Jewelry 101   

WATCHES: It’s About Time! 

Men's Watches

The most critical function of good men’s watches is to tell the time. This also applies to every watch that we are going to discuss further. Quartz watches are the most accurate, able to achieve and maintain precision accuracy within a few seconds in a month.

While even the best built Mechanical watches, , have not been able to match the accuracy achieved by quartz watches, they have been refined to perform extremely well. Plus, the newest mechanical automatic watches with tourbillion are able to offset gravitational effect on the accuracy of its mechanism. It has ability to power reserve for more than 40 hours, which means that over 24 hours, the rate of movement for the watch will be constant.

The next important aspect of good watches lies on their appearances. Some important points to pay attention to are is the design and the finish of the dial. Good men’s watches usually have dials made of gold or silver with delicate engraving. There are some with appliqué numbers or batons in 18-karat gold and hands made of similar material. The dial should have a harmonious blend against the watches casing. It is very often that we find valuable men’s watch casing made of precious metal. It can be made of gold in various colors like pink, rose, yellow or white.18-karat gold is commonly chosen for its hardiness even when compared against the 24-karat gold.

Of late the platinum, titanium, and silver are gaining in popularity over gold. If such precious metals are used, it jacks up the price of the watches especially when it covers both the case and bracelet.

Do not be surprised when these precious metals can actually bring up the cost of the watch even when compared to intricately build mechanical movements.

Lastly, the hallmark to good watches lies in its name. Why? The reputation of world renowned watches provide quality guarantee as well as international service agents.

At VMB, you can choose from the world’s finest Watch Collections... with the friendly guidance of your personal VMB jeweler.

LADIES WATCHES
History of Ladies Watches

Decades before wristwatches became fashionable, women wore pendant watches. These were variants of pocket watches and hung from long chains around the neck. Usually, a woman would tuck the watch into her waistband or into a small pocket sewn inside the seam of her dress where the bodice joined the skirt.

In those days, women were given more freedom than men in choosing different ways of displaying their timepieces. Apart from the necklace style, they could also dangle from short chains at their waists, from pin-like brooches on their blouses, or from earrings and rings.

Today's Ladies Watches
Today's market for fine women's watches is inundated with styles and models that could make any watch aficionado quiver with excitement. There are new designs introduced every year, and it becomes quite difficult for any successful woman to keep just a few pieces.

To build a basic collection, you would need at least one piece for each of the following women's watch classifications: Sports watches, Dress watches, and Jewelry watches. Naturally, there are name brands that would have all of these types, but it would be more impressive to choose from among various watchmakers.

Sports Watches
First, sports watches are a must for the active, modern woman. Whether you're a rock climber, a diver, a runner, or just one who regularly attends Pilates classes, it would do you well to keep a chronograph that is water-resistant and has other essential features such as a stopwatch and an alarm. Sports watches are usually made of sturdy materials such as steel, titanium, rubber, and leather. Ladies' sports watches use thinner straps than men's watches and are considerably smaller. If you're partial to pastels, keep in mind that these shades go well with fair complexion. Darker skin shades call for straps or dials in neutral or very bright colors.

Dress Watches
Next, we have the dress watches. Dress watches should be a part of every woman's wardrobe. These used to mean a thin, classic design in yellow or white gold, with an elegant bracelet or a delicately tooled leather strap, but the standards are now more relaxed. As long as the women's watch you choose doesn't have gross markings, Velcro or rubber straps, or oversized components, most watches should be able to shift between formal, dressy occasions and casual, everyday wear.

Jewelry Watches
And finally, jewelry watches – these are pieces that took months, or even years, to be assembled by master craftsmen. Each stone in this fine women's watch is carefully chosen and matched for clarity, color, and flawlessness before being manually set.

As you will see when visiting any VMB store, fine women's watches have truly evolved from the pocket watches of yore to the present sleek and svelte fine women's watches which come in all shapes and styles.

© Lam, James. "How to Choose Ladies' Watches." EzineArticles 15 September 2006.