What Is Swiss Made? A Guide to Swiss Movement Watches
Learn what makes a Swiss Made watch and why Switzerland is known for luxury watchmaking.
STORIES
STORIES
9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch
Find the perfect automatic watch and discover must-have features for your first luxury timepiece.
November 2024
Looking for a New Automatic Watch?
Purchasing your first automatic watch is an exciting journey filled with anticipation. Whether marking a significant milestone, elevating your style, or appreciating horology, finding the perfect timepiece can be both thrilling and overwhelming. To make your shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable, we've compiled nine expert-backed tips to guide you in finding the ideal automatic watch.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Looking for a New Automatic Watch?
Purchasing your first automatic watch is an exciting journey filled with anticipation. Whether marking a significant milestone, elevating your style, or appreciating horology, finding the perfect timepiece can be both thrilling and overwhelming. To make your shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable, we've compiled nine expert-backed tips to guide you in finding the ideal automatic watch.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. Understand Your Intentions
1. Understand Your Intentions
Purchasing your first automatic watch is a truly special moment. It's essential to understand its purpose and your intentions behind the purchase. Automatic watches are crafted to last for years, so seek out reputable brands known for quality craftsmanship and servicing support to ensure long-lasting wear. If you're interested in heritage watches, consider their resale value as well.
Regardless of whether the watch is new or second-hand, it should tell a story about you and celebrate a meaningful chapter in your life. If the watch brings you joy, it's the right choice for you.
Regardless of whether the watch is new or second-hand, it should tell a story about you and celebrate a meaningful chapter in your life. If the watch brings you joy, it's the right choice for you.
Purchasing your first automatic watch is a truly special moment. It's essential to understand its purpose and your intentions behind the purchase. Automatic watches are crafted to last for years, so seek out reputable brands known for quality craftsmanship and servicing support to ensure long-lasting wear. If you're interested in heritage watches, consider their resale value as well.
Regardless of whether the watch is new or second-hand, it should tell a story about you and celebrate a meaningful chapter in your life. If the watch brings you joy, it's the right choice for you.
Regardless of whether the watch is new or second-hand, it should tell a story about you and celebrate a meaningful chapter in your life. If the watch brings you joy, it's the right choice for you.
2. Invest in the Movement
2. Invest in the Movement
The movement dictates the quality and accuracy of the watch over time.
The movement dictates the quality and accuracy of the watch over time.
We recommend opting for Swiss automatic movements, renowned globally as the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking. Brands like ETA SA Manufacture (of Swatch Group) lead the field, followed closely by Sellita and Ronda. In addition to functionality, consider the number of jewels, power reserve duration, and water resistance depth to evaluate the overall quality of the movement.
Learn more about automatic movements in our article:How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
Learn more about automatic movements in our article:How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
We recommend opting for Swiss automatic movements, renowned globally as the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking. Brands like ETA SA Manufacture (of Swatch Group) lead the field, followed closely by Sellita and Ronda. In addition to functionality, consider the number of jewels, power reserve duration, and water resistance depth to evaluate the overall quality of the movement.
Learn more about automatic movements in our article:How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
Learn more about automatic movements in our article:How Do Automatic Watches Work? The Complete Guide.
3. Get Materials That Last
3. Get Materials That Last
The materials used in your watch are essential for ensuring long-lasting wear. Opt for high-grade 316L stainless steel for the case and bracelet, as it offers strength and durability. We recommend sapphire crystal over mineral or glass since it is nearly as hard as diamond and highly scratch-resistant. Additionally, premium materials like gold and diamonds can significantly enhance the watch's value over time.
The materials used in your watch are essential for ensuring long-lasting wear. Opt for high-grade 316L stainless steel for the case and bracelet, as it offers strength and durability. We recommend sapphire crystal over mineral or glass since it is nearly as hard as diamond and highly scratch-resistant. Additionally, premium materials like gold and diamonds can significantly enhance the watch's value over time.
4. Look For Swiss Made
4. Look For Swiss Made
Certified Swiss Made is the gold standard for quality luxury timepieces.
Certified Swiss Made is the gold standard for quality luxury timepieces.
Swiss Made is legal designation is awarded only to the most meticulously crafted and reliable timepieces. To ensure authenticity, look for the Certified Swiss Made label on the dial or caseback. Be cautious of counterfeit watches bearing the Swiss Mov’t label. While they may feature a Swiss movement, they could be manufactured anywhere in the world.
Swiss Made is legal designation is awarded only to the most meticulously crafted and reliable timepieces. To ensure authenticity, look for the Certified Swiss Made label on the dial or caseback. Be cautious of counterfeit watches bearing the Swiss Mov’t label. While they may feature a Swiss movement, they could be manufactured anywhere in the world.
5. Showcase Your Style
5. Showcase Your Style
An automatic timepiece is a reflection of your personal story.
An automatic timepiece is a reflection of your personal story.
Great design is defined by timeless details, so take the time to appreciate the watch from all angles and understand the craftsmanship behind it. Many collectors seek coveted special and limited editions to kickstart their collections. Ensure the overall look of the watch aligns with your style and is versatile enough for regular wear. We recommend selecting watches that can be dressed up or down, allowing you to adapt to any occasion.
Great design is defined by timeless details, so take the time to appreciate the watch from all angles and understand the craftsmanship behind it. Many collectors seek coveted special and limited editions to kickstart their collections. Ensure the overall look of the watch aligns with your style and is versatile enough for regular wear. We recommend selecting watches that can be dressed up or down, allowing you to adapt to any occasion.
6. Ensure Comfort and Fit
6. Ensure Comfort and Fit
Automatic watches are meant for daily wear, so it's essential that they look and feel good on your wrist. Consider how the size of the watch case compares to your wrist size. Are you leaning towards a bracelet or a strap? Pay attention to the clasp as well. These factors are crucial in ensuring you find the right fit for your style and comfort.
Automatic watches are meant for daily wear, so it's essential that they look and feel good on your wrist. Consider how the size of the watch case compares to your wrist size. Are you leaning towards a bracelet or a strap? Pay attention to the clasp as well. These factors are crucial in ensuring you find the right fit for your style and comfort.
7. Superior Packaging Experience
7. Superior Packaging Experience
Don’t overlook the entire shopping experience, including packaging and delivery. Look for automatic watches that come in an elegant watch stand or watch box, ideal for storage or presentation. Additionally, ensure the watch includes a Certificate of Authenticity and an Instruction Manual, both of which signify its legitimacy and enhance your overall experience.
Don’t overlook the entire shopping experience, including packaging and delivery. Look for automatic watches that come in an elegant watch stand or watch box, ideal for storage or presentation. Additionally, ensure the watch includes a Certificate of Authenticity and an Instruction Manual, both of which signify its legitimacy and enhance your overall experience.
8. Sustainable Business Practices
8. Sustainable Business Practices
There’s a growing importance to preserve our planet and reduce our impact through every decision we make. Look for products and packaging that adhere to sustainable and ethical practices. Before purchasing your first automatic watch, take the time to research sustainable brands that prioritize the planet, supporting the watchmaking industry in responsible ways.
There’s a growing importance to preserve our planet and reduce our impact through every decision we make. Look for products and packaging that adhere to sustainable and ethical practices. Before purchasing your first automatic watch, take the time to research sustainable brands that prioritize the planet, supporting the watchmaking industry in responsible ways.
9. Get Servicing Support
9. Get Servicing Support
Service an automatic watch every 3-5 years for long lasting wear.
Service an automatic watch every 3-5 years for long lasting wear.
Over time, wear and tear can affect the movement. During servicing, a skilled watchmaker disassembles the entire movement, cleaning and lubricating each component before meticulously reassembling it. This crucial step ensures that your automatic watch continues to run flawlessly for decades to come.
For a detailed care guide, explore: Caring for Your Luxury Automatic Watch: Top 10 Tips
For a detailed care guide, explore: Caring for Your Luxury Automatic Watch: Top 10 Tips
Over time, wear and tear can affect the movement. During servicing, a skilled watchmaker disassembles the entire movement, cleaning and lubricating each component before meticulously reassembling it. This crucial step ensures that your automatic watch continues to run flawlessly for decades to come.
For a detailed care guide, explore: Caring for Your Luxury Automatic Watch: Top 10 Tips
For a detailed care guide, explore: Caring for Your Luxury Automatic Watch: Top 10 Tips
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I consider when buying my first automatic watch?
Focus on the watch’s purpose, quality of the movement, durable materials, comfort, and personal style.
Why is the watch movement important?
The movement determines the accuracy, durability, and overall performance of the watch. Swiss automatic movements are renowned for their precision and craftsmanship.
What materials should I choose for durability and value?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for durability. Premium materials like gold or diamonds enhance value and aesthetics.
How do I choose a watch that fits my style?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Premium materials like gold or diamonds can enhance both value and aesthetics.
Why choose sustainable brands?
Choosing sustainable brands supports ethical production practices, aligning your purchase with environmental and social values.
Focus on the watch’s purpose, quality of the movement, durable materials, comfort, and personal style.
Why is the watch movement important?
The movement determines the accuracy, durability, and overall performance of the watch. Swiss automatic movements are renowned for their precision and craftsmanship.
What materials should I choose for durability and value?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for durability. Premium materials like gold or diamonds enhance value and aesthetics.
How do I choose a watch that fits my style?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Premium materials like gold or diamonds can enhance both value and aesthetics.
Why choose sustainable brands?
Choosing sustainable brands supports ethical production practices, aligning your purchase with environmental and social values.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I consider when buying my first automatic watch?
Focus on the watch’s purpose, quality of the movement, durable materials, comfort, and personal style.
Why is the watch movement important?
The movement determines the accuracy, durability, and overall performance of the watch. Swiss automatic movements are renowned for their precision and craftsmanship.
What materials should I choose for durability and value?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for durability. Premium materials like gold or diamonds enhance value and aesthetics.
How do I choose a watch that fits my style?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Premium materials like gold or diamonds can enhance both value and aesthetics.
Why choose sustainable brands?
Choosing sustainable brands supports ethical production practices, aligning your purchase with environmental and social values.
Focus on the watch’s purpose, quality of the movement, durable materials, comfort, and personal style.
Why is the watch movement important?
The movement determines the accuracy, durability, and overall performance of the watch. Swiss automatic movements are renowned for their precision and craftsmanship.
What materials should I choose for durability and value?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for durability. Premium materials like gold or diamonds enhance value and aesthetics.
How do I choose a watch that fits my style?
Look for high-grade stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Premium materials like gold or diamonds can enhance both value and aesthetics.
Why choose sustainable brands?
Choosing sustainable brands supports ethical production practices, aligning your purchase with environmental and social values.
SUMMARY
Buying your first automatic watch can be both intimidating and exciting, blending craftsmanship and technology. Our expert-backed tips will help you navigate the selection process with confidence. From understanding movement quality to choosing durable materials and achieving a perfect fit, each aspect is vital. We hope these insights simplify your experience and help you find a timepiece that reflects your style and meaningful moments. Ultimately, we want your first watch purchase to be a memorable celebration of horology.
SUMMARY
Buying your first automatic watch can be both intimidating and exciting, blending craftsmanship and technology. Our expert-backed tips will help you navigate the selection process with confidence. From understanding movement quality to choosing durable materials and achieving a perfect fit, each aspect is vital. We hope these insights simplify your experience and help you find a timepiece that reflects your style and meaningful moments. Ultimately, we want your first watch purchase to be a memorable celebration of horology.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting modern Swiss Made timepieces that merge artistry and precision with VIEREN.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting modern Swiss Made timepieces that merge artistry and precision with VIEREN.
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