Here are a few of the things you might want to know about handmade watches.
The Timepiece
Many people take for granted the useful, simple timepieces they rely on every day. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that these simple devices contain extremely complex parts. Only handmade watchmakers and enthusiasts really understand the complex systems of gears, lugs, pins, and other parts of a watch. But here are a few you might want to know:
The Crystal: The crystal on a watch protects the face, and so its quality makes a big difference to the watch’s look. Plastic, glass, or sapphire all make good watch faces, though sapphire tends to cost more.
The Bezel: The bezel surrounds the crystal of a watch, keeping it in place over the face.
The Face: The watch face includes both the backdrop, which might be decorated or plain, and the hands.
The Case: Just like it sounds, the case surrounds the whole watch, and keeps all its parts in place. Potential materials for this part range from plastic to silver or gold.
The Crown: The crown sticks out of the watch, allowing users to set the time by turning it.
And finally, the Lugs: A timepiece needs a way to attach to a strap. That’s where the lugs come in; these small pieces jut out from the timepiece and attach to the chosen strap, completing the watch.
The Watch Strap
Unless you’re interested in pocket watches, the timepiece alone won’t do you much good. You also need a watch strap. The strap provides a crucial service, and its comfort, durability, and style have a huge influence on the value of the watch overall.
Like the crystal of the timepiece, the watch strap can be made of many different materials. Cheaper watches might have plastic or fabric straps, but the best handmade watches usually use wood, metal, leather, or a combination of those.
Whether you’re buying or crafting a handmade watch, consider what you want from the strap. Many people swear by the tried-and-true practicality and durability of interlocking metal links. Others love the look and feel of sleek, handmade leather, which also offers more flexibility. Plastic straps, on the other hand, are often more cost effective and allow for water use, sports, and other activities.
Most watches can swap their straps for something new and different, allowing buyers to play with different styles, replace broken straps, or upgrade their look without the cost of a brand-new watch.
Why Buy Handmade Watches?
Many of the top watch brands offer handmade watches. The careful attention to detail that watchmakers give to these products mean more artistry, care, and quality control than machine-made watches.
Like any art, handcrafting watches offers a wide range of options. Handmade watches can be as expensive as Rolexes, or as cheap as department store brand watch. Ultimately, the quality and price comes from the level of craftsmanship, the cost of the materials, and overall value of the watch. The timepiece, strap, and style all contribute to this value.
Whether you’re making or buying, it’s important to consider all the parts of a handmade watch, and decide what materials best suit your needs, what your budget is, and how you’d like the watch to look.
Your blog post is a great introduction to the world of handmade watches. You provide useful information on the different components of a watch and how they impact quality and price. I appreciate how you highlight the importance of the watch strap and offer useful tips for buying or crafting a handmade watch. Your post is well-written, informative, and engaging.
I found your blog post on handmade watches to be an informative and enjoyable read, covering everything from the components of a watch to the importance of choosing the right strap.