Category: News

There is no argument here. Swiss giants, namely those belonging to LVMH and Swatch Group, are selling the majority of the world’s best watches, and let’s not forget that Rolex is pulling its weight, too, accounting for 30% of the industry’s sales.

But the Swiss are not the only players in this horological game of craftsmanship, innovation, and storytelling.

Japanese brands like Seiko and Citizen are known for their technological advancements and, as well as nurturing a sizeable domestic market, contribute to the industry in a big way, though more for their mass-market designs that sit within the mid-price range.

For the most part, Citizen is the world’s largest watchmaker by volume. But that fact alone doesn’t necessarily help if you’re wondering whether its watches are any good.

In this article, we’ll aim to cover the question, “Are Citizen watches any good?” because what people really want to know is whether they’re worth buying and, if so, why they’re so underrated.

Perceptions of Budget Watch Brands

It’s only fair that Citizen gets the same level of coverage as we’d provide if we were covering a big brand like Rolex. What we really need to look at are all the factors that play a role in Citizen’s contribution to the world of watches.

We need to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the brand, take a look at its history, and then delve into some of its innovations. But before we go any further, there’s one thing we need to touch on: the perception people have of budget watch brands.

I mentioned earlier that Citizen is an underrated watch brand for what it offers. Some of that will become clearer as you continue reading, but affordable watch brands are often viewed as disposable and not reputable enough.

But not everyone wants to spend a few thousand dollars on a new watch. In fact, a few hundred dollars can be an expensive investment for many of us. Not everyone is working on the same budget. Even so, a common misconception is that a budget brand must mean poor quality materials.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – budget watch brands are misunderstood. And one reason why Citizen may be overlooked is down to its mass production of affordable watches. Plus, Japanese origins generally carry the stigma of being cheaply made and of lesser quality.

If that was your understanding of Citizen watches before you began reading this article, you should prepare yourself to be pleasantly surprised.

I’m not going to overegg this watch brand, or big it up to a be something it isn’t. But if you get to the end of this guide without learning at least one or two things about this manufacturer, I’ll be dammed!

The Early Days 

Given Citizen’s avant-garde designs and some of its horological innovations, you could be forgiven for thinking this brand is younger than it actually is.

How about 1918 for its founding year? Surprised much? Indeed, the company evolved as a product of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute by Kamakechi Yamazaki. However, the actual Citizen name didn’t start to appear on watch dials for another five years.

No one really knows exactly how the brand acquired its name, but it’s thought that a close friend of Yamazaki – the mayor of Tokyo at the time – suggested the name since the ethos of the company was to make watches that were accessible to all “citizens” within Japan.

By partnering with a company called Schmid in 1930, Citizen could take full advantage of machining tools and its state-of-the-art factory, and by 1952 had released Japan’s first watch with calendar features.

The company grew and eventually began exporting watches outside of Japan, reaching a global audience and achieving a complete, fully automatic manufacturing process by 1970.

Citizen is a Pioneer in Dive Watches 

So, Seiko definitely produced Japan’s first fully-fledged dive watch; I’m not disputing that. That happened back in 1965.

But does the name Parawater ring a bell to you? The Parawater was actually Citizen’s innovation, and it was Japan’s first water-resistant watch, birthed six years before the Seiko Diver’s 150 (AKA the 62MAS)!

It’s worth mentioning here that by this point, Citizen had already developed its Parashock technology, which, in turn, led to the brand’s shock counteraction function, ensuring the hands of a watch remained in continual movement when exposed to impact.

To add weight to Citizen’s Parashock technology, a watch was dropped out of a helicopter at a height of 30 meters and was found to be in perfect working order when retrieved.

It may not seem like such a big deal now, but the Citizen Parawater was 50-meter water resistant – a true feat for its time. This water resistance was upheld via special O-ring gaskets that sealed all the integral parts of the case, including the case back, the joints, the crown, and the glass.

Like the brand’s Parashock technology, the Parawater was subjected to tests, too. It was used to help conduct tidal research and was launched into the ocean for an extended period of time. Some three years, in fact,  and was still found to be completely intact and operational at the end of the experiment.

The Parawater was the forerunner to the 1982 Promaster Marine. Citizen then released the 1300M Professional Diver’s watch, crafted from lightweight titanium in the same year, followed by the titanium-clad Aqualand in 1985 (the first quartz watch equipped with a depth gauge.

The model was superseded by the Fugu dive watch in 1989, which marked the birth of the Promaster series. It featured a chunky bezel with alternating smooth and serrated edges that resembled the pufferfish, hence its nickname.

Basically, my point is that Citizen was a valid contributor to the dive watch sector during the zeitgeist of the scuba diving and amateur diving era.

What About Citizen’s Materials? 

Many don’t realize that Citizen was the first brand to release a watch made from titanium – the X8 Chronometer – a short-lived electronic watch. Sadly, the development went under the radar.

Meanwhile, titanium was a material that was already emerging in the aerospace industry thanks to its incredibly strong and corrosion-resistant qualities. It was even used in Apollo Mission vehicles, transporting astronauts to the moon.

Years later, Citizen returned to this material, developing the 1982 Professional Diver watch, not to mention the Atessa collection – an all-titanium series of watches. Suffice to say, for a brand that focusses on affordable, mass-scale manufacture, Citizen has been no stranger to innovative materials.

By the year 2000, the brand was producing titanium watch cases with a Duractect finish – a serum that made the material even more scratch-resistant, not to mention five times harder than stainless steel. This technology now goes by the name of Super Titanium.

These are not the only advantages of Super Titanium, however. Due to its unique composition, it can allow for a range of different colored cases that standard titanium is not able to offer.

Citizens Eco-Drive Technology

Here, we reach one of Citizen’s most important milestones of all. Its Eco-Drive technology. It’s one of the most famous technical contributions to the watchmaking industry. The story began in 1976 when the brand launched the Quartz Crystron Solar Cell (not as appealing as the name “Eco Quartz,” right?).

Let’s set the scene. During the 1950s, electrically powered watches were emerging, using a quartz oscillating weight. They were followed by LED and LCD watches, which eventually led to the digital watch.

Japanese watchmakers like Seiko, Citizen, and Casio were key to driving the manufacturing costs of these watches down through mass production. Simultaneously, America was developing solar panels, but Japan was already one step ahead, producing solar-powered units for watches.

The Quartz Crystron Solar Cell that Citizen developed could utilize the energy from any light source, including a bedside lamp.

However, its battery didn’t last all that long, so Citizen followed this up with improved models that could last up to 8 days, followed by one released in 1995 that could last 6 months on a single charge.

The Eco-Drive arrived a year later with a design that could allow light to pass through a translucent dial where a solar cell lay underneath. Power would be sent from the solar cell to a lithium battery, eradicating the need for a battery replacement.

The technology was groundbreaking and has become a tentpole innovation around which Citizen has centered so many of its designs. Citizen reached new levels of precision following this milestone, namely with its radio-controlled timing technology and its GPS satellite Wave watches, which arrived in 2011.

However, in 2019, Citizen’s technology set new standards in accuracy with the brand’s release of the Calibre 0100, capable of maintaining a precision of +/- 1 second per year thanks to the use of an AT-cut-type crystal oscillator that vibrates at a frequency of 8.4 MHz. Suffice to say, this infinitely powered watch is hard to beat, and the fact that you can buy an Eco-Drive watch for around the $200 mark today suggests that Citizen’s precise tools are an incredible investment proposition if you’re looking for longevity in a watch.

Sadly, the solar-powered technology of an Eco-Drive watch is massively understood. It’s one of the reasons why Citizen is so underrated as a brand. People see the word “quartz” and scoff at it.

But let’s not forget that on paper, a quartz watch will outperform a mechanical watch on precision by a country mile. Quartz watches are just so incredibly accurate, and the same goes for the Eco-Drive watch.

There’s also the misconception that a solar-powered watch will stop working if caught under a rain cloud or if it happens to be a particularly cloudy day.

The reality is that people don’t understand enough about Citizen’s solar-powered technology. Most people aren’t even aware that modern Citizen watches from the Eco-Drive series have a power reserve of a year, some even boasting an absurd 7 years in total darkness!

Brand Growth 

Many perhaps don’t realize Citizen is a large parent company that bought Bulova in 2008. But that wasn’t where its relationship with the American brand first began.

In fact, it had been developing watch components for Bulova since the 1960s. Bulova is revered the world over for its technical innovations, but many of these breakthroughs are owed to the expertise and know-how of those at Citizen.

As the Japanese brand grew, so did its ambitions, and in 2012, it acquired La Joux-Perret, including its subsidiary, Arnold & Son. But that’s not where the story of Citizen’s growth ends.

In 2015, just six years after bringing La Joux-Perret under its wing, it began expanding its footprint in the Swiss watchmaking world by acquiring the Frederique Constant Group, comprising the likes of Alpina and Ateliers de Monaco.

Those well-versed in the Bulova brand will also be aware of the Accutron company, which became its own entity in 2020 before joining Citizen Watch Group. One pioneering development by Accutron was the electrostatic movement, which was only made possible by the help of Citizen’s experts.

As the years have passed, Citizen has continued to grow and now nurtures sponsorships with sporting events like the US Tennis Open. At the same time, its relationship with the cinematic world includes partnerships with Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney.

For a brand so closely associated with budget-friendly designs, Citizen has utilized its space on social media, effectively marketing itself to reach audiences engaged with the world of sport, TV, and technological innovation.

It’s not a luxury brand, don’t get me wrong, but its presence across the watch industry is certainly heard and seen.

Some of the Best Citizen Watches 

Perhaps to fully decide whether Citizen watches are for you, a peruse through some of the brand’s most impressive watch collections will help. Here’s a brief introduction to the brand’s core lines to save you some time.

The Citizen Promaster Range

The Promaster watch collection by Citizen is certainly a series primed for those who like adventure and exploration. Basically, it’s not just your everyday sports watch.

For example, the Perpetual Chrono watch within this range boosts performance more than a typical chronograph, with its radio-controlled atomic clock synchronization, along with a tachymeter bezel to track speed based on distance.

The Promaster Diver

Perfect for those seeking excitement under the waves or those who love the rugged elegance of the dive watch, the Promaster Diver collection is home to models that combine luminous details with Eco-Drive technology, not to mention a solid 200M water resistance.

H3: Citizen Tsuyosa

Love the integrated sports watch? You won’t be disappointed with the Tsuyosa. It’s often compared to the Tissot PRX as the more affordable option. You can enjoy the Tsuyosa in several bursts of color, including ice blue, bubble-gum pink, a rich sunny yellow color, and a deep burgundy.

This is one of the few Citizen watches you can enjoy in a more compact size, thanks to its 40mm diameter and slim lug design.

A Comparison: The Citizen Promaster vs the Seiko Prospex 

It’s one of the most common debates amongst collectors of budget sports watches – which brand is better – Seiko or Citizen? While the debate is bound to divide the crowds, we can at least add some weight to the topic by comparing one of Citizen’s most popular models with one of Seiko’s.

For example, let’s look at the Citizen Promaster and the Seiko Prospex. Both watches offer a similar style and price point, so it makes sense to put both contenders in the ring and see how they fair against one another.

Let’s start with the basics. Both of these watches appeal to dive watch collectors. Regardless of whether you actually intend to do any level of underwater exploration with one of these watches or whether you consider yourself a desk diver (no judgment here!), there are many ways you can adapt a dive watch to daily life.

They’re legible and durable and have a unidirectional rotating bezel. If for nothing else, you can always use this timing function when grilling your cheese on toast to perfection (yes, it is a science!). But let’s take the Seiko Prospex Turtle SRPE93 and the Citizen Promaster Diver ref BN0150-28E, for example.

Both have black dials with white luminous markers and hands, promise 200-meter water resistance, and are certified to ISO standards. Even better, both models are available in various dial colors (you name it, it’s probably been done).

They also feature mineral crystal fronts (not as great as sapphire, but still, they’re on par with one another). At the end of the day, both of these watches offer plenty of bang for your buck, with an unlimited range of straps to enjoy. 

Movement-wise, however, these respective watches go in their own direction. While one is a mechanical movement, the other is a solar-powered quartz, so although they are similarly designed sports watches, the Prospex has a rather vaunted history and is powered by an automatic engine.

In contrast, the Promaster features a less romantic movement but one that runs for up to six months and is perfect for the “set-it-and-forget-it” type. While the Seiko Prospex is primed for function and durability, the Citizen Promaster is a complete classic.

Really, choosing between the two depends on personal preference. There’s not much in it, especially if you value quality materials, legibility, and robustness in a watch. 

So, What’s the Verdict? Are Citizen Watches Any Good?

If you’ve skipped to the end of this article to get the low-down on whether Citizen watches are any good, then yes – in short – Citizen watches are good.

Especially if you’re drawn to technological innovation in a watch, and you like your timepieces to create interesting topics of conversation when chatting with other watch enthusiasts. Citizen watches, although not considered luxury items, certainly have a lot going for them. 

The majority of watches made by this Japanese brand will cost you no more than $300 on average, and you can’t exactly say they lack good, quality materials, either. Citizen developed a hardening technique to enhance its titanium cases, a material already well-utilized by many high-end brands today.

It can also lay claim to one of the watch world’s most innovative technological innovations – the Eco-Drive watch. The industry’s solution to environmentally friendly timekeeping eliminates the need to replace batteries.

As much as the mechanical watch will always garner the most respect amongst watch enthusiasts, Eco-Drive watches are full of technological wonder, and quite frankly, they blow the accuracy of a mechanical watch out of the water.

Of course, being a low to mid-tier watch brand, Citizen watches are not exemplary. In fact, only a handful of watch brands deserve that term.

But we’re looking at a quality-to-price ratio and some pretty neat designs, from classic dress watches to sporty chronographs and everything in between. In fact, I’ve very rarely heard anyone say a Citizen watch is not worth the money they’ve paid for it.

These timepieces are very reasonably priced, and anyone who disagrees with that may be unaware of the sheer choice on offer. The only slight criticism I can find is that people feel the brand lacks options for the smaller-sized wrist.

Those that measure around the 40mm mark come up big. Generally speaking, Citizen watches do measure big, and the brand’s sub-41mm category is very limited in variation.

Only time will tell if the brand expands its smaller-sized offerings for those with less-endowed wrists, and it will be interesting to see if it pays attention to recent trends leaning towards smaller-sized options.

Despite this sticking point, they’re a good B-tier watch brand if you’re shopping with champagne tastes on a lemonade budget. You won’t get the same ruggedness and timeless style of an Omega or Rolex, but for a sub-$1k brand, you can’t go wrong with a Citizen watch.  

It wasn’t just a silly-ass fad like so many skeptics believed at the time. Wearing bracelets with clocks attached to them began as a joke, but by 1916, it had become obligatory for soldiers to wear a watch on their wrist, having realized the convenience of fob watches on leather straps.

It freed up the hands of military personnel, enabling them to coordinate their maneuvers more precisely whilst readily ascertaining the time on the frontline.

After all, rummaging through your pockets for a watch whilst navigating the chaos of the trenches never made sense. God forbid it may even have cost a few lives. 

Today, wristwatches sit on the wrists of most men. At least those who have good taste. In fact, I’d even go as far as to say that no men’s fashion accessory better perpetuates endless style than a wristwatch. No element of menswear inspires such intense passion and cultural following, either.

Indeed, there is a dedicated fan base for luxury wristwatches. They epitomize class and masculinity. And the history and complexity of these small but mighty instruments are subjects of great interest, too.

The hobby of watch collecting and, more specifically, the art of watch-wearing is an all-around mystifying, mesmerizing, bemusing, and highly complex subject. And it garners a lot of debate.

Off the back of all this are topics like “How should you wear a watch?” which we’ll cover today.

Why Wear a Watch? 

Good question. When we have instant access to the time with the swipe of a touchscreen or a quick voice command, why would anyone choose to wear a watch? Technology has certainly come a long way since man’s first-ever wristwatch.

There’s also no denying that wristwatch sales began declining when the smartwatch arrived in the 2000s.

By 2009, sales had reached such a low it led many naysayers to believe the wristwatch could ever make a comeback. But very gradually, they have been on the rise ever since.

I say steadily. Lockdown brought about a boom in watch sales, where a resurgence in designs like the integrated sports watch had those with the dispensable income practically throwing their money at collectible Cartiers and Rolexes left, right, and center.

At the end of the day, watches are one of those things in life that people will always attach sentimental value to. They serve a functional purpose.

And regardless of whether we spend a large proportion of our day with our phones in our hands or not, tilting our wrist to read the time is just about the most natural and instinctive thing to do.

Traditional wristwatches will continue to keep time and never lose power unless you take them off and leave them to run their power reserves down. You don’t need to plug them in. You don’t need to recharge them.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons they’ve stood the test of time so well. They’re one of the few men’s accessories out there that can be worn and utilized every single day, regardless of the occasion. 

As well as all the obvious points above, wristwatches are often worn as status symbols. The earliest designs were expensive and reflected a high level of craftsmanship; for the most part, that remains true today.

One of the key developments in detecting social status amongst the human race was the switch from gauging wealth on physical characteristics like height and physique to determining status based on clothing and jewelry.

The emergence of pocket watches catapulted into a powerful social signal at a ridiculous rate, and only the rich could afford them.

Luxury timepieces are expensive pieces of jewelry still today, but in most cases, you get what you pay for. Nothing communicates “I’ve made it big” than a Rolex.

Even the more affordable watches on the market reflect a hint of personality and individual taste. Even with the mass production of watches driving prices down, quality wristwatches are still seen as the ultimate token of success and have maintained their status cache. 

Above all, because the history of the wristwatch is deeply routed in pursuits like flying, diving, and racing, some evocative designs just feel so important to wear in today’s society.

A good quality timepiece will look and feel timeless, constituting a perfect heirloom, not to mention pairing well with a range of clothing styles. 

How To Wear a Watch

So, now you know why people wear watches; the only thing left to do is master how to wear one correctly. And while, for the most part, there are no hard and fast rules based on how you should rock your favorite timepieces, there are some things to pay attention to, especially if you’re a beginner. 

Figure Out Your Preferences 

There are two basic facets to finding the right watch for your wrist. One is movement, and one is type. The movement relates to the mechanism that powers your watch. There are quartz-powered watches and mechanically driven ones.

Of the latter, there are two further sub-categories: manual winding and self-winding. The first requires you to manually wind the watch by hand each day, while the latter refers to a mechanism that relies on the movement of your wrist to give power to the watch.

The quartz movement is an entirely different movement altogether and generates power via a quartz crystal and battery. Either way, both types of movement require considerable research before taking the plunge.

If you’re looking for an easy, no-fuss timepiece, you may be more drawn to the more affordable quartz option. Alternatively, if you think you’d appreciate the complexity of the mechanical movement, there are many options on the market that range from affordable to high-end.

One of the advantages of the mechanical watch is that it’s often designed with an exhibition caseback, enabling you to view the movement whilst it performs. 

Watch type is an even broader category to explore. Dress watches sit in the more elegant category and often feature a simplified, pared-back dial layout comprising a two or three-handed format with a date window.

Some feature a small running seconds complication instead, while others may be crafted from precious metal or feature a gold coating to achieve a more exuberant and refined finish.

The sports category is diverse, with designs ranging from the dive watch to classic chronographs and even pilot watches. Pilot watches also run into the field watch category.

These wristwatches are developed for combat use, featuring a practical, legible dial and fabric straps made from nylon or the popular NATO Strap.

Dive watches offer the advantage of better water resistance, so you may opt for this genre of watch if you work closely with water or tend to do a lot of swimming or snorkeling in your spare time.

Likewise, the chronograph design is rather diversified. You can opt for anything from an elegant flyback complication to the sporty racing watch type.

Figuring out the correct type of watch is the lengthiest part of the process. Once you know what you like, there are just a few other things to consider. 

Sizing 

Like anything you wear, whether it be a shirt or a belt, a watch strap should fit you correctly and comfortably. Focus on two things here: the diameter of the watch (and, therefore, the size of the dial) and the watch strap.

There’s a simple and easy way to figure out your wrist size. Wrap a piece of tape around your wrist and measure your circumference.

A small wrist is anything measuring around the 6 inches mark. If you have a small wrist, stick to case diameters of around 34-36mm.

Tricky, I know, as there aren’t all that many watches for men sitting in this size range! Field watches, however, tend to offer the best scope for this case size. You could even stretch to around 38mm. 

Anything in the middle bracket will measure around 7-7.5 inches. This is the most common wrist size and is able to carry case sizes of around 39mm, 40mm, or 41mm. An 8-inch wrist is large and should be able to carry off a case size of around 44-46mm or even 47mm! 

For band sizes? You don’t want your watch strap or bracelet to be too loose on your wrist. Metal bracelets and the watch dial itself can become damaged if your bracelet is swirling around on your wrist while you move.

Likewise, a leather or rubber strap that fits too tight will leave indentations on the skin and can even cause your wrist to swell.

Always ensure you can fit at least two fingers down the side of your strap. This will allow your skin to breathe when you get hot and allow for any necessary expansion. 

Be Aware of Water Resistance 

I mentioned earlier that dive watches are best suited to those who frequently take to the water. But even if you’re not planning on swimming with your watch, you should be aware of the watch’s water-resistant rating.

Submerging your watch into water can cause damage to the internal mechanics of the watch. And water resistance doesn’t work how you’d imagine it to, anyway.

A water-resistant watch of 100 meters doesn’t necessarily mean you can take it to depths of 100m. Moreover, the water-resistant rating of a watch refers to the pressure it can withstand underwater.

For the most part, a 50-100M water-resistant watch will suffice for general day-to-day tasks. For anything water-related, you need to look for watches with at least a 200M+ water resistance. 

Which Wrist? 

Here’s the bottom line. You can wear a watch on your left or right wrist. Tradition has had us believe for far too long that there are set-in-stone rules about which wrist you can wear a watch on. In this day and age, anything goes. People can wear a watch on the left wrist, the right wrist, or both simultaneously.

Most connoisseurs advise that you should wear your wrist on your less dominant hand, and to an extent, this makes some practical sense.

A watch worn on the less dominant hand will avoid the most impact and damage. But really, it’s more about what feels more comfortable for you. Nobody will judge you, whatever wrist you decide to wear your watch on. 

Variation

If you can afford to expand your wristwatch collection to at least a couple of different styles, that’s great. While not all budgets will allow for it, building up a more diversified watch collection will allow you to easily tailor the right watch for a specific outfit.

If you only own one special watch, acquiring a daily beater to wear throughout the week and for everyday tasks like yard work is a good idea. And giving your favorite watch a break every so often may preserve it for longer since it won’t be exposed to as much damage.

In an ideal world, you’d have a watch for dining out, the gym, sporting events, and work. Either way, a small collection of reputable brands can be more beneficial than owning one ultimate gold Rolex. 

Pairing Watches with Outfits 

It’s important to find the right watch to match your outfit if you want to up your sartorial game. Luckily, there is no shortage of styles, as I mentioned earlier. 

You wouldn’t want to wear your favorite elegant dress watch on a choppy boat out at sea, just like you wouldn’t necessarily wear a dive watch with a suit (yes, James Bond did it, but it doesn’t mean you have to!).

Try to match your watch to the occasion in question. Think durable sports watches with athletic attire and something like a classic three-hander or calendar watch for the office. 

Lighter dials are also nicer for summer or for wearing during the daytime, while a dark dial will complement evening attire nicely. It also pays to match your metals with your materials.

If you can match the case material of your watch with your belt buckle or the hardware on your shoes, you’ll inevitably create a more cohesive look.

It’s thinking about all the extra special touches that make the difference, like pairing yellow gold with yellow gold or wearing a watch on a leather strap to match your leather shoes.

In the meantime, a discreet diamond dot hour track can add a touch of class and style to a formal outfit, but bear in mind that flashy diamond-set cases and large, gaudy gemstones can look like a cry for attention. Everything in balance is key. 

One way to add a whole load of variation to your collection is to have a supply of straps to rotate your watches with…

Wearing Watches with a Leather Strap

Leather straps are the most common type of watch strap. They give a wristwatch a timeless and elegant look. This organic, durable material finishes a timepiece off perfectly, especially the high-end dress watch.

There are three types of leather bands: genuine, full grain, and faux. The latter is made from plastic but resembles the look and feel of real genuine leather.

Genuine leather, however, is still affordable, while full-grain leather is the finest of all, promising a finish and a toughness that will last longer than any other. 

Wearing Material Straps on a Watch 

A material strap on a watch can transform aesthetics rather drastically. Take, for example, a classic-looking chronograph watch on a leather band.

Switching the leather band out for a material one like a striped NATO Strap or something similar can give the watch a strong field watch style in minutes.

However, the beauty of making these strap changes quickly and effortlessly is to opt for a watch with a quick-release strap option, which irradiates the need for using any strap removal tools. 

Wearing a Watch on a Metal Bracelet 

A metal bracelet is a complete class. It can elevate a sports watch or a chronograph in the simplest ways. Steel, of course, is the most affordable option, while platinum, gold, and silver can add a premium price tag to a watch.

Nevertheless, it’s all about what you prefer in a watch. If you want an ultra-refined statement piece to pair with your best attire, a gold or platinum bracelet will communicate that high-end feel effortlessly. However, a steel bracelet is incredibly corrosion-resistant and great for wearing daily. 

Wearing Watches on Rubber Bands 

Rubber watch straps are made from silicone or polyurethane. The former is the more expensive option and the one you’ll likely see on luxury dive watches.

Robust and supple, it’s a perfect option for wearing with sporty attire and for utilizing whilst partaking in outdoor pursuits. A rubber band will dry quickly and is perfect for those with athletic lifestyles. 

The Social Implications of Wearing a Watch 

You should be aware of social etiquette when wearing a wristwatch. Although a lot of traditions have very little relevance in our modern world, checking the time regularly on a watch can be seen as rude and impatient. After all, if you’re attending a special occasion, you should have no need to check the time.

Without even realizing it, you could give the host the impression you have somewhere more important to be. Some would even argue that you shouldn’t pair a dress watch with black tie attire, while others disagree and believe an elegant wristwatch finishes an outfit perfectly.

At the end of the day, it’s much more tactful to glance discreetly at your watch while tiling your wrist to sip a drink than to blatantly lift your jacket sleeve to check the time. 

Some FAQs: How to Wear a Watch 

If you’re still unsure whether you’re wearing your watch properly, these FAQs questions may help! 

Where Should a Watch Sit on the Wrist? 

You can typically feel your way to comfort when positioning a watch on your wrist. It’s common sense to position it slightly above the wrist bone but also in a way that it’s not too close to the hand or too far up the arm. 

What is the Etiquette for Wearing a Watch? 

The general rule of thumb for watch etiquette when attending a social event is not to check the time frequently on it. As functional as wristwatches are, there are some situations when using a watch to keep track of the time isn’t a good idea. 

Should You Wear a Watch Over Your Cuff? 

In short, no. You shouldn’t wear a watch over the cuff of your shirt or jacket. It’s the crime of all fashion crimes. And whilst I have expressed in this article that your own personal style is what you make it, there are some exceptions. And wearing a watch over your cuff is a complete no-no. 

Conclusion 

In recent times, the advent of the smartwatch, not to mention the use of laptops and the latest gadgets and gizmos, has made many of us believe the wristwatch may have met its demise. Yet, the timeless appeal of the luxury wristwatch persists. If anything, it’s more popular than ever.

While smartwatches combine the cutting-edge convenience of a color touchscreen with real-time health and wellness metrics and a host of GPS features, nothing beats the classic wristwatch. Luxury watches symbolise an age-old craft and have played a huge role in the evolution of timekeeping.

In addition to all the advice I’ve provided in this guide on how to wear a watch, the secret to enjoying your watch collection is simply wearing what makes you happy and wearing it with conviction.

The pointers above are just guidance. It will always be your prerogative on how you wear your watch, where you wear it, and what you wear it with! 

If only we all had deep enough pockets to afford a dream watch whenever we fancied. Budget would be of no concern, and our watch collection would be virtually bursting at the seams – a timepiece for every scenario, every outfit, every day. 

That’s a reality for stars like Kevin O’Leary, successful Shark Tank investor and TV presenter (with a net worth of around (ah-hem) $400 million).

The Canadian businessman can splurge on random luxury timepieces whenever his heart desires, rocking the two-watch-wearing trend and outright owning it. But why?

Kevin O’Leary doesn’t beat around the bush. Watch collecting is a disease, did you know? And once it gets under your skin, you have to live with it.

There’s no cure. At least, that’s how he describes his unapologetic addiction to flaunting some of the world’s most covetable timepieces against the sleeve of his $2,800 Yves Saint Lauren denim jacket. It’s simply not his fault. 

Watch addiction is an unimaginable force that sucks you down the horological rabbit hole at unstoppable speed, at least, if you have the budget for it in the first place. 

But despite the financial capacities that separate the business entrepreneur from people like you and I, he still has some great advice for enthusiasts from any walk of life, whether that be about which brands to invest your money in, the beauty of owning historically important watches, or avoiding buying crap. 

He even has his own views on watch etiquette and why he feels that wearing two watches is actually OK.

Who is Kevin O’Leary? 

Perhaps what acquainted Kevin O’Leary with the world of watches was the fact that he was a well-travelled child.

Thanks to his stepfather’s job, O’Leary got the chance to hop from one country to another, experiencing a diverse range of cultures, including Geneva’s watchmaking roots, whilst visiting the United Nations offices in Switzerland. 

By the time O’Leary landed back home from his world tour, the horological seed was already well and truly planted.

It also seemed the man was destined to make a ton of money, which conveniently coincided with his love of watches, enabling him to explore his passion for watchmaking to levels many people could only dream of. 

The man has always had a sixth sense for identifying areas of increasing value, seizing opportunity after opportunity, and the same can be said for his ability to collect watches, too.

First and foremost, Kevin O’Leary is a successful business investor. His first big break came when he invested $10,000 in an educational software company. That company went on to sell for $4.2 billion. Enough said. 

Then, there is O’Leary’s cheffing skills, which he puts to use on his YouTube channel, garnering a huge following for his role as “Chef Wonderful”, where he brings to life cuisines from all over the world through his love and knowledge of cooking.

Aside from being passionate about photography and knowing a thing or two about fine wines, you can also find O’Leary submerged in his love of music. 

He’s a keen collector of guitars and, over the years, has become an accomplished musician. As far as I’m aware, he can’t play more than one instrument at any one time, but he can certainly wear two watches.

Kevin O’Leary Is a Big Watch Fan

Kevin O’Leary is a keen watch collector with a fair few opinions to share on all things horology. His watch collection is very sacred to him. In fact, he has expressed wishes to be buried alongside his watches (it seems you can take it with you!). 

He doesn’t view his watches as assets, either. (Could he be the only loaded celebrity who actually sees the art and meaningful sentiment behind a watch for what it really is?).

His collection, which comprises novelties from the likes of Audemars Piguet, Grand Seiko, Patek Philippe, and Rolex, to name just a few examples, is split across several safes all over the world, and he won’t promote a single thing when filming Shark Tank. 

Even more endearing is that he claims he’ll never sell a watch, not that he’ll ever need to!

Kevin O’Leary spends his time sniffing out unique collectibles, the rare gems that only the affluent folk of society can afford, but he also has a lot of respect for brands like Seiko, which churn out large quantities of watches year by year. Indeed, it’s merely about a particular brand, as such. 

Moreover, it’s whatever watch conjures an emotive response within him and triggers a connection. Suffice to say, this man has been collecting luxury wristwatches for over 50 years, and lives by some important rules.

One, of course, is his right to wear two watches at the same time. Other advice includes buying watches to celebrate the small wins in life, no matter how insignificant. If you can, do it, he says. 

Any watch you buy to mark one of life’s milestones is a watch with sentiment and will therefore evoke some level of emotion when you wear it. Another piece of O’Leary’s advice is to invest in a big brand, if you can. That way, you can move up the horological ladder to where you eventually want to be.

According to the successful business person, you should also aim to diversify your watch collection wherever possible. In doing so, you can experience the whole gamut that the horological industry offers.

And, if you have the know-how and skill to understand the context behind a watch, you can use this experience when selecting historically significant watches. 

Lastly, his view on wearing two watches at any one time runs much deeper than simply owning too many watches. More specifically, his decision to do so stems from his need to keep in direct contact with his many investors.

He uses his watches to retain open communication channels and uphold meaningful connections with his overseas teams. But you’re wondering which watches could possibly sit side by side with one another and still look good, right?

A Glimpse Inside Kevin O’Leary’s Watch Collection

It’s safe to say at this point that Kevin O’Leary doesn’t buy into hype watches. Moreover, he has a deep understanding of the world of horology.

He knows what makes him tick and prefers to spend his money on meaningful designs that either play a significant role in his day-to-day life as one of the world’s most successful business people, or those he has grown up with. 

Vacheron Constantin, for example, is a brand that has been in his life since the young age of just 14, hence he’s now the proud owner of the blue-dialed Overseas watch, which he loves very much. 

And the thought process behind putting two watches on in the morning does seem to follow some sort of method, too, usually starting with the “should I wear gold or steel” deliberation and working outwards from there (dial colour, strap material, and so on and so forth).

O’Leary wears everything from the Omega Speedmaster to the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu. When pairing watches together, combinations including the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak often make an appearance as a duo. 

Both are highly covetable sports watches with mass appeal and a huge wrist presence. It has become imperative to O’Leary, particularly over the last few years, to restore the utility of a wristwatch to its full potential, especially following the advent of the smartwatch. 

O’Leary still considers watches a piece of art, but the fact that they can help keep track of New York time and Dubai time makes them even more indispensable when juggling multiple time zones like he does.

Why Are Watches So Important to Kevin O’Leary That He Wears Two?

Back in 2023, Kevin O’Leary garnered a lot of attention when he rocked up at the Benzinga Fintech Deal Day & Awards wearing two watches. When quizzed on the decision to do so, he simply replied that if you don’t wear a watch, it loses its soul. 

Clearly, the TV star has many watches to rotate within his collection, and this is one guaranteed way to ensure each one gets some wrist time.

But since then, we’ve discovered a lot about the man as a watch connoisseur and have come to understand that his watches mean much more to him than simply finishing off an outfit. 

New York and Dubai are where all the money is, so it makes sense that Kevin needs to juggle time zones in order to conduct important business meetings abroad, and part of that process is to navigate multiple time zones. So why not just wear a GMT, you ask?

Well, O’Leary is not the only one wearing two watches. The “double wristing” trend has been taken up by the likes of Richard E Grant and Prince William.

It’s not exactly a new concept. In fact, it’s been around for quite some time, with historical figures such as politician Fidel Castro and NASA Dr Edgar Mitchell among those who have adopted the trend. 

For all of the above, wearing two watches has been about managing two times at once. Fidel Castro wore a Submariner alongside a GMT, enabling him to track three time zones at once easily.

Likewise, Richard E Grant wore the Cartier Santos and a Breitling Navitimer at the 2023 BAFTAs to memorialize his late father, setting one watch to Eswatini time.

Is It OK To Wear Two Watches?

And here’s where one of the biggest disagreements amongst the watch-collecting community exists – is it OK to double wrist? It’s a practice more commonly seen when combining a smartwatch with a traditional analogue.

This way, a collector can still enjoy their classic timepiece while taking advantage of an entire suite of smartwatch apps and features. 

The divisive argument for whether you should wear two watches or not simply lies in whether one is broadminded enough to accept that it looks OK.

For some double wristers, wearing a smartwatch and a traditional wristwatch is not even the same thing, since one is more of a high-tech wrist-worn computer, and the other actually displays the time. 

Those people would argue that they’re simply wearing one watch.

Whatever way you look at it, wearing two watches is a personal choice, and the opinion on this topic varies from one collector to another. One thing is for sure, however. It’s not a common fashion choice, and a larger portion of watch enthusiasts are not doing it than doing it.

Reasons for opting out of the trend include the belief that wearing two watches can be cumbersome and will undoubtedly leave one watch redundant, since you only need to check the time on one dial.

Still, it’s a style choice for some, and it just so happens that some of the most devoted and affluent collectors are doing it.

Reasons Why People Wear Two Watches at the Same Time and How to Double Wrist Stylishly

As mentioned earlier, those who double wrist have their own personal reasons for doing so, just as some will prefer to wear their wrist on their right hand, rather than their left. 

The majority of evidence in favour of wearing two watches seems to lean towards the ability to track two or three time zones at once, while other reasons could be down to a collector owning too many wristwatches.

Either way, if you were seriously contemplating wearing two watches like Kevin O’Leary does, there are things to consider and ways to do it…

It makes sense that wearing two watches of the same size can feel a little odd, almost like you’re trying to quell some OCD urge to balance weight and proportions out across both wrists. The often-desired way to double wrist is to wear two watches of different sizes. 

That way, one can dominate the other and become the main focal point of your attire, celebrating diversity. Others would argue that wearing two watches of the same size is better, since it’s pretty normal for one particular size to sit well on a person’s wrist. And since both wrists measure the same size, why should one wrist be unhappier than the other?

Before we move on, another argument for wearing two watches springs to mind whilst I write this. Creating contrast when double wristing is one thing, but you may require the use of two complications at the same time. Yes, this also circles back to O’Leary’s use of wearing two watches for timezone-tracking. 

He likes to be able to use a classic three-hander and a GMT watch at the same time. But suppose you’re measuring laps at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also need to know when to call home and wish the kids “goodnight”? If you don’t happen to own a watch that combines your two most important complications, there’s certainly an argument for wearing two watches at once.

So, Why Does Kevin O’Leary Wear Two Watches?

If you’re Kevin O’Leary, you believe that watches serve very functional purposes, even in today’s society. Yes, complications like the classic GMT allow you to track up to three time zones simultaneously (depending on the model), but if you have as many luxury timepieces as he does, why wouldn’t you utilize them simultaneously? 

He’s also a passionate watch collector, and no amount of convincing a connoisseur that they don’t need to wear a watch when they’re determined to, will sway them not to. 

He’s Kevin O’Leary – he can do what he likes! Being a passionate watch collector, he sees the value in supporting manufacturers that resonate with his values, and sometimes that may spark the urge to promote a brand if he likes them hard enough.

The businessman knows how to look cool and stylish, and let’s face it, he owns some of the most iconic watch designs in history. 

Lastly, O’Leary believes that you run the risk of your watches “losing soul” if you don’t wear them regularly enough. If anything, it’s nice to see someone as successful as him willingly getting the wear out of his watches, rather than buying a hype watch to wear as a one-time statement piece.

Conclusion    

Say what you will about Kevin O’Leary, but the man sure has good taste in watches, from elegant Vacheron Constantin complications to bold status symbols like the Royal Oak and Nautilus.

But his deep-rooted passion for intricate in-house design and authentic craftsmanship seems to set the Shark Tank star apart from other millionaires. 

For O’Leary, a watch has to tell a story or serve as an emotional link to his past endeavours to deserve a place in his ever-growing collection.

And if you were expecting to see some of his most prized possessions fetching thousands of dollars at auction one day, think again. He’s taking them with him, and he’ll be wearing two!

Celebrity culture and luxury watches have always been a natural mix, and “who wore what on the wrist” has been the topic of many watch articles and forums.

For example, there are your flashy and ultra-famous brand ambassadors, like Rolex’s Roger Federer and Omega’s Daniel Craig, who are easily recognized on the red carpet.

Then there is the more “under the radar”, singular actor, self-taught horologist, and polymath “watch guy” named Aldis Hodge.

Notable for his many screen roles in movies like Straight Outta Compton and Hidden Figures and TV series such as City on a Hill  and Cross, Hodge caught watch design fever at age 19 while attending architecture school and is now well on his way to launching his own haute horology brand, A. Hodge Atelier.

Hodge’s first watch design was a sketch of a wooden wristwatch with a wooden cuff-style strap. Since then, he has immersed himself in watch culture and design by apprenticing, enlarging his network, reading the works of watchmaking legends, purchasing his own milling and guilloché machines, and learning French, while continuing to climb the “day job” acting ladder.

7 Watches Inspiring Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge has been spotted wearing many watches both onscreen and in public appearances that have helped inspire his own high-flying, horological visions. Here are 7 that will give you some insight into what might be in store when he launches his own brand.  

1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph (ref. 26420RO.OO.A002CA.01)

As we’ll see, Aldis Hodge doesn’t naturally lean toward sports watches. But his Audemars Piguet (AP) Royal Oak Offshore chronograph, with its distinctive integrated case design and octagonal bezel with industrial threaded bolts, suits him well, especially since it was originally conceived by one of Hodge’s designer idols, legendary watchmaker and artist Gerald Genta.

This 43mm diameter, 14.4mm thick reference has an 18k pink gold case and black ceramic bezel, pushers, and screw-down crown. Both the handset and the applied indices are pink gold and lumed.

There are timing hours and minutes subdials at 3 and 6 o’clock, respectively, a date window at 4:30, and a tachymeter on the inner bezel. The black dial has a “Grand Tapisserie” (aka, “waffle”) pattern and is paired with a black rubber strap and an additional one in alligator leather.

Water resistance is a robust 100 meters. At $68,500 retail, it helps if you have a few films and shows under your belt like Hodge before waltzing into your nearest AD and asking for one.

2. Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30˚ Technique Sapphire

Aldis Hodge cites Greubel Forsey founders Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey as the mentors who have given him the most encouragement in his pursuit of creating his own independent atelier.

Hodge created a stir strolling the red carpet at the 2017 Oscars while sporting this stunning and highly complicated beauty, 1 of 8 in a USA-only limited edition, on his wrist. The watch was a 2016 refresh of the first watch the company produced in 2005 and retailed at the time for an eye-popping $1.1 million.

It features a 50mm diameter, clear sapphire openworked case which offers a 360 degree view of the intricate movement architecture.

The 30 degree inclined tourbillons technically increase accuracy, but their aesthetic effect, paired with the visual impact of the hand-finished subdials and inner workings, offer an “ooh, ahh” religious experience like that of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Are there any still out there, and how much would one cost now? I’m sure there are, but I’m afraid to ask.

3. Breguet Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7097 (ref. 7097BB/G1/9WU)

Iconic Swiss-French inventor and horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet is widely regarded as the “father of modern watchmaking”. No surprise, then, that Hoge turned to his legacy for knowledge and inspiration and wears the Tradition 7097.

This watch captures the spirit of Breguet’s early, intricate pocket watch designs and houses it in a 40mm diameter, 11.7mm thick 18k white gold case with an openworks design that showcases the finely-crafted angles and guillochéd facets of the dial and mechanism in all their glory.

The featured complication of the watch is its retrograde seconds hand that moves across an arc subdial and jumps back to its starting point rather than continuing a full revolution for each minute.

A high quality black alligator strap and white gold buckle complete this fine piece, and it  retails for a “mere” $43,300, which, compared to our first two, is a real steal!

4. Arnold & Son Golden Wheel

Among Aldis Hodge’s guides in his watch journey is Sébastian Chaulmontet who was head of movement design at Arnold & Son during his time with the company.

Hodge has been seen wearing the A&S Golden Wheel, a limited edition watch launched in 2016 for a retail price of $47,500, and features a 44mm diameter 18k red gold case, black semi-open case, and a brown alligator strap.

But what made this watch so special is its unique combination of two complications: the extraordinary and difficult to manufacture “wandering hours” that display the hours with rotating sapphire discs instead of hands; and “true beat seconds”, which unlike mechanical watches but very much like quartz ones, makes the seconds hand jump once every second.

Hodge’s admiration for this watch and Chaulmontet’s design language is probably a good indicator of the complex and layered dialect A. Hodge Atelier watches will speak once he launches the brand.

5. Fernando Ronzen Jumping Hour “Ghost”

At Dubai Watch Week in 2019, Aldis Hodge was spotted “double-wristing” a couple of very unique and stunning watches. On the left wrist was the F. Ronzen Jumping Hour “Ghost” designed by independent Canadian watchmaker Fernando Ronzen.

This is another limited edition piece that appeals to Hodge because of its highly complicated and mesmerizing blend of timekeeping and art. It has a 40mm stainless steel case with a Hesalite crystal and sapphire display caseback.

On the dial are discs for hours, minutes, and date, but instead of floating ones like A&S Golden Wheel, these turn, but with a “twist”. The minutes and date discs rotate conventionally, but the hours disc, per the name, “jumps” to the next Arabic numeral index at the top of the hour.

The movements are vintage ones from the 1970s used for jumping hours watches of that decade which have been rebuilt and modified by Ronzen. Finding the original retail price proved elusive. I mean, if you have to ask, then . . . well, you know.

6. Daniel Roth 8-Day Tourbillon

What was on Hodge’s right wrist?

The answer is the Daniel Roth 8-Day Tourbillon. Roth, another watchmaker whom Hodge admires, started his company in 1989 (the brand is now owned by Bulgari), and his artisanal watches are recognized for their distinctive fluted lugs and signature “double ellipse” shaped case, a cross between a cushion and barrel-shaped tonneau.

Hodge’s piece is 18k white gold and employs a tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position, along with a small seconds subdial that is 3 tiered arcs with progressively longer hands that rotate and correspond to the correct seconds.

It is powered by the DR 5300 movement which provides a ginormous 8-day (192 hours) power reserve with a single full wind.

The upper half contains a traditional dial with Roman numeral indices embedded in a beautiful, silvered guilloché background. A DR 8-Day Tourbillon like Hodge’s will probably set you back $70-90K.

7. Aldis Hodge Black Adam Watch

Although as of this writing a release date for the first A. Hodge Altier brand watch has yet to be announced. But we get a sneak peek horological “trailer” of sorts in the form of a non-working prototype piece that Hodge designed and created for his character Carter Hall, aka “Hawkman”, to wear in the 2022 DC Comics Superhero movie Black Adam, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Since it is only a prototype, the piece is composed of basic contemporary materials such as brass, steel, and calfskin with no working movement.

But the real story is the design motif of the dial, which is based on images from The Egyptian Book of the Dead which Hodge felt perfect for Carter Hall who is depicted as either an Egyptian prince or a police officer from the planet Thanagar who has reincarnated as a combination of an archeologist and superhero!

If that confluence of roles and identities reminds you of the Renaissance man Hodge himself, then you’re reading it right.

The Black Adam watch design signals Hodge’s serious intentions and foreshadows Hodge’s future duality of both screen star and haute horology watchmaker extraordinaire with an established brand.

Hodge’s Next Steps

While we don’t yet know exactly what Hodge’s first working watch will look like, we can safely assume it will be very stylish and complicated, kindred in spirit with the ones listed above.

However, juggling his acting career and horology is taking time, and Hodge is dealing with the realities of finding suppliers, parts, watchmakers, and a support team that can help him bring his independent brand dream to fruition.

But for Hodge, and horologists, time is relative, and “getting it right” is more important than rushing a watch to market just to commercially satisfy the watch-consuming masses. In fact, selling tons of watches is the least of his concerns.

What matters most to Hodge is fulfilling his innate urge to create beautiful objects that will outlast him and continue a dialogue he started. After that, the “cherry on top” will come from watch aficionados recognizing his unique designer aesthetic from across the room and saying, “Look, that’s an A. Hodge.” 

We all love watches for different reasons. For me, they’re a form of self-expression, whether it’s a chunky gold case to dial up the luxury, a bold-colored face to keep things playful, or a complex complication just to show off my horological know-how. But at their core, watches are really about one thing: time.

Time is what they were made for, and for most people, that’s still why they wear them. So, it makes sense that a watch should tell the time well. That’s why precision is important.

Precision is all about how accurately a watch keeps time, and while quartz movements often take the crown for accuracy, today’s mechanical movements are getting impressively close.

In this blog, I’m going to be looking into what makes a watch precise, the certifications that prove it, and a few ultra-accurate mechanical timepieces worth putting on your wishlist.

What Does Precision Mean in Watches?

When we talk about precision in regards to watches, we’re really talking about how consistently a watch keeps time. We rarely check the time hoping It’ll be roughly right, we want it to be spot on, day in and day out. 

A precise watch won’t suddenly decide to run two minutes fast one day and three minutes slow the next. Instead, it holds a steady rhythm, ticking in near-perfect harmony with the actual passage of time.

Precision is often confused with accuracy, but they’re slightly different. Think of it this way: accuracy is how close a watch is to the actual time, while precision is how consistent it is in keeping that time over a period.

You can have a watch that’s always five seconds fast(which is inaccurate but precise or one that fluctuates wildly from day to day – which is neither accurate nor precise!

Whether you’re relying on your timepiece to catch a train or just appreciate the engineering behind it, precision is what makes your watch dependable.

Why is Precision in Watchmaking Important?

Okay, so I know some of us wear watches purely for the flex. Others for the nostalgia, craftsmanship, or just because they look really, really good.

But ultimately, let’s not forget that a watch’s main job is to tell the time. And if it can’t do that reliably, then it’s not even close to being fancy wrist candy, no matter how cool it might look.

Precision matters because time matters. Whether you’re making a business meeting, catching a flight, or trying to impress a date with your punctuality, a precise watch keeps your life on track. It also reflects the quality of engineering behind the watch.

A precise mechanical movement is a mark of skill, patience, and centuries of horological tradition brought to life in a tiny case on your wrist.

Plus, for collectors and enthusiasts, knowing your timepiece can hold its own when it comes to precision is part of satisfaction. It’s the difference between a watch that’s just “nice” and one that’s seriously impressive.

Different Certifications to Prove Accuracy in Watches

If precision is important to you, and it should be, there are a few key stamps of approval to look out for. These are the gold standards for measuring how accurate and reliable a watch really is.

COSC – Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres

The main, most commonly seen stamp for precision is COSC. It stands for Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, or the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

If your watch movement is COSC-certified, it means it’s been tested over 15 days in five different positions and at three temperatures (from a chilly 8°C to a toasty 38°C).

To pass, it has to stay within an average daily deviation of -4 to +6 seconds per day which exceeds most standard Swiss- made mechanical movements that aren’t chronometer-certified.

Many brands like Omega, Longines and Breitling sent their movements to be certified by COSC. But as always, Rolex goes even further…

Rolex Superlative Chronometer

Never one to settle for “good enough,” Rolex takes their COSC-certified movements and puts them through a second round of in-house testing.

This is where their “Superlative Chronometer” standard comes in. Once the movement is cased, it’s tested again to a much stricter tolerance of just -2/+2 seconds per day.

Rolex also checks for water resistance, power reserve, and self-winding efficiency. Every Rolex that passes gets the iconic green seal and the dial inscription “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.” It’s a pretty good flex and one of the many reasons Rolex is known as the king of watchmaking

METAS – Master Chronometer Certification

Next up, we have METAS, introduced by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology and championed by Omega. To even apply for METAS testing, a watch must already be COSC-certified.

Then it goes through an additional battery of tests that check for anti-magnetic resistance (up to a whopping 15,000 gauss), water resistance, power reserve, and of course, precision.

A METAS-certified watch must maintain a daily deviation of 0 to +5 seconds per day under real-life conditions, including tests in different positions and with varying power reserves. It’s the total package and one of the most robust accuracy certifications in the business.

Geneva Seal – Poinçon de Genève

A precision certification with a fancy name, the Geneva Seal or Poinçon de Genève isn’t just about timing but also heritage and craftsmanship.

Only watches made entirely in the Canton of Geneva can qualify, and they must meet strict standards in both performance and movement finishing. Just some of the necessary finishing includes bevelled edges, polished screws, and an all-around haute horlogerie vibe.

Only a few elite brands like Vacheron Constantin, Roger Dubuis, and Cartier go for this certification. It’s less about raw precision, though that’s still part of it, and more about showcasing the pinnacle of traditional watchmaking art. But rest assured, if it’s got the Geneva Seal, you’re looking at one seriously fine timepiece.

5 Precise Mechanical Watches Worth Exploring

Now that we’ve gone deep into what precision means, why it matters, and how to spot it via certifications, it’s time to highlight a few mechanical masterpieces that truly deliver on the promise of accuracy. These are timepieces that not only look the part but back it up with serious technical pedigree.

Grand Seiko Spring Drive

If you’re after a watch that blends the soul of mechanical watchmaking with the exactness of quartz, Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive is in a league of its own.

The Japanese watchmaker’s Spring Drive movement is powered by a traditional mainspring, just like any other mechanical watch but instead of an escapement ticking away, it uses something called the Tri-Synchro Regulator, a genius bit of tech that regulates the energy using electromagnetic force and a quartz crystal.

The result is an insanely smooth sweeping seconds and a mind-blowing accuracy of +/-1 second per day or +/- 15 seconds per month. That’s quartz-level precision in a fully mechanical-looking watch.

Movements like the 9R65 or the higher-end 9RA2 show Grand Seiko’s obsessive attention to detail, both in engineering and finishing.

You can find these movements in a range of Grand Seiko watches but their Snowflake family will forever be a personal favourite of mine – and many other watch collectors it seems. These models have stunning textured dials inspired by the crispness of freshly fallen snow.

Zenith El Primero

First introduced in 1969, the Zenith El Primero was made to stand out against an industry full of chronographs, becoming the first automatic chronograph movement to operate at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz).

That high beat rate allows the movement to measure time down to 1/10th of a second which is perfect for those who appreciate technical finesse and a little historical significance.

Still used and refined today, the El Primero powers a range of Zenith watches, from the Chronomaster Original to the futuristic Defy El Primero 21. In the latter, Zenith went full mad-scientist, introducing a movement with two escapements, one for timekeeping at 36,000 vph and another that beats at an insane 360,000 vph (50Hz) to track time to 1/100th of a second.

Most El Primero movements are COSC-certified, and their high-frequency performance means they can maintain excellent accuracy over longer periods, even as the mainspring winds down.

Rolex Submariner

No list of precise mechanical watches is complete without a Rolex, and if we’re being honest, the Submariner is probably the most iconic of them all. Rugged, timeless, and surgically accurate, it’s the tool watch that does it all.

Every modern Submariner houses Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer-certified movement, which means it passes COSC testing and then undergoes even stricter in-house testing to achieve a deviation of just −2 to +2 seconds per day. That’s Rolex’s benchmark and it’s stamped right on the dial so you’ll never forget it.

Under the hood, you’ll find the Calibre 3230 or 3235 in the date version, featuring a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, a Chronergy escapement for better efficiency, and a 70-hour power reserve. It’s built like a tank but refined like a Swiss watch should be.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

You’ve probably heard of the Omega Speedmaster before, because it might be one of the most famous timepieces in the world. It’s the watch that went to the moon on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.

But while the historical cool factor is off the charts, Omega hasn’t rested on its lunar laurels and has updated today’s modern Speedmasters with some advanced and highly precise tech.

Today, most Omega Speedmasters are powered by Co-Axial Master Chronometers, movements like the Calibre 3861 that are METAS-certified, which means they’ve passed COSC testing and Omega’s additional 8 tests for things like anti-magnetism, precision (0 to +5 seconds per day), and power reserve under real-world conditions.

The Co-Axial escapement inside reduces friction for long-term performance, while the Master Chronometer badge gives you the peace of mind that your watch will stay on time no matter what.

Breitling Navitimer

The Breitling Navitimer is one of those watches that doesn’t just tell the time but celebrates it. Originally designed for pilots in the 1950s, its slide rule bezel is a functional relic of an era when aviators relied on their watches to make quick calculations mid-flight.

But don’t let the vintage charm fool you, because modern Navitimers are anything but old-fashioned when it comes to precision.

Every single Breitling watch, including the Navitimer, is COSC-certified, which is a pretty bold flex in itself. You’re guaranteed a deviation rate of no more than -4 to +6 seconds per day.

Recent Navitimer Chronographs use the Breitling Caliber B01, an in-house automatic chronograph movement with a column-wheel and vertical clutch for ultra-smooth operation. It boasts a 70-hour power reserve and robust anti-shock protection which is ideal for both jet-setting and desk-flying.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, a watch can be many things: a style statement, a conversation starter, a sentimental keepsake, but it should always do one thing really well and that’s tell the time. That’s where precision matters.

Not just for bragging rights, but because there’s something genuinely satisfying about knowing your watch is running exactly as it should. So there’s no guessing, just effortless, reliable performance.

And honestly, once you’ve owned a truly precise watch, it’s hard to go back. It becomes the one you reach for when you actually need to be on time. It earns your trust and it feels pretty great knowing the thing on your wrist is legitimately good at what it does.

You don’t need a drawer full of them, just one that gets it right. One that proves great design and great performance don’t have to be separate things. We all deserve at least one watch like that in our collection.