I've spent a couple of weeks researching on the internet for a new watch that meets my needs:
I considered many different brands and types, ranging from Swatch to Grand Seiko and tried to base my findings purely on reason, not emotion.
When reading various blogs, comments etc. one often comes across statements claiming that X is better than Y because of Z. I tend to disregard such claims because they're rarely referenced, rather subjective and don't directly relate to (my definition of) quality. For example: "Rolex is the best watch because they make all movements in-house".
I find Casio's G-Shock range very interesting for their accuracy and ruggedness, but I don't like them for their multitude of superfluous functions and busy faces.
So I've decided to get the 3-hand Casio Oceanus.
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Until last week I've worn a digital Casio G-Shock GW-700DE for about six years. But I've also owned (and flipped) premium Swiss watches such as Rolex, IWC and Omega.
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Automatic vs Quartz
Quartz is more accurate and requires less periodic service. Moreover, to have an automatic watch serviced probably costs more than a brand new quartz watch.
While automatic watches don't need regular battery replacements, the same goes for solar powered or spring drive quartz watches.
Swiss or Japanese?
I think premium Swiss watches are overpriced. Yes, the quality is fine, but you pay a too much for the brand name. Maybe as a consequence of expensive ad campaigns featuring Tiger Woods (Tag Heuer), Pierce Brosnan (Omega) or John Travolta (Breitling).
Moreover, Japanese watches appear to be more accurate than Swiss ones. The most accurate non-satellite watch I know of is the $2500 Citizen Chronomaster (+/- 5 seconds per YEAR). Compare this to $4500 for an 'entry level' Rolex Chronometer (+/-2 seconds per day).
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The Pinnacle of Accuracy
Die-hard watch aficionados will be appalled, but when it comes to keeping time, nothing beats a plain quartz movement enhanced with a radio wave or satellite receiver.
Many modern quartz watches also have the added advantage of a perpetual calendar. This means you only need to adjust your watch for daylight savings time or when changing time zones.
Radio Wave vs Satellite
Both ways of synchronizing time have their pros and cons, but satellite (GPS) watches cost more and are bigger, yet offer no advantage in terms of accuracy. The only reason I can think of to pay extra for a GPS watch is if you don't live within range of a radio wave transmitter.
Case Material
My pick
The best watch for me and great value for money: Casio Oceanus OCW-S100-1AJF
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This is the ultimate 'set and forget' watch:
- Accurate
- Rugged
- Easy to operate
- Low maintenance
- Simple
I considered many different brands and types, ranging from Swatch to Grand Seiko and tried to base my findings purely on reason, not emotion.
When reading various blogs, comments etc. one often comes across statements claiming that X is better than Y because of Z. I tend to disregard such claims because they're rarely referenced, rather subjective and don't directly relate to (my definition of) quality. For example: "Rolex is the best watch because they make all movements in-house".
I find Casio's G-Shock range very interesting for their accuracy and ruggedness, but I don't like them for their multitude of superfluous functions and busy faces.
So I've decided to get the 3-hand Casio Oceanus.
Until last week I've worn a digital Casio G-Shock GW-700DE for about six years. But I've also owned (and flipped) premium Swiss watches such as Rolex, IWC and Omega.
Automatic vs Quartz
Quartz is more accurate and requires less periodic service. Moreover, to have an automatic watch serviced probably costs more than a brand new quartz watch.
While automatic watches don't need regular battery replacements, the same goes for solar powered or spring drive quartz watches.
Swiss or Japanese?
I think premium Swiss watches are overpriced. Yes, the quality is fine, but you pay a too much for the brand name. Maybe as a consequence of expensive ad campaigns featuring Tiger Woods (Tag Heuer), Pierce Brosnan (Omega) or John Travolta (Breitling).
Moreover, Japanese watches appear to be more accurate than Swiss ones. The most accurate non-satellite watch I know of is the $2500 Citizen Chronomaster (+/- 5 seconds per YEAR). Compare this to $4500 for an 'entry level' Rolex Chronometer (+/-2 seconds per day).
The Pinnacle of Accuracy
Die-hard watch aficionados will be appalled, but when it comes to keeping time, nothing beats a plain quartz movement enhanced with a radio wave or satellite receiver.
Many modern quartz watches also have the added advantage of a perpetual calendar. This means you only need to adjust your watch for daylight savings time or when changing time zones.
Radio Wave vs Satellite
Both ways of synchronizing time have their pros and cons, but satellite (GPS) watches cost more and are bigger, yet offer no advantage in terms of accuracy. The only reason I can think of to pay extra for a GPS watch is if you don't live within range of a radio wave transmitter.
Case Material
- Stainless steel is very hard and inexpensive and thus the ideal material to make a durable watch case and band. I personally don't mind the superficial scratching that steel is prone to.
- Titanium is 30% lighter than steel but also a little bit softer.
Newer titanium watches often have a coating to make them more scratch resistant. This coating does not make the titanium harder, it just ads a hard outer layer. This is why the links in a titanium band are often not fastened with screws but with pins. - Gold costs about $40 per gram, but you will have payed at least three times as much if that gold is in your watch. Furthermore, gold is very soft, making it prone to scratching and deformation, especially the band.
- Platinum is one of the heaviest metals on this planet. It costs about as much as gold, give or take, but a platinum watch contains about 95% platinum while a 18K gold watch contains only 75% gold. But this doesn't account for the difference in price between gold and platinum watches, the latter are considerably more expensive. My guess: watch and jewelry manufacturers exploit the fact that platinum is perceived to be more expensive.
Platinum is somewhat harder than gold, but still much softer than steel. - Ceramic is too hard for my taste. I don't want a watch that can break or chip if I accidentally drop it.
My pick
The best watch for me and great value for money: Casio Oceanus OCW-S100-1AJF
This is the ultimate 'set and forget' watch:
- Solar cells
- Radio wave synchronization
- Perpetual calendar
- Shock resistant
- Sapphire glass
