Watch Talk: 7 Misconceptions About High-End Timepieces
You can’t rely on your phone to keep you on time. The most convenient way to tell the time is using a wristwatch. During a meeting, a glance at your wrist is a much more elegant method to keep track of time, and how impolite it would appear to your guests or clients if you took your phone out in the middle of a chat. A watch is a lot more modest and simple method to check the time on other occasions where it’s advisable to leave the phone hidden – such as the beach, a funeral, or a wedding.
Many of the watch myths and misconceptions can lead to you purchasing a watch that isn’t exactly what you expected or avoiding a watch that would be ideal for your needs. We’ll go through some of the most common watch myths and misconceptions today.
The Six Common Luxury Watch Misconceptions
Luxury watches like Rolex have always been used as a fashion statement. Even the most technologically advanced and inventive smartwatches have been unable to replace them. When an accessory has been around for a long time, it is sure to attract certain popular misconceptions. There are a lot of misunderstandings about luxury watches, and we’re here to clarify them. The following are four common misconceptions about luxury timepieces.
We know that in the world of high-end horology, it might be intimidating to a newcomer. After all, luxury timepieces are pretty sophisticated. Their exclusivity prevents the average person from fully comprehending them; instead, he can only admire them from afar.
Rolex Makes the Best Watches
Rolex watches have become the most desirable on the market over time. This is owing in part to the high-quality design, craftsmanship, and several advancements they have contributed to the watchmaking industry. But it’s also because of fantastic marketing. Even though Rolex is the most well-known premium watch, many people consider Patek Phillipe to be the industry’s top watchmaker. You can’t say that one business makes the best timepieces since, depending on what you want from a watch, hundreds of companies may provide better options.
“Swiss-Made” Means Completely Made in Switzerland
Just because a watch is labeled “Swiss-made” doesn’t mean it was designed entirely in Switzerland. Swiss-made means that at least 50% of the parts inside the watch were created in Switzerland, according to Swiss law. It also indicates that Switzerland inserted the first and last wheels. The regulation was enacted to establish a minimum standard for a watch to be labeled as “Swiss Made,” rather than requiring that the entire watch be made in Switzerland. As a result, it ensures that at least half of your Swiss-made watch was created in the country, but not all of it.
The Omega Speedmaster Is NASA’s Only Official Watch
If you look for NASA’s official watch on the internet, you’ll find plenty of websites declaring clearly that the Omega Speedmaster is the only watch NASA trusts. True, NASA trusts the OMEGA Speedmaster and has used it on many flights since 1962, including making it the first and only watch to be worn on the moon in 1969. However, it is not NASA’s only official timepiece.
NASA has a list of watches that they consider to be authentic watches that have been certified for space travel. One is the Omega Speedmaster, while the Casio G-Shock and the Timex Ironman are the others.
The More Expensive, the Better the Quality
Mechanical movements are featured in the most expensive timepieces since they are more difficult and expensive to produce. But, mechanical movements, on the other hand, usually do not perform any better than quartz movements in terms of telling the time. Of course, timekeeping precision is only half of the story. A high-end mechanical watch will always outperform a less expensive watch in terms of style and craftsmanship.
More Gems Means a Higher Price
Jewels such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies adorn the majority of luxury timepieces. Many people believe that if a watch is encrusted with heavy stones, it must be of superior quality. This isn’t always the case. Watches are embellished with jewels to reduce metal-to-metal friction. Jewels decorate the areas of the watch that are most likely to be damaged by wear and tear. Even though precious jewels are relatively expensive, watchmakers nowadays utilize synthetically manufactured jewels for timepieces of little value. They are just intended to protect the watch from wear and tear.
Pre-Owned Luxury Watches Aren’t Any Good
Some watch experts believe that buying used expensive timepieces is a waste of money. It is widely believed that high-end luxury timepieces provide poor value for money. This isn’t correct. If you’re on a budget, buying preowned luxury timepieces is a great way to start your collection.
Purchasing a High-End Watch Is a Waste of Money
There is no denying that luxury timepieces are pricey. This leads to the misconception that purchasing one is equivalent to flushing money down the toilet. This, however, is not the case. Luxury timepieces provide excellent value for money. Various factors contribute to its high cost. Luxury timepieces take a lot of time, effort, and skill to create. To satisfy the highest quality requirements, luxury watch firms use the greatest materials, employ the best watchmakers, and do intensive research. They’re made with a combination of skill, artistry, and incredible engineering. As a result, the high prices they demand are justified.
Takeaway
One of the most significant advantages of a watch is the amount of time it may be used in the field. Many watches are designed to either run on their own or need a little amount of energy from a battery. Consider years of maintenance-free time telling versus the 8 hours of a smartphone.
These watch myths and misconceptions are really widespread! But at the very least, you now know to ensure that you don’t fall for them again. So, if someone tells you that a Rolex is “the highest quality on the market”, you’ll know better than to take their words at face value.