
Beginner’s Guide to Watches: 10 Common Questions Answered
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Beginner’s Guide to Watches: 10 Common Questions Answered
Hey, Nick here with VELOCE - The app for watch enthusiasts. I wanted to put together a short list of questions and answers that I first asked when I was getting into watches. Hope this is helpful and hope to see you in my watch community! Download the VELOCE app and come say hi.
1. What makes a watch a “luxury” watch?
Luxury watches are defined by craftsmanship, heritage, and quality materials. Brands considered luxury often hand-finish movements, use precious metals or high-grade steel, and have decades (or centuries) of history. A luxury watch emphasizes artistry, finishing, and long-term value beyond simple timekeeping.
Personally, I feel it’s not always about what’s labeled as luxury. If a brand resonates with you, offers value, and delivers quality, that’s what truly matters. - Nick
2. What’s the difference between automatic and quartz watches?
Quartz watches run on batteries and are very accurate with minimal maintenance. Automatic watches are mechanical and wind themselves through wrist motion; they have a mainspring and gears. Quartz is practical and precise; automatic watches appeal for mechanical engineering, tradition, and collectible value.
3. How do I know what size watch fits me?
Measure your wrist circumference and consider case diameter and lug-to-lug. As a general starting point: wrists under 6.5 inches suit 36–40mm cases; 6.5–7.5 inches suit 40–44mm; over 7.5 inches can wear larger cases. Also try watches on — proportions and personal taste matter more than rules.
My wrist measures just over 8.5”. While I usually lean toward larger watches, many mid-sized pieces still look great on me. With micro watches trending, does size really matter anymore? - Nick
4. What does “water resistant to 100m” actually mean?
Water-resistance ratings describe lab pressure tests and can be misleading in real life. A 100m rating typically indicates suitability for swimming and snorkeling, not deep diving. For scuba diving, look for ISO-certified dive watches rated 200m or higher.
5. Do I need to wind my automatic watch every day?
Not usually. Automatics have a power reserve (commonly 38–70 hours). If you wear the watch daily, normal wrist motion keeps it wound. If you don’t wear it for a few days, you’ll likely need to manually wind it and reset the time before wearing it again.
6. What’s the difference between a dive watch and a dress watch?
Dive watches are built to be tough and water-resistant, often with rotating bezels and strong lume for underwater reading. Dress watches are slim, simple, and designed to pair with formal clothing. Many collectors like to own both because they serve different occasions.
7. Can I shower with my watch on?
It’s best not to. Hot water, steam, and soaps can wear down gaskets and seals over time even on water-resistant watches. To preserve water resistance, remove your watch before showering when possible.
8. How do I change a watch strap at home?
Use a spring-bar tool to compress the spring bar and remove the strap from the lugs. Many modern straps include quick-release spring bars that let you swap straps by hand without tools. Work on a soft surface to avoid scratching the case.
9. Why do some watches glow in the dark?
The glow is called 'lume.' Modern watches commonly use pigments like Super-LumiNova that absorb light and emit it in darkness, improving legibility at night. The intensity and duration of lume vary by material and application.
10. Are watches still worth wearing in the age of smartphones?
Yes. A watch is wearable style, convenience, and craftsmanship you carry. It’s often preferred for quick time checks, personal expression, and sentimental or collectible value. For many, a watch is more than a tool — it’s a small piece of wearable history.
Wearing a mechanical watch sets you apart from the crowd. It’s more than a practical accessory, it’s history, craftsmanship, and the passion behind every movement visible through the glass. - Nick
Final thoughts: These basics cover what most beginners ask when getting into watches. If you want, I can generate a short meta title and meta description optimized for your CMS (or produce social-share text or image suggestions for the post).