Under The Surface Of A Watch, A Delicate, Intricate Mechanism Makes It Tick.

In order for a watch to keep time accurately, it needs a source of energy that it can store up to continue ticking. This source of energy is known as a watch’s movement. The most common types of watch movements are mechanical, automatic, and quartz. Each of these movements works differently, and there are pros and cons to wearing a watch that is powered by all of them. 

This article will specifically focus on automatic watch movement, which can be described as something of a perpetual motion mechanism. Automatic watches are also known as self-winding watches due to their ability to store up energy via either a manual wind from the wearer or from a spinning rotor within the watch that allows it to wind itself. 

As you read, you will learn how automatic watches work, how automatic movement compares to the other movement types, and why an automatic watch is worth looking into.

A Brief Introduction To Watch Movements

As you just learned, there are three primary types of watch movement – mechanical movement, automatic movement, and quartz movement. Below is a brief explanation of each:

• Mechanical movement is the oldest and most traditional method of making a watch tick. Inside a mechanical watch is a wide array of turning cogs which, when the watch is manually wound by the wearer, will continue turning at a precise rate to keep the watch ticking accurately. 

Mechanical watches are often considered luxury items, and watchmaking has rightfully been deemed an art form, largely thanks to the expert craftsmanship behind mechanical watches.

• Quartz movement is a more recent method for powering watches. This type of watch movement relies on a battery which sends an electrical current through a piece of quartz inside the watch, vibrating at a precise frequency that keeps the watch’s hands ticking with great accuracy.
• An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch or perpetual motion watch, is powered by energy stored in the watch’s mainspring. The energy is generated by a weighted rotor that spins as the wearer’s wrist turns. 

Automatic movement is a fascinating feat of human inventiveness, allowing a watch to keep ticking accurately without a battery or much interference from the wearer as long as it is worn consistently. An automatic watch can also be manually wound if necessary, something the wearer might have to do after going a long time without wearing the watch.

Each of these movement methods can be found in watches on the market today. However, since quartz and automatic movement are more recent inventions and typically provide the wearer with a more convenient, low-maintenance timekeeping experience, they have become significantly more popular over the past few decades. 

Why Choose Analog Over Digital?

Digital watches are also a recent invention in the scheme of timekeeping history, and some appreciate them for the convenience of their easy-to-read interfaces. However, they simply do not compare to analog watches in terms of longevity and style. Analog watches have stood the test of time thanks to their stylish looks, functionality, and distinct ability to take outfits to the next level.

Digital watches have a tendency to make an outfit look much more casual, and they are not always completely inappropriate to wear. You won’t necessarily be committing a fashion faux pa by wearing a digital watch with some more casual looks.

However, a good analog watch is guaranteed to improve your look, boost your confidence and will last decades with proper care. Many analog watches can even be passed down through generations, making them extremely sentimental and special heirlooms. The same cannot be said for digital watches, which have already been rendered somewhat obsolete by the advent of smartwatches.

Regarding smartwatches, the same reasons listed above will make you want to choose analog. Smartwatches have some relatively convenient functions, to be sure. However, they tend to simply mirror the functionality of the other, larger device in your pocket (your smartphone). 

While smartwatches can often be customized and personalized to make them look a bit more aesthetically pleasing, it is still difficult to get a smartwatch to look good with a dressy outfit. On the other hand, an analog watch is versatile enough to look excellent with a wide range of looks, never putting you at risk of making your outfit look tacky.

The History Of Automatic Watches

The technology that eventually gave birth to the automatic wristwatch is as old as the 18th century, before wristwatches were being sold and worn. These original automatic timepieces were pocket watches. Powered by the transfer of energy from the wearer handling them, these automatic pocket watches contained similar mechanisms to the ones that began being used to power automatic wristwatches in the early 20th century.

By the time World War I had ended, automatic wristwatches were becoming more common. These watches contained weights attached to a rotor that would spin, allowing energy to be stored in the watches’ mainsprings to keep them ticking consistently and accurately.

Later in the 20th century, luxury watchmakers began adding additional weights to the inner mechanisms of their automatic watches, allowing the wrist movements of a watch’s wearer to store up more power to be used by the watch. This change in the design was a significant improvement and eventually gave way to the use of weighted ball bearings that gave automatic watches the ability to keep time more accurately. 

As of the 21st century, automatic watch movement is still a common power source for wristwatches, much more prevalent now than manual mechanical movement. However, in the later 20th century, quartz movement was introduced, offering a battery-powered alternative to manual and automatic watches. 

The introduction of quartz movement gave watch wearers what is arguably the most low-maintenance watch wearing experience. Although not objectively superior to automatic or mechanical movement, the battery-powered quartz movement mechanism has become one of the most dominant power sources for watches in the last several decades.

Why Wear An Automatic Watch?

Automatic watches, as you now know, contain fascinating technology that allows them to work reliably with little interference from the wearer. The weighted mechanism in an automatic watch harnesses the wrist movements of the wearer. This makes for an extremely appealing wearing experience. 

You can feel the weight of an automatic watch as you wear it, giving you a distinct sense of its quality and the craftsmanship behind it. This is a far different experience from strapping on a flimsy, lightweight digital watch or smartwatch, which feels like a kitschy gadget in comparison.

In addition, automatic watch movement can be found as the power source for many different types of watches. It is important to distinguish a watch’s movement from its type. The movement of a watch is not the primary method of categorizing the watch. Instead, a wristwatch will typically be branded under the umbrella of a specific design. 

Some of the most common types of watches are field, dive, nautical, aviation, and racing watches. Each of these types of watches can be powered by any of the three major watch movements. When shopping for a new watch, looking at any potential watch’s movement type and its classification are two of the most important steps in determining whether it is right for you.

Ultimately, there is no inherently superior form of watch movement or type of watch. Many watch enthusiasts enjoy the experience of wearing an automatic watch, with its distinct weight and the convenience of its self-winding mechanism. However, others may prefer the lighter and lower-maintenance experience of wearing a quartz watch. 

Likewise, the lasting appeal of mechanical watches due to the intricate craftsmanship behind each one has not been lost on watch wearers in the 21st century. There are selling points for each movement type in the same way that each style of watch is worth considering. It’s up to you to decide which one best fits your lifestyle and preferences.

When looking for an automatic watch that is best for you, taking your daily attire into account is a great place to start. If you are typically wearing more formal outfits for work and everyday life, an automatic dive watch is a great choice. Dive watches are versatile enough to wear with formal and casual looks and can even be worn with a tuxedo. A dive watch is a perfect option if you are planning on owning just one watch and want to be able to pair it with as many outfits as possible. 

Make your decision on the best watch for you based on its movement, type, and its visual appeal to you. Covering these important bases, you can’t go wrong.

Sources:

https://www.thrillist.com/gear/things-you-have-to-explain-to-people-that-don-t-wear-watches

https://www.vogue.com/article/minimalist-wardrobe-guide-how-to

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a5759/simple-ways-to-master-color-mixing/

No watch is complete without a good band. The watch’s band is the piece of material that wraps around your wrist and clasps securely shut. When you are going about your day-to-day tasks, it is essential to have a watch band that can meet the demands of your lifestyle and fit your wrist well.

A Guide To The Different Types Of Watch Bands

In this article, we will cover the most common types of watch bands and the pros and cons of each. After reading, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding which type of watch band is best for you.

Leather Watch Bands

One of the most common and best-loved types of watch bands is a strap made of leather. Leather is tanned animal hide, a material commonly used for furniture, shoes, belts, and accessories like watch straps. Leather has a timeless look and continues to stay in style as the decades go by.

Leather watch bands can be found in numerous colors, but some of the most common are brown and black. Leather is an extremely versatile material to accessorize with, pairing well with both casual and formal looks. Used for watch bands since timepieces first started being worn on the wrist, it gives a watch a classic look that is hard to beat.

While leather watch bands have plenty of inherent appeal due to the unparalleled look and feel of the material, there are some drawbacks to wearing a watch with a leather strap. 

Leather is an absorbent material, meaning that if you are working hard and sweating throughout the day, your watch band will end up getting potentially discolored as it soaks up sweat from your wrist. This means that a leather watch band needs frequent cleaning and conditioning to keep from getting discolored and damaged by sweat, oil, and dirt. Maintaining a leather watch band is not difficult, but wearing a band made from leather does require more time and effort than some other materials. 

Cleaning a leather watch band is easy – it just takes a microfiber cloth, some gentle soap, and a leather conditioner designed for clothing and jewelry. If you choose leather as the material for your watch band, be prepared to clean and condition it once every few weeks. If you wear your watch daily and do not frequently clean and care for it, the leather will eventually become dry and brittle, leading to cracks and an overall decline in your watch’s appearance.

Metal Watch Bands

Metal is another one of the most common materials used for watch bands. Easier to maintain than leather and equally timeless, metal watch bands look great and are suitable for formal and casual occasions. 

A metal watch band is typically made from small, interlinked pieces of metal and features a buckle that straps the watch to the wearer’s wrist. The design of a metal watch band can give a watch a more modern look than some other materials like leather, which does typically give a watch a more vintage feel.

When wearing a metal watch band, one factor to be aware of is the material’s propensity for reacting to the temperature. In cold weather, your metal watch band will feel very cold on your wrist. In contrast, when you are in hot weather, your watch may feel uncomfortably warm. However, metal does not absorb water and sweat in the same way leather does and is more resistant to heavy wear. 

A metal watch band is a great option for anyone who wants their watch to have a timeless look but prefers to keep things as low-maintenance as possible. There is always the potential for any watch to require some extra care and attention, but metal tends to be one of the easiest watch band materials to care for.

Canvas Watch Bands

Especially common for field watches and other more rugged styles of timepieces, canvas is another material frequently used for watch bands. Lightweight, easy to replace, and available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, canvas makes a watch look more casual but is notably comfortable to wear and very easy to care for. 

If your watch does not need to be worn with very formal outfits, canvas is a great option for a band material. However, it is important to consider the style and fashion requirements of your day-to-day life when choosing a watch and strap. Canvas is not as versatile as leather or metal and may not complement certain outfits as well. If you are working in an environment where anything more than business casual is required, a canvas watch band might not be the best pick for you. Leather or metal would likely be a better option in this case.

Rubber Watch Bands

Rubber is a less common material for luxury watch bands but is often found on watches designed for athletic wear. In addition, smartwatches often include rubber bands by default. 

Rubber is an extremely flexible material that requires little to no maintenance and is perfect for wearing when you are engaging in physical exercise or other activity that would potentially put a more formal material at risk.

A rubber watch band does not have the same compatibility with formal wear. Smartwatches, which often have rubber straps, may have some useful bells and whistles, but they can never replace analog watches in terms of style. Analog watches have a timeless look and feel that cannot be competed with by digital watches or smartwatches.

Which Watch Band Is Best For You?

Your choice of watch band depends on your lifestyle, fashion preferences, the colors that you typically like to wear, and the type of watch that you choose. Some watches look better with certain materials used for their bands. 

For example, a dive watch looks great with a metal or leather strap (some, like Jack Mason’s Seamount, use a ribbed rubber band). However, canvas does not blend well with the look and versatility of a dive watch. Since a dive watch is compatible with both casual and formal outfits, wearing an inherently formal strap made from canvas might not be the best choice.

It is important to remember that there are exceptions to the rules of watch wearing. Jack Mason’s rubber-banded Seamount dive watch is a perfect example. The Seamount does elegance with excellence, all the while using a material for its band that is not always associated with luxury watches. Dive watches are often some of the best choices for pairing with the most formal attire, and a sleek, black rubber band can make you look even more put together.

In certain circumstances, wearing a watch with a leather band is your best choice, hands down. Black leather is generally considered more formal than brown leather but can pair perfectly with just about any look. Leather’s versatility makes it the perfect choice for a watch band if you are only planning on owning one watch. 

Metal watch bands also have their own unique perks. Much easier to maintain than leather bands, they look a bit more modern but still are guaranteed to stay in style. The choice between a leather band and a metal one is often the primary decision that watch lovers must make, but many enthusiasts end up choosing to own at least one watch with both types of straps.

A canvas watch band is suitable for more casual outfits. It is also a great choice for pairing with a field watch. The rugged design of this type of timepiece makes it a great watch to pair with a canvas strap. 

Many field watches, including Jack Mason’s field three-hand, have a more colorful display and are complemented well by colored canvas straps. Like metal, canvas is a lower-maintenance material than leather, making it worth considering for outdoorsmen, adventurers, and lovers of the field watch.

Finally, rubber is still a viable option for a watch band in spite of its association with smartwatches and activewear. As demonstrated by Jack Mason’s Seamount dive watch, rubber straps do not have to look informal and can pair perfectly with dressy attire when done right. 

However, it is worth noting that if you go for a rubber watch band, opt for an analog watch. Smartwatches and digital watches may seem more convenient, but they will never be able to compete with the timeless look of an analog timepiece.

What Watch You Choose Is Up To You

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which material is best for your style. There is no wrong choice when it comes to watch bands, but some are more versatile and fit better with certain types of watches. This makes owning multiple watches a worthwhile consideration.

Sources:

https://www.businessinsider.com/11-reasons-you-should-go-outside-2014-4

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/09/apple-watch-smartwatch

https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/dont-buy-a-smartwatch-for-christmas

Jimmi Simpson wears a Jack Mason watch on his wrist in Russell Crowe’s latest intense nerve-wracking blockbuster thriller ‘Unhinged’.

Russell Crowe brings unnerving intensity to his latest role in Unhinged, a psychological thriller about an enraged man out for revenge. Here are the Jack Mason luxury timepieces that were chosen to appear on his wrist as part of his signature performance, as well as other watches throughout this exhilarating blockbuster film. 

Hitting the silver screen on August 21, 2020, Unhinged stars Russell Crowe. The Academy Award-winner plays an unnamed and emotionally unstable man. Opposite his anger and rage is Caren Pistorous, who plays Rachel, a wife and mother. The two cross paths when driving on the packed streets of New Orleans. Crowe’s character—the unnamed man—drives a beefy pickup truck that rides high with an ominous presence as thick as the intimidating aura he emanates. When Rachel honks at him with a long, irritated press of her car horn, she infuriates the man. But as he attempts to make a human connection with her, he teeters between fury and forgiveness. When she denies him the courtesy of a mutual apology, he is consumed with the burning need for vengeance, and a dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues.

The summer blockbuster movie tapped Jack Mason to provide luxury watches. Here are the designs that appeared in the film.

Timeless Designs in Unhinged

Perhaps a surprise to viewers, Crowe—a committed actor—did all of the driving stunts himself. In addition to hands-on stunt driving training, he participated in fight training as well. “People won’t believe that he is doing the stunt driving himself,” says James Portolese, the film’s co-producer. It’s a testament to Crowe’s devotion to his craft, a parallel to the commitment to quality that Jack Mason embodies. 

Jack Mason—based in Texas—designs and crafts luxury timepieces. And one of these watches appears on the wrist of one of Crowe’s co-actors, Jimmi Simpson. Simpson plays Andy—a busy besuited divorce lawyer and a caring friend to Rachel. In his key scene, he’s waiting for Rachel in a diner. Dressed in a suit and tie, he impatiently checks the time. 

The luxury watch that Simpson sports on his wrist is the Pursuit Chronograph. Featuring the iconic design of a pilot’s watch, this watch is stylish yet unassuming. As with all of the meticulous designs in the Jack Mason collection, the watch is crafted to look equally impressive when worn with professional attire as it would when paired with a rugged outfit. As keen viewers might notice in the film, it looks right at home alongside Simpson’s business attire. Simpson, playing his role, imparts an air of intelligence and professionalism. It’s a testament to how Jack Mason’s classic, timeless designs appear at ease in any ensemble and on any man.

The Pursuit Chronograph

The Pursuit Chronograph is a tribute to the classic pilot’s watch. It features a stainless steel case, a black dial, and Swiss Super-Luminova® markings and indices for high legibility. In conjunction with Simpson’s performance as a busy lawyer, the watch’s meticulous design conveys confidence and professionalism in the face of conflict and uncertainty. Certainly a fine choice of timepiece for Simpson’s character. 

Shop The Look

Viewers can learn more about the watch on the Jack Mason website, where they can choose from three different styles. The dial is available in both matte and sunray finished in black, navy and gray. The palette was carefully chosen to complement a wide range of looks. In addition to the varied dials, a range of straps are available as well. There are Italian leather straps in a range of colors from black to brown to tan, as well as rubber and nylon options. Secured to the stainless steel case using quick-release pins, the straps are made to be easily swapped out.

Whether a man is dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt or a crisply pressed shirt adorned with a bold Windsor knot, this Jack Mason chronograph impresses in all areas.The sapphire crystal is tough, second only to diamond. And the 316L stainless steel case is durable and corrosion-resistant. Along with machined buckles, it is undoubtedly the watch of choice for any man who values reliability and toughness.

Browse for other watches in its Aviation collection. 

About Jack Mason

The team of craftsmen at Jack Mason has over 75 years of combined experience in designing and crafting timeless, luxury timepieces. The watches are put together using top quality materials. The straps are made of Italian leather, and the movements use high-grade sapphire crystal for its Japanese and Swiss movements. Designed to be worn every day, the watches are proudly built to last a lifetime.

Jack Mason is a Texas-born company bringing independence, approachability and legacy to the watch industry. Since our founding in 2015, we have focused on developing a line of thoughtfully designed, luxury timepieces. Our team deeply believes that the watch a man chooses to wear showcases who he is while also creating the legacy of who he wants to be.

Sources:

https://medium.com/@AltitudeFilms/a-zoom-with-a-view-road-rage-choreography-with-co-producer-james-portolese

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10059518/

To understand quartz watches, we need to first understand the standard ways in which watches are powered. There are three main types of movements, or energy types, used in watches on the market today:

• Mechanical
• Automatic
• Quartz or Solar Quartz

Mechanical Watches

Mechanical watches are the kingpin of the watch world. Mechanical watches have been around since the beginning of watches. In over a century of modifications and technological advancements, the most significant difference in a mechanical watch besides the individual watch design themselves is that mechanical watches now use a built-in crown, instead of a tiny key to wind the inner mainspring. Mechanical watches are hand-wound timepieces that use a complex movement composed of hundreds of small parts that work together in harmony to make a mechanical watch tick.

Automatic Watches

While automatic movements are technically an older technology than quartz movements, they are still among the most common movements in watches because they exude a different degree of quality, craftsmanship, and complexity. Instead of batteries, they run off of the energy from a wound spring. This mainspring stores energy and distributes it through interconnected gears and other springs controlling the energy supply to power the watch. The mainspring is “charged” either through winding by hand or the natural motion generated by the wearer’s movement that rotates a tiny rotor back and forth.

While most automatic watches may carry more mechanical complexity and cost significantly more than most quartz watches, they’re also less accurate by nature of the design. While an automatic movement generally has an accuracy of +/-10 seconds to +/- 30 seconds per day, a quartz movement will have this same accuracy range or better over an entire month. For those in the pursuit of ultimate time-keeping precision, a quartz watch will be a clear choice.

Quartz

Once upon a time, quartz was a state-of-the-art technology that almost overturned the entire watchmaking industry. Heading off what is considered the Quartz Revolution or some Quartz Crisis (depending on your feelings), quartz soon showed that the most effective and accurate way to tell time was not through a complex network of gears, but with a simple crystal, battery and tiny motors. 

Utilizing this new time-keeping technology was considered unforgivable to some, as it disrupted the status quo of the watch winding world.

Let us not forget that a quartz watch, except for the occasional change of batteries, needs far less service than its mechanical alternative. For a moment, let’s forget that quartz is more accurate at telling time than even the most expensive, most expertly-tuned mechanical watches. Also, unlike mechanical watches, gravity does not affect the inner workings at all, so a quartz watch tells the time just as well when you are deep under the ocean in a submarine as it does when you are climbing the highest mountain. Forget that quartz is more affordable than mechanical watches.

All clocks need an oscillating, regulating element to keep the time accurate. In mechanical clocks and watches, it exists in the form of a balance spring and balance wheel. For a quartz watch, however, there is a tiny quartz crystal cut in the shape of a tuning fork. 

Let’s dive even deeper into this mind-blowing nerdiness.

Quartz naturally vibrates at an exact frequency and contains piezoelectric properties, which means that when it is pressurized, it produces a small volt of electricity. The inverse of this is also true, so that when an electric current is passed through quartz, it vibrates, usually at 32,768 times per second. 

Most watches with a quartz movement have a guaranteed accuracy at around 15 seconds plus or a month or so. This accuracy is still much better than even the best mechanical watches. The quartz watch’s only enemy? Temperature. 

So how do the inner workings of a quartz watch actually work?

1. A battery provides the current to the microchip circuit.
2. A microchip circuit makes the precisely cut tuning fork quartz crystal vibrate at 32768 times per second.
3. Another microchip circuit detects the crystal’s oscillations and turns them into regular electric pulses, one per second.
4. These electric pulses drive the miniature electric stepping motor and convert electrical energy into mechanical power.
5. The electric stepping motor also turns the tiny gears.
6. These tiny gears sweep the hands around the clock face to keep time.

The answer is that the quartz vibrates at a subtly different frequency at different temperatures and pressures. Its time-keeping capability is affected to a small degree by the warming, cooling, ever-changing environment around us. So, in theory, if you keep a watch on your wrist at all times, it is much more or less constant temperature. That watch will keep time better than if you take it on and off your wrist, causing a rather significant temperature shift, in any environment.

The critical thing to remember about quartz is that it’s piezoelectric. It will vibrate when you put electricity to it, and it is going to give you electricity when you vibrate it. The quartz crystal oscillator uses piezoelectricity in both directions — at the same exact time. Making quartz an incredibly efficient power source. Hence why watch batteries actually last quite a long time.

So, in a nutshell, why are quartz watches worth investing in?

What quartz watches lack in finesse and historic footing they excel in the following three areas:

1. Practicality
2. Size
3. Durability

Practicality

The pure practicality of quartz is that these watches have a power reserve that literally lasts for a lifetime. So once you set your watch, you will rarely ever have to touch it again. This Green & Steel Seamount Jack Mason will just keep on trucking along for years to come (and side note it has 300 meters of water resistance). You can forget your quartz watch on the counter, pick it up six months later, and there it is, ticking away ready to be worn immediately.

Size

Size is a HUGE factor. Because of the smaller sized movement, quartz watches can be slimmer and smaller than automatic watches. Smaller watch casings are essential when you have a smaller wrist. Quartz watches tend to sit flatter than a mechanical because their parts don’t take up so much room, which also means they also slide more easily under cuffs and sleeves.

Durability

It’s worth noting that quartz movements are often longer-lasting than mechanical watches. If you work in manual labor or just enjoy the great outdoors and the potential watch hazards that come with it, then a quartz watch is perfect for you. 

Check out the Jack Mason Overland watch, designed for durability and is water resistant up to 100 meters. This watch runs off of premium Japanese quartz. Quartz watches like the Overland can take on a higher impact than mechanical and automatic watches because of their effortless simplicity. There is nothing inside the watch that is going to get thrown off-kilter if you bash your watch into something or take a tumble. Which is why some of the most robust watches are quartz movement watches.

In the end, the battle between quartz, mechanical, and automatic watches will be won by the wearer’s preferences and use. Yes, there will always be the folks out there who say the automatic watch is more of an authentic choice. Or that at least automatic watches inherited the integrity of the mechanical watch. But you tell me, how does it get more authentic than an old rock that creates electricity when vibrated at a certain frequency? I mean, that’s super cool. But before quartz came along, watch enthusiasts around the world said some pretty terrible things about automatics too. It takes time, sometimes decades, to get used to new technology in a world that is all about timelessness and that luxury is in the details like the watch industry.

Sources:

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/quartzclockwatch.html

https://www.worthy.com/blog/knowledge-center/watches/best-watch-movements/

https://www.themodestman.com/watch-movements/

Size matters. Especially when it comes to your watch.

Finding the perfect size watch means taking several factors into account. Along with personal style and wrist size, you will need to consider the several aspects of a watch to find the perfect one for your day to day hustle.

In the internet age of shopping, knowing what size watch best fits your wrist is a must. Watch sizing itself fits into five different categories of measurements. Still, there are several observations to be taken into account to get the perfect watch balance.

• Watch Case Diameter
• Watch Face Details, Complications, and Components
• Watch Case Thickness
• Wrist size
• Watch Band Design, Materials, and Thickness

Watch Case Diameter

Honestly, watch case sizing is mostly up to opinion and what the watch wearer feels is appropriate for their wrist, but some guidelines can help you pick a more proportional watch from the start so you can get the finished look you’d like to achieve. There is nothing worse than another collector taking one look at your watch and band combination and commenting that it looks gigantic on your wrist.

If you have a small wrist, your best bet will be matching the proportion of your watch case, the flashiness of the watch case, and the type of band you wear with it to give an overall look and feel of balance.

• Small - > 34mm Strap Size: 18mm
• Mid Size - 34mm - 38mm Strap Size: 18mm
• Standard - 39mm - 42mm Strap Size: 20mm
• Oversized - 43mm - 46mm Strap Size: 22mm
• XXL - < 47mm Strap Size: 26mm

Watch Face Details, Complications, and Components

There's no doubt that the design and scale of the numerals and components in your watch face can appear smaller or larger. These sometimes subtle differences in a watch face can make or break the proportionality of your watch game.

Keep in mind, a classic field watch watch faces with a solid, dark background and white numbers are going to give your watch a streamlined look and tend to look slimmer. More flashy watches with multiple colors, bright metal finishes, large luminous hands, and a considerable crown will add to your watch’s visual size.

Wrist Size

• 6 inch wrist - Considered small. Small to medium diameter cases around 34mm - 38mm. 
• 7 inch to 7.5  wrist - Considered average. 39mm, 40mm, and 42mm range will fit best.
• 8 inch and larger - Considered Large. Cases between 44-46mm, or even 47mm, will give the wearer a more proportional look.

Let’s start out with some basic wrist measurement guidelines and conversions.

Wrist and Strap Sizing Guide in Millimeters

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

Whether investing in a new watch or your first watch for your collection, these measurements will come in handy for purchasing an additional band or retrofitting a band you may already have to a new watch case. We measure everything in inches these days, but the standardization for watches is in millimeters. 

Watch Case Thickness

The thickness of your watch case does play a role in the overall size of your watch. 

Standard case thickness in the industry:

• 6mm – 8mm as thin
• 8mm – 12mm as average, and
• 14mm – 18mm as thick

But what if I inherited a watch that may be disproportionate to my wrist, but I want to wear it for it’s vintage style and sentimental value? This is where your watch band style makes all the difference.

Watch Band Style 

The style and materials of your watch band play a part in your watch’s overall look and feel. It is the cherry on top and the final step to outfitting your watch. Comfort, presentation, necessity, and style go into making this choice superbly balanced.

A wider band may make a smaller watch face look disproportionate just as a smaller band may cause a watch to seem too large on the wrist. Finding the right balance between band and face will give that perfect wow factor and clean look.

Watch Band Materials

Whether leather, metal, fabric, or silicone/rubber, the watch band’s choice is quintessential for balancing the look and feel of your watch. We’ll break down the different types of watch bands and what to consider below: 

• Leather - Italian leather or domestic leather, faux leather
• Metal - Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, usually chain-linked and hearty.
• Fabric - Woven, two-tone, or robust designs.
• Silicone/Rubber - Endless color choices, sweat-resistant, low price point.

Leather

A leather band will automatically make your wristband seem slimmer due to its contouring and hugging nature. Leather bands are probably the least intrusive or boastful bands. Sliming in nature, most leather bands are only TK in width and TK in thickness.

Metal

Metal bands give a more substantial weight and feel to a timepiece because the metal itself is sturdy and flashy. Metal bands will not typically be worn as tightly on the wrist as a leather or silicone band. So if you have a watch with a massive case, a metal bracelet could be the perfect band to help balance the look on your wrist.

Fabric

Fabric bands are versatile due to their limitless designs, but similarly to leather bands, they can be slimming. Choosing between a solid or printed fabric material can visually alter the size of your band and should be taken into account. If your watch case is in the 44-46mm range, choosing a bright and bold or intricate patterned fabric band can make the watch appear more balanced. It will draw a great deal of attention, so be prepared to be asked for the time by strangers who are curious about your flashy watch throughout your daily grind.

Silicone/Rubber

Typically made for Athleisure wear, silicone, and rubber watch bands are water and sweat resistant and come in endless variations of colors and combinations. Silicone is not the best to pair with luxury watches due to their slim nature, but they compliment dive watches and field watches perfectly for those water and sweat resistant capabilities, like our best selling Seamount watch with its gorgeous vintage inspired green dial. It’s rated for 300 meter water resistance and paired with our sleek quick release black rubber strap making it the ultimate in style and capability.

Sources:

https://medium.com/@luxurybazaar/does-size-really-matter-the-bigger-the-wrist-the-bigger-the-watch-278ebeec4a83

https://www.watchgecko.com/what-is-the-lug-width-and-how-do-i-measure-it/

https://www.thetrendspotter.net/how-to-choose-a-watch-for-your-wrist-size/#:~:text=Remember%2C%20when%20it%20comes%20to,appear%20best%20on%20thick%20wrists

The fit of a watch can make or break a man. There are many situations one could run into if your watch band does not fit securely on your wrist. Consider a situation where you are attending a fancy party. You are wearing a custom-tailored fitted suit, but your watch band is too large hiding your beautiful, luxury timepiece under your french cuff. Or you have extensively planned a guys weekend trekking through the Moab desert and camping on a rock face when your watch band gets caught on a rock while rappelling down a cliff, a spring pin breaks, and you watch your favorite field watch fall to its death. Or in an everyday situation, what if your watch is too tight and is cutting off your circulation to your hand during an important board meeting and you fidget the whole time looking unprofessional.

These situations may seem extreme, but they are based on reality. The reality is, you need to protect your timepiece investment so it can withstand the test of time. 

Making sure your watch band fits your wrist is essential to your watch's durability and looking put together at the same time. It is incredibly easy to measure your own wrist to make sure you have the perfect fit for any band type and any situation, whether it be style, practicality, or adventure.

Measuring Prep 

In this little DIY, you will need to measure your wrist as the baseline so you can figure out your size in each of the three variations of straps. All straps are not created the same and sit very differently on the wrist, but we'll break all that down.

Three main types of straps or bands:

• Metal Bracelet
• Leather Strap
• NATO Strap

The easiest way to measure your wrist size is with a flexible measuring tape, called seamstress or a tailor's measuring tape. These are available in the sewing section of most big box stores or available for sale online. If you don't have access to a tailor's tape, the best way to improvise is with a narrow piece of paper or a string and a standard ruler.

Most watch strap measurements are given in millimeters, so for these purposes, we will use the centimeter side of our measuring tape or ruler to make our measurements.

A couple of things to keep in mind while measuring your wrist. 

1. Your wrist is going to be a little larger at the end of the day as opposed to the beginning as your body retains water throughout the day.
2. Your wrist is going to be slightly larger when your hand and palm are open as the wrist bone adjusts when you make this movement.
3. You will need to take into account your preference when it comes to where you like to wear your watch on your wrist and measure that section accordingly. For our purposes, we are going to take our measurements in the middle and on the bone.

• Above the bone
• On the bone
• Below the bone

1. Lastly, you'll need to consider which type of band you'll be wearing your watch with. The correct measurement of your strap will vary depending on which style of band you will be wearing.

• Metal Bracelet or Band
• Leather Strap or Band
• NATO Strap

How to Measure Your Wrist Properly

With your palm open and the underside of your wrist facing up, take your tailor's tape, place the end with the metal tip in the center of your wrist, and pull the tape over your wrist till it fits snug. Line up the tip of the metal with the measurement that sits the closest to the tape. You may find it most comfortable to go ahead and loop the tape, slide it over your wrist and then pull the tape snuggly down to the metal tip. Write this measurement down in centimeters. To calculate millimeters, there are 10 millimeters in a centimeter. 10 times the number of centimeters plus the number of millimeters over the last centimeter in your measurement equals your wrist measurement in centimeters.

10 x # of cm + # of mm over last cm = wrist measurement in cm.

Alternative Measuring Technique

If you do not have a tailor's tape, your piece of paper or string can function pretty much the same way. Wrap the paper or string around your wrist and mark with a pen or marker where the two pieces overlap. Then take your piece of paper or string and measure mark to mark on your ruler.

1. Place underside of wrist face up.
2. Open up your palm to widen your wrist.
3. Place the metal end of tailor's tape in the center of your wrist.
4. Pull the tape over your wrist to where it fits snug.
5. Line up the tape with the metal end piece and read the measurement in centimeters.
6. A quick Google conversion for the millimeters

This measurement takes into account the rough size of your wrist with your watch face, but some minor adjustments are needed. 

Wrist Size Into Watch Band Size

Now that you know the size of your wrist, it is time to translate it into your watch band size. I've chosen the three main different types of watch bands, as these bands are all worn with different tightnesses in mind.

Metal Bracelet or Band

Metal bands are the most fluid of the bands and are typically worn a little looser to provide ease of movement throughout the day. We offer an extensive collection of metal bands at Jack Mason--take a look at our full stock of metal bracelet watches! The rule of thumb that will give you enough slack in your metal bracelet is that the bracelet plus the watch face should be one centimeter larger than your wrist measurement. Highest rated Jack Mason Metal Bracelet Watch is our Seamount with its Black Dial and Stainless Steel Bracelet.

You can take this measurement of a watch and metal bracelet you already own by wrapping the measuring tape similar to how you measured your wrist and inside the closed band. This should give you a pretty accurate reading of the measurement of your metal bracelet, and you'll then know if you need to add or remove a link to provide you with maximum comfort.

Leather Band

A leather band has the least amount of give and, in fact, can be stiffer if it is brand new leather. There will be two forms of measuring the strap to know if a leather strap will fit your wrist.

1. Is the strap already installed on your watch?
2. Are you shopping for straps and have yet to install it.

If your strap has already been installed on your watch face, then it is gravy from there. Simply measure from the end of the buckle all the way down the watch. The rule of thumb on a leather watch that fits snug and gives you a little movement is that the leather band should be almost two centimeters longer than your wrist measurement.

If your strap is not installed on your watch face, you are going to need to measure your watch face and add in that measurement. Hold your watch face on its side and measure from one spring pinhole to the other. This is the measurement of the face of your watch. 

Now measure the short strap of your watch from the bottom of the buckle to the spring pinhole. Measure the long end of the strap from the spring pinhole to the second or third hole on the watch band. Add the three measurements together. The same rule of thumb applies: there should be a two-centimeter difference from the watch measurement to your wrist measurement for a good snug fit with barely enough room for movement.

NATO Strap or Band

Measuring for the NATO strap is relatively straightforward due to its single piece of material construction. However, your watch's face sits up slightly from the back of your wrist due to the iconic design of the NATO strap. The extra material of the two sections of your strap that your watch face is threaded through must be taken into account. The rule of thumb with a NATO strap is that it should come out to be a full inch or 2.5 centimeters larger than your wrist measurement to account for this rise in the watch face. 

Simply add 2.5 centimeters to your wrist measurement and lay your NATO strap flat, try out our highly rated Black Nylon NATO strap for something durable and ageless. Measure from the bottom of the buckle, and across to the other side of the long side of the strap is about 5 centimeters longer than your wrist measurement, you are good to go. With a classic NATO strap, the material on the other side of the watch face is usually fairly long so it can be threaded back and through the rings. However, some contemporary straps have buckle holes just like a leather strap, so there again, you will want your measurement to reach the second or third buckle hole to be comfortable. 

That wasn't so bad, right? You didn't have to McGyver your way through it, and now you can walk into the watch section and be confident that you know the size and needs of your next strap or band purchase. You are well on your way to being an avid watch collector!

Sources:

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/watch-size

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

https://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches/watch-size.html

Let’s cut to the chase--what makes a watch great for the everyday? 

1. The materials of the watch

Your daily watch should be made of quality materials to hold up to the daily grind and the wear and tear of regular use. You’ll want to inspect everything from the face of the watch, to what type of movement the watch has, to the strap, and water resistance in order to make the choice that suits your needs. However, investing in quality is the number one rule. When you wear the same watch every day, you are subjecting it to all kinds of environmental hazards and potential damage. Choose a watch that is made of strong constitution, won’t falter underwater pressure, and is quite simply, made well.

At Jack Mason, we pride ourselves on creating watches of the utmost quality with movements and features that increase their wearability and durability. When you invest in a Jack Mason, you will have the peace of mind that every detail of how the watch is going to be worn and used is extensively throughout before executing our classic, eye-catching, tailored designs. Each of our watches serves a function as well as exudes style. The quality that we invest in the making of the watch is reflected in the wearer of the watch. 

2. The movement of the watch

The inner workings matter on a watch and the type of movement power your watch contains will affect your daily use of the watch. If you are good with a routine, you can feel comfortable choosing a mechanical watch that requires the manual winding of the mainspring to hold “power” every thirty-five to forty-five hours. If you aren’t the greatest at remembering small tasks, a mechanical is not the best choice for you because your watch will die if not wound regularly. This means you’ll have to take the time to reset the time on your watch after it has been wound. If your daily hustle doesn’t allow you the opportunity to keep up with a mechanical watch, there are still a few options that could be better suited to your lifestyle. 

Automatic watches have a manual watch feature, but if they are worn every day, they will stay wound just from the regular movement of your wrist. This is a huge asset in a daily driver watch. You can have all the style and beauty of a manual watch, without the added routine.

If you are the type of guy who only wears a watch on the weekends, then a quartz movement might be the best choice. Quartz movements are powered by a small battery that emits a specific frequency causing the quartz inside the watch’s motor to vibrate and create electricity. These watches require very little energy to just keep on ticking and no maintenance from the user. 

Taking quartz watches even further is the solar-powered watch movement. The solar-powered watch creates power from any light source to vibrate the quartz mechanism inside and will last many, many years to come. For this type of application, we are always suggesting our highest rated solar watch. Durability and longevity are the key features in this watch that make it the perfect choice for the watch wearers daily life. 

3. The type of watch crystal.

It may seem like a minute detail, but the type of glass on the face of your watch does matter. The material that the watch face is made of, whether it is sapphire, mineral, or acrylic, affects the durability and environments that your watch can stand. Sapphire is incredibly scratch resistant, while mineral is durable and can withstand great depths in water. At the same time, acrylic is affordable. It is an excellent choice if your job requires you to work in harsh weather or working environments where the pressure is heightened.

4. The water resistance of the watch.

How much water depth and pressure your watch can withstand affects how and when you wear your watch. If water seeps into your watch movement, it can damage the crystal, causing it to never work again. Therefore you must be knowledgeable about different water ratings if you are the type of guy who wears his watch in the shower or while surfing at Big Sur. Not all watches are created equal. A daily driver watch is going to need to be able to withstand the constantly changing temperatures and water pressures of every day of your life, not just moderate handwashing. Our standard classic Halyard watch is a great option when shopping for a daily driver that meets the water-resistance needs of the everyday man. Able to withstand depths of pressures of up to 100m, this watch can go from the office to the gym, to swimming laps, and taking a shower with absolutely no trouble at all.

5. The way the watch fits your wrist.

Your watch needs to fit your wrist. This means the diameter of your watch case and the tightness of your band. You want your watch to accentuate your style and not be the first thing people see because they can’t get beyond the fact that it is too small or way too big for your wrist. 

Taking the time to figure out which watch case diameter works best with the size of your wrist will save you humiliation and discomfort. On the same hand, making sure your watch band fits snuggly and is not sliding up and down your wrist will significantly improve your relationship with your watch. This makes your watch an extension of your hand and not just a sloppy accessory that gets in your way because it looks nice. 

A well-fitting watch band ensures that you and others can enjoy the finer details of your watch and improve your time-telling skills. We offer a large variety of watch bands from metal bracelets, to NATO, to the highest standard of Italian leather with our Giles and Moore top-grain leather band. Outfitting your watch with a band that works perfect for your lifestyle and is easy to wear is what will make or break its daily use. 

6. How well the watch fits your style and budget.

You don’t have to break the bank to invest in a watch that will last you for years to come, with an ever-broadening watch market. At Jack Mason, we have created a perfectly curated selection of watches in every price range and style imaginable that can slide right into your budget and check off all those boxes for daily wear. There is no worthy investment more than one of the watch you will wear on your wrist for years to come.

Sources:

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

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

https://medium.com/@luxurybazaar/does-size-really-matter-the-bigger-the-wrist-the-bigger-the-watch

The term waterproof is absolutely misleading.

The term waterproof actually implies that the watch will not leak under any circumstances. We will tell you right now that a totally waterproof watch is practically impossible. Therefore you should never fully trust the term waterproof when mentioned on the packaging or stamped directly on the back of the case.

”Waterproof”

So if the term waterproof isn’t enough, how can you know how “waterproof” your watch actually is? This is where water-resistant testing and ratings come into play. While no watch is actually 100% different waterproof ratings, usually noted on the back of the watch or the packaging the manufacturer includes with purchase, will assist you in knowing what kind of watch to choose for your specific needs.

How can you know what has the most waterproofing? What should you look for in water-resistance to understand what your watch can do? There are a few different rating systems that will help you know what your watch can withstand under the waves.

• BARs or ATM/Meters
• ISO - International Organization of Standards
• IP Code or IP Rating

The watch back is stamped with a water-resistance mark that denotes how much water pressure a watch can handle. The tested pressure is stated commonly in depth and meters of in BARs and ATM or atmosphere. The watch is labeled with a water resistance rating of 30, 50, 100, or even 200 meters, or 200m. There is an added level of standardization created and organized by the ISO or the International Organization of Standards. These two types are the most important to diving watch standards ISO ratings: ISO 2281 and ISO 6425.

BARS or ATM/Meters

A watch labeled at 30 meters would seem to mean that your watch is waterproof up to 30 meters. In reality, this rating is barely waterproof enough to handle standard handwashing or the occasional rain shower. It is not resistant enough to handle swimming, diving, or even showering and bathing. So what do these markings actually tell you about the watch’s waterproofing capabilities?

• 30m - Water resistant up to 30 meters - This means that your watch can withstand water droplets and quick handwashing.
• 50m - Water resistant up to 50 meters - Means it can withstand swimming and cold showers. Hot showers are a different subject as heat expands materials and could potentially allow water to enter your watch casing.
• 100m - Water resistant up to 100 meters - This means it is safe to swim or snorkel with the watch on, but it is not the right fit for diving.
• 200m - Water resistant up to 200 meters - Means you can dive with your watch on. 

It is important to note that the waterproofing will become less effective over time as the seals are exposed to the elements and temperature changes.

The stamp on the back of the watch determines how far you can push your watch with water. Researching the watch style, the company, and their usage of the International Organization of Standardization will help uncover just how deep and under what kind of conditions your watch can withstand moisture and how “waterproof” it actually is. 

Keep in mind that not all watch companies use these ratings. If using your watch in water is a significant concern, you will want to purchase a watch from the company of your choice with the highest meter rating to have the peace of mind that your watch will last through almost any condition you expose it to.

ISO Standards

ISO is the International Organization of Standardization. The ISO has different test ratings for water resistance conducted on watch faces and other electronic and mechanical components.

There are two primary standards of ISO to consider when purchasing a watch with some level of waterproofing:

• ISO 2281 Water Resistance Standard - All watches that are not diving watches.
• ISO 6425 Divers Watch Standard - Standards specifically for diving watches.

ISO 2281 Water Resistance Standard Test

This standardized test actually prohibits the term waterproof to be used when measuring the water-resistance of watches. If a watch states it is waterproof, this is a tale-tale sign that further research is needed to determine its water resistance. There is a limit to how much water pressure a watch face can stand. Waterproof implies that a watch will not leak under any circumstances, which is almost impossible. 

The ISO 2281 test was invented in 1990 and updated in 2010 and is designed for watches created for regular, everyday use, not diving. The essential criteria for these tests cover:

• Water resistance
• Reaction to Temperature
• Reaction to Condensation 
• Reaction to Pressure

This testing is relatively straightforward compared to the rigorous testing for Diver ISO testing and “water proofing”.

Diver ISO 6425 Testing

Diver ISO 6425 is the most rigorous set of waterproof testing on the market. Investing in an ISO compliant watch means you can be sure your watch will perform as advertised and will withstand the environmental factors you place upon it. After being ISO 6425 tested, the watch will have a rating for each specific feature, and it will meet specific criteria for diving and deep depths and pressure. In practical terms, it means that before you take your new 300m watch head into the water on your wrist, it’s already been 375 meters and back with loss in waterproofing. 

A watch must pass several tests to receive an ISO 6425 rating, including tests that have nothing to do with water. However, these are the factors tested individually for “waterproof” watches:

• Reliability Under Water
• Resistance to Salt Water
• Reaction to Extreme Water Temperature Changes
• Reaction to Condensation

IP Code

The IP Code and rating system are governed by the International Electrotechnical Commission. While the IP Code may seem a wee bit more complicated, it is by far the most trusted, in large part because the IEC is so well-established. Similarly to BARs and meters, and ISO, the IP Code is based on a series of tests assigned a rating. 

IP code rates the degree of protection provided by casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion or ingress of dust, accidental contact, and water.

This rating is written with the letters I and P, then two digits, followed by two more rating digits. The first two digits have to do with solids. So in the case of most watches, there is simply an IP followed by an X as the first digit is not as relevant to our watch decisions as waterproofing is.

Keep in mind that companies don’t have to rate their product for all IP Codes. Just because a watch has been tested and approved for IP 6 - powerful water jets, it doesn’t necessarily mean it was tested for the previous IPX codes. The numbers following the X will tell you exactly which types of moisture/water it has been tested to withstand. 

If multiple tests have been performed, you will see them listed as IPX1/IPX3/IPX7. Looking for these multiple codes is going to be the only way to precisely know how waterproof, the moisture level, and the pressure your watch can handle.

The IP code measures waterproofing in bars and pressure, their rating system works as follows:

1. X: No protection.

1. Includes protection against vertically falling droplets, such as condensation. Ensures no damage or interrupted functioning of components will be incurred when water is falling onto the upright case.
2. Protection against water drops from up to 15° when the case is upright.
3. Protected against a water spray of up to 60° when the case is upright.
4. Protected against water splashes from all directions. The case has been tested for at least 10 minutes with an oscillating spray.
5. Includes protection against low-pressure jets of water directed from any angle, limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects.
6. Protection against direct high-pressure jets.
7. Protection against full immersion up to 30 minutes at depths between 15 cm and 1 meter, limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects.
8. Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure, such as greater depths. This test’s precise parameters may include factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type, usually set by the manufacturer.
9. 9K: Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs, or steam-cleaning procedures.

What’s the best rating system? That really depends on your needs as a watch user and buyer. If you simply want to know if you can go swimming in your 30m watch, you now know the answer is no and that the ratings for the watches you can go swimming start at 100m or that you need at least an IPX7 to go snorkeling with your family. What matters most is that you are informed and can, at a glance, know if a watch is waterproof enough for what you need.

Sources:

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:22810:ed-1:v1:en

https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20IP%20rating,%2C%20dirt%20etc)%20and%20moisture.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tale-of-two-isos-what-water-resistance-ratings-really-mean

Watch crystal is a general term that refers to the transparent glass material that covers the face of a watch. It is designed to shield the watch from the elements and provide a polished look to your watch. Watch faces on the market are not actually made from crystal, but instead made of a variety of manufactured crystalline glass-like materials. Watchmakers worldwide only use three types of crystal to cover the watch’s face.

Which material is best?

The best material can be extremely subjective to the type of watch, the conditions in which the watch will be exposed to, and the wearer’s preference. There are three main types of the watch crystal. Each has its pros and cons and quite literally strengths and weaknesses. Learning the lingo and the different attributes of each type will help the new watch buyer and the aficionado alike in knowing what to expect from their watch, how they can repair it, or if they have to replace a crystal when damaged.

At Jack Mason, we use nothing less than mineral crystal, although most of our watches use sapphire crystals. We have chosen each watch face carefully for each individual watch’s needs and structure, using mineral where strength is a more critical factor, like in several of our Nautical watches built to withstand depths, harsh conditions, and using Sapphire where luxury and utility meet. Like in our highest rated watch, our Dark Green Dial With Recycled Plastic Strap Solar Watch.

Sapphire Crystal

The highest standard for watch crystals these days is sapphire crystal. It was originally created by a French chemist who went by the name of Auguste Verneuil, who made glass sheets of it by collecting and superheating aluminum oxide powder while placing it under intense pressure as well. He then heated the crystal to eliminate its internal stresses as it can cause weakness, it then enters the final processing stage where it is processed into sheets, and voila, synthetic sapphire glass.

Some key traits:

• Most durable, hardest crystal material on the market.
• It is a transparent, crystallized aluminum oxide produced in a lab. 
• It is scratch-resistant apart from diamonds.
• It stays bright and uncloudy for years to come.
• It has the most shine and is the most reflective.

Sapphire crystal is beautiful and extremely scratch-resistant. It adds a lovely mirrored shimmer to the case of your watch, highlighting the components within. However, it should be noted that sapphire glass is capable of shattering or cracking and is not always suitable for extreme pressure and water abound conditions.

To give you a good idea of what these watches are like, take a look at our top three Jack Mason picks with Sapphire Crystal: 

• Solar Watch 42mm - Dark Green Dial With Recycled Plastic Strap 
• Seamount Automatic 42mm Black Dial With Stainless Steel Bracelet 
• Halyard GMC 42mm White Dial with Stainless Steel Bracelet 

Mineral Crystal

Mineral crystal glass is the most common glass you’ll find on a watch. 

Mineral crystal glass is made from silica and is manufactured using regular tempered glass. This tempering process makes the mineral crystal much more scratch-resistant and able to handle great depths and pressure. Not to mention, the manufacturing of mineral crystal costs are still relatively low. These factors combined to aid in its frequent use as watch glass. 

However, mineral crystal is not completely scratch-resistant, and in its lifetime, it is likely to hold a few scratches. If this happens, you can, for the most part, buff out these scratches yourself. If you are unable to remove the scratches with basic buffing and polishing, you can send it to the watch manufacturer for inspection. The manufacturer will be able to tell you whether a new glass piece should be installed or if the scratch could be removed with further buffing and polishing.

Some key traits:

• Less likely to break over sapphire.
• Made from silica similar to glass fitted in windows.
• More scratch resistant than acrylic glass, but way less than sapphire and can’t polish or buff out scratches, higher impact resistance is less reflective than sapphire, making the watch more comfortable to read.

Mineral Crystal glass is often coated in an Anti-Reflective Coating. This is sometimes referred to as an AR coating or anti-glare coating. Some brands include this coating as standard to help boost readability in harsh lighting conditions. It can enhance the watch face’s visibility while telling time and also reduce the strain on your eyes. This coating can make your watch more aesthetically pleasing as it will effectively remove any glare.

Acrylic Crystal

Acrylic crystal is considered to be the bottom of the market. This classification is mostly due to the affordability and availability of the product, but also due to stigmas set in place by classic watch enthusiasts. Watches that use acrylic typically come with a lower price tag, though this is not always the case. An exception to the rule is that some diving watches use an acrylic crystal to help withstand a certain depth of pressure.

Some key traits:

• More transparent than sapphire
• Sparkle over mirror
• Pretty much fingerprint resistant
• Easily polishable to remove and surface scratches
• More flexible so it can withstand higher impacts - i.e., use in diving watches and military field watches

Here are Jack Mason’s top three Mineral Crystal watches that boast strength, durability, and style:

• Halyard White Dial with Tan Leather Strap 
• Seamount Blue Dial With Stainless Steel Bracelet 
• Pursuit Navy Dial With Brown Leather Strap 

Variety, variety, variety!

Nowadays, watches aren’t just manufactured to be instruments. Watches are designed to be an investment and complement the wearer’s lifestyle, lifestyle, and activities. They are created with value in mind. Luxury materials are preferred, and with more styles of watches on the market, you are sure to find the perfect one to suit your needs, quality desires, and your style.

Sources:

www.vondoren.com/single-post/Watch-glasses-Insights-and-Tips

https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/blog/2018/04/the-complete-guide-to-watch-glass/

https://www.superwatches.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-watch-glass/

Some things just never go out of style. Whether it’s field watches or diving watches that come to mind, there’s a certain something about the five styles of watches we’re about to go through that are simply unforgettable by time. 

The Dress Watch

A dress watch propels you into the sophistication and sartorial splendor of manhood like no other watch you might buy. A dress watch is going to be the only watch you wear to the landmark milestones and distinguished occasions of your life.

The dress watch combines elegance and etiquette. Dress watches are not designed to endure the daily lifestyle of a man from day-to-day. Alternatively, they are usually lightweight, thin, delicate in profile, and made of finer metals. Dress watches are made with exquisite precision for the events in life, where it is important to forget that time exists and to be present for the event itself. 

The Jack Mason Canton Day-Date is the perfect dress watch for all the occasions worth celebrating in life. The Canton Day-Date is a contemporary take on the classic dress watch, and unlike most dress watches, the Canton Day-Date dial seamlessly boasts the date of the week and the date. 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. It’s built with a shimmering sapphire crystal face and the long-lasting Miyota 2305 Japanese Quartz movement. 

The Field Watch

The first watches produced and manufactured at a broader level were field watches, originally mass-produced to improve the precision of military tactics of the Second World War. Officers could schedule attacks down to the second to take the enemy trench with well-timed heavy artillery, cavalry, and stealth simply with the use of their watches.

The same style and design still ring true for field watches today. In fact, not much has changed in the modern field watch, apart from the addition of luxury parts, as the watch has shifted away from utility and into a multi-functional day-to-day watch for the contemporary individual. 

The Jack Mason Solar Watch is an ode to past field watches. It boasts a clean, classic field watch theme, but with a sleek, up-to-date finish. The black watch face with emerald green highlights is a tribute to the great outdoors while also retaining the classic field watch, a high contrast design. This watch reflects the subtle hues of nature and iconic field watch simplicity. Rated for a water-resistance of a 100m makes this watch the perfect utility accessory for the adventurous man. 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 Aviator Watch

Pilots promoted the development of watch technology in the early twentieth century. At the time, people were still wearing pocket watches, and the wristwatch was not the common standard it is today. 

Aviator watches are increasingly popular and beloved for their practical elegance and sharp readability. Nevertheless, the aviator watch is more of a style of choice than the essential instrument watches originally used by the pilots in the early days of the flight. Aviator watches have been born out of necessity. While aviator watches started as a scientific instrument, the unprecedented attention to detail and design of the aviator watch has continued to dominate an entire class of watches available on the market. 

Most aviator watches today do not boast scientific features of their predecessors, but their inspired longevity and readability combined with the intricate elegance of days gone by make this watch a cornerstone of the avid watch connoisseur’s collection.

The Jack Mason Avigator Watch is the perfect modern aviator watch. 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 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.

Racing Watches

The racing watch isn’t just great for a car enthusiast anymore. With its emblematic elegance and accuracy, the race watch has passed from the utilitarian watch to the man’s favorite everyday watch. Racing watches are an emblematic style that is not just for the automobile industry. 

Racing watches are used by athletes, swimmers, rowers, physicians, and even manufacturers. However, you don’t have to be any of these guys to love a racing watch. Racing watches are just as ideal for an outdoor enthusiast as they are for the most trendy man in the workplace. The modern racing is still equipped with a chronograph, and a tachymeter boasting 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 investment for any collector or novice.

What makes a race watch? Typically, they include one or more of the following design additions, or complications to the face of the 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 Jack Mason Mirabeau racing watch honors time and speed with its sporty navy and stainless steel aesthetic. This watch is built to last and 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. 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 like a classic care on a great American highway. Details, my friend, details.

Dive Watch

Dive watches are designed for underwater diving. Commonly equipped with bezel markers, dive watches are used to keep track of time spent underwater. The deeper the dive, the less visibility so luminescent minute markers will ensure that the diver will be able to accurately track the time of their dive and accurately keep track of how much oxygen they have consumed.

Must-have characteristics to be considered in a dive watch include:

• Have a total water resistance level of 100 meters (330 feet)
• Be equipped with a secure diving measurement system.
• Date, bezel, and sign that the watch is working and can be read at a distance of 25 cm in the dark.
• Be anti-magnetic.
• Be shock-resistant.
• Be immune to saltwater.
• Be underwater efficient.

The Jack Mason Seamount takes the classic technical, dive 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. It is equipped with a screw-down crown aiding in its 300m rated water resistance.

Now that you’ve seen all these timeless pieces for yourself, what classic watch are you going to choose for yourself?

Sources:

https://theoandharris.com/watch-101-what-makes-a-watch-a-dress-watch/

https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/watches-historic-racing.html

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

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

https://www.watchtime.com/featured/dive-watch-defined/

The ability to jump right into the water, or not worrying about your watch getting wet while hand washing or showering is a massive sigh of relief for watch owners everywhere. What does water-resistant actually mean when it comes to watches, and how will you know what your watch can withstand?

What should you look for in water-resistance to know what your watch can do? There are a few different rating systems that will help you know exactly what your watch can withstand, this article will cover the three different ratings and standards.

• BARs or ATM/Meters
• ISO - International Organization of Standards
• IP Code or IP Rating

In this post, we'll be breaking down all the myths of water-resistant watches by uncovering the terminology and ratings so you can know precisely what to expect when buying your next watch.

Ratings

Water-resistance is the mark stamped on a watch back that indicates how much water pressure a watch can withstand. The tested pressure can be stated in BARs and ATM or atmosphere and or more commonly in depth and meters. The standard watch will be labeled with a water resistance rating of 30, 50, 100, or even 200 meters, or 200m. Then you have an extra level of standardization from the ISO or the International Organization of Standards. There are two types of ratings to pay attention to ISO 2281 and ISO 6425, the diving watch standard.

BARS or ATM/Meters

When you see a marking on the back of your watch that says 30m water resistance, you immediately assume this means that your watch is water-resistant at a depth of 30 meters, which is absolutely not true. A watch labeled at 30 meters is merely water-resistant enough to handle standard handwashing, the occasional rain shower, or puddle splashing while riding your bike. It is not resistant enough to handle swimming, diving, or even showering and bathing. So what do these markings actually mean?

• 30m - Water resistant up to 30 meters, when in reality 30m means that your watch can withstand water droplets and quick handwashing
• 50m - Water resistant up to 50 meters means it can withstand swimming and cold showers. Hot showers are different as hot water would allow the watch to expand and potentially allow water to get in.
• 100m - Water resistant up to 100 meters means it is possible to swim or snorkel with the watch on, but it is not appropriate for diving.
• 200m - Water resistant up to 200 meters, usually means you can dive with your watch on. Still, over time the water-resistance will become less effective as the seals are exposed to different elements.

The water-resistant stamp on the back of the watch is not the only way to determine how far you can push your watch. Researching the company, the watch style, and their usage of the International Organization of Standardization will assist in uncovering just how deep and under what kind of conditions your watch can withstand moisture. 

Keep in mind not all watch companies use these ratings, and if moisture is a concern, you will want to purchase a watch from the company of your choice with the highest meter rating to have the peace of mind that your watch will last through almost any condition you expose it to.

What is ISO?

ISO or the International Organization of Standardization uses different tests for water resistance conducted on watch faces and other electronic and mechanical components.

There are two primary standards of ISO to look at when purchasing a watch:

• ISO 2281 Water Resistance Standard - all watches that are not diving watches.
• ISO 6425 Divers Watch Standard - standards specifically for diving watches.

ISO 2281 Water Resistance Standard Test

This standardized test prohibits the term waterproof to be used when measuring the water-resistance of watches. There is also a limit to how much water pressure a watch face can handle. Waterproof implies that a watch will not leak under any circumstances, which is just not the case. The ISO 2281 test was invented in 1990 and updated in 2010 and is only designed for watches created for ordinary everyday use. 

The essential criteria for these tests cover:

• Water resistance
• Reaction to Temperature
• Reaction to Condensation 
• Reaction to Pressure

This testing is relatively straightforward as opposed to the rigorous testing for Diver ISO testing.

Diver ISO 6425 Testing:

Diver ISO 6425 takes the testing of the standard watch to the max. Investing in an ISO compliant watch means you can be sure your watch will perform as advertised. Your watch includes specific features and meets specific criteria that any watch being used for diving should. In practical terms, it means that before you take your new 300m watch head into the water on your wrist, it's already been 375 meters and back with no issues. 

There are many tests involved in a watch passing the 6425 ISO testing, but we are going to focus on the criteria that have to do with water resistance:

• Resistance to Salt Water
• Reliability Under Water
• Reaction to Condensation
• Reaction to Extreme Water Temperature Changes

IP Code

Next up on our list of standards is breaking down IP Codes or Ratings. While this sounds like you are about to become a white hat hacker as your new hobby, I assure you this is not the case. In reality, the IP Code and rating system are determined by the International Electrotechnical Commission. While the IP Code may seem a wee bit more complicated, it is by far the most trusted, in large part because the IEC is so well-established. Similarly to BARs and meters and ISO, the IP Code is based on a series of tests assigned a rating. 

IP code rates the degree of protection provided by casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water. 

This rating is written with the letters I and P, then two digits, followed by two more digits. The first two digits have to do with solids. So in the case of most watches, there is simply an IP followed by an X as the first digit is not as exponentially relevant to our watch decisions as water is.

The numbers following the X will tell you exactly which types of moisture/water it has been tested to withstand. However, keep in mind that companies don't have to rate their product for all IP Codes. Just because a watch has been tested and approved for IP 6 - powerful water jets, it doesn't necessarily mean it was tested for the previous IPX codes. 

If multiple tests have been performed, you will see them listed as IPX1/IPX3/IPX7. Looking for these multiple codes is going to be the absolutely only way for you to know exactly how much water, moisture, and pressure your watch can withstand.

To go a little deeper and get a bit nerdy with it, the IP code measures water resistance in bars and pressure, and the following is their rating system in a nutshell:

1.   X: No protection.

1. Includes protection against vertically falling droplets, such as condensation. Ensures no damage or interrupted functioning of components will be incurred when water is falling onto the upright case.
2. Protection against water drops from up to 15° when the case is upright.
3. Protected against a water spray of up to 60° when the case is upright.
4. Protected against water splashes from all directions. The case has been tested for at least 10 minutes with an oscillating spray.
5. Includes protection against low-pressure jets of water directed from any angle, limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects.
6. Protection against direct high-pressure jets.
7. Protection against full immersion up to 30 minutes at depths between 15 cm and 1 meter, limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects.
8. Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure, such as greater depths. This test's precise parameters may include factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type, usually set by the manufacturer.
9. 9K: Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs, or steam-cleaning procedures.

Wrapping It Up

What's the best rating system? That really depends on your needs as a watch user and buyer. If you simply want to know if you can go swimming in your 30m watch, you now know the answer is no and that the ratings for the watches you can go swimming with start at 100m or that you need at least an IPX7 to go snorkeling with your family. What matters most is that you are informed and can, at a glance, know if a watch is rated for what you need.

Sources:

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:22810:ed-1:v1:en

https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20IP%20rating,%2C%20dirt%20etc)%20and%20moisture.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tale-of-two-isos-what-water-resistance-ratings-really-mean

https://www.palisadejewelers.com/resources/iso-6425-standards-dive-watches/

Watch collecting is a passion, and being the new guy on the block can be tough. You might be excited to get started and ready to learn the ins and outs of building your watch collection but aren't sure where to start. Even if your current collection is in the early stages, you can stay on par with the seasoned collector by merely knowing your way around your timepiece. 

There is a significant misconception among new watch fans that an expensive watch is the best watch, and that a massive collection of watches with intricate mechanisms and endless style makes the man. 

An enlightened view of watchmaking is one where balance is vital, and ingenuity takes the place of excess. Starting with the basics and working your way up to the internal mechanisms is the quick start way to the watch aficionado's world.

Like anything regal and just - the most iconic feature of a watch besides the dial itself.

So, What is a Watch Crown?

A watch crown or winding stem is the small ribbed knob located at the 3 o'clock position on most mechanical and automatic watches. Our full collection of watches at Jack Mason herald many a different watch crown. Even solar watches are equipped with crowns to fit in with their mechanical brethren. Probably one of the most essential yet inherently simple parts of a watch is the crown. Its regal name is as apt as its functioning, and this seemingly minute knob is actually directly connected to the watch's internal movement. 

The wearer of a mechanical and some automatic watches must manually wind the crown for the watch to work. The crown's primary purpose is to wind the watch's mainspring, which powers the entire functionality of the watch. 

Without winding your watch, your watch will die. 

A dead watch not only causes you to lose time itself, but it can also impair the future workings of your watch. The simple task of turning a knob every other day will keep your watch in good working order for years. Not to mention the sophisticated ritualistic routine will have you feeling like a watch boss as learning to care for our investments routinely is what makes them an asset.

Typically once the watch is fully wound, it will keep time for 35-45 hours before needing to be rewound. The crown is not just for winding the watch. The crown is also used to set the different watch functions. This includes setting the time down to the minute or even second.

A Quick History of the Watch Crown

Before 1830 watches were wound with a key, much like a grandfather or mantel clock would be. In 1830, Antoine Louis-Breguet sold the first watch with a crown, then simply called a knob, because well, it is a tiny knob, it had the same essential functions of a modern mechanical or automatic watch crown. 

Not just for winding, the crown is an all-encompassing mechanism of functionality in a watch:

• The crown is used to wind a watch's mainspring, which provides the 'energy' and power to the watch's internal movement.
• The crown is used to set the time of the watch.
• The crown is used to configure additional components of a watch face like the world clocks or a lunar calendar.
• On a divers' watch, the crown screws down with a water-resistant seal to assist in keeping moisture out of the watch's internal mechanisms.

In a day and age where the watch makes the man, there are several different types of watch crowns based on history, functionality, and luxury. Identifying and understanding the functionality of these various watch crowns can help you make an educated purchase in the future, but it can also help understand where iconic watches come from and how to identify different watches in the real world or private collections. 

Not to mention it can be a great conversation starter when you meet someone with a particular watch crown. Don't they say the watch crown is the eyes into one's soul? Well, maybe not, but recognizing different crowns does help you recognize the different watch wearers and what is important to them.

Different Types of Crowns

• Conical Crowns: Conical Crowns have a rounded, usually ribbed top, with tapered sides. The beautiful and easy to grip Jack Mason Avigator crown is a great example. This crown shape is birthed from the early days of aviation. The distinctive feel and tapered edges make the conical crown easily operated while wearing gloves.
• Crowns with Cabochon: A Cabochon crown typically features a small domed gemstone on the top of the crown head. The gemstone itself is entirely decorative and adds additional luxury and an ode to the finer detail echoed in the watch face itself.
• Inset or Screw Down Crown: Subtle in nature, the inset crown is recessed into the watch face or between a crown protector and its design is to protect the watch crown from being snagged on a sleeve or outside material. A good example is our iconic Seamount watch. These crowns are also found on more water-resistant watches and help to create a watertight seal.
• Onion-Shaped Crowns: The onion crown gets its name directly from the shape of the crown. Reminiscent of watches of old, the onion crown is a larger, more bulbous crown that is round and protrudes away from the watch's face. The onion is another popular style on aviator watches as the large crown is easy to grasp with or without gloves.
• Push-Button Crowns: This type of crown has a stopwatch type push button integrated directly into the crown and is often used for chronographs. The ease of the integrated button allows the wearer to start, stop, and reset the chronograph by merely tapping the crown itself, with no extra buttons needed.
• Straight Crowns: The straight crown is the most popular crown due to its simplicity and ease. This style is considered classic and can be found on most collector luxury watches.

However, crowns aren't just for looks; what they boast in design usually mimics its integrity and utility. The crown is used to wind mechanical and automatic watches. It is also used to set the time of the central clock, and in most cases, it is used to set the additional components of the watch, such as the lunar calendar. 

How to Wind a Crown

On a mechanical watch, a crown can be used to wind the watch by merely turning the crown in a clockwise position until you feel resistance in the turn. This resistance ensures that the mainspring is tightly wound and will continue to unwind slowly and provide movement or energy to the watch's internal cogs.

On an automatic watch, the crown can be used to wind the watch between wears by turning the crown slightly counterclockwise to the first position and then winding clockwise as you would a mechanical watch till you feel resistance. On an automatic watch, this can be between twenty and forty turns. To secure the crown after winding, you simply push and turn the crown back in until you feel it fit snug against the body of the case.

In Closing

Now that we've expanded your mind to the world of watch crowns, their functionality, history, and potential luxury, you can head on over to our collection of American made watches to test your skills. With a wide array of watch types and styles to choose from Jack Mason will have you invested in your own time in a matter of minutes.

Sources:

https://www.watchmaster.com/en/journal/watch-knowledge/watch-parts-in-focus-watch-crown

https://blog.esslinger.com/watch-crown-illustrations/

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/watch-parts-terms-functions-guide/