Beginner's Guide: Different Watch Types to Get Familiar With

People who only wear watches for timekeeping may not realize the vast categorization of wristwatches. Based on several categories, watches are divided into their movement, functionality, and type. As such, different watch types bear distinct marks for watch enthusiasts to explore.

In the watchmaking world, inspecting a watch doesn’t stop at its surface. What makes a watch interesting to explore is the components that build it, including its delicate machinery. To understand types of wristwatches comprehensively, explore the thorough explanation below!

Different Watch Types by Movement

A movement is the internal mechanism that powers a watch. Every watch has a specific type of movement that powers it, but they can be generally categorized into:

1. Automatic Mechanical Watches

Automatic mechanical watches require self-winding machinery with a spring. This type of watch doesn’t need batteries or manual winding to operate; instead, it uses the natural movement of the wrist to wind the mainspring. With every wrist motion, the rotor swings freely to wind the spring. 

Regular wear ensures the watch remains properly operational. Therefore, an automatic mechanical watch is best suited for those who wear a watch daily. After all, the watch balances mechanical ingenuity and convenient timekeeping.

Some of the known features in automatic mechanical watches are power reserve and the accuracy of +/- 20 seconds a day. Here are several recommended automatic mechanical watches from Gnomon catalog:

• Ball Watch Co. Fireman Enterprise Black.
• Dievas Vortex 500.
• Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage Creme.
• Gruppo Ardito Lince Crimson Red.

2. Manual-Winding Mechanical Watches

The first manual-winding mechanical watch was invented in 1510 by Peter Henlein. The watch wasn’t worn around the wrist; instead, it was attached to the belt or put around the neck. It wasn’t until World War I that the wristlet or the trench watch became popular. The military watch served as a transition between pocket watches and wristwatches the world has known today.

Early manual-winding mechanical watches were designed to be tough and readable in low-light conditions. Operating the watch requires the wearer to manually wind it. The energy from the winding was then stored in the mainspring to move the delicate mechanism inside.

A manual-winding mechanical watch has an accuracy of ± 20 seconds a day. Compared to the other movement, this type of watch bears a significant artistic value in the watchmaking world, as signified by the iconic ticking movement of the second hand from the spring’s gradual release.

3. Quartz Watches

In 1969, Seiko introduced the first quartz watch to the world. The utilization of a battery to power a watch was a revolutionary move at the time. Quartz watches require an electric current that stimulates a quartz crystal to get precise vibrations, which move the mechanism and ensure the timekeeping functionality works properly.

Unlike automatic watches that need regular wrist motion or mechanical watches that need manual winding, quartz watches require minimal maintenance. This type of watch suits those who depend on accurate timekeeping without fussy watch-winding schedules.

A quartz watch has an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds a month. Though a quartz watch doesn’t require elaborate maintenance, it still needs a battery replacement every 2-3 years. Some of the options of quartz watches from Gnomon catalog are Alpina Horological Smartwatch Sunray Silver and Yema Radiance Quartz.

4. Solar Watches

Light-powered or solar watches require natural or artificial light to power up. Solar watches are divided into two types: primary and secondary. A primary solar watch can only operate when there’s light. On the other hand, a secondary solar watch uses a rechargeable battery to store the converted energy from the light, which allows the watch to operate even when not exposed to light for some time. Similarly to quartz, a solar movement offers an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds a month.

One brand that crafts a well-known collection of solar watches is The Citizen. The premium Japanese watch brand has a collection called The Citizen Eco-Drive. It consists of several light-powered watches that utilize built-in solar panels to convert natural and artificial light into energy, such as The Citizen Eco-Drive Sunray, The Citizen Eco-Drive Super Titanium, and The Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi.

Read also: Solar vs Quartz Watches: The Pros and Cons You Need to Know 

Different Watch Types by Functionality

When discussing and selecting watches to purchase, functionality may be one crucial thing to consider. By functionality aspect, different types of watches are divided into the following categories:

1. Chronograph Watches

For some people, a watch doesn’t serve as a timekeeping device. Chronograph watches cater to the needs of adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, or those who work in the field. Equipped with stopwatch functions, chronograph watches can measure elapsed time intervals, usually speed over a known distance. Besides stopwatches, the sub dial of the watch often includes tachymeters.

Chronograph watches combine sportiness and sophistication, allowing them to appeal functionally and aesthetically. Available in any style and price, chronograph watches can be a wonderful thing to add to a collection. Some recommended options from the Gnomon catalog include Steinhart Yachtimer, Le Jour Roadster Chronograph Ice Blue, Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph White, and Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph Green.

2. Tourbillon Watches

Tourbillon is a horological invention from the 18th century that aims to improve a watch’s accuracy by counteracting the gravity-induced errors on the timekeeping functionality. This feature is often found in luxury watches and seen through a transparent caseback, where it showcases a rotating escapement and balance wheel.

Some of the high-end brands in the watchmaking world use tourbillon in their collection, including Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Directly from the Gnomon catalog, a tourbillon watch that can be considered for a luxury watch collection is the Yema Yachtingraf Tourbillon Mareographe 75th Anniversary Steel.

3. Skeleton Watches

Intricacy in artistry and mechanical prowess come as one in the skeletonized watch design. Through the transparent design, this type of watch showcases the inner workings of the delicate machinery within the case. Watch enthusiasts can inspect the workings of the gears, bridges, and springs through the meticulous cutouts of the dial.

Skeleton watches blend aesthetics and functionality, which makes them stunning pieces of art to wear. The intricate skeletonized design doesn’t only showcase the artistic skills of watchmakers but also emphasizes the technical mastery within the protection of the case. One example of a skeleton watch from the Gnomon catalog is the Mido Multifort Skeleton Vertigo Rhodium.

4. Moon Phase Watches

Among watch categories based on functionality, moon phase watches have a significant character that comes from a blend of artistic and practical elements. The moon phase design offers a stunning display of the lunar cycle on a watch dial.

Usually found in elegant dress watches, the moon phase complication features a subdial that displays the current moon phase. The display will change to reflect the moon’s journey based on its cycle. Some recommended moon phase watches from the Gnomon catalog include Ball Watch Co. Trainmaster Moon Phase Blue and Orient Star Mechanical Classic Moon Phase.

5. Analog Watches

Based on the functionality, analog watches are signified by the traditional clock face with three-hand movement. This type of watch shows the time through hands on a dial. Besides hour, minute, and second, analog watches also may have window that show the day of the week. Most of these watches employ the dress watch designs that showcase elegance and refinement of the traditional side of timepieces.

6. Digital Watches

Beyond the traditional watchmaking lies the digital realm, where timekeeping is shown in numerical digits. Digital watches don’t contain moving parts; instead, they rely on an electrical circuit to power the LEDs or LCDs that show the time. Most people wear these watches for various activities, including sports and business meetings.

Read also: Digital vs. Analog Watches: Which One Is Best for You? 

Different Watch Types by Style

Style matters in watch categorization as much as functionality and movement. Here are several different watch types based on style to consider:

1. Military Watches

Originally created for field use, military watches feature an easy-to-read dial with luminous markers to ensure legibility in low-light conditions. Focusing on functionality, military watches are designed to survive tough conditions, which makes them ideal for outdoor activities.

Military watches are also known as field watches. Some recommended watches in this category from the Gnomon catalog include the Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto 38 and the Seiko 5 Sports “Field Sports Style” GMT.

2. Dress Watches

When it comes to formal wear, a dress watch is the right type of accessory to choose. The refined design is showcased through the slim dimensions and clean dials. Dress watches also often use premium materials, like leather straps or platinum. Though dress watch designs vary, they all fit fashionably with a formal wardrobe. Some options for dress watches included in the Gnomon catalog are Seiko Dolce Gold, Citizen Automatic, and Mido Commander 1959 Pixel.

3. Dive Watches

Different types of watches based on style include dive watches. Just as the name indicates, dive watches are timekeeping devices specifically used for underwater activities. Both for professional and recreational uses, dive watches typically have water resistance over 1000 m to ensure safe timekeeping in extreme underwater conditions.

Most dive watches also feature a unidirectional rotating bezel to track diving time. For optimal legibility in low-light conditions, dive watches are equipped with luminous markers. To explore diverse options of dive watches, the Gnomon catalog offers a vast collection which includes the U-Boat Classico Sommerso 46mm, the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Black, and the Yema Skin Diver.

4. Pilot Watches

This specific watch style is designed to cater to the needs of those who work in the aviation sector. Not only for timekeeping, pilot watches are capable of assisting in navigation during flights. For optimal readability, pilot watches usually come in big dial sizes, luminous markers, and functional complications.

Features like chronographs and GMT are usually present to help pilots track elapsed time and multiple time zones. Some examples of classic pilot watches are the Glycine Airman No. 1, the Marathon Pilot’s Navigator Government, and the Aristo Aviator Vintage 4H451.

5. Sports Watches

Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts often prefer watches that can withstand rigorous activities. That’s why sports watches have become a favored choice for their robustness. Often made of stainless steel, rubber, and titanium, sports watches suit those who live an active lifestyle. 

Besides timekeeping, these watches are usually equipped with features like chronographs, GMT, and tachymeters. Taken directly from the Gnomon catalog, some of the recommended sports watches are the Seiko 5 Sports “Field Sports Style” GMT, the Dietrich OT-2, and the Yema Rallye 5 Turbo.

6. Ladies Watches

Watch size matters for women who have delicate wrist sizes. When it comes to watches based on style, ladies watches have a magnificent allure that cannot be denied. One look at the ladies' watch category in the Gnomon catalog can showcase the variety of beauty that awaits to be added to the collection Some interesting choices for this type of watch include Mido Rainflower Blue Ladies, Seiko Exceline Silver, Yema Radiance Quartz Gold, and Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Lady Auto.

Final Thoughts

Different watch types based on several aspects of timepiece design allow watch collectors to diversify their watch collections. Every timepiece has a unique signature, be it from the movement, functionality, or style. Beyond the common denominator, watches from various brands also have distinct characteristics that make them special pieces to own.

Owning various types of wristwatches can elevate one’s prestige as a watch collector. The collection may speak of versatility more than rigidity. While there’s no rule in watch collecting, it’s worth trying to explore as many types of timepieces as one can, for every piece of time-telling device tells a different story.

Read also: How to Start a Watch Collection: Showcase of Personality