How to Choose Your First Watch: A Beginner’s Guide
Buying your first watch can be challenging with so many styles, sizes, and movements to choose from. This beginner’s guide breaks down the key factors including budget, watch movement, lifestyle, size, and style, helping you pick a watch that is practical, timeless, and suited to your everyday life.
Understand Watch Movements
Quartz — Reliable & Low Maintenance
Quartz watches run on a battery and use a quartz crystal to regulate the movement, ensuring highly accurate timekeeping with minimal deviation.
Mechanical — Craftsmanship & Complexity
Mechanical watches run on a mainspring, no battery needed. Manual watches need occasional winding, while automatic watches wind with wrist movement. The precise gears showcase traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. MAVEN MUS+ watches feature Japanese MIYOTA automatic movements, combining precision engineering with practical wearability.
Solar — High-Tech & Sustainable
Solar watches harness light to generate power, eliminating the need for battery replacements. Designed for long-term use, MAVEN’s MUS SOLAR CHRONO is powered by Japanese solar movements and delivers dependable performance with minimal maintenance, whether worn daily or outdoors.
Define Your Budget Tier
Entry-Level — Practical & Accessible
Quartz watches are the good choice for first-time buyers. They combine reliable performance, low maintenance, and versatile style at an affordable price. Perfect for those new to wearing watches regularly, they focus on practicality and timeless design rather than complex features.
- Affordable
- Simple and accurate
- Low maintenance
Mid-Range — Craftsmanship & Practicality
Mechanical watches are ideal for those familiar with watches who want to experience the charm of traditional watchmaking. Compared to entry-level quartz watches, they offer more refined craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- Mid-range price (higher than quartz watch)
- Refined craftsmanship and details
Solar Watch — High Performance & Reliability
Solar watches are ideal for those who value both durability and convenience. Powered by light, they don’t require a battery and provide consistent performance for everyday wear or outdoor activities.
- Mid-range price (higher than quartz watch)
- Durable & low maintenance
- Reliable power
Choose the Right Watch for Your Lifestyle
Daily and Casual
Choose something lightweight and slim for comfort during everyday wear.
Work and Professional
Classic leather or metal strap watches in black or brown are perfect for formal wear.
Active and Outdoor
Consider a solar watch for durability, convenience, and reliable performance.
Personal Style and Statement
A unique shape, like a square watch, allows you to express individuality while keeping functionality in mind.
Pick the Right Size
Case Diameter
Recommended case sizes typically range from 18mm to 40mm, offering a snug fit for smaller wrists and a bold, eye-catching presence on larger ones. To explore sizing in more detail, check out our Watch Size Guide: Choosing the Perfect Fit for Your Wrist.
Thickness
Thinner watches fit comfortably under sleeves and feel lighter for all-day wear.
Strap Style
MAVEN offers straps for every need. Parachute straps are soft and breathable for casual or sporty wear, leather straps are classic and elegant, metal bracelets are durable and versatile, and FKM rubber straps are lightweight, water-resistant, and ideal for active or outdoor use.
MAVEN Matches Collection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quartz watches are simpler to make and require fewer components, making them more budget-friendly. Mechanical watches involve intricate craftsmanship, and solar watches use advanced technology, which usually makes them more expensive.
Mechanical watches can require a bit more attention than quartz, but they are manageable for beginners. Automatic watches wind themselves with wrist movement, while manual watches need occasional winding. For an easy introduction to mechanical watches, MAVEN MUS+ Automatic combines traditional craftsmanship with beginner-friendly usability.
Mechanical watches can feel slightly heavier due to their complex movements and metal components, but the difference is usually manageable for everyday wear. MAVEN MUS+ automatic watch offers a well-balanced design that feels comfortable while showcasing traditional craftsmanship.
Yes. Solar watches recharge with light, require minimal maintenance, and are durable for daily or outdoor wear. For a reliable option, the MUS SOLAR CHRONO combines convenience with long-term performance.
