Types of Watch
Typically, when you think of buying a watch, only two types of watches may come to your mind. They will either have an analog dial or a digital watch. But, let me tell you something, there are so many types of watches out there that you may not have even heard about.
Now the question is, why should you know about them. Well, knowing about the different kinds of watches will help you choose a perfect watch for your needs. Naturally, you may not feel the worth of taking a look at different watches because you don’t know about them. Hence you are stuck with something you don’t like.
When you know about the different options and explore them, you might end up picking a favorite choice. That’s why Watch Revealer will take you through a complete guide on different types of watches. And you will figure out which is the best for you. So, without any further delay, let’s jump right into it.
Different Types of Watches
I have segmented this part based on different factors. There are various ways to classify the different watches you can find out there. So, I have made summed them up using their unique features and traits. Here are the different factors that dictate the different types of watches.
Watch Types Based on Different Watch Movements
As a commoner, you might not even know about the different watch movements. But as a watch enthusiast, the watch movement has a lot of impact on choosing which one they will use. Below are the various watch movements you get to see in different watches-
- Mechanical Watches
You don’t get to see this type of watch nowadays. They are very rare to see in modern times. Mechanical watches usually have a gear-based mechanism that is used for measuring time. It has got a mainspring which is wound periodically. Every time the balance wheel swings, the watch wheel goes forward.
That’s how this watch works. To identify this kind of watch, you should be looking for that ticking sound from old-school watches. Now, the question is, why would anyone buy these?
Well, they are mostly special for their antics. They have an artistic appearance and functionality that attracts many watch enthusiasts. Some people love those intricate gear mechanisms; thus, they opt for mechanical watches.
From this video you can see how a mechanical watch work?
- Automatic Watches
The difference between a mechanical watch and an automatic watch isn’t that much. The main difference is in the spinning mechanism. It has got an automatic spinning rotor for winding the mainspring of the watch to turn the wheel. This is how the automatic watch works concerning a mechanical watch.
For the accuracy, it may be a bit off than other watch movements. Because of all the moving parts, it may get slowed down a little. However, this is the most used movement you can usually find in various watches. It’s easy and effective to incorporate in any type of watch, which is why manufacturers prefer this one as the movement mechanism.
- Quartz Watches
Among the different types of watch movements, this is the most accurate and popular one. This watch movement mechanism uses the quartz crystal to control the electronic circuit of the watch. Typically, a battery powers up the circuit while a crystal under it makes a precise frequency signal.
That’s how the basic functionality of the watch goes. Due to the preciseness in the signal, you get accurate time from these watches. And it’s far better than the previous movements I shared above.
However, one thing where this watch falls behind is the battery life for these watches. You have to change the watches’ battery once in 2 or 3 years at least; aside from that, this is a great movement, and it’s pretty common.
Learn how quartz watch work?
- Solar Watches
Solar watch movements are pretty similar to quartz movement besides the power source. While the quartz movement powers up with a battery, this one powers up with different types of light. Whether it’s natural or artificial light, the watch will power up. Once the watch powers up completely from a solar source, it can go on for about ten months max, depending on the quality of the watch.
Something to like this about the watch is the never-ending power supply. You don’t have to change any battery every 2 or 3 years, which is a great plus. However, you have to rely on the light because of the solar power source, which means the watch is useless in the dark.
This watch movement is pretty common in military and sports watches. Also, they are pretty reasonably priced most of the time, so you don’t have to worry about the expense here.
- Kinetic Watches
One of the rare watch movements to find in modern times is kinetic watches. They are pretty similar to solar watches, but their power source is a bit different. While the solar is powered with light, kinetic watches depend on the movement of the user. It runs with kinetic energy, which you can create by moving around. You can either walk or run while wearing this watch to charge it up with power.
This watch movement also has quartz timekeeping so that you can expect accurate timing from this watch. And you don’t have to worry about running slow or late because of the precise frequencies.
Know more – Running with a watch or phone.
However, there aren’t many kinetic watches you can find out there. This also makes it unique, which can be a key selling point for this kind of watch.
- Spring Drive Watches
Well, this is just a combination of several movements I have already talked about. You get the mechanical movement combined with the accuracy of quartz signals on this one. While the mechanical watches use a balance wheel, this one uses a regulator that has a quartz signal. So, you get accurate timekeeping functionality with the classic mechanical workings.
Now, you don’t get to see these kinds of watches that often. It usually comes only from Seiko, who are well known for their unique line of watches. Also, they are typically quite expensive. So, if you are into exclusive and unique watches, this is your go-to option.
Watches Based on Different Dials
The most common way to differentiate watches is with their dials. And the top two are always analog and digital types. However, there are some other types of dials you can see out there. Let’s take a look at some of these watches based on their dial styles-
- Analog Watches
Well, there is nothing much to talk about this dial. This is the traditional watch dial that you can even see on wall clocks. It’s the classic and basic dial for watches. They have been here for a long time and are still considered the most common and popular choices for watch dials.
You usually see 3 clock hands on this dial. One is an hour hand, then one is for minutes, and one is for seconds. When the hand for seconds completes a whole circle, the minute hand goes 1 step. You will see a simple clock layout for most classic watches to figure out the time using the hands.
Usually, there is nothing fancy going on with an analog watch. They are best suited for formal use and regular day-to-day timekeeping. As for the price, you can get a lot of variety depending on the quality and brand you choose.
- Digital Watches
Now, if you have trouble figuring out analog watches since you have to look at the hour hand and then minute hand, you have the option for digital watches. These watches will tell you the time in numbers, so you don’t have to figure out anything. You simply look at your watch, and the time is written right there.
The movement used in these types of watches is typically a quartz movement to expect accurate timekeeping from these watches. They can come in various styles such as vintage, sports, casual, and smartwatches. Along with the timekeeping, you also get some additional features like alarm, date, tide graphs, day of the week, stopwatch, and so forth.
It’s pretty common to see these types of watches right after analog watches. They are very convenient and easy to understand, so many kids prefer having these watches rather than analog dials.
- Chronograph Watches
You might have seen this type of watch a lot of times. The chronograph watches typically have an analog dial with some added features. You will see multiple smaller dials within the analog dial of your watch. And there are two pushers to control those dials. The chronograph is a stopwatch with second, minute, and hour measuring abilities.
These watches are also very common among people, and you can see their use quite a lot. However, not many know and use the functionality of the chronograph as it can feel like a nuisance. However, this adds up to the quality visuals of the watch as well. So, there is nothing to complain about it. They are a bit more expensive than regular analog watches, considering the additional features.
- Hybrid Watches
Add some digital features into an analog dial, and you will get a hybrid dial watch. These aren’t the typical smartwatches with many features, but you can still consider them as one because there will be a little digital display on the watch within the analog dial. The digital display can be used for a lot of different functions. It can have a heart rate monitor or have a second dial, or maybe even show the date.
So, all in all, you get the aesthetics of an analog watch without giving up on the functionality of a digital watch. It’s a win-win for you.
Watch Types Based on Visual Enhancement
Watches aren’t only used for knowing the time; they have also become a part of fashion. So, keeping that in mind, you might want to look for a watch that has some classy looks and a great design. Let’s take a look at some watches that mostly focus on the visual aspect of it.
- Skeleton Watches
Well, if you’re into vibrant and outrageous styles while keeping it classy, you can go for skeleton watches. They aren’t the most traditional or formal style of watches, but they are pretty artistic. Now, don’t think that skeleton watches mean there is some skeleton drawn on the dial of your watch.
These watches are called skeleton watches because of their transparent design. You can see all the mechanical gears on the watch, which are the base and skeleton. That’s why these watches are called skeleton watches. You can even see the gears from the back of the watch as well, and it’s aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Typically, skeleton watches have mechanical movements or automatic movements. So, you may not find them as easily as you would expect.
- Tourbillon Watches
If mechanical watches excite you, then this is a watch you might want to look at. To enhance the precision of a mechanical watch, this functionality and design were implemented on them. They put in an escapement and a balance wheel in a mini-sized cage within the watch dial. This mechanism in the watch would constantly whirl to figure out its positional errors.
Usually, these watches can cost you a lot if you are getting them from any Swiss company. Because crafting this type of watch take a lot of time and effort. However, you can find cheap variants of these watches from Chinese companies as well.
Anyone looking for the classic mechanical touch with rich details in the design would love to have one of these watches. But are they very practical? I would say no because the accuracy is still pretty off.
- Moon Phase Watches
The name already describes the watch type halfway. These types of watches will have a dial displaying the moon phases. You can track the whole journey of the moon from new to full through your watch. Usually, they come as a chronographic dial so you can control and track the moon phases using one of the dials.
Now, there are several designs and ways to incorporate the moon phases in the dial. Some come with a simplified version, while some are a bit complicated. No matter what it is, the whole concept is interesting, and it’s fun to look at a watch like that.
The best part about this is that it’s not just for looks. It has a functionality of its own as well. If your need to keep track of the moon phases for anything particular in your life, then this can be a very helpful tool. It’s great for travelers as well.
- Sweeping Second Hand Watches
I consider this to be the most satisfying and pleasing watch to look at. The main reason for that is the smooth sweeping second hand. Unlike the traditional one-step motion of the second hand on analog watches, this one has a sweeping motion.
When you are staring at the watch and waiting for seconds to pass by, you enjoy the sweeping motion a lot.
Now, the drawback for these watches is that most of them are mechanical watches. All mechanical watches tend to have a sweeping motion. This is something that can be a bit problematic for some.
However, you can still find some quartz-based watches that have a sweeping motion; it’s very rare though. Still, if you can find one, then you can consider that as a masterpiece in your watch collection.
Types of Watches Based on Different Styles
There are lots of different styles and purposes of watches. People use different types of watches according to their styles and professions. You can find various luxury watches, dive watches, fashionable watches, sports watches, doctor’s watch and whatnot. So, here I will take you through some watches that have their significant purposes. This is a great way to choose your next watch type.
- Dive Watches
As a professional diver, there is no other way of looking at this. Just having a watch with water-resistant isn’t enough for divers. Dive watches are a whole another breed of watches than regular water-resistant watches. You can go as deep as 1000ft, and nothing will happen to your watch. This is not true for all types of watches, so this is a big difference here.
Along with the water resistance, there are some special features of dive watches. The first one is sturdy construction to withhold the water pressure in deep water. Also, the belt of a dive watch is a bit longer than usual watches so that you can wear them over your diving suit. On top of that comes the rotating bezel to help you determine your air supply consumption.
Lastly, you get some illuminating components in the dial and hands so you can see underwater. But don’t think you can’t wear them in your regular life. They still come with a decent design that goes well with your daily activities too.
- Military Watches
The purpose of military watches isn’t anything fancy; it just shows time, and maybe with digital ones, you get to see dates and stopwatches. The key feature of a military watch is its rugged and sturdy construction of the watch. They are resistant to rough weather conditions; whether it’s a sandstorm or heavy rain, your watch will be all good.
As for the styles, you don’t need to worry one bit about that. They are rugged for sure, but they aren’t ugly. You can still get stylish military watches that promise you the proper durability you desire. Also, they come with illuminating hands and numbers so you can get used to these watches in the dark.
- Dress Watches
Well, you can already tell what kind of watch this is. These are watches that go along with dresses and give you a smart outlook matching your outfit. These watches are usually very simple and elegant looking that goes well with a formal outfit. You can never go wrong with a dress watch if you are going on a formal occasion.
You don’t get to see too much going on a dress watch. It will have a simple-looking dial that is of a single color. They are very slim in construction so that they can slip under your sleeve. The dials are also never too big, and they are mostly analog dials. The belts of this kind of watch are usually made of leather which makes them look premium.
- Fashion Watches
While dress watches are all about keeping them simple and elegant, fashion watches are quite the opposite. They are extravagant and unique in terms of design and looks. Also, most of the time, they are colorful, at least have a combination of two colors there. The stylish aspect of these watches will suit your casual outfits with perfection. Some of them can also compliment your formal outfits.
What you will be looking for in your fashion watches is highly appealing aesthetics. It will attract others based on their looks themselves. However, most of the time, you don’t get the quality aspect of watches in these.
Because maximum fashion watches come from brands that aren’t primary manufacturers of watches, they are mainly in the business of fashion. Hence, they sell fashionable watches with appealing looks. So, you will have to pay a generous amount for a fashion watch but don’t expect any extraordinary functionalities.
- Luxury Watches
I don’t think you need a broad description of what luxury watches are or can be. There aren’t many types of luxury watches either. Also, it’s a no-brainer that these watches come at an extremely high price tag. Now, the most important feature of any luxury watch is the brand name. Their brand name is the selling point of these watches.
Aside from that, they may come with some embellishments like gemstones or even diamonds. Some watches are made of gold and diamonds as well. These brands are usually Rolex, Hublot, Breitling, Omega, and so on.
So, if you want to have some luxury in your life and can afford it, there is no other option. You can also find used luxury watches for lower prices, so you can get them if you crave luxury but don’t have that kind of money.
- Pilot Watches
It’s as simple as it sounds; these are specialized watches for pilots. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them in your regular life. They still have the standard watch design with appealing looks. Just pilots get to use these watches to their full extent and would prefer them over regular watches.
There are some helpful features on these watches that make them suitable for pilots. Two unique features of these watches are the incorporation of a compass and a tachymeter. Using these two features, pilots can get some help in their work. A compass helps them know the direction, and a tachymeter helps in learning speed and distance.
Other than that, these watches come with some visual enhancement, so pilots don’t have to focus too much to know the time. You get larger dials with easy-to-see hands that may have some glow as well.
- Racing Watches
Racing watches aren’t something extraordinary, but they do have some unique aspects. They mostly have a sporty look with a colorful design. Along with the sporty look, they may come with some additional features like a chronograph, tachymeter, etc. These help you in the racing track to keep up with the condition.
These watches are usually lightweight and have a tight fit in your hands. Because you will be moving a lot while in a race, this one is made to cope with that; no matter what, you can still use racing watches for your everyday life. So, there is nothing to worry about at all.
- Nurse Watches
Anyone in the medical field working as a nurse knows the need for special watches for their work. The most important aspect of a nurse watch is the easily washable belt. Because most of the time, nurses end up with a dirty watch as they have to go through a lot of cleaning. Also, nurse watches typically come with sturdiness as they have to move around a lot.
Other than all that, a luminous dial on nurse watches is also a noticeable feature. Because they often have to work in dimmer lighting conditions. It can get pretty tricky to see in those lighting conditions.
- Pocket Watches
Whether you don’t like wearing a watch on your wrist or you can’t because of your outfit, a pocket watch can be your solution. They have an antique and classy appeal to them as well. They come with different kinds of movements and dials as well. The most common and attractive option you can get is the one with mechanical movement and skeleton visuals.
These watches aren’t something that you can use regularly. They are more like collector’s items. However, there are no restrictions on using them in your daily life either. So, it’s up to you what you want to do with your pocket watch. The demand for a pocket watch mostly relies on the aesthetics aspect of it.
- Wooden Watches
Watches don’t always have to be made of metal or plastic. You can get wooden watches as well. They have a unique appeal to them already because of their built material. Aside from that, they also add to the aesthetics of the watches. These watches look a lot better and refined than the typical watches.
So, if you want to get out of the typical watch designs and material, this can be a great pick. They come in different types of dials but mostly analog, and chronograph dials are popular. Other than that, they usually have a quartz movement on them.
However, they are pretty bad if you are considering water resistance. It’s not the best option to go for wooden watches for rainy conditions since water can harm the wood.
Watch Types Based on Functionality
While all the other options are decent ways to choose a watch type, the best way to look for functionality, you can get the most value out of them when you look at the functionality aspect of watches. So, here are different types of watches based on functionality.
- Smartwatches
Smartwatches are slowly becoming the real thing nowadays. Almost everyone is switching from regular watches to smartwatches. They are currently the most functional watches you can get, and some aren’t priced even that high. You get a lot of affordable options out there.
The thing about smartwatches is that they have a digital screen, and you can control everything through touch. But if you like the look of analog dials, you can still have that as well. And the best part is getting different kinds of designs, themes, and looks for your smartwatches.
Aside from this aspect, you get all the functionality you can ask for from a watch. These watches come with heart rate monitors, GPS, calling abilities, message notifications, and many other features.
Once you connect it with your phone, you will hardly need to get your phone out of your pocket. The watch can be enough for most of the functions you have on your phone. Altogether, you get the best value out of any type of watch from a smartwatch. One thing that may feel bothersome is that you have to charge your smartwatch a lot, and it can run out of battery at times too.
Learn about the practical uses of smart watch.
- Fitness Watches
Fitness watches are pretty similar to smartwatches in terms of the digital display and some functionalities. But in terms of design, they are completely different from any other type of watch. They usually look like a band and have a pretty slim design. And you can only see time in digits like a digital dial.
Now, the purpose of having a fitness watch is mostly heart rate tracking. Adding to that, you can see how many steps you take, how many miles you walk or run. Also, you can keep track of your sleep with a fitness watch. So, they are pretty much like smartwatches, but they don’t have as many features as a smartwatch.
If you are very deep into fitness, this can be a handy option for you. They are very affordable and come with good functionality.
- Atomic Watches
Now, this is a type of watch you might not have heard of to date. They look almost like regular watches, but they have a different process of working. The accuracy level of these watches is on another level because of their advanced timekeeping mechanism.
They use a quartz movement, but the process involves a receiver that uses radio waves to determine time. This is a great thing and a bad thing too. The great thing about this is the accuracy you get in timekeeping. While the bad part is that you can’t find radio signals everywhere without radio towers.
- Solar Atomic Watches
These are just atomic watches that get power from light sources. There is not much difference to these watches except that you don’t need to change the battery of these watches like the regular atomic watches.
Other than this, you get the same functionality as you get in atomic watches. They still do the timekeeping using radio waves. These watches aren’t that expensive either.
- ABC Watches
Here is the most common, affordable, and functional watch type you can ever get. These are great options for anyone who is into trekking and hiking. These are digital watches that come with some additional features. The core features of these watches are that they will have an altimeter, barometer, and compass, hence the name ABC watch.
These watches sometimes come with a thermometer as well. So, you get a complete tool get all the help you need in a hiking or trekking condition. They are also quite rugged, feature water resistance, and are affordable.
- Vibrating Alarm Watches
Well, the name says it all here. These are watches that you can set the alarm on and will vibrate when the alarm goes off. Aside from this unique feature, they are pretty much like any other digital watch.
These watches are great for people who tend to forget stuff a lot. So, having this watch allows them to remind themselves of certain activities. And the vibration can help people with hearing problems.
Conclusion: Different Types of Watches
To sum up, you can see there are many types of watches that have different functionalities. Knowing about them all will help you get the perfect watch based on your needs. Whether you are looking for a watch based on functionality or looks, or maybe based on styles, you now know the options. So, choosing a watch for your suited needs will be a breeze for you now.