Designer Watches - Are They Worth The Extra Money?
The designer watch trade has been a major bastion of luxurious retail merchandise in the past ten years. For what other item can you shell out more than $10,000 to buy something that does exactly the same job as a virtual clone costing $5 at your neighborhood discount outlet? They look pretty much alike, both far away and close up, so why are they so different? Let's look into this further....
Timekeeping has become progressively more important in everyday life as demands on production and punctuality have increased. Since the industrial revolution there has been a shift in focus to having things happen precisely and on time. In time, wristwatches became a daily necessity.
Eventually, design houses added wristwatches in their line of products with their brand's name emblazoned upon it. Traditionally, the Swiss are renowned as watchmakers. However, they are focused on a more exclusive, upper-market clientele. As it turned, the Japanese have earned a reputation for producing reliable and affordable mechanical and electronic workings for these timepieces.
Timepieces have been sub-divided into several distinct categories. The stopwatch is a commonly known and well-used example. Anybody who calls themselves an athlete these days can tell you their best times around the track or in a half marathon. Another group that rely very much on precision time keeping are sailors. In modern day yacht races, it is not just about the quickest time to the finish line, but also time spent on a specific course before tacking. Formula One race car drivers are often featured in television commercials wearing the latest chronometer with one-hundredth of a second accuracy capability.
When purchasing wristwatches, the customer might be interested primarily in a discount watch. Usually these are the aforementioned $5 models you find in your local discount store. While it is true that they are inexpensive, usually they are sealed units preventing a battery swap. So, when the battery is dead, so is your watch! permanently. Also, these units are rather plain in appearance and imbue no sense of glamour or high-fashion. These are also called 'disposable watches'.
Designer watches on the other hand, are more than just a timepiece. Their functionality is not found in solely providing the owner with the accurate time of day. Rather, they also serve as a fashion statement for those lucky enough to own one. It's akin to wearing Gucci or another famous name brand. In addition to bearing famous names, these watches are known for making their owner stand out in a crowd due to their sheer elegance. These wristwatches are usually not only made with gold or silver, but are also often admired for being adorned with a dazzling array of gemstones, often diamonds (e.g., Rolex and others).
When shopping for a designer watch, remember to compare warranty periods as part of your final decision. If buying used, do some research on the Internet to determine if the brand you are considering has a reputation for quality and longevity.
Some people enjoy giving their loved one a designer watch, either for a birthday, special occasion in their life such as an anniversary, or even as a Christmas present. These watches are also popular with employers who enjoy giving them as awards to employees for a particular achievement. No matter what the reason, designer watches are always a welcomed gift by both men and woman. Time is valuable, so why not keep track of it in the latest style?
Explore the high-fashion and glamourous world of designer watches at The Designer Watches Superstore. We showcase hundreds of the most popular name brand wristwatches at discount watch prices. Watch our videos for demos and reviews, and read more about designer watches on our blog.
Published November 10th, 2008