Today I’m going for something rather different to usual and sharing a guest post on something a little more fun and frivolous. Whether a distraction or way to invest in yourself, fashion and accessories can provide a little pick-me-up, and watches are still a much loved item for many – I’d certainly miss watches if technology were to make them redundant! I’ve always wanted a Swatch watch, too, but never have treated myself to one. Perhaps now’s a good excuse… Enjoy the post 🙂
The Different Watch Types
How many people, outside of business men and women, wear watches for more than just an accessory anymore? I don’t. We all run around with our cell phones nowadays, not many actually think about wearing a watch.
Did you know there are about three groups of watches? These groups are: Movement, Display, and Function and style. Each group is made up of at least 3 different styles.
The movement group, or how the pieces move, has a few interesting styles. It has styles such as Quartz, solar, and kinetic.
Quartz watch is made up of the 3 hands and uses sand for accuracy in telling time. It has an inaccuracy of +-10 seconds a month. This is the most common on the market. Quartz is usually printed on the front.
The Solar watch is an ecofriendly option. This type converts solar energy into electricity. It can potentially run forever as long as you have solar light. The Eco-Drive brand sells this type of watches.
The kinetic watch is, to me, the most interesting. It is ecofriendly as well since it doesn’t need a battery to run. It just needs the movement you do every day. The kinetic option turns the movement into electricity to power your timepiece. A Seiko SUN019 is a type of kinetic timepiece.
The display, or what the it looks like, is another group in this category. This one has watches like the analog, digital, hybrid and touchscreen.
The analog versions have the numbers 1 thru 12 on them. The face of the clock has the 12 at the top and 6 at the bottom with minute notches between each number. This swatch watch are examples of these.
Smart Watches Of The Future
Have you heard about the smartwatch craze? A digital watch is the easiest one to tell the time on. It shows you the numbers on the face. You don’t have to read the hands or count by 5’s. It is the cheapest option on the market. Casio G-Shock is a brand that carries this type.
The hybrid format has both analog and digital on the face. The analog part is the part that tells the time, while the digital part is the part that gives the extra info such as date, day, and month. The Casio G-Shock GA 100 is an example of a hybrid watch.
The touchscreen watch is the most technology advanced. This watch reacts to your touch as a smartphone would. It is like having an android or iPhone on your wrist. It can do many things, like use GPS to help with fitness. A smartwatch, such as the Apple Watch, is an example of this. These watches generally come with a variety of apps that can come in very useful. Take for example; translation services, calorie counters, currency convertors.
The last group is with function and style. It has types like; dive, Military, aviator, and Atomic Radio controlled watches.
The dive watch is a water-resistant watch. They come with depths like “100 m” or “330 ft” on the dial to let you know how deep into water you can take them. They may be heavy and bulky watches, but they were built for durability and dependability. A Seiko Sumo SBDC033 is an example of a dive watch.
The military watch was developed by army men back in WWI and WWII. It was the start of the wristwatch popularity and made the pocket watch obsolete. The military used them to synchronize their movements. Citizen Eco-Drive BM8475-26E is an example of the military watch.
The aviator watch was invented for the pilots. The watches were invented to help pilots time their flights. The markers are big and bold enough for the pilot to tell time at a glance. The Cartier Santo was the first aviator watch built.
The atomic radio controlled watch is by far the coolest and most disappointing. It picks up radio signals nightly to reset itself every day to the atomic clock. Sadly, the watch’s signal area is limited to certain areas or countries only. The Citizen Blue Angel is an example of the atomic radio controlled watch but it only works in Japan, China, North America, and Europe. Anywhere outside those countries and it’s like any other quartz watch.
[ This is a sponsored guest post and as such the ideas and opinions expressed are of the writer ]
18 comments
This was super interesting! Great guest post choice CAZ! ~Kim
Thanks Kim, glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
it’s amazing how far we have come with touch screen watches! great read !
I know, right? I don’t know how they were conjured up as an idea, let alone how they were made into a reality. Technology is definitely moving fast! x
Wow, I never realised there were so many different types of watches, I haven’t worn a watch for a good few years, I always use my mobile. Agree about watches being more of a style icon than a practical thing these days.
I think they’re still a great fashion accessory with a touch of practicality, but with so many people owning a phone it’s not surprising they’re preferred because they are capable of so many things in one. The plethora of watch types was quite eye-opening for me too, it’s fascinating! Thanks for the comment Suzanne – I hope you and the boys manage to have a good weekend! 🙂
Hubby still wears a watch. He has two. One dress and one for sports. He loves his watches. We have come a long way though.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
I used to do the same with watches (one for work, one for casual going out) and I often see people wearing them, just not as regularly. Thanks for sharing – enjoy your weekend! 🙂
I have to admit I am one of those people who traded their watch for the smartphone. Because I am nearly deaf without my hearing aids, I use the alarm of a smartwatch to wake me in the morning.
Interesting read!
I’m glad you liked the post Viola, thanks for the comment. That’s a good idea, an alarm on a smartwatch, for when you don’t have your hearing aids in. Definitely useful to have, and you’re certainly not alone in swapping the watch for the phone either. x
I think Apple is going to do for watches, what it did for cameras.
I have a fantastic Rolex watch, but I never wear it any more because my Apple watch does so many things for me.
That’s very true. For me, a regular digital camera now seems superfluous and like extra weight when there’s a great camera on my phone. But when you want something super-duper good, people go for a high-spec DSLR. I still like the fashion aspect of watches, like how your Rolex probably looks amazing, and the more traditional, down to earth sense of them in general… A bit like I still prefer pen & paper for a lot of things rather than taking notes on my phone. Great comment, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow.. great, interesting read! 🙂
Glad you liked it! =]
Hubby and I both wear watches still and have each accumulated a few over the years – in fact he has more than me, although he would deny it! But our kids rarely wear watches, although they have them, relying on their mobiles instead.
Gutted that the atomic watch was so disappointing though…
I think there are a lot of guys out there who love their watches, more as a fashion accessory perhaps. Thanks for sharing – glad to hear your family all still have watches, even if the kids don’t wear them much! Long live the humble watch! 🙂
I still wear a watch. Nothing fancy, but it does it’s job.
I don’t want to use my phone for time. It’s cumbersome. Watches are great.
Although, I might consider getting a smartwatch at some point.
I think smartwatches have come on a great deal in terms of style & practicality, so they’re a much more efficient option now. I’m glad to hear you still wear and prefer a watch, I don’t like the thought of them being a dying breed these days. Thanks for sharing! =]