When you’re buying a new watch, you naturally want to make sure you buy the perfect one, but with all of the watches available these days, this can sometimes be a challenge. Whether you’re searching for the perfect watch to wear or you’re simply adding to your collection of watches, there are some things you can do to make sure you don’t make some of the common mistakes that watch-buyers make. After all, regardless of the situation, you want to end up with the best possible watch, and below are some of the mistakes you should learn to avoid before you get started.
1. Trying to Change the Watch Band Yourself
Changing the band on your watch occasionally is fun because you can get an entirely different look anytime you like. If you’ve decided you want a different watch band, one word of caution: trust the job to the experts. The truth is, changing a watch band is not usually a simple job. Only an experienced technician with the right tools can do the job right. If you try to do it yourself, your watch could end up all scratched up and damaged, which is bad both aesthetically and because it can make it fit improperly on your wrist.
2. Not Servicing the Watch Regularly
We’ve all heard how important “servicing” a watch is, but why is it so important? When you get your watch serviced, the technician will remove the back of the watch and look at all of the components so that any necessary repairs, replacements, or adjustments can take place. This can take weeks or even months, but it’s worth it because your watch is an investment, and you want it to last as long as possible. Think of a watch service as an overhaul, because that’s what it essentially is. Most watches need servicing every three to five years.
3. Speaking of Watch Bands
Some people buy a watch simply because the watch band looks so cool. While it’s all right to buy a watch with a great-looking band, this should never be the only reason you’re buying it. You should buy a watch because it has what you’re looking for and for its overall quality. After all, you can always change the band later on if you decide you don’t like it.
4. Staying Away From Vintage Watches
A lot of things go into the value of a watch, and vintage watches have a lot of ambiance. Though they aren’t made anything like the watches of today are, most of them are still high-quality, dependable watches and should be seriously considered when you’re buying your next watch. In fact, even some of the scratches and wear and tear on the watch can make them valuable to watch collectors because with every vintage watch, the sentimental value and overall workmanship are very important factors.
5. Changing the Day/Date Incorrectly
The day and date on a mechanical watch automatically starts to change somewhere between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., so it’s important not to manually change the day or date of your watch during that time frame. If you have to change the day or date of the watch, do it before 9 p.m. or after 3 a.m., if you don’t, it can damage the dial or the day/date gear inside of the watch.
6. Buying a Watch Simply Because of a Trend
Whenever a trendy watch comes out, people are always tempted to rush out and buy it, but this isn’t always a good idea. Sooner or later, that trend will cease to exist, and you may end up being unsatisfied with your watch as soon as that happens. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and want a watch that everyone else has, but buying a watch because you love it guarantees you’ll be happy with it for a much longer period.
7. Spending Too Much Money on a Watch
We’ve all heard the saying, you get what you pay for, but with watches, this isn’t always the case. The fact is, you can find quality watches without spending a fortune, so never rush to get that high-priced watch you’ve been eyeing just because it has a high price tag. While high-priced watches seldom disappoint, you can still get great, long-lasting watches that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
8. Not Paying Attention to the Size of the Watch
Watch buyers do themselves a disservice by thinking that “the bigger, the better” applies to their next watch. While bigger watches are sometimes more attractive than smaller ones, you should always choose one according to your wrist size and not something that’s too large. Bigger watches are heavier watches, and a watch that is too heavy will get uncomfortable very quickly. If you wear your watch all day, every day, this can get old very fast.
9. Buying on Impulse
If you’ve ever bought on impulse and regretted the decision, you’re not alone. Impulse buying rarely ends well, and when you consider how much the average watch costs, it’s easy to see how this type of thinking can lead to a lot of unhappiness with the watch you’ve chosen. Choosing the right watch takes time, but it’s better to take your time than to buy something you’ll end up regretting later. Think about the watch you want and the features you need, then research the various brands to determine which one fits that requirement.
