The Best Women’s Gold-Tone Watch

Buying Guide

Smartwatches have revolutionized the traditional wristwatch, allowing you to get alerts and check incoming messages on the same device that tells you the time. But despite all these innovations, smartwatches have failed to replace the wristwatch, which was a brilliant invention in itself.

For centuries, man has worked on various ways to keep up with what time it is. The wristwatch was revolutionary in 1916 when it began appearing on wrists in Europe. Before that time, timepieces were carried in the pocket, with wearers having to extract them to check the time. Having it on the wrist made it easily accessible while also keeping it out of the way.

But the concept wasn’t well received in the U.S. at first. Entertainers ridiculed the device they called the “bracelet watch,” confused as to why someone would want to wear a timepiece on the wrist. During World War I, though, soldiers were required to wear wristwatches, which were soon equipped with unbreakable glass and radium for viewing the display in the dark.

Wristwatches have gone through several evolutions over the years, but the dial-based wristwatch remains popular. In the early days, watches had to be manually wound on a regular basis, but most of today’s watches are automatic, which means they can keep time without being wound.

Of course, one major change that came along in the late 1900s was the addition of the digital watch. Digital watches combine a battery with the power of quartz crystals to keep accurate time. With digital watches, you can go beyond hour and time to get the date. They often also include features like alarms and stopwatches.

But digital watches aren’t the only ones that give you those features. Today’s dial watches can also build in calendar features, including displaying the day of the week and the date. Some also have alarm functions built in. Shop around to find the watch with all the features you need.

• Gold-tone jewelry typically features gold plating over another type of metal. Jewelry in stainless steel can bring durability while also giving you the look you want.
• There are various types of gold. You can find yellow gold, white gold and even rose gold. You can also find watches that combine gold with other metals for a unique look.
• Pay attention to the casing that protects the dial. You’ll want one that can resist scratching and shattering, especially for an everyday watch option. Some feature water resistance for an additional level of protection.
• If you opt for a water-resistant watch, pay close attention to the manual. Some are safe to be submerged in water up to a certain depth, which might mean you can swim or bathe with it but not scuba dive. Others will hold up against accidental splashes and spills but aren’t meant for serious time in water, which means you can’t wear it for swimming or bathing.
• You may see some watches labeled as having “Japanese quartz movement.” This timekeeping method uses quartz to keep accurate time, serving as a great alternative to the manual timekeeping devices used before the 1970s.
• If your watch uses a battery, make sure you have a spare on hand. A watch battery can last a while, but the one that’s enclosed in a watch you buy could have been installed long before you purchased it.
• Some watches use crystals to liven up the bezel. This can dress up an average watch, giving it that little something extra. However, if you lose one of those crystals, you might find it tough to replace, so make sure it’s secured into place.