Dial colour
Clock face background colour. Indicated for models with pointer or combination dials (see "Dial type"); in purely electronic models, usually, either a grey substrate (for conventional LCDs) or a dark base (for LEDs) is used.
The most popular in modern watches are
black,
white,
silver and
blue dials. However, in addition to this, other shades can be found on the market — in particular,
beige,
yellow,
green,
golden,
brown,
red,
orange,
pink,
grey and
purple. A special case are watches with chameleon glasses (see below).
Some models are available in several colour options, in such cases these options are listed separated by commas — for example, "white, red, silver." If the dial is painted simultaneously in 2 or 3 colours, they are indicated as a combination — for example, "white with red" or "white with yellow and red". And multi-coloured models include models in which more than 3 colours are used for the dial.
Case shape
The shape of the watch case; most often the dial has the same shape, but there are exceptions (for example, a rectangular display in a round case).
This parameter practically does not affect the functionality, so the choice in this case is related solely to how convenient and pleasant-looking one or another option is for you. Also, shape data can be useful if the watch is chosen as a fashion accessory that plays a well-defined role in the image being created. As for specific options,
round cases are the most common nowadays — they are easy to manufacture, look neat and fit almost any style of watch.
Rectangular watches are also quite popular, they can also belong to different styles; however, such cases are more bulky than round cases, and therefore are used less frequently.
The square shape is actually a variation of the rectangular shape.
Oval is considered to be suitable primarily for women's watches, although there are also single men's models with such cases. There are other types of cases —
polygonal,
barrel-shaped, as well as products in non-standard
design.
Colour
The main colour of the watch case.
Modern watches are quite diverse in colour options. The most widespread models are in shades of "
stainless steel ",
golden and
black ; however, in addition to this, on the market you can find, in particular,
white,
yellow,
green,
brown,
red,
orange,
pink,
silver,
grey,
blue and
purple cases.
In general, the colour of the case is a fairly obvious parameter; Let's note only some of the nuances associated with marking:
— Multi-coloured models include models in which there is no clearly defined primary colour. If there is such a colour, it is indicated in the characteristics. And for two-tone cases, an additional colour can be specified, for example, "stainless steel
with gold " or "black
with blue "
— Silver, among other things, are plastic cases without additional coloring.
— "Stainless steel" in this case is a colour, not a material; other metals (e.g. alumin
...ium and titanium) that are not complemented by PVD coating (see “Case Coating”) may have this shade. And the cases of gold watches, in turn, are not necessarily made of gold — red and white gold are also used in jewelry.
— Camouflage coloring is indicated separately — such watches are designated as "military", and here, again, the main shade of the coloring is given. However, not every military model has camouflage on the body; see below for details.Strap colour
The main colour of the watch strap/bracelet.
The most popular shades nowadays are
stainless steel(the colour of most metal bracelets, not necessarily steel ones),
golden(bracelets made of gold and "gold"),
black(strap made of different materials, including rubber and nylon, as well as separate bracelets) and
brown(mostly leather straps). Other colour options include
beige,
white,
yellow,
green, camouflage (
military style),
red,
orange,
pink,
silver,
grey,
blue, and
purple.
In addition, some models of watches are equipped with two-tone straps. Most often,
white,
gold and
black are used as secondary colours, and this colour is specified after the main one — for example, “blue with white” or “stainless steel with gold”. If this paragraph lists several colours separated by commas — for example, "black, red, blue" — this means
...that the watch is either sold in several versions that differ in the colour of the strap, or comes with several interchangeable straps / bracelets of the corresponding colours at once. This nuance should be clarified separately.Band width
The nominal width of the strap/bracelet supplied with the watch. It is indicated by the width of the fasteners for installing the strap on the case.
This parameter does not play a special role when choosing a watch, but it is key when choosing a third-party strap / bracelet — for example, to replace a broken one. If the width of such an accessory does not correspond to the characteristics of the watch, it will be very difficult to install it at best, and most often it will be impossible at all.
Also note that in most cases this width is about half the width of the watch itself (see "Diameter / Width"). For example, 32 mm watches are usually equipped with 14 mm straps, and for 43 mm cases this width is 22 mm. However, there is no strict dependence here, and models with the same case sizes may differ in the size of straps/bracelets.
Magnetic-resistant
The watch has special protection against magnetic fields.
Strong magnetic fields can adversely affect the performance of any watch. Mechanical models are especially sensitive to them (see "Type of mechanism") — in such devices there are many small moving parts, the magnetization of which can lead to a complete stop of the movement. However, for quartz watches, such effects are undesirable. So
magnetic protection can be found in all kinds of mechanisms; it is usually implemented due to the special design of the case, and in mechanical models — also through the use of special anti-magnetic materials.
Note that this feature significantly affects the cost; at the same time, most household sources of magnetic fields (speakers, mobile phones, magnetic fasteners on clothes and accessories, etc.) are not so powerful as to seriously damage even an ordinary clockwork. So it makes sense to specifically look for magnetically resistant watches mainly for use in special conditions. For example, such a watch can be useful to a physician working with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, or an engineer maintaining equipment at a power plant.
Diameter (width)
The nominal size of a watch case in diameter (for round cases) or width (for other options, see "Case Shape"). In the most miniature modern models, this size is
21 – 25 mm or even
less, among the largest there are cases of
46 – 50 mm and even
larger.
Larger watches are more convenient in the sense that the dial readings are better visible on them, and it is easier to provide various additional functions in the design. On the other hand, small watches look neater and create less discomfort directly when worn. In addition, female models (see "Gender") are traditionally made more miniature than male ones. So the choice for this indicator depends mainly on the intended specifics of the application: for example, large cases are best suited for outdoor activities and tourism, about
41 – 45 mm in size, for household wear (regardless of gender) — about
31 – 35 mm, and as an accessory to an evening dress, a small watch of
30 mm or less would be more appropriate.
Also note that the size of a compatible strap/bracelet is associated with this indicator — see "Strap Width" for details.
Thickness
The thickness of the watch case. A fairly obvious parameter; we only note that nowadays it is customary to attribute watches with a thickness of less than 7 mm to
ultra-thin models. This design has both aesthetic and quite practical meaning — a thin watch will be useful for those who wear narrow sleeves with tight-fitting cuffs.
Weight
Total weight of the watch. As a rule, it is indicated taking into account the complete strap/bracelet.
The lightest modern watch weighs
no more than 50 g. The most popular models weigh 50 - 100 g, and weight more than 150 g most often means not only a large, but also a fairly advanced device, usually for sports and tourism purposes.
Both light and heavy weight have their advantages: light watches create minimal inconvenience when worn, while massive watches are subconsciously perceived as a solid and reliable device.