watch is reason enough to own a watch winder. 

A watch winder can give you the peace of mind you need if you don’t wear your watch every day or are in a situation where you are traveling without your watch. However, investing in a watch winder comes down to preference. Will you be using it every day? Will a watch winder save you time and make it easier to wear the watches you love? 

If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then I’d say you should go ahead and begin research on a style that fits all your technical needs and fits in with your dec. Pull that trigger because a watch winder can be a perfect fit for caring for your expanding watch collection.

What Kind of Watch Winder is the Best Option for Me?

You’ll want to take a few different specs into account when purchasing a watch winder. Since the nature of a watch winder is to care for your watch, a watch winder that is intuitive to the actual wear of an automatic watch is best. 

For most watches, you’ll want to look at the following specs when choosing your watch winder:

Rotations Per Minute

Rotations per minute or per 24 hour time period are incredibly important when purchasing your watch winder. Since most automatic watches require minimal movement to stay wound, an adjustable watch winder will wind your watch in the most natural ways and ensure that it keeps ticking away like normal for years to come.

Dual Oscillating Rotation

Not all watch winders are made for all watches. Some watches self-wind under a single rotation, and a Dual Oscillating Rotation could actually be damaging or counterproductive to that style of watch. You will want to look for one that you can either specify the type and direction of rotation or invest in two separate watch winders, one for your Dual Oscillating and one for your Single Oscillating.

Resting Periods

As mentioned above, the natural wear of a mechanical watch includes resting periods. Most affordable watch winders do not come with a smart feature to allow periods of rest for your watch, but some mid-level and luxury watch winders do. The resting period is the most essential factor to consider if you want your watch to be healthy and working for years to come.

Power Source

You are going to want a reliable power source for your watch winder, because if the batteries on the winder go out without you knowing, it absolutely defeats the purpose of storing your watch in a winder. Look for a watch winder that comes with an auxiliary, or plug and play power source. You can be sure that your watch is not merely stored in a beautiful coffin, and instead in a cozy little home that keeps on spinning for as long as your watch is stored.

Design and Style

With the number of beautiful watches out on the market, there is no doubt an unlimited number of options for watch winding storage, with wood, rattan, rose gold, and gunmetal accents abound. Winders that are tailor made to compliment the design of a specific watch style are definitely readily available. You can even purchase tandem watch winders to rotate your multiple watches. There is also an entire watch winding case that can hold up to 24 of your favorite watches and keep them wound simultaneously.

Wrapping It Up

While winders are beautiful and can be just as luxurious as the watch itself, the winder design is only as good as its quality. Buying a cheap winder or simply purchasing a winder based on style alone is the best way to set and forget and watch your watch die in style. 

Watch winders are an optional gadget that need to be considered after you look at your watch-wearing lifestyle and determine if a watch winder will enhance your watch wearing experience. 

Sources:

http://watchwinders.net/what-is-a-watch-winder/

https://www.esquiremag.ph/style/watches/watch-winder-for-automatic-watch-a00309-20191106

https://thewiredshopper.com/how-does-a-watch-winder-work/

The racing watch is not perfect just for the auto enthusiast. With its iconic style and precision, the racing watch has moved from a utility watch to favorite everyday mens watch in record time. 

Equipped with a chronograph and tachymeter, the modern racing watch still boasts the same usability as the classic, less polished racing watch. With the modern age, the racing watch has reached new heights in style and is a perfect long-term and ideal investment for any watch collector or novice.

What Makes a Racing Watch 

What makes a watch, a racing watch? 

Typically they include one or several the following design additions, or in the watch world complications, to the face of the watch. A complication simply means any function that exists on the watch beyond just telling time. Complications could be extra dials, extra hands, or additional bevels. 

A great example of a Jack Mason watch with multiple complications is our Mirabeau--it has a three-eye chronograph, tachymeter, and modern twist on a high contrast dial with its beautiful navy blue dial. 

Here are the most common complications that make a racing watch:

• High-Contrast Dial: High-contrast dials are easily read at high speeds.
• Chronograph: A separate stopwatch utilizing a start and stop pusher to operate the second hand and has up to three registers on the dial.
• Tachymeter Bezel: A tachymeter bezel scale located around the dial allows the racer to make speed calculation
• Pulsometer Bezel: Measures heart rate

The High Contrast Dial: For Easy Reading

Don’t overthink it. A high contrast dial just means that there’s a high level of contrast between the different components on the face. Typically, though not always, a racing watch will have a very high contrast dial, this is not just a style or design choice, but it is meant to help the user read all the different dials and bezels more efficiently. 

The Chronograph: A Stopwatch Function

To recognize a chronograph on your watch, look for the two pushers on either side of your watch crown. A chronograph will also include two additional dials on the face of your watch. One dial is for the minutes and the other, for hours. Typically the minute’s dial is on the right side closest to the buttons, and the hour’s dial is on the left. The chronometer will also have an additional second hand on the main dial of the watch. This second hand is what is used to measure the chronometer rotations around the watch.

To start the chronograph, simply push the top button above the watch’s crown until it clicks. This click starts the additional second hand. To stop the chronograph, simply push the top button again. You will then be able to read your time measurement down to the latter taking the hour and minute dial and second hand into account. 

To reset the chronograph, simply press the bottom button. It is best to protect your watch’s inner workings and only to press this bottom button to reset after you have pressed the stop button on the top.

The Tachymeter Bezel: Calculating Speed

A tachymeter bezel is a series of numbers around the outside of the center dial. These numbers start large and close together on the left side of the watch face, and get smaller and usually farther away from each other on the right side of the watch, with 60 being the start at the top of the watch at the 12 o’clock. 

The simplest way to describe a tachymeter is that it is used to convert the length of time it takes someone to complete a task into how many times they can complete that task in one hour. This task could be running a mile or kilometers, packing watches into boxes for shipment, or eating hot dogs, so you can predict how many hot dogs one could eat per hour in an eating contest. 

To use the tachymeter, first reset your chronograph to the 0, or 12 o’clock, and when you are ready, press the start button. When the task you are measuring is done, click the chronograph button again. Now read the second hand in seconds. This number will be the time it takes you to complete the task. 

To read the tachymeter, take note of where the second-hand lines up with the tachymeter numbers on the outside of the dial. This number is the amount of times you will be able to complete that single task in an hour.

1. Start chronograph.
2. Perform the task.
3. Stop chronograph.
4. Read numbers on the tachymeter bezel.

Hypothetically, say your tachymeter starts on the 60 at 12 o’clock, has 240 at 3 o’clock, 120 at 6 o’clock, and 80 at 9 o’clock. If you start your chronograph (at 12 o’clock to measure seconds) and run one mile in 30 seconds, you will stop the chronograph at 30 seconds. The tachymeter will tell you that you can run 120 miles in an hour. 

1. Start chronograph
2. A person runs one mile
3. Stop chronograph when mile is completed
4. Tachymeter bezel shows how many miles the person can run in one hour.

Not all tachymeters have the same measurement units around the outside. Some watches may show slightly different markers, so this example could look somewhat different from watch to watch. However, the tachymeter will still calculate the same units per hour.

The Pulsometer Bezel: Heartbeat Counter

A pulsometer bezel is similar to a tachymeter bezel. The only difference is that it is used to measure heartbeats per minute and uses different measurement units to do so.

However, it is good to note that not all racing watches will have a pulsometer because a person’s pulse is not that important under racing circumstances. Still, some racing watches do have them, because, let’s be honest, most racing watches aren’t used for racing cars these days. 

To use the pulsometer to count someone’s pulse:

1. Hold your pointer and middle fingers to the person’s wrist.
2. Start the chronograph and begin counting the beats in their wrist till you reach 30 and stop the chronograph. 
3. The number that the second hand has landed on the pulsometer is their heartbeats per minute.

Final Thoughts

Racing watches are an iconic design that is not just for the automobile industry anymore. Racing watches are also worn by runners, swimmers, rowers, doctors, and even manufacturers. However, you don’t have to be in any of these fields to rock a racing watch. Racing watches are just as perfect for the outdoor adventurer as they are for the office’s most stylish man. 

The perfect racing watch awaits you. Find your Jack Mason racing style at the finish line here. 

Sources:

https://theslenderwrist.com/measure-your-wrist/

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/driving-racing-watches/

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/use-chronograph-tachymeter-wristwatch/ 

Simply put, a NATO strap is a super practical, military designed watch strap that has moved beyond military use due to its rugged durability and sensibility. The NATO strap attaches to each of the watch’s lug bars or spring bars individually for extra security. It is one of the most secure straps on the market. We will delve deep into what a NATO strap is, what it does, and why you should make the NATO strap the next investment in your watch anthology. 

NATO Straps: A Primer 

NATO straps were initially designed for the British Ministry of Defense to withstand wartime wear for the British Special forces. Dubbed the G10, NATO straps were intended as a way for troops to be able to wear watches over their uniforms. Quite famously, Sean Connery wore a nylon NATO strap with his famous white tux in the Bond film Goldfinger in 1963 slingshotting it’s popularity to icon status and establishing the versatility of wear for the strap.

So, let’s dive into four aspects of the NATO strap that enforce it’s one of a kind design, and should convince you to move it to the top of your watch accessories list.

Let’s break it down.

Durability and Security

The number one design component of the NATO strap alone is durability. We’d say the concept hinges on durability. NATO straps are made of paracord strength nylon, and remove the two-strap process of wear, replacing it with a single extra-long strap. 

When you take a look at this classic black Jack Mason NATO strap you can see the extra-long strap and the extra rings. You might be wondering what all that extra strap is for, and don’t worry, we’ll get deeper into that under how to wear a NATO strap.

The fabric of the NATO strap durable in and of itself can handle rough textures like unfinished wood and sharp rocks with ease. It can be exposed to harsh climates and lots of water due to its quick-drying abilities and nylon base. 

Our Jack Mason NATO straps come in a variety of colors and hold up well in very wet environments. The straps do not alter, stretch, or degrade with the continued exposure to wet or dry situations. The design of the strap itself lends that extra durability to the wearer making the NATO strap a worry-free choice when it comes to the rigor or tenacity of life’s more adventurous options. 

This inherent durability adds an extra level of security as well. The NATO strap was designed so that if you lose a spring bar, your watch does not fall right off your wrist to be lost forever. 

A bonus of the NATO strap is that the strap itself can be changed with ease in mere minutes. The strap is a single, long piece of fabric and does not attach directly to the lugs/spring bars and instead is threaded through and under the watch face. 

Practicality and Value

NATO straps aren’t just for affordable watches. The NATO strap was born to complement different watch types, and it’s durability and versatility equally compliments a wide range of leisure and work contexts. 

A NATO strap pays attention to detail and quality over price point. The beauty of a NATO strap is in the versatility of the strap. In the last 50 years, there have been endless available styles and colors, meaning that your strap can essentially match any suit, outfit, or task. 

Like with this beautiful and strong Jack Mason Cork strap, the ease of use and ease of changing out the strap means you could change your watch strap every day to match your tie or your socks in just a few minutes. You could go from cork to classic khaki to bright red from Monday to Wednesday, and it would seem as if you almost had a different watch for each day of the week.

With perhaps the exception of the most traditional workplaces and some formal black-tie events, a NATO strap can fit in practically anywhere while supplying the durability and strength one needs for an active or rugged lifestyle.

Versatility

Because of their washability and durability, NATO straps are the perfect accent to sport, dive, and field watches. They’re the perfect partner for your watch and for any activity. With the ease of use of the NATO strap, one could effortlessly trade out the strap on an expensive luxury bracelet where your metal links could become scratched by sand, grit, or even rocks if you are a climber.

This versatility lends this strap to being the premier choice for those who live a more active lifestyle. The inherent rugged sensibility of the NATO strap makes for a natural strap choice if your recreational days involve hiking, biking, jogging, sailing, or merely withstanding the heat and physical efforts of a day-to-day working in a warehouse or the construction field. A NATO band was built to secure your watch even amidst the most rigorous of physical activities. 

Unassuming Stylishness

Let’s face it, your watch case may be the star of the show, but your strap makes up 50% of your watch’s look and feel.

The affordability and versatility of the NATO strap make it the perfect accessory for any watch collector. Even a small assortment of differentiating patterned and colored NATO straps will make a small watch collection apparently more extensive. 

There is an endless variety of NATO strap designs available on the market. Swapping out your standard luxury bracelet for a NATO strap is a powerful way to make an expensive timepiece look less obvious. By making the switch, you could fly under the radar with your valuable watch face for a more business casual look or when traveling to crowded parts of the world when you want your watch to be less noticeable. 

Take your watch down to casual Friday in a flash, make it surf-ready for a weekend at Big Sur, or simply change your strap to match your socks. 

How to Wear a NATO Strap

A NATO is a long, two-part strap made up of a single piece of material that passes over the spring bars and under the watch case. Unlike two-piece straps that are hinged onto spring bars between the lugs, NATO straps have a fixed metal buckle, two ring keepers, and a section considered the secondary strap that is connected to the first section. 

One ring keeper is used to hold the tail of the strap in place after fastening. The second ring keeper is attached to the secondary strap section, and this strap is looped through the primary strap after passing it over the first spring bar, under the case, and through the second spring bar. This second strap definitively creates a small, secure space for the watch case to move and slide freely, effectively keeping the watch case in place no matter how much you move your hands and preventing the watch case from yanking out a spring bar when faced with tension from any activity.

The NATO Strap Has It All

The value of a NATO strap is not only in the affordability of the strap itself but also in the strap’s unassuming ability to be durable, secure, while also being versatile and fashionable. There is nothing more unpleasant than losing a gorgeous watch face because your watch strap got hung on your ski pole while exiting the lift, or snagged on a rock face while bouldering in Colorado. 

Protect your investment with ease by merely switching to a NATO band.

With so many choices and so many uses for the NATO strap, there is absolutely no excuse not to have one (or four) in your watch collection. At Jack Mason, we offer a variety of colors, thicknesses, and materials - including nylon or our highly rated cork NATO strap.

Thoughtfully and meticulously designed, our straps pair seamlessly with almost any watch face we carry. Our prices on NATO straps are affordable and diverse, offering the options you need for your busy and active lifestyle without breaking the bank and allowing you the opportunity to invest in several different options to suit your activities and style needs.

Sources:

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_149972.htm

https://fortune.com/2017/07/31/omega-nato-watch-strap

https://www.primermagazine.com/2016/spend/a-comprehensive-guide-to-watch-straps#nato

Your luxury watch is an investment. That makes your watch strap as essential as a pair of fine leather shoes to go with your bespoke suit. As if they were tailor-made, the best straps meet in the middle with an ode to your style while being strong enough to protect and enhance your timeless investment. 

Still looking for your dream watch investment? Be sure to check out our best sellers here!

So you want the best strap for your watch, but how do you know you have found high-quality leather that is most suited to your needs? At Jack Mason, we offer only the best quality leather to accent our watches, and in this post, we will get down to the nuts and bolts with all you need to know to identify the utmost quality when it comes to leather watch straps. 

Like an oak barrel cask of single malt bourbon, a leather strap accents your watch face without being too forward, flashy, or bulky. Leather is one of the hottest trends in watches in 2020. leather adds a smooth, sophisticated air of rugged craftsmanship paired with age-old decadence of luxury watch faces. Only the best will do.

How Can I Identify Quality Leather?

From smooth to suede finishes, gunmetal accents, or gold clasps, the world is your oyster when choosing the style of your leather watchband, but how will you know if this watchband will hold up your timeless investment? 

A band of the utmost quality will be durable and beautiful. It would be a shame to invest in a gorgeous watch face to only have it slip from your wrist due to a low-quality band. A high-quality band will be immediately noticeable and will magnify the look and feel of your watch on your wrist while protecting it by keeping it there.

Use these five steps to categorize, identify, and sniff out the fakes when it comes to leather watch bands. 

Inspect it. Look closely and check for pores. Genuine leather has inconsistent porosity, known as the grain, because it is natural and no two sections will look or even feel alike. Imitation leather contains a repeating pattern. Imitation leather is printed using a machine or press and is manufactured to look like leather at a glance, mimicking the leather's pores and texture.

Read the label. Looking for brands or labeling is a great start, but genuine leather stamping isn't enough. The highest quality of leather is full-grain leather. It is the best that money can buy. With full-grain leather, you can see all the tiny imperfections, and the natural marbling and coloration of the hide will come through. Check out our Moores & Giles Specialty straps to see first hand what high-quality full-grain leather straps look like.

Smell it. Natural leather will have a distinctive smell of leather, animals, or even an oaty grassy smell, while vinyl will have a plastic chemical smell. If your watch band has a chemical smell, the chances are that it is not full-grain leather.

Wet it. Remember those pores we talked about above? Real leather is porous and absorbent. Test your leather by wetting a small section. Authentic leather will absorb the water after a little time, while fake leather will not. 

Touch it. The final test is the feel. Real leather generally has a smooth side known as the grain and coarse side, known as the suede. The same pores mentioned give it an inconsistent texture, which you can quickly feel with your bare hands. If it feels too smooth on both sides, then chances are too good to be true, and a fake. The same goes for too rough. If the grain and the suede sides are both rough, chances are you've got your hands on an altered hide.

Leather Characteristics to Pay Attention To

The Grain. The grain is the top layer of the hide. The grain layer is the most durable layer of the hide due to its fibers being very dense and tightly woven. Our highest rated watch, the 42mm Halyard with its White Dial and its tan top grain leather strap, is the perfect example of this durability. This makes perfect sense if you think about a cow and how it needs its outer layer to be tough to protect against its environment.

The Junction. The junction is where the split and the grain meet. The fibers start to loosen up, and the grain transitions to the split/suede part of the hide.

The Split (Suede). The split is the rough, suede part of the hide. It is generally considered the weakest part of the hide and makes up the bulk of the leather on its backside with its soft, loose fibers. It is often shaved down or split, but when this is done, it does not alter or weaken the grain or the top layer of the hide, it simply thins it out.

Altering the Hide

Any modifications made to the top layer of the hide deem it altered, and it is no longer full-grain leather. Genuine leather is an all-encompassing term for the many different types of alterations that could be done to the hide. These alterations can be sanding, pressing, or embossing the leather.

• Full Grain or Top Grain Leather – Top Tier – the Rolls Royce Phantom SUV of Leather
• Corrected or Embossed Grain – 2nd Best – The Bentley Flying Spur of leather
• Split Suede – functional and inexpensive leather hides - The Compass Sport of Leather
• Nubuck Sueded Grain – Very fragile and susceptible leather – look but don't even think about touching – The Vintage Model T of Leather
• Reconstituted, Bonded or Fibre Leather – Usually made with Recycled materials and particleboard – The junkyard PT Cruiser of Leather

Full Grain or Top Grain Leather. Top grain leather refers to the top layer of the cow-hide that is very minimally altered if altered at all. Some lesser quality leathers may seem smoother or more uniform, but sanding weakens the hide and full-grain leather with little bumps and bruises. Scrapes and scars not only add character, but it also means the leather is durable. Full-grain leather has a breaking in period, it can seem stiff at first and will need time to meld with your wrist providing the ultimate customization, naturally. Check out this write-up by The Adult Man Blog on our Halyard Sport Watch and Leather Strap to learn more about the wearing and aging process of our straps.

Corrected Grain Leather. Corrected grain leather is much more altered than top grain leather. Starting with sanding, corrected grain leather is often buffed, resurfaced, or embossed to "improve" it's top hide appearance, but at the end of the day, it's just a cheaper leather trying to pass for the real deal. You can tell if you've got corrected grain leather if the leather has a uniform extra smoothness and will feel thinner to the touch.

Genuine Leather. The catch-all term for anything that could have been altered but is still considered leather is genuine leather. This could also mean other leathers besides cow-hide, like pig-hide, goat-hide, or even chicken leg leather. The most common being pig-hide that has been sanded to smooth it down.

Leather - The Perfect Band Choice of the Everyday Icon

If you are looking to add that smooth finish to your watch face akin to the demeanor of James Bond or look no further than our Moore & Giles genuine top grain Italian leather. Moores & Giles was established in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1933. They are an American Leather Industry Leader that only believes in providing the best and utmost quality for its customers. To read more about Moore & Giles, check out their website here.

We have created unique, beautiful, and sturdy straps for the everyday man combining dedication with value and affordability through our partnership with Moore & Giles. The straps are available in a variety of millimeter sizes, styles, and accent metals so that you can find that perfect band for you. 

Sources:

https://hashtaglegend.com/magazine/wrist-takers-luxury-watch-trends-2020-cartier-audemars-piguet-panerai-breguet-omega/

https://theadultman.com/fashion-and-style/jack-mason-watch-review/

https://www.mooreandgiles.com/about/

Field Watches in WWI

A field watch is a simple military watch, originally called “trench watches” they were initially designed for soldiers to wear in WWI.

The first watches designed and manufactured on a broader level were field watches. Originally wristwatches were considered feminine, and some of the first wristwatches were intended for high seated women and were dainty and bejeweled. As wristwatches were considered too delicate for a man’s life, pocket watches were the only way for a man to wear a watch without ridicule.

Uniforms began changing as we headed towards World War I, and waistcoats became a thing of the past, replaced by trench coats. Watches also became a necessary piece of military equipment due to the tactics that heavily involved being on synchronized time during trench warfare.

However, in the early stages of conception and manufacturing, the field watch can be traced back to German officers when the very first wristwatches were ordered to be manufactured for their navy. These watches were built to be worn near water, and had large dark dials with bright white numbers with metal cages on top to help protect the glass from shattering on impact.

The iconic field watch was initially designed to increase the accuracy of these WWI military tactics. Officers could now plan attacks down to the second to capture an enemy trench using well-timed heavy artillery, cavalry, and stealth. 

WWII Standardized Field Watches

These design necessities came to a head in WWII when the U.S. Army issued contracts for the A-11. Later, in the early 1950s, it was replaced by the A-17 watch designs. These two designs, manufactured by Bulova and Elgin and Waltham, solidified the look of the field watch.

Accuracy, of course, was critical to executing these tactics, so a watch that only lost or gained 30 seconds a day was considered extremely accurate at the time. The A-11 also had to be dustproof, waterproof, and be able to withstand extreme temperature conditions. Stainless steel became the norm for the casing. In contrast, an adjustable and comfortable leather or canvas strap (the NATO) became standard due to its rugged durability and the affordability of swapping it out if it were to become damaged. The display needed to be easily readable in any condition, so the case would be substantial, and the face was high contrast. Enter the iconic white numbers on a black background.

In World War I, the military did not yet issue these watches, and they had to be purchased by the individual, so they were widely available in shops around the world.

By WWII, field watches were standard military issue and needed to be lightweight and easily manufactured with no extra fobs and bobs so it could be streamlined for mass production. You could not have your military watch get hung on your rucksack or sleeve. For that matter, it needed to be able to be worn over any sleeve or jacket to make it accessible.

Enter the NATO strap. The NATO strap was originally designed by British Special Forces to make a watch more durable during warfare. The watch needed to be more accessible to the wearer as it assisted the watch being worn over the sleeves of the trench coat. NATO straps are durable - usually made of sturdy nylon, dry quickly from exposure to water or sweat, and don’t wear down or soften over time, making them the most suitable option for daily warfare wear as well as the modern adventurer. 

Check out our selection and variety of Jack Mason NATO straps that meld time tested strength with today’s style and functionality.

After World War II, there was an influx in the availability of the field watch in stores across Europe and the US. As it so often happens in history, wartime necessity produced a global shift, and what was suitable for the military became the standard at home. These watches not only changed warfare but changed watch wear as we know it.

The Modern Field Watch

The same style and inherent design still rings true for field watches today. In fact, not much has changed in the modern field watch besides the introduction of luxury components as the watch transitioned away from utility and into a multi-functioning everyday watch for the contemporary man. 

The Jack Mason Solar Watch is a modern nod to the field watches of the past. It boasts a clean, classic field watch style, but with a stylish, updated finish. Its black watch face with emerald green accents are a tribute to the great outdoors while still maintaining the iconic field watch, high contrast face. Its solar recharging mechanism ensures that you will never be without access to time, and its 100-meter water resistance means that it will perpetually endure whatever your throw at it. 

What Makes a Watch a Field Watch?

A field watch for all intents and purposes has a simplistic case. Typically the field watch has a high contrast face - a dark face with light-colored hands and includes only a few complications to assist the wearer in specific field related tasks. These tasks could be military or scientific, depending on the wearer and the watch’s purpose. Some field watches have zero complications at all. A complication simply means any additional function a watch may possess besides just telling time. 

Want to read more about some of the complications mentioned below? Check out our post on racing watches that gives an in-depth look at a few common watch complications. <insert link to racing watch article>

Common complications for field watches:

• Tachymeter Bezel - A bezel that assists with measuring how many times one can complete a single repeating task per hour. Like running or driving a mile.
• Day-Date Display - A slightly more complicated date display includes the day of the week and day of the month.
• Triple Calendar - A triple calendar simply adds the month of the year to the date display.
• A Compass Bezel - Allows you to find the cardinal directions using the hour hand of your watch.

Some of the more advanced complications that could be included on a field watch:

• Moon phase - Displaying the monthly phases of the moon.
• Planetarium - An elegant alignment of the solar system.
• Equation of Time - Differentiates solar time from civilian time.

Most field watches do not include all or any of these complications due to its simplistic, iconic style. Still, you can find just about any combination of complications out there on the market that suit the needs of your inner adventurer and style.

With its roots in more simplistic technological times, its vast versatility, and never-ending classic, almost vintage style, the field watch remains one of the most popular watches on the market. Its utility and durability make it the best choice for weekend trekking over mountains or simply backyard exploring. Any watch connoisseur, new or seasoned, would be wise to add one or even two field watches to his growing collection. 

Sources:

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/guide-field-watches/

https://watchranker.com/field-watch/

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/watch-complications-guide/

Pilots presented the topic of watch technology in the early twentieth century. At the time, men were still wearing pocket watches, and the wristwatch wasn't the accepted staple it is today. Aviator watches are incredibly popular and appreciated today for their utilitarian beauty and sharp legibility. However, the aviator watch is more of a style preference than the critical instrument watches initially used by the pilots in the early days of the flight. Aviator watches were born out of necessity.

A Brief History of the Aviator Watch

In 1904, Santos-Dumont-a Brazilian aviator-planned and designed what has become known as the first-ever pilot or aviator watch with Cartier. As a pilot, Santos-Dumont needed a secure way to keep time without withdrawing his hands from the flight controls. This first watch design was a small gold square face and exposed screws. 

However, a wristwatch was still not considered masculine, and it was not until WWI's trench warfare, that men began tying their pocket watches to their wrists with bands to have easy access to their timepiece and improve accuracy during organized attacks.

Throughout the years, the pilot's watch has seen innovations that make the work of the aviator much simpler. These innovations were great feats of mechanical engineering, the bases of modern flight computers, all wrapped up in a beautiful and functional device that was small enough to sit on your wrist. 

Complications, such as circular slide and chronograph, were introduced to meet the demands of ever-changing flight complexities. Aviator watches have a basic military design paired with complications that are exclusive to aviation to make their watch more useful during flight for the wearer.

Aviator Watch Iconic Design Attributes at a Glance:

• Big and Legible Dial - A Pilot must be able to read the time quickly and accurately no matter the weather during day or night flights. Many pilot watches have broad, dark dials with contrasting numbers or indices.
• The Luminosity - Pilot watches require readability for night flight. So the hands are usually coated with a luminous coating to increase their visibility at night.
• Oversized Winding Crown - A large crown allows the pilot to grasp and wind the crown even while wearing pilot gloves.
• Extra Bezel Markings - Additional markings on the bezel, such as a small flight device, which can help with measurements such as fuel burn and wind angle correction.
• Dual Time or GMT Functions - Most pilot watches have a dual time or GMT complication to control different time zones or synchronized universal time.

Clearly visible indicators are a distinctive characteristic of pilot watches. A prime example would be the Jack Mason Pursuit watch. With a pilot's watch, the dial is often reduced to bare necessities. In most cases, Roman or Arabic numerals with striking luminescent hands so the watch can be read at a quick glance, even at night. 

The Flyback Chronograph

A Flyback Chronograph is a pilot's necessity because it saves time while recording several different timings in a row. The flyback chronographs, like the one on our classic Avigator watch, return to zero and restart instantly with a single button. Due to the conventional stop-reset-start sequence involving 3 operations (thus pressing the pusher 3 times), the Flyback moves through all phases by pressing the reset button once. These quick resets helped navigate the waypoint and check the map, enabling the "on the move" transition pilots.

The Slide Rule Bezel

The slide rule bezel, the Breitling invention for its Chronomat watch, is a mechanical calculator for pilots – a kind of pre-digital-era mini-computer – that allows for all forms of in-flight calculations. Slide Rule Bezels are centered on a fixed scale on the dial with a second, mobile scale on a bi-directional bezel, this mechanism can be used to calculate temperatures, or as a standard tachymeter to calculate how much distance could be traveled over a period of time. This was extremely important to flight and air travel before we had traffic controllers and computerized flight modules. 

The red marker often attached to this fluted rotating bezel is a count-up or count-down bezel to monitor navigation or the distance a bomb will travel. After all, these watches were military instruments. Pilots depended on charts to determine when to hit certain landmarks. Putting the red marker to the minute side, they could quickly read the elapsed times.

The Introduction of the Conical and Onion Shaped Crown

Pilots flew in unheated cockpits during the early days of aviation. Exposure to intense cold means they were equipped with thick gloves to keep their hands from freezing. You can see a clear example of a conical shaped crown on our high contrast, black PVD plated version of the Pursuit. The prominent crown was a crucial feature for the simple operation of the watch, even with gloved hands. This is why most pilot watches were fitted with oversized crowns, with two recurring shapes: onion or colical.

GMT

A more modern, non-military feature also seen on aviator watches is the GMT. The GMT gives the ability of the pilot to keep track of multiple time zones. The GMT is indicated by means of an additional hour hand revolving on a 24-hour scale and read on the two-tone bezel indicating day and night. Most of us have traveled through various time zones and recognize the value of a pilot's ability to track multiple locations. A fine aeronautical watch will have a GMT hand that rotates every 24 hours in comparison to a hand that rotates every 12 hours.

As a pilot, you want to make the right estimates. Aviation watches were originally designed to endure the rigors of air battles where split-second decisions are practically a matter of life and death. And when you look down at the aviator watch, you're going to need to be able to see the readings, even at a glance.

The Classic High Contrast Dial

Like the field watch, the aviation watch is usually equipped with full-number markers that are easy to read at a glance. The hands of the watch are just as big, and there should be no question of where they are pointing. For watch cases in the mid 40-44mm diameter range, there is also a lot of real estate on that face to show the data as plainly and as quickly as possible.

Faraday Cage and Magnetism

Mechanical watches are at risk when they are exposed to magnetic fields. Protection against this negative effect is therefore required for all-purpose tool watches, but even more so when it comes to aviator watches, the cockpit is one of the most magnetic environments a watch can experience. Traditionally, anti-magnetism was accomplished using the Faraday cage principle: a soft iron inner cage covering the force and shielding it from magnetic fields.

While aviator watches got their start as a scientific instrument, the unmatched attention to detail and style of the aviator watch has lived on to influence an entire class of watches available on the market. Most aviator watches today do not need all the functionality of their predecessors, but their inspired durability and readability paired with the complex intricacies of eras past make this watch a pillar of the avid watch connoisseurs collection.

Sources:

https://www.mens-folio.com/67145/history-of-the-pilot-watch/

http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/aviator-watches-best-where-to-buy

https://strapsco.com/a-history-of-pilots-watches/

At Jack Mason, price is not what makes a watch a worthy investment. Watches are one of the most beautiful, versatile, and functional investments a man can make. Not only are you investing in your future when you buy a watch, but you are investing in the man himself. We’ve summed up a variety of some of the best watches on the market under $500.

Taking into account style, functionality, and longevity, a watch that costs a shiny portion of a week’s paycheck must indeed check off all the boxes. These ten watches are your step into the door of the watch collecting world. Whether you want to purchase your first watch or simply round out your collection with some of the best of the best. These watches are well-made, including high-end features and details akin to those of rival watches with a higher ticket price, meaning you can enjoy the classic attributes and characteristics of a pricey watch without actually breaking the bank. 

Halyard Chronograph: $259 USD

One of our top selling watches is the Halyard Chronograph, and you can’t beat the price. This stunning nautical themed Captain’s watch has a beautiful two-toned stainless steel case and is 24 kt gold PVD plated. It has a 42mm case size making it a great sized watch for most wrists. Equipped with a Navy blue dial and a beautiful three Eyed Chronograph. The yellow gold watch hands tie the whole face together. This watch is rated at 10 ATM or 100m water resistance, making it the perfect watch for land or sea wear. 

What to look for: With a nautical watch, longevity is vital. The Halyard is built with a Japanese quartz movement. It will be years before you have to think about replacing the battery, and it’s mineral crystal face boasts durability and resists shattering even when put to the test. It comes standard with a 22mm leather strap to enhance the ease of wearability as it can easily be dressed up or down.

Jack Mason Solar Watch: $289

The Solar Watch is the highest rated watch we carry and 5% of the proceeds is donated to the Rainforest Trust. Its middle ground price keeps it affordable and made of sustainable materials, but the details pull out all the stops making this field/sports watch a home run in our book. With its gorgeous hunter green and black accents in the dial and bezel and matching polyester strap, this watch reflects the subtle hues of nature. Rated for a water-resistance of a 100m makes this watch the perfect utility accessory for the adventurous man.

What to look for: The smooth recycled stainless steel 42mm case equipped with solar power and an Epson VS42 makes this watch conscientious yet powerful. The Solar Watch can withstand almost any type of wilderness you throw at it, and its sapphire watch crystal adds just a touch of luxury rounding out the details.

The Avigator: $289

The Avigator is the perfect watch for the everyday man, with style. Coming in under $300, this watch is a great first watch for any man’s collection. It exudes that classic 1930s vintage watch style coated in quiet sophistication with its Multi-Scale Chronograph. This watch is an ode to the first field watches with its simplistic, yet charming vibes. Paired with a tailored Italian top grain leather strap rounding out those details with its contrast stitching. 

What to look for: 21st Century design with a classic flair. The black sunray dial enhances the look of this watch. The dial features Swiss Super-Luminova® markings and indices for extreme legibility. The Japanese Quartz movement ensures it will stand the test of time.

Seamount Automatic: $429

Squeezing right into the top of our price point at $429, the exquisite Seamount Automatic takes the classic technical watch to a whole new level. With its 42mm case, it is easily worn on a wide range of wrist sizes. High contrast black gloss dial and Swiss Super-Luminova® markings create strong legibility. The sapphire crystal face adds just a glint of mirrored shine.

What to Look For: Paired with a stainless steel watch bracelet, this watch brings style to the forefront with its rotating ceramic bezel. It is equipped with a screw-down crown aiding in its 300m rated water resistance. This watch sits like a gorgeous miniature tank on the wearer’s wrist.

Halyard GMT: $289

The Halyard GMT pays homage to the jet setters of the 1950’s with its red and blue, night, and day dual rotating bezel. The 42mm 316L stainless steel case has been tested for a water resistance rating of up to 100 meters. It is perfectly assembled with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face. The Swiss Ronda 505.24H movement gives this watch the endurance it needs to keep up with your busy lifestyle. 

What to Look For: The anodized aluminum red and blue bi-directional bezel allows for time to be set in up to three different time zones with just the spin of the bezel. Now, if that’s not a flight amenity, I don’t know what is!

Mirabeau Chronograph: $259

Coming in at a slender 40m case diameter, the handsome Mirabeau Chronograph racing watch honors time and speed with its sporty navy and stainless steel aesthetic. Built to last, this watch is based on some of the most iconic mid-century automobiles of our time. The classic golden age style with its navy dial and center set chronograph sets off this watch’s face. 

What to Look for: The Mirabeau’s unique Italian leather perforated strap mimics the design of vintage racing gloves. Its Miyota OS21 movement keeps this watch running smoothly as it hugs the curves of your wrist. Details, my friend, details.

Canton Day-Date Automatic: $329

This is the perfect dress watch for all the occasions worth celebrating in life. Guided by the most transcendent and recognizable watch motifs ever engineered, the Canton Day-Date Automatic is a contemporary take on the classic dress watch. The 40 mm 316L case is constructed and tested for water resistance up to 100 meters. Its brilliant white dial enhances gold dauphine style hand and multi-faceted indices. The contoured stainless steel and 24kt gold bracelet help this watch sit snuggly just below your cuff. Built with a shimmering sapphire crystal face and the long-lasting Miyota 2305 Japanese Quartz movement.

What to Look for: Unlike most dress watches, the Canton Day-Date dial seamlessly boasts the date of the week and the date. 

Sources: 

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/why-are-watches-so-expensive/ 

https://miyotamovement.com/ 

https://www.ronda.ch/en/movements 

With so many watch strap options out on the market, swapping out your watch band can be the most valuable skill set for the watch aficionado. Owning multiple straps can expand your collection and your wardrobe, all with one easy task. A simple strap swap can revitalize your watch face or take the entire look of your outfit to the next level. 

Changing your watch band is a straightforward process when you have the right tools. 

Changing the Band

We'll start with how to remove a leather strap, as well as discuss removing or installing a metal bracelet-style band and finish by quickly reviewing the installation of a NATO band, the fastest band to remove and replace on the market.

For this process, you will need:

• Your current watch with band
• New watch band
• A soft cloth (a towel, t-shirt, or jewelry cloth will do)
• Standard or mini spring bar tool
• New spring bars (if needed)

Removing the Current Band

First, you will need to remove the watch band currently on your watch. You will want to do this without damaging the watch face or crystal. Lay your watch flat on its face on top of your soft cloth as it is best to work from the backside of the case. The fabric will protect the watch crystal/face from scratches that could occur if placed directly on a hard surface, and this will make access to the lugs much more straightforward. The bonus of working from the back is that if you happen to scratch the lugs while removing the spring bars, this won't be visible from the front of the watch.

Now, grab your spring bar tool, flip it to the forked side of the tool, which will allow you to compress the spring bars easily and slide them out of the lugs. 

Insert the forked tip of the spring bar tool between the strap and the case lug. It is best to have your watch face positioned to be able to press towards your body so you can get the best pressure and still hold your watch face flat. Then slip the forked end of the tool between the shoulder of the spring bar and the lug. Press the spring bar towards the strap to compress the spring inside the bar. You should be able to slide the spring bar out to the side quite easily with your tool, allowing the entire strap to be removed with the spring bar still inside the strap.

To remove the other side of the strap, simply flip your watch over and repeat the process. Slip your spring bar tool between the lug and the spring bar shoulder, press down on the spring bar towards the strap, and then to the side, and there you have it, the second strap slides out just as quickly as the first.

To replace your strap with your new watch band, you will need to insert spring bars into this strap. You can use the spring bars from your old strap, or use this as an opportunity to replace them with new spring bars. Spring bars can become damaged during regular wear, and the springs do loosen over time, especially when replacing your watch strap often. Simply slide the spring bar into the spring bar strap section and make sure that you can see the ends of the spring bar on each side of the new strap. 

Attaching the New Strap

Next, we will need to attach the new strap, since your watch is lying face down, flip your strap over with the backside facing up so that your band will be attached to the proper sides. 

Now grab the short side of your strap, the side with the clasp. You will want to make sure you attach the right side of the strap to the right side of your watch. The short side, the side with the buckle, is attached to the 12 o'clock side of your watch. 

Check your watch face and make sure you flip the face accordingly before attaching the shorter side of the band before you begin. 

Slip one end of the spring bar into the lug pinhole and use the forked end of the spring bar tool to compress the opposite side of the spring bar, push it down, and use your tool to slip it toward the opposite lug positioning inside the lug. Give it a gentle wiggle till you hear the spring bar click, this is how you will know the spring has released and is securely elongated within the lug. Giving your watch band a little tug will ensure that the spring bar is, in fact, firmly in place.

Flip your watch to the other side and grab the long part of the strap with the holes for the clasp. Repeat the process by lining up your strap and place one end of the spring bar inside the lug. 

Use your spring bar tool to compress the spring bar's shoulder down toward you and slide it towards the watch lug. Again, gently wiggle the strap till you hear the spring bar click into place. Make sure the watch strap is attached securely by giving a few tugs on both sides of the straps before putting the watch on.

Installing a Metal Watch Band or Bracelet

If you have a metal watch bracelet without end pieces, the steps to change your band will be very similar to the above steps for a leather band. However, if you do have end pieces for your metal bracelet, there are just a few more steps to secure the bracelet.

Follow the steps above, lay your watch face flat on a soft cloth. Now grab your metal watch band, spring bars, and your two end pieces, plus your spring bar tool. Since a metal watch band can be a single piece with the clasp connected or two separate pieces, you will want to make sure the band faces the correct way for clasping the band around your wrist. 

To determine the left and the right side of the bracelet and lay the band flat unclasped. If your clasp folds up and over to the right, then you have the first side in your hand and can flip your watch face over with the 12 o'clock side pointing to the left. Line up the end piece with the end of your bracelet, making sure the holes on the watchband and the end piece line up one of your spring bars inside the two pieces. Make sure you can see the spring bar stick out both ends of the watch bracelet and the end piece and repeat the steps above to line up the band, compress the spring bar and slide it into the lug hole using your tool. Be sure to repeat the wiggling process until you hear the spring bar click. 

It can get a little tricky to attach the other side of the metal bracelet to the watch face, in this case, we suggest that once you have flipped your watch face over with the six o'clock pointing to your left, that you unclasp the band, so you have more room to work. Then slide your end piece onto the bracelet end, lining up the holes with the bracelet holes again, and push your spring bar through both pieces till you see the spring bar on both sides. 

Now, flip your watch face up on its side, this will help keep the bracelet out of the way while you insert one side of the spring bar into the lower part of the watch face. Keeping the watch on its side and holding it and the lower part of the bracelet that is already inserted into the lug hole with your left hand, use your spring bar tool to press down on the shoulder of the spring bar and slide it up to the hole of the top lug. Once in place, carefully wiggle the spring bar around till you hear it click into place.

How to Attach a NATO Strap to Your Watch Face

A NATO strap is one of the most uncomplicated straps to attach and replace due to its single-piece design. Its design versatility and durability make it one of the most popular straps on the market. For this reason, many watch collectors have several different colors and patterns of watch straps to change their bands to suit their mood, activity, or outfit. 

To install a NATO strap, you must first make sure that your spring bars are already installed on your watch case. If you've already removed your previous strap and spring bars, position your watch the same way as above and simply insert one end of your spring bar into the lug of your watch face, press down on the shoulder of the spring bar with your spring bar tool and slide it towards the other lug. Once you have lined up the lug, you can use your spring bar tool to move it around until you hear it click. Since you don't have a strap on the bar to test its security by pulling, simply grab the spring bar between your thumb and finger and give it a few tugs to make sure it is in place. Now repeat for the other side. 

Now onto installing the actual NATO band like our beautiful, one of a kind 20mm Cork Strap, grab the face of your watch and the longer part of your NATO band. Slide the extended slide of the NATO band down and through, between the watch face and the spring bar, make sure it goes under the watch and then bring it up through between the other side of the spring bar and the watch face. You will want to make sure your band is lined up with the shorter side at the 12 o'clock and the longer band part on the six o'clock side.

Next, slide the longer part up through the ring keeper on the shorter part of your strap. The ring keeper holds the strap in place, and from here, it will look very similar to a regular watch band. All that is left to do is place your watch on your wrist, slide the longer end of the strap back through the final ring keeper. To finish, grab the other side and slip the end again over through the remaining ring keeper. 

With so many variations in materials, colors, and strap styles, knowing and practicing how to change the strap on your watch yourself will set you up to be confident in swapping out your strap to suit your mood or replacing a spring bar when one gets broken. 

Sources:

https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a539703/how-to-change-a-watch-strap/

https://www.benswatchclub.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-watch-strap

https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-fix-a-leather-watch-band-12473558.html

The GMT watch has been a staple of men’s fashion for decades. It has played a significant role in the industry for a long time, and it’s an engineering marvel.

The GMT watch is not so complicated that you can’t understand it or have to read a manual to know how it works. Instead, it is its simplicity and an ingenious design that has helped it maintain its status as a luxury style of watch for a long time.

What is GMT?

GMT is the signifier for “Greenwich Mean Time.” This is the time zone by which all other time zones are determined. Back in the late 1800s, an international convention was looking to decide what would be the “mean” or average time that they could compare other time zones to.

The committee decided they would use the time in Greenwich, London for this. In theory, around noon GMT is the time when the sun is at its highest point during the day.

Of course, it may be off by a few minutes here or there due to the way the earth orbits, but this is, in general, what you’ll find. At the time, people rarely transitioned between time zones, and if they did, it would take days, sometimes weeks, to get from one to another.

In a world where you can fly from London to Tokyo in a matter of hours, though, that has certainly changed. In the 1950s, Pan Am airlines approached Rolex, asking if they could create a watch that would help their pilots track multiple time zones as they flew from place to place.

What is a Swiss GMT Watch?

Put simply, the GMT watch is a watch that can track time across multiple time zones simultaneously. The watch was created specifically for those who traveled across time zones and needed a way to track the time wherever they went.

Depending on the specific watch, you can track one, two, or even three additional time zones. This feature is called a “complication,” which just means that it is an additional feature in the watch outside of standard timekeeping

Complications are common in a few different kinds of watches. For example, any watch that features a “chronograph” has at least one, and possibly more, complications. Each additional feature added to a mechanical watch requires extra work from a craftsman to keep everything inside the watch working as expected.

In some GMT watches, this complication is rather simple. In others, there are more complex systems in place to help it accomplish its goal.

How does a Swiss GMT watch work?

The way a GMT watch works is that there is an independent hour hand that moves half as fast as the standard hand. Originally, this hand would line up with a 24-hour clock made into the bezel of the watch. It would standardly be set to GMT, and you could just rotate the bezel to change the time zone.

Modern GMT watches are a little more sophisticated than this. Some work similarly, but they have an adjustable GMT hand that can be set separately from the local time wherever you are. Others link the GMT hand to the minute hand of the watch.

Both have their pros and cons, but they can be equally useful. Any watch that’s a GMT watch, regardless of exactly how it works, is invaluable to anyone who adventures or travels often.

How to style a Swiss GMT watch?

The GMT watch, known as the world timer and created through true craftsmanship, is not only popular because of its functionality, but also because of its style. Characterized by a large, bold bezel and a simplistic face design, GMT watches are instantly recognizable for anyone in the watch world.

That said, styling a GMT watch comes down the what specific watch you have. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, so there isn’t a specific way you would style on in the same way as something like a dress or diving watch.

Just keep general watch styling guidelines in mind. If you’re wearing gold rings or other jewelry, go with a gold watch. Also, match stainless steel with silver.

If you’re wearing a suit, you may want to step it up with something a little classier For business casual, leather watch bands and minimalist face design can go a long way.

How expensive are GMT watches?

One of the defining features of the best GMT watch for a long time was a steep price tag different from watch brands. On average, these watches will run you anywhere from $2,000 to six figures, depending on the watchmaker and style.

This creates a barrier to entry to those who want to own a luxury GMT watch, but can’t afford such a steep price tag. Fortunately, there are other options available.

In recent years, more and more watchmakers have begun to produce these types of watches at a much more affordable price point. Unfortunately, many accomplish this goal by lowering the quality of their parts.

In some cases, they may use a cheaper mechanical watch movement, or in others, you may see an acrylic watch face as opposed to glass or sapphire crystal. These are easy ways to get lower the costs of watch production, but they also degrade the quality of the watch.

If you’re looking for a true luxury timepiece Swiss GMT watch, make sure you’re getting something that is still high quality. Regardless if you prefer a black dial, blue dial, or dual time watch, we can all agree that if you want to be able to keep the watch for a long time, the movement, crystal, and other materials of the watch will determine just how long it will last.

Buy Swiss GMT Watch at Jack Mason

At Jack Mason, we believe that a man’s watch speaks to the man he is, as well as the man that he is becoming. We also want to create a product that you can buy that will last you long enough to pass down to future generations.

Moreover, we believe that all of that is possible without the “designer” prices. That’s why we’ve launched our new Halyard GMT. Inspired by the pilots of the 1950s, this GMT complication watch captures what made the first GMT watches special, with twists for the modern man.

You’ll find a Swiss Ronda 505.24H movement, and a timeless, sapphire crystal face design with a red-and-blue bezel to signify day and night with the addition of a date window. It also has quick-release pins for the band, making it compatible with any 22mm Jack Mason watch strap.

The rotating bezel allows you to track time across not one, but also a second-time zone and third-time zone. That is three different time zones, and additionally, luminous markings on the face make it readable even on an overnight flight regardless of your ETA.

Most importantly, this limited edition Swiss GMT watch is priced at only $359, which is less than 10 percent of what most designer brands would charge you. We use the same high-quality materials, and you can trust that the watch is going to last.

We believe in our watch quality so much that we offer a lifetime guarantee should anything ever happen to your GMT watch. If you’ve been looking to pick up one of these classic watches but didn’t want to fork out thousands of dollars, the Halyard GMT may be the watch you’ve been looking for.

Other watch styles you should know about

If the GMT watch isn’t for you, there are plenty of other watch styles out there. Each has its own time and place, but they are all staples of the watch industry.

Field Watch

The field watch is a classic for adventurers and watch enthusiasts alike. Field watches are rugged and durable, meant to be taken with you wherever you go.

That said, they also make for great casual watches, even if you aren’t trying to go out on some grand adventure. Nylon or leather straps paired with plain, no-fuss faces make for an excellent daily driver.

Diving Watch

The diving watch is another great style of watch that typically comes in a stainless steel case. These are characterized primarily by their water-resistant make including the case back. Made famous by James Bond in the first 007 films, the dive watch is a classic silhouette in men’s fashion.

Unlike the GMT watch, this is a watch that has a specific visual style associated with it. You’ll find large faces and either rubber or metal bands to keep the water resistance feature guaranteed and safe from diving pressure.

Automatic Watch

Although not technically a “style” of watches, the automatic movement style has been a staple among luxury watches for decades. There are three different styles of automatic watch movements: quartz, manual, and automatic.

In quartz movement watches, a battery or power reserve powers a small vibrating quartz crystal that helps it keep time. In a manual watch, you have to keep the crown wound every day when you wear it to give the watch the power it needs to keep time.

With an automatic, though, it harnesses the kinetic energy from your swinging wrist as you walk to keep the mainspring inside the watch wound. It is a beautiful piece of engineering, and a good automatic watch is an impressive sight to behold.

The term “nautical ” can mean different things to different people. Some people picture themselves beachfront while others can't help but think of sailors. 

If you ask us, we think timeless watches. Unlike a diving watch or a dress watch, there are not as many “defining features” to a nautical watch that set it apart from other styles.

However, in general, any watch called “nautical” is built for the sea whether you're in the United States or across the Atlantic. The concept is to create a watch that both looks great and is functional for anyone sailing out on the open ocean.

With that, there are a few characteristics that are common among the majority of nautical watches. In this article, we’re going to tell you exactly what those are and how they work.

What makes a watch nautical?

Your typical nautical watch is made with stainless steel, is water resistant, has a black dial and in some cases royal navy. However, nautical watches aren't limited to those characteristics. For us at Jack Mason, there are a few key features that define what a nautical watch is. These include a refined look, functionality, and enough features to be useful for sailors.

There’s not a specific standard that determines a watch as nautical, but these are a few good places to start. It’s what we prioritized when creating our nautical collection of watches.

What should a nautical watch look like?

There aren’t any hard and fast rules about the appearance of a nautical watch. Like many other styles of watch, there a few features that you’ll see across them, but nothing is written down to say, “X makes a watch nautical.”

One concept you’ll see across nautical watches is a boat or sailing-inspired design. This can be in the colors that watchmakers choose, the layout of the face and hands, or other elements of the watch.

For example, our Regatta Timer nautical watch’s design is inspired by the long history of Regatta and boat racing. In addition to the aesthetic elements of the watch, this inspiration also works its way into the functionality of the watch.

What features does a nautical watch have?

As with the other elements of the watch, this can vary between watchmakers. That said, there are a couple of features you’ll see across the board.

The first of these is water-resistance. Given that these watches are designed to be used by sailors, it logically follows that they should be resistant to water.

They typically have a much lower resistance than something like a diving watch, but they can stand up to the splashing waves or a quick dip. For example, our Regatta is rated at up to 200m, while our diving watches are rated for 300m.

In addition to this, you’ll typically see nautical watches fitted with a chronograph or other timing device. Due to the long history of watches and boat racing, nautical watches need to be able to help the users keep track of their race times.

Chronographs are extremely useful for sailors and non-sailors alike. In fact, they usually have additional features that you may not even be aware of.

How does a chronograph work?

Chronographs are built into lots of different watch styles. They aren’t unique to a nautical watch, but a nautical watch without a chronograph or other timing feature is missing something.

A chronograph was originally a type of stopwatch. Before the age of digital stopwatches, athletes and racers of all kinds used chronograph to track their lap times and time their races.

Not long after, watchmakers began including chronograph features in standard wristwatches. This was due in part to soldiers’ need to keep track of time and distance on the battlefield.

The simplest form of chronograph has three dials on the watch face in addition to the standard timekeeping. One of these is for hours, another for minutes, and the last for seconds.

The watch has the ability to keep track of real-time, and it has a separate mechanism for operating the stopwatch feature.

Many chronographs also feature additional complications. One of the most common of these is a tachymeter.

This allows the wearer to do some simple math to track distance or speed as long as the other variable is known.

For example, if you know you’re going to sail a specified distance, you can use the tachymeter to figure out how fast you got there. In the same token, if you know the speed you’re traveling, you can use it to track how far you’ve been.

In a world without satellite GPS, these tools were invaluable for sailors, soldiers, and race car drivers. They would use them every day in their professions.

How to style a nautical watch

Because a nautical watch can take a variety of different forms, there isn’t one correct way to style this kind of watch. Instead, it is dependent on exactly what watch you have. That said, there are some general watch styling principles you can bear in mind when pairing a watch to your outfit.

“Gold with gold”

In general, you want any jewelry that you’re wearing to match. This principle applies not to just to gold, but to whatever material your watch is made of. If you have a gold wedding band and a gold chain necklace, a gold watch would likely suit you best.

If you’re someone who prefers silver or titanium jewelry, you’ll want to opt for silver watch faces and bands. This is primarily a focus with the watch face itself, as many watches allow you to swap out the straps depending on what you need- Some prefer stainless steel while others prefer a silicone strap.

For example, all Jack Mason timepiece watches are compatible with a number of different strap watch options, including many that can fit leather straps from our collaboration with Moore & Giles.

If you’re someone who wants one watch to be able to go with anything, you may want to consider going with a black watch face. This is going to be the most versatile option. Although, if you’re not someone who wears any other jewelry, matching your metals is not really a concern for you.

Dress for the occasion

There’s a reason that most men have more than one watch in their collection. It’s hard to find watches that are suitable for a day out hiking and a night on the town.

You need to keep in mind the clothes that you’re wearing when choosing a watch to wear. If you’re wearing a suit and tie, you should opt for something like a dress or diving watch. If it’s a polo and shorts out on the boat for the afternoon, something a little more casual may be in order.

An important distinction to make here, though—these are just guidelines. When it comes to the way you style your nautical watch, it is entirely up to you. If it looks good on you and makes you feel confident, that’s all that matters.

Style rules are meant to be broken. Once you understand what you are “supposed to do,” then you can start carving your own path for your personal style.

Does the movement matter in a nautical watch?

Nautical watches come in various shapes and styles, but they also have different movements depending on the watch. The “movement” is what makes the watch tick, literally, and what helps it keep time.

In general, there are three types of watch movements: quartz, manual, and automatic. Each has its pros and cons, and there is a time to buy all three styles of watches.

Quartz movement

A quartz watch movement is different from the other two in that it is not a mechanical movement. Instead of gears and springs that work to help the watch keep time, it uses a quartz crystal that vibrates at a specified frequency.

This crystal’s movement is powered by a watch battery and helps keep it on time. In general, these are significantly easier and cheaper to manufacture than watches with mechanical movements.

That’s not to say quartz watches are bad. In fact, they are often more accurate than mechanical watches. However, they don’t have the same level of craftsmanship as something like an automatic.

Manual movement

The manual watch movement is one of the oldest watch movements, and it hasn’t changed much since it was first created. Both manual and automatic movements are mechanical in nature with one primary difference.

Manual movements require you to wind up the watch yourself in order to keep it powered. When you wind the watch, it puts tension on the mainspring, which is then slowly released overtime to keep the gears turning.

Manual watches are cheaper than automatics, but they are usually pricier than your average quartz watch. They still require an immense amount of craftsmanship, although you do have to keep them wound.

Automatic movement

Last but not least is the automatic watch movement. This is a favorite among watch enthusiasts, with some people refusing to wear anything but an automatic. It works almost identically to a manual movement, except the watch is able to keep itself powered by harnessing kinetic energy from your swinging wrist.

These watches are usually on the pricier side, but the craftsmanship is more than worth it. If you’re interested in purchasing an automatic, we have a few here at Jack Mason that we think you will absolutely love.

The diving watch is a timeless silhouette for men’s watches. Elegant, sleek, and functional, the diving watch has been around since the early 20th century - maybe even earlier.

Classic silhouettes like the Rolex Submariner made the diving watch an instant classic. It was even the watch of choice for Agent Bond in the first ten 007 films.

In this article, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about the diving watch including its history, what makes a watch a “diving” sports watch, and exactly how it works.

History of The Diving Watch

As the name suggests, one of the key differentiators for a diving (also called “dive” or “diver’s”) watch is water resistance or waterproof. This concept isn’t new to modern wrist watches. It may go back as far as the 17th century date window.

There are records of water and dust-resistant watches being made at least in the 19th century for specific individuals. It’s likely these were made for explorers or people who were often braving the elements.

The first concrete example we have of a diving watch comes in 1926. Rolex created a watch case and case back they called the “Oyster.” It featured an airtight seal that, in theory, would prevent any water damage to the timepiece and is submersible.

This was put to the test the very next year. An English swimmer would take the watch in October of 1927 on an attempt to swim across the English channel. After more than 10 hours, the watch held its seal, and even managed to keep accurate time.

Around this same time and in the coming decades, more and more watchmakers began crafting watches made specifically for use in water. As scuba diving became more popular and accessible, more and more people began wanting a watch they could wear with them, even when diving hundreds of meters underwater.

In recent years, there have been more diving watches that are built as pieces of jewelry rather than with function in mind first, but the silhouette of a dive chronometer has remained classic and timeless.

<h3>What Makes a Watch a “Dive” Watch?</h3>

There are a number of criteria that define what a diving watch is. These were put in place by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and include several specific features.

First and foremost, the watch must be water-resistant up to at least 100m deep. Many dive watches end up having resistances of 200-300 meters, but at least 100 is required. The watch also has to feature a specified level of magnetic, chemical, and shock resistance.

Also, they must have some way to track diving time. This can be digital, but in mechanical watches, this is usually found in a rotating bezel. This was incredibly useful for divers, as they needed a way to know how long they had been underwater.

In a world before digital clocks and chronograph, being able to rotate your unidirectional bezel to show the minute you went under and track the next 60 minutes was revolutionary.

With that, the watch also has to be easy to read, even in complete darkness. This usually means large minute markings for legibility and luminescent face details. And will look really good with your wetsuit. It is also anti-reflective so that any underwater glares can be avoided.

The last two requirements are a strap or band that can handle at least 45 pounds of force on either attaching point and some way to know the watch is dying on battery-powered watches with power reserve.

There are plenty of “diving watches” on the market that don’t fit these specific criteria. In many cases, it’s more about the look and feel of the watch rather than the specific details. However, nearly every dive watch will at least feature water resistance, a solid, secure strap or band, and a time tracker of some kind.

How Does a Diving Watch Work?

Diving watches come in all different forms and movements, so there is some variety as to how the inner workings of the watch are constructed. In general, you’ll find them in one of three stylings: quartz movement, manual movement, or automatic movement.

Quartz watches are powered by a battery that keeps a quartz crystal in the watch vibrating at a specific frequency. These watches are incredibly accurate and inexpensive to make, but they lack some of the craftsmanship of a mechanical watch.

In contrast, manual watches are completely mechanical. However, they need to be wound regularly to maintain tension on the mainspring and keep the watch running. Automatic watches function pretty much the same way internally, but they include a mechanism for harnessing kinetic energy to keep the watch wound.

If you’re interested in learning more about these watch movements, check out our article on how an automatic watch works[LINK]. With diving watches, though, there are other features to consider.

What Does “Water-Resistant” Mean?

The biggest defining feature of a diving watch is water resistance. Depending on the specific sport watch, this can work in a few different ways, but they all follow the same basic principle.

The sports watch is built with gaskets at every place where water could get in, creating a seal that prevents it from happening. Also, things like a screw-down crown can assist in this as well. That doesn’t solve the problem, though, as diving underwater also creates pressure on the watch.

To help a diving watch withstand the high pressures associated with underwater diving, manufacturers have to take additional steps when making these watches such as a helium release valve or helium escape valve.

For example, you’ll notice that diving watches often have a thick crystal on the face. At Jack Mason, our Seamount Automatic diving watch is made with sapphire crystal, one of the hardest and most durable materials in the world.

We use this in part for scratch resistance, but it also helps ensure that the face will not crack under pressure. In most cases, diving watches are rated for any recreational water activity and light diving, but may not be suitable for a professional scuba diver.

As you go farther down into the water, the pressure gets higher and higher. Although diving watches are rated for a certain distance underwater, watchmakers usually recommend not scuba diving unless the watch is rated specifically for extreme water pressure.

Lab tests and deepsea pressure are not the same, and just because a watch did well in the lab doesn’t mean it will withstand the depth ratings of the deep blue ocean.

What Does a Diving Watch Look Like?

Diving watches come in a variety of different styles, but there are some key features you’ll see across them all.

In general, dive watches are bulkier than other watch styles. Originally, this was due to the need for creating a watertight seal and the extra bulk created by the gaskets inside the watch.

You’ll also notice that many of the best dive watches are made of either metal (like stainless steel case) or a silicone-like material. For obvious reasons, leather straps are not ideal for taking the watch underwater, and using a material like silver or gold gives the watch a natural water-resistance.

In contrast, some watchmakers in recent years have opted for a silicone or rubber strap material for the band, and this is a great choice as well. These bands also give the watch a more casual feel, which is preferable for lots of people.

You’ll also usually find a large watch face with big, luminous hands and details for easy reading underwater. The most classic example of a diving watch is a Rolex Submariner. That’s the look that comes to most people’s minds when they think of a diver’s watch.

You’ll see that the numbers, hands, and face are much bigger than a typical field or dress watch. You’ll also notice that there are luminous elements on different parts of the watch face. This is to make sure that divers can read the watch, even when deep underwater.

There are some diver’s watches that stray far from the classic Submariner-style look, though, opting for something much more digital like a mini limited edition dive computer. These can be great options too, but they don’t offer the same level of class and elegance that you get with more traditional diver watches.

Buy Diving Watches at Jack Mason

At Jack Mason, we offer a collection of diving watches in both quartz and automatic styles. Whether you’re looking for the Bond-style all-metal look, or you want something colorful with a rubber strap, we have something to suit you.

The watch you buy should represent both who you are, as well as the person that you’re becoming. We believe that a man’s watch becomes a part of him over time and that it should last him for years to come.

That’s why all of our watches are crafted with sapphire crystal and either Swiss or Japanese movements, to make sure that you’re getting the highest quality possible. In addition, we don’t think you should have to spend a small fortune to get a luxury watch.

Our watches offer the same quality as other luxury brands like Blancpain, Doxa, Breitling, Oris, Panerai, Tudor, and Heuer - just without the designer price tag. Check out our collections for yourself. We think you’ll be able to find something you love.

Sources:

1. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:6425:ed-4:v1:en