Watchmaker's tips on what to look for when buying a watch.

Many people ask me, "What is the best watch?". This is my comprehensive answer to that very simple but often asked question. This advice could save you a lot of grief and disappointment, by warning you what to look out for when choosing a watch of any brand. This should help you sort out the good from the bad from any watch that you might be thinking about purchasing. Enjoy!

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[WWWeres]

Hello Paul. Would you class Seconda as a good affordable brand. I am looking at 3031. I am surprised that not many watches have glass hidden below the metal face. I am also interested in Pulsar PXN021 that has metal elasticated strap are those any good?

Thank you very much.

[Globalstudent]

@WWWeres

Use the criteria in the video to evaluate any watch model. I have no immediate familiarity with those exact models. They sound like good middle of the road watches you describe.

[BoJezy]

GOOD watch makes, use solid gold!!

[Globalstudent]

@BoJezy Gold is too soft. It is nearly impossible to build a watch out of gold and still have features like a screw-down back. It is easily dented and scratched. Its great for rings and chains but a very poor choice IMO for making a good watch case that will hold up for many years.

[BoJezy]

jaeger lecoultre, patek philippe, vacheron constantin, audemars piguet... best four brands of watches in the world!

[Globalstudent]

@BoJezy Depends on how you choose to define best. The brands you noted are excellent in terms of workmanship, beauty, and prescision engineering, but many of the watches they produce must be worn with great care and delicacy. For that reason alone, I as a watchmaker do not advise to buy based on branding alone, but rather look at the features that truly define longevity and reliability. There would be some specific models among the brands mentioned above that would meet such criteria. :-)

[ChicaWolverina]

I wouldn't recommend anything with any plating especially gilt plating or wrap ever, it is the absolute the kiss of death to a watch, but mostly for anything beyond the outside of the dial and hands itself.

Those folded link bracelets when they vaguely copy the thickness and style of oyster or jubilee bracelets are trashy, tacky, and ugly too, very dated approach... that's not to say there are a few styles of folded link bracelets that do have a reason for living.

[Globalstudent]

Valima railroad watch. Check out the official Valima website to find the exact model number. Valima.ca or Valima.com

[IAMABULLET1]

Hello Paul

what model is that 1st watch you are holding, sir?

[Globalstudent]

Rolex is in a class of its own IMO. The watches (the submariner in particular) are EXCELLENT! A work of art from start to finish!

The only drawback of owning a Rolex is the exorbitant cost of factory servicing. The Rolex parts are are tightly controlled by the factory, and thereby forcing Rolex owners to deal strictly with the factory and/or authorized repair centers for service. This keeps the prices for servicing these watches very high IMO.