If you are like most people, you work extremely hard for your paycheck. While living on a strict budget is a great way to save money from your paycheck, you need to treat yourself on occasion.

For some people, buying a new watch is something they enjoy greatly. Putting together a collection of high-quality and appealing watches is a great investment. When properly cared for, watches will maintain their value over time.

Each year, Americans spend nearly $11 million on watches. If you are in the market for a new watch, make sure you take some time to research all of your options. Getting in a hurry during the watch buying process will generally lead to mistakes being made.

The following are some of the essential characteristics you need to look for in a potential watch purchase.

Consider the Materials Used to Construct the Watch

Before deciding whether or not to buy a particular watch, be sure to find out more about the materials used to construct it. If you are looking for a durable watch, choosing a timepiece that is made from either ceramics or titanium is preferable.

While titanium and ceramic watches are durable, they generally carry a large price tag as well. Opting for a stainless steel watch will provide you with a high level of resiliency and a lower purchase price.

If you are looking at a silver or gold watch, be sure to ask whether it has a PVD coating on it. Without this type of coating, your new watch will slowly become discolored over time. You can usually get a breakdown of the materials used in the construction of a watch by looking at its backing.

A Quality Watch Glass is Important

When trying to assess how well-made a particular watch is, you should pay attention to the type of glass it has. According to seasoned watch professionals at https://www.watchshopping.com/iwc, sapphire glass is one of the most appealing and resilient glasses used in the watchmaking process. This type of clear will stay clear for a long time and will not scratch even in the roughest of conditions.

If you are unable to afford a watch with this type of glass, you need to look for the next best thing which is crystal or mineral glass. Generally, watches with this type of glass will be much cheaper. However, mineral and crystal glass have a higher chance of getting scratched over time. If you are confused about which timepiece to purchase, be sure to consult with a knowledgeable supplier.

Choose a Watch with a Quartz or Mechanical Movement

Most of the battery powered watches on the market will feature a quartz movement. Most new collectors like quartz movement watches because they feature far fewer moving parts. Often times, this makes these watches more affordable and extremely accurate.

Buyers looking for quality over price will usually seek out watches with mechanical movements. Over the years, these types of watches have become hard to find. This is because most movements are machined by computers. Getting a mechanical movement in a handmade watch will be quite costly.

 Consider How Water Resistant the Watch Is

If you do a lot of swimming or diving, then choosing a watch that features a high level of water resistance. The last thing you want is for a new watch to get damaged when exposed to water, which is why spending good money on a water resistant watch is a good idea.

Generally, these watches will feature heavy-duty gaskets that are used to seal up and protect the internal parts of the timepiece. Many standard watches are water resistant for up to 50 meters. Divers generally look for watches that are water resistant for up to 100 meters or more. These watches do cost more, but it is worth it for diving enthusiasts.

Selecting a Watch Made By a Reputable Brand

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a new watch collector is investing in timepieces from unknown watchmakers. Often times, this mistake will lead to you getting a watch that does not function very well.

Before spending your hard-earned money on a new watch, you need to thoroughly vet the company that makes it. Tried and true watch brands like Rolex, Timex and Casio are able to command higher prices for their products because of their reputation. When buying a watch from one of these companies, you can rest assured it will work correctly on a consistent basis.

Newcomers to the watch buying world need to focus on finding the right watch supplier. An experienced supplier can offer you guidance that can make the watch buying process much easier. Attempting to make this important decision without professional help can lead to you wasting a lot of money on a watch that simply isn’t worth it.