Choosing watches is harder than one might presume, and it comes down to the fact that there are so many different options to choose from. The watch market is bursting at the seams with a tonne of variety, but that doesn’t make every watch high quality, even if you are shopping in the £1,000 - £3,500 range. This is chiefly because a high price tag doesn’t equate to high quality, which is why some can be easily misled into believing that a high price tag guarantees them timeless value and quality, which could not be further from the truth! 

As experts, we have taken it upon ourselves to delve into this topic in an effort to resurface with some timeless advice and tips, all in the aim of helping you navigate the market in your search for true quality. We will tell you exactly what to look for as well as what to avoid, so that you don’t end up with the regrettable feeling of buyer's remorse. Here are our three main tips for identifying a high quality watch.

Tip #1: High price does not equate to high quality.

The same applies to many things, and in the case of watches, this rule of thumb still stands. The retail price of a watch is determined by many different factors, ranging from the cost of production (i.e materials, labour, margins etc), as well as the number of middlemen between the brand and the consumer. Brand positioning is also a major factor in determining which price bracket a watch falls into.

The same applies to many things, and in the case of watches, this rule of thumb still stands. The retail price of a watch is determined by many different factors, ranging from the cost of production (i.e materials, labour, margins etc), as well as the number of middlemen between the brand and the consumer. Brand positioning is also a major factor in determining which price bracket a watch falls into. 

With this in mind, it is safe to say that the final retail price of a timepiece is completely disconnected from the cost of making the watch. For instance, many of the “fashion” watches you might see advertised in the £500 - £1000 price range can be made with poor quality materials and have a high markup. It’s always best to steer clear from heavily branded watches from fashion companies, as they rarely possess any real horological heritage. What proves this point even further is the fact that you can buy a wristwatch from a reputable manufacturer for a fraction of the above price that will likely last you twice as long. 

So, always conduct your research into the manufacturer instead of blindly diving into a purchase - this is the best advice for anyone who feels out of their depth when purchasing their first luxury timepiece. Heritage and reputation are the biggest signifiers of a high quality watch, so always do your research! Brands like Rolex, IWC, Breitling, Bremont, and Omega are brands with plenty of heritage and stock timepieces that cater to a range of price brackets. 

Tip #2: Research the movement.

It’s important to see past the dial. No matter how dazzling and alluring the dial of a watch may seem, it is the movement that determines the timekeeping capability of the wristwatch. The movement is the engine of the watch that keeps it ticking in the first place.

Firstly, find out whether the watch in question is a quartz or an automatic watch. If you are opting for a quartz movement, the Japanese Miyota quartz movement is considered very reliable and highly accurate and happens to be one of the most widely used quartz movements in the world. Another great quartz movement to look out for is the highly renowned Swiss Ronda series 5 movement. This is a high-end quartz movement that features a date complication, which is something many fashion watches tend to lack. 

When it comes to automatic movements, it’s best practice to stick to Swiss, Japanese, and German movement makers. A good rule of thumb to bear in mind is that all movements are not made equal. A good movement will keep time, whereas a bad movement will have your watch losing up to minutes a day in some cases. Some of the best Swiss movements to look out for are Ronda, ETA and Sellita. 

Another thing to bear in mind here is that the “Made in...” stamp doesn’t necessarily translate to good quality either. It’s impossible to say whether all movements from x country are good, as any country will have good suppliers, mediocre suppliers, and downright terrible ones. The best way to determine quality in this scenario is to ask the manufacturer for the particular model as well as doing some research online.

Tip #3: Is that a mineral or sapphire crystal?

This is an important question to ask. Even though most watches produced today feature either a mineral or sapphire crystal, it’s always best to go for sapphire. Mineral crystals are cheap and easy to make, and usually feature in lower end watches. It also scratches very easily and can break upon heavy impact.

Sapphire crystals on the other hand are exactly what you should be looking for in a high quality timepiece. They are more expensive to make, and are very scratch resistant, highly durable and as close to indestructible as you can find. Sapphire crystals are the gold standard today and luxury brands almost exclusively use them. You could even put a knife to sapphire crystal and it wouldn’t even leave a mark! So, if you’re looking for a quality watch that will look great for years to come, opt for one with a sapphire crystal over one with a mineral crystal. 

Our Oxbridge Watches fit perfectly into the entry/mid level luxury watch range, featuring only the most reputable movements as well as peerless construction quality. We see past the allure of a watch dial and focus on quality through and through, making our watches some of the most durable and high quality timepieces on the market with impeccable Trip Tick case construction. We are passionate about delivering quality timepieces that transcend generations and keep perfect time, as well as design features that keep up with the times as well.