Watch Buying Guide
Choosing a watch is easier when you know what the main movement and style terms actually mean. Use this guide to compare common watch types before you buy.
Movement and origin terms
Swiss Made
A regulated label for watches that meet Swiss manufacturing and inspection standards. Swiss Made watches are often associated with luxury, heritage, and prestige, and they typically command higher prices because of that reputation and craftsmanship.
Swiss Movement
A watch with a movement manufactured in Switzerland, while final assembly may happen elsewhere. Swiss movement watches can offer Swiss engineering at a more accessible price point and are common among modern fashion and microbrand watches.
Japanese Movement
A watch powered by a movement made in Japan. Japanese movements are known for reliability, accuracy, and strong value, making them popular with brands that want dependable performance without luxury pricing.
Automatic Movement
A self-winding mechanical movement powered by the motion of your wrist. Automatic watches do not use a battery and are appreciated by enthusiasts for their craftsmanship and smooth sweeping second hand.
Mechanical Movement
A hand-wound movement powered by a mainspring. Mechanical watches require regular winding and are celebrated for traditional watchmaking, collector appeal, and the feel of owning a purely mechanical timepiece.
Quartz Movement
A battery-powered movement known for high accuracy and low maintenance. Quartz is the most common movement type in modern watches and is a practical choice for everyday wear.
Solar Movement
A quartz movement that uses light to recharge an internal battery. Solar watches combine quartz accuracy with fewer battery changes, making them convenient for daily wear.
Watch functions and styles
Chronograph
A watch with a built-in stopwatch function. Chronographs usually have extra subdials and case pushers, giving them a sporty, technical look while adding practical timing functionality.
Dive Watch
A watch style designed around water resistance, durability, and legibility. Dive watches often include a rotating timing bezel and are among the most versatile and recognizable watch designs.
GMT Watch
A watch that can track more than one time zone at a time. GMT watches are popular with travelers and business professionals and usually include an additional GMT hand plus a 24-hour scale.
Which watch type should you choose?
- Low maintenance: Quartz or solar watches.
- Mechanical appeal: Automatic or hand-wound mechanical watches.
- Strong everyday value: Japanese movement watches.
- Prestige and heritage: Swiss Made or Swiss movement watches, when accurately labeled by the brand.
- Sporty style: Chronograph or dive-inspired watches.
- Travel utility: GMT watches.
Product listings at The Wrist Supply describe movement type, style, and features based on the information available for each individual watch.