Wristwatches

Wristwatches

Wristwatches date back to the 16th century and are a symbol of refinement you can wear. The classic wristwatch is considered as a staple of practicality for both men and women. Digital or analog, these wristwatch accessories are a timeless piece of many people's wardrobe as they can be worn as a bracelet, a chronograph, or as a necklace.

The parts of a wristwatch are divided up into two categories: those on the outside and those on the inside. While the parts inside are numerous and complicated, the outside parts of a wristwatch are rather simple. A few of the more important ones are:

• Case: The case holds the inside of the watch together. It is typically circular or rectangular in design.
• Crystal: The crystal is the technical name for the transparent material used on the watch face. It may not be made out of crystal despite the name.
• Crown: The crown is a dial that can manually change the watch hands to set the time.
• Hands: The hands are the two to three arrows that indicate the time based on their position.
• Face: The face is the surface beneath the crystal where the time is displayed.

Wristwatch bands can be made from a variety of materials. A few of these materials include:

• Leather: The leather can be lightweight or heavy, depending on the animal hide used. It is available in different colours. Examples are the Timex Crocodile Grain leather band, the Gucci luxury watch strap for the Apple watch, and the Nemesis Dark Brown Wide Leather Cuff band. Girard-Perregaux watches also offer leather watch bands.
• Plastic: Rubber or plastic materials are often used with sports wristwatches. Casio and Timex are brands that offer plastic wristwatch bands. Examples are the Casio G-Shock plastic band, the Genuine Seiko rubber watch band, and the Luminox 3050 black plastic watch band.
• Metal: Metal watch bands can be made of stainless steel. An example is the Zeiger men's B006 wristwatch band. Michael Kors offers metal bands in two-tone colours. Women bracelet watches often feature metal bands, too, like the Anne Klein watch which offers a mother-of-pearl bracelet and dial.

Yes, some wristwatches can have their bands swapped out. In some cases, you may even buy the watch itself separate from the strap, wishing to mix and match your favourite styles and materials. You can select a leather strap for a digital wristwatch, for example. Depending on the watch and band in question, you may need special tools to remove or add a strap to a watch.