Time to Choose the Right Watches
The Rolex Submariner – watch standard for a real connoisseur
Watches with a set of basic functions, providing you with information about the hour, minute and second are readily available, and that’s why no more surprising, as well as other supplementary functions, such as current date, day of the week and alarm. The more models appear, the more developed they are: both wrist and pocket watches nowadays possess as many functions as possible. For example, many digital watches have a special striking mechanism to make you know the right time even without having a look at them. What is more, you can enjoy a great variety of complications, feeling completely armed in the modern chaotic world. Now your watch can not only function as a stopwatch timer, but display the lunar phase and include continual calendar, equation of time and minute repeater. New options help the wearer not to forget about some important events during the whole day – with these models you can be sure that nothing will be missed. Coordinated Universal Time, for example, with Pontos Grand Guichet GMT, is now available.
Watches can also be chronographs and chronometers, having either both options or only one: if with the first term everything is clear and models, possessing the function of stopwatch, are rather popular and widely used, the term chronometer should be specified. These types of watches tends to be more complicated, because it should have whether thermo-compensated or high quality mechanical movement – mechanism tested and certified to operate within a certain standard of accuracy by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).
The age of computerization creates the corresponding technologies as well as improves already existing ones, that’s why watches, as an indispensable part of everyday life, don’t escape the common lot. Different types of computerized wrist watches have been developed, but the usability gains the upper hand over the functionality and all long-term sales of these models were not successful. But, as opposed to their sophisticated colleagues, watches with calculators, barometers or compass became more popular. The more complicated the mechanism, the more awkward the interface; for that reason watches with digital cameras, video games, television and even computers have an unsteady reputation. But still some innovations and creative ideas, such as, for example, Braile watches with raised bumps around the face or even synthesized speech, are rather useful.
New models appear very often, possessing more and more functions, both necessary and supplementary. For this reason you can easily find an appropriate watch to gratify all your wishes and to be used for different purposes.
Your luxurious attribute
Wristwatches, along with their main function, have already become the accessory and part of your image, that’s why they vary not only in functions, but in design as well. The modern market provides customers with models to any taste: from inexpensive and unshowy to real masterpieces - it is up to you what to choose.
It’s not a secret that each situation requires appropriate style in clothes, and the watches you wear should be selected no less thoroughly than your suit. These can be either expensive watches with cabochon on the crown for men and gemstones on the face, bracelet or bezel for women, or sports watches. The fashion industry, spread to all accessories, can suggest a wide range of less expensive and trendy “costume” watches – they combine basic functions with bright design.
Companies that produce watches, in most cases, have their specialization, so, depending on aims you pursue, your company choice will differ. For example, Blancpain, Patek Philippe, and Jaeger-LeCoultre specialize in simple and complicated mechanical dress watches; companies such as Ball Watch Company, Omega SA, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Sinn, Panerai and Rolex produce rugged, reliable mechanical watches for sports and aviation use. Another group of companies, including Casio, Timex, and Seiko, specializes in watches as affordable timepieces or multifunctional computers.
So, nowadays watches tend to be not only an important timepiece, but also the accessory, that’s why, selecting the appropriate model, several aspects should be taken into account. Many companies, specializing in different watch types, are providing customers with a great variety of models, developing and improving both functional side and interface. Unfortunately, counterfeit watches, mimicking all those expensive brand-name, have congested the market, so you should be careful.
Omega Speedmaster – the choice of space explorers
Extreme and severe conditions of a space flight are a great challenge both for astronauts and equipment, that’s why the use of tested and certified watches is required. It can be hardly imagined what quality watches should possess to endure this ordeal. The first flight into space was a real scientific breakthrough for the mankind, and such a small detail, as watch Yuri Gagarin wore on April 12, 1961 can be treated as a small contribution to the process. His wristwatch was made at the First Moscow Factory and was called the Shturmanskie, and after that raging success these watches have got the trademark “POLJOT” (“flight” in Russian) and for a long time have been used in many space trips. Later, in the late 1970s, new Poljot 3133 with manual winding (43 hours) and 23 jewel movement was launched, gaining popularity among astronauts from Russia, Germany, Ukraine and France.
Of course, at the same period, different tests for durability took place in Europe and the USA. Many factors were taken into account, and, at last, NASA (space agency in the USA) chose the winner – that was Omega Speedmaster Professional. Since that time the pursuit for the right to be a watch representative in space began. For example, John Glech was the first who wore Swiss watch Heuer Stopwach in space while piloting the Friendship 7 on the first manned U.S. orbital mission. Then specially designed Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute recaptured the initiative on May 24, 1962, the day when astronaut Scott Carpenter wore them in space in the Aurora 7 Mercury capsule. The fact is that different space agencies choose different watches to be worn in space: the Russian Federal Space Agency - Fortis, among China astronauts – Fiytal. Then special Spring Drive Spacewalk watch was created. There are other models qualified by NASA for space missions, and they are Timex Datalink, the Casio G-Shock DW-5600C and 5600E. So, Timex Ironman Triathlon 78401, for example, was worn by astronaut Nancy J. Currie during STS 88.
The history of watch usage by astronauts from different countries proves the high quality of these trademarks. Successfully undergoing all space flights ordeal, they gain the reputation of dependable timepieces.
Depth is not an obstacle
If scuba diving or saturation diving is your hobby, you should definitely know about the equipment you need. One of the necessary attributes is diving watch – specially crafted models to become water resistant. It’s wrong to use the term “waterproof” instead, because the process of testing is rather different. The standards, adopted by many countries, were established by the International Organization for Standardization.
In fact, water resistance itself is achieved by gaskets – they are forming a special watertight seal to help to keep water out. But the watches you can use while swimming differ from those designed for scuba diving. So, there are special standards given for each of these types. For diving watches it is ISO 6425 international standard. There are many requirements for the process of testing: one of the main is minimum 100 meter depth rating. All details here should be checked and taken into account, because sometimes your life and health depend on these factors. That’s why all eight requirements for the mechanism itself are of the highest importance. For example, the Seiko 7002-7020 Diver's 200 m on a 4-ring NATO style strap made of ballistic nylon is up to quality and, meeting all the requirements, makes your hobby safer and more pleasant.
So, as far as we see, these small attributes are very useful both in everyday life and in some special spheres and situations. It’s important to choose the appropriate combination of functionality, usability and interface to your taste and enjoy your choice every day.
