My gentle readers and also the less gentle ones; today we are taking a break from the usual discussions in an effort to solve a conundrum. It has posed and perplexed us for quite some time now; it is about whether watches should also be considered as a part of winter fashion.
We, therefore; take a long, hard look at the exploding demand for certain watches and find out whether it’s sheer purpose lurking behind them or just a mere instant of someone floating an exaggerated hype and others following it with an exaggerated zeal; and finally, if this tendency might lead to one of those moments that define an enhanced sense of fashion. Whether it would continue or be short-lived is a different question altogether; we intend to cover that too if time and space permits.
The question arises as sports watches were observed undergoing a meteoric rise in popularity. Not just high-end sports watches like the Casio PROTREK Quad Sensor Digital Compass or the Citizen Promaster Altimeter to aid you with winter sports like skiing, ice skating and sledding; even simpler ones like the Casio Digital Stainless Steel Alarm Chrono Dual Time are disappearing faster from the display; the curve went steep from a few dozens to a few hundred in just a few weeks. This, certainly; has left us wondering if they could form a part of the winter party- and daily wear. A tasteful restraint is not exactly what you appreciate in fully or partly digital watches, but ‘the more, the merrier’ concept, too; doesn’t apply. Your pick should be well-thought!
On a normal summer day, a sports watch can highly become your go-to timepiece. Watches like the Casio Digital Stainless Steel Data Bank Multi-Lingual still tickle the fancy for a considerable number of people who like to keep an instrument or two handy for everyday use. No, these aren’t people who had been; or are dwelling – in horological sense – beneath the proverbial rock. They are undoubtedly aware about the usefulness of an inexpensive, semi-sports watch – for example, one of those from Casio, Armitron and Westar. When they go for a Garmin or a Bulova, it’s understood but not the vast number of people whose affinity, of recent, has passed the ferocious mark and entered the realms of hysterical.
It is a very strange phenomenon in the world of high-end digital watchmaking that their elevated stature is also slightly marred by the simple truth that they are oversized and excessively bulky, which is alright (till a certain extent) when you are in your sports clothing, but not necessarily so with your fleece and leather jacket.
The fact is, however; that most of the digital watches pose a bigger problem being too technically inclined in appearance for social situations than becoming a single watch that can take you to the hills straight from the buffet hall.
Fine digital timepieces can be had from these brands and also from a few other different ones unless you face that infamous disadvantage brought forth by your besottedness with some particular brand name. Since a good digital winter watch will not appear out of thin air and to keep you from settling for the insipid and the rehashed, following are a few recommendations we bring. These few names underneath would help you to make reasonable decisions and pick one to get out of the winter dressing game altogether!
The ice, the snow and the hard, rocky surfaces are enough stress to send your wristwatch for a toss! An exposure to such extreme stresses can easily tear down a watch that you are familiar with in your everyday life. To choose the right model as a winter-wear, you, therefore; need to consider a few points:
With that much of info in hand, let’s have a look at the 10 most affordable watches in this category that are bound to make your winter activities a lot more fun than before!
5. Conclusion
Outdoor activities get a lot simpler with appropriate, hands-free instruments of which, a watch is the most convenient one to sport. All the watches we presented above comprise essential functions like route tracking, GPS, Compass, Altimeter and Barometer loaded into them. And the best part is, you don’t need to spend heftily for them.
If you are very active in the outdoors, and you don’t want to worry about protecting your watch from the elements, then all of the above are your best choice. They are aesthetically pleasing too, which makes them fashionable items to wear when you are gathering around the bonfire after your sports session. Or in that case, if you are visiting the nearby town; their large, bulky appearances would highly complement your heavy winter wear!
i. What are the top features every man should look for in a winter sports watch?
A. Stopwatch: It gives you an ability to determine the time it takes to complete a particular event or task and allows to establish and accomplish set goals.
Illuminator: A great help towards reading time and other data in dark. Best, if the on/off function is automatic.
Compass: Needless to say, on an open trail with no visible path, you can’t make your way out without a compass.
Global Navigation Satellite access: Shows your position when you are stuck amidst wilderness. Even if it’s not, you can keep track of where you are travelling to.
Weather/Impact resistance: Amidst snow, water, mud and sand, your watch must stay safe. Even from sudden, intense impacts; which may occur at any point of time when you are engaged into vigorous, sporting activities.
ii. What straps are most suitable for winter sports watches?
A. While steel and titanium stood the test of time in matters of durability, for sports purposes, they might spell disaster for the wearer and also for others in case of a collision or an impact. The wearer may end up hurting him/herself and/or others.
Therefore, canvas, polyurethane and silicon rubber are the safest choice in this regard. They are inert to low temperatures, chemicals and oils; they don’t get drenched in water or rot away. Besides, being soft materials, they eliminate the chance of hurt. Since they are also hypoallergenic, there won’t be any chance for skin rashes even with prolonged wear.
iii. What should be the case and crystal of a winter sports watch should be made from?
A. As a primary criteria, a watch made for not just winter sports but for any kind of sports should have a robust housing made of aluminum, stainless steel or titanium; if not, then ceramic and resin. Nylon and similar synthetic materials are also becoming popular; while keeping the weight low, they are also inert to sweat, water, salts, acids and oils.
As for the cover glass, sapphire is always the best for high levels of scratch resistance; followed by hardened mineral glass for excellent shatter resistance and thermoplastics for being significantly resistant to both cracks and shattering.
iv. Which one among G-Shock and Garmin is better as a winter sports watch?
A. Despite both G-Shock and Garmin are held in high regards for their use of high-end modern technology and materials, they are respected and revered only among specific circles. Both watches are extremely high-visibility, extremely durable and feature-rich.
However, G-Shocks come in varied prices and have in common a few features and functions, which help you to choose a model as per your need; whereas for Garmin, the prices are roundabout the same for their every model, with features and functions slightly varying with the price differences. For example, GPS; while it is staple for every Garmin watch, for G-Shock, it’s a stopwatch and a countdown timer with a tank-like build.
G-Shocks can survive every dirty job but a Garmin helps you to survive every demanding situation outdoors. From here, the choice depends entirely upon you, for you know best what will suffice your needs.
v. What are the most common sensors found in outdoor watches?
A. Most common wearable sensors are that for Accelerometer, Altimeter, Barometer, Gyroscopes, Magnetometers, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Proximity sensors and Pressure/Bio-impedance sensors, which are fast becoming a staple for outdoor watches.
What do they help to track? Following is a list:
Keep dropping in to leave your replies below. State which one from the abovementioned you’d like to go for the most and also, for what?
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