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Expert advice on buying and investing in a time piece for your wedding
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Expert advice on buying and investing in a time piece for your wedding from Tim Harrison, the co-founder of WatchPilot.com.
What, in your opinion, are the most important considerations when choosing a watch for the big day?
When the big wedding day finally arrives, it should be as memorable as possible. Choosing a watch for the groom should complement their wedding suit, however it should also be a timepiece that they will want to wear for years to come.
When purchasing a timepiece for the groom-to-be, consider factors such as their personality. The chosen watch should be an accurate reflection of who he is and speak for his personal style. Also consider his interests, everyone has varied interests and hobbies, and when considering a watch purchase, this should be taken into account. If he’s a sporty type or potentially a lover of motorsport, this should be considered when deciding which watch will work best for his lifestyle. Lastly, consider his budget by asking yourself how much he would likely spend if he was purchasing the watch himself. This is important as you do not want your choice to be out of character.
What are the latest watch trends?
Watches mean so much more than just telling the time, they represent every second of our lives. Some of the most recent style trends include vintage watches with nostalgic elements such as thin cases, minimalistic dials and those with beautiful heritage. Smart watches such as the Garmin 'Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar Edition Watch are continuing to be a big trend as people are increasingly investing more in their health and wellbeing, and these timepieces are the best for staying in tune with your body while you meet your fitness goals. There has also been a huge trend in using bold colours in both jewellery and watches. Blue watches, green watches and other pastel colours have been particularly utilised by many brands, producing a variety of new lines and limited-edition pieces.
How can grooms-to-be add a personal touch to their wristwear? When gifting a watch to a groom, what key details should their partner consider?
A wedding is a great opportunity to add a sentimental item or two to your formalwear wardrobe. Potentially borrow a watch from a special family member or someone very close to you. If you are wearing a new watch, consider having it engraved to provide a memory of your special day - this could be a date, initials or a personal quote.
Appearance is one of the largest factors to grooms when choosing what to wear on their big day, with this in mind what are your tips for grooms-to-be when selecting a watch to complement their suit?
When choosing your ideal watch to wear, there are several key factors depending on the type of watch that must be considered. The most common watch worn with a suit is the dress watch. Consider a simple design with no flourishes. A plain black leather strap and simple dial like the Baume and Mercier 'Black Clifton Watch or Ball 'Railroad Standard Black Watch is understated and refined, complementing the classic wedding suit.
Which watches would you suggest as investment pieces for a groom?
If you are looking for a watch that will hold its value (or potentially increase in value), then the simple answer is most often Rolex or Patek Philippe. There is however a broader answer which focusses on three key principles of watch investment: brand recognition, demand and rarity.
Taking these three pillars into account certain watches from brands such as Tudor, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Panerai come to mind as offering great future investment potential.
Opt for a classic and elegant design. Much like an engagement ring the watch can stand out, however should not be too extravagant.
Consider the taste and style preferences of the groom. For example, if he is a sporty type consider a classic chronograph. If you know what colour metal the groom prefers to wear as part of his wardrobe i.e. on belt buckles or cufflinks, then this could be a possible hint for the colour of watch they may like.
Lastly stay within your budget! All partners want to give the love of their lives the best, however do not forget that weddings can cost quite a bit of money, so set yourself a price limit and work within it.
What are the different types of watches available?
The most common watches are quartz, such as the AVI-8 'Olive Green Spitfire Automatic Watch, which offer accurate timing with minimal maintenance. Quartz watches also have the most affordable watch movements.
The most common watches are quartz, such as the AVI-8 'Olive Green Spitfire Automatic Watch, which offer accurate timing with minimal maintenance. Quartz watches also have the most affordable watch movements.
Then there are automatic watches which self-wind using kinetic energy. Automatic watches store energy by using the movement of your wrist and are typically more expensive than quartz watches but still available to most budgets. A great example of automatic watch is the Hamilton 'Khaki Navy Frogman Auto Men's Black Watch.
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Another type is the mechanical watch which functions via an intricate series of tiny components working together to power the watch. Mechanical movements never need batteries because they require hand-winding to operate. These watches are super reliable and often very attractive to look at like the Herbelin 'Newport Slim Mechanical Men's Blue Watch, they do however, come with a higher price tag than other types of timepieces. How do you suggest cleaning and maintaining a watch?
Our final type is the solar watch, which has the ability to convert light energy into electrical energy. They do not require battery replacements and feature a quartz crystal movement for accurate timekeeping.
Whether you wear it every day or just for special occasions, it’s important to make time to give your watch a bit of TLC with a regular clean. This not only keeps it looking good, but it’s also essential for making sure it works well and keeps time effectively over a long period - as well as for general hygiene (after all, our watches come into contact with almost everything on our skin, including lotions, perfumes and sweat).
How often you should clean your watch varies. If you wear your watch every day, then a thorough clean, once a month, should keep it free of dirt and grime and tick beautifully. If you’re more of an occasional wearer, then a six-monthly deep clean is recommended.
The first step is to take a look at the manual that came with your watch. This should give you a good idea of what you can and can’t do during the cleaning process. Next, you’ll need the proper equipment. A few essential items that will help you give your watch a thorough clean include a microfibre cloth, cleaning fluid, brushes, a watch strap remover tool and a Cape Cod polishing cloth.
If your watch strap is made from leather, fabric or silicone, you’ll need to remove it before you can start cleaning. If your watch strap is metal, you don’t need to remove it (though you can if you want to). You’ll need to push or screw in all the crowns (the winders) and buttons to prevent water or moisture from damaging the internal workings of your watch. Now you are ready to start cleaning.
Spray some of the cleaning fluid directly onto the microfibre cloth and use it to gently remove any dirt, grease or grime. Use the cloth to clean the larger, flatter parts of your watch, including the Face, Back, Bezel and Lugs. There are some parts of your watch, like the crown and buttons, that might be too small to effectively clean with your cloth. And this is where your cleaning brushes come in. They're perfect for getting into all the nooks and crannies, including the crown, buttons and inside the lugs. Always spray the cleaning fluid onto the tip of each brush, not the watch itself, and use a dry part of your microfibre cloth to remove any excess. Once all the dirt has been wiped or brushed away, use a clean, dry part of your microfibre cloth (or a separate cloth, if you have one to hand) to gently remove any excess fluid.
Now it’s time to buff or polish your watch using your Cape Cod polishing cloth. Not only will this remove any streaks and brighten up the surface of your watch, but it’s also a great way to buff out any fine scratches or blemishes on the face or the stainless steel.
For further details on how best to clean your watch, please see the www.watchpilot.com website.
