The outside of a watch vs the inside of a watch

Aesthetics comes first for me. I will buy a watch I like the look of regardless of the movement inside, highly decorated mechanical or quartz is all the same to me. On the other hand, I would never buy a watch solely for the movement that I will seldom look at.

To me and the way I enjoy my watches, movement specs are mostly fluff. High accuracy, long power reserve, blablabla... At the end of the day, it goes back in the watch box to die and I'll have to set the time again the next time I pick it up just the same. If high accuracy and long power reserve were a priority, I'd buy a high-tech, radio-synced, solar-powered digital casio instead of an obsolete technology.

If anything, I'd prefer all my watches to come with an affordable, off the shelf movement that I can repair or swap myself, than cough up the $600 for a service on a luxury piece. 🤷

I’m big on use case. How will I use this watch and do I like it better than a watch that already fills the same or similar use case? How does it fit into my collection as a whole?

Once I’ve determined the use case, the specs, aesthetics, and history all come into play, but aesthetics are the first thing that gets me interested in a watch, and part of the aesthetic is what I can see on the case back.

Noting your pic, I recently chose the Speedy Pro sapphire sandwich over the moon certified version with hesalite and a solid case back. While the milky appearance of the hesalite and the space certified heritage were real turn ons, the aesthetic of the movement won out.

It's mostly about the look for me, I can't justify a not so attractive watch to my eyes by saying it runs well. My brain just says "why not get another watch that runs just as well and looks good as well?".

I think predominantly, I'm going to look at that watch 100% for the time and then acknowledge the aesthetic. Am I going to notice it's +/-10 seconds off from my phone? Answer is no, never. Am I going to notice a feature about it that I definitely don't like? Always.... Every single time.

Despite what people say about not judging a book by it’s cover, go for the best looking one. You can always get it with a solid caseback so you don’t have to see what’s on the inside 🤣

I bought this because it's a low key doesn't stand out piece

....but it's got this

tucked away in the back for my enjoyment.

Purchased because I love the Omega history & stories, the George Daniels connection, the tech all wrapped up in a subtle under the radar yet handsome watch.

I love it & most folks don't even notice it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Looks

HUGE GAP

Movement

Who cares what movement is in a watch if you don't like the look?

I think most people buy the dial - since it is what you’ll be looking at. The nerds of us start placing increasing value on the movement.. then the horological back story - in that order.

Above all else, the dial of the watch must be attractive to me, or else i wldnt even want the watch! 2nd most important is how it wears on the wrist. A beautiful watch would still be left behind if i find it to be uncomfortable, too big or too small. If i love both the looks and wearability, the movement inside is purely a bonus whether i like it or not, its not a dealbreaker for me.

Great question. I think all things considered… Brand heritage, quality construction & finishing, top notch movement, where it has been (I.e. to the moon) price value… all of these point toward Omega. I think every serious watch collector should have an Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch. They are not outrageously expensive but you are getting what you pay for. I would highly suggest the Omega Speedmaster Professional 2021. I believe it’s the one you have pictured. It has an updated movement and tapered bracelet that gives it a notch of elegance. You can choose the Hardlex crystal or sapphire sandwich. The sapphire is what I have. Max (Watch Crunch) has a YouTube video that sold me on it.

For me it's was always dial and looks first. What's was behind the curtain doesn't matter. Until I got this. Now sometimes it does.

1) Build Quality

2) Looks

3) Movement

I put build quality above looks especially for you. Many people who are new to watches get attracted to a pretty photo only to get stuck a flimsy piece of 💩

Wow that's a beautiful GO

Thanks. This was helpful. I lean towards aesthetics myself and don't care all that much for pinpoint accuracy either since I normally set my watches a few minutes fast anyway.

Thanks. I haven't reached the point where I need to consider use case yet but I assume I will get there soon enough.

You make a good point. If I don't like the looks of the watch, I am unlikely to try it on in the first place.

Hahaha! Apparently a few people who make YT videos about watches. For them, if the movement isn't great, they claim not to care about a watch. Watching some of their videos is what led me to asking my question.

Thanks. I have pretty much bought the dial so far, which is partly why I asked the question. Is there a watch where the movement has led you to buy it over its looks?

I completely understand why. That's a beauty.

Thanks. What goes into build quality? How do you know if a watch is well built or not?

Thanks for the tip. From what little I have learned so far, I believe you can't go wrong with the Omega Speedmaster Professional.

Thanks. That's the clarity that I am hoping to reach. I struggle with the Grand Seiko Spring Drives for this reason. I'd like to own a Spring Drive watch but I don't like the look of the power reserve on the dial.

Well there are plenty of spring drive watches without the power reserve, like the Omiwatari, though it costs more than the standard heritage collection.

Thanks. That's an interesting distinction between the quality of a movement and its looks. I assumed the two go together but you have made me realise that's not the case and given me something else to consider.

Sigh! Costing more means waiting longer to save up for one. But I suspect that's the choice I will have to make.

No, obviously not, but looks aren't my priority

The typical Stainless steel watch is made of 316L stainless steel. Very durable. Higher end brands may use 904 which is a bit more corrosion resistant. Unless you are buying a vintage you will want solid links. Just a few of the minimum requirements I have personally

And that's where we have to be careful in giving too much weight to the opinions of others.

As discussed elsewhere, a large chunk of YouTubers are essentially paid shills for the watches they are featuring.

In reality, a movement can make or break a decision between two watches all else being equal. If I like them both, all the other specs are the same (or the pros/cons come out equal), then getting a movement I don't already have makes sense. But I have to like the watches visually before I get to that part.

Definitely, for years I've liked the look of Tudor but I really don't like that snowflake hand, I really don't, I try to but I'm not falling in love with it. I do however, love everything else.

I have exactly the same reaction to Tudor. Such good looking, well made watches but I can't get past the "snowflake" hand (it looks more like a club to me).

Right. Looks are the entry point into a watch.