Buying guide for best wooden watches
Wooden watches have gained popularity in recent years due to their distinct look and feel. These unusual timepieces may not be designed to be highly durable, but they are made with the purpose of making a statement and complementing your style.
A wooden watch is rarely made entirely of wood. In most instances, the case may use additional materials such as plastic or metal, and the crystal may be made from a variety of materials. Quartz movement is the most common in wooden watches, though some mechanical models are available as well. As with any wristwatch, wooden watches vary in their specs, features, and size. Any wooden watch will be eye-catching, but the style of the watch can be casual or dressy.
Wooden watches vary greatly in price and quality, and some of the more expensive models may be carefully handcrafted.
Key considerations
There are as many variations and styles of wooden watches as there are with any other type of timepiece. Your needs will be unique to you, and the most important factor is the look of a watch. The number of varieties of wood in wooden watches means there is a wide palette to choose from, whether you prefer a darker wood or a lighter wood with visible grain. Dress watches are distinctive and classy, ideal for work or formal occasions. Casual watches can be worn daily, with designs that range from adventurous to understated. Either way, your wooden watch will turn heads and stand out as one of the defining features of your style, so finding the right gadget is important.
Style
Just as you choose your outfit to match the tone of an event, your watch should be chosen based on the occasion and the impression you want to make.
Casual watches
A casual wooden watch can be many things. It can have a rich, eye-catching wood with visible grain and deep color, or it can use a simpler wood but an intricate face with multiple dials. Larger faces with thicker designs are generally more casual. If you are looking for a watch with style that may be designed to withstand the elements, you have a wide variety of wooden watches to choose from.
Dress watches
Choosing a wooden watch for formal occasions can be more difficult. Most dress wooden watches use simple woods with a solid color and subtle grain. Your wooden timepiece will already stand out — there’s no need to call extra attention to it and distract from the rest of your outfit. Simpler faces work best, and dark woods are the easiest to pair with most outfits. Dress watches should be streamlined in design to easily fit beneath the sleeve.
Wood
This can be the most challenging part of narrowing down your search — or, if you simply choose a wood that you think looks nice, it can be the easiest. If you want to break down your options, you should carefully consider the characteristics of each type of wood.
Some common woods include zebrawood, bamboo, and maple. Woods vary in their texture, grain, color, luster, and durability.
You should also consider how much of the watch you want to be made of wood. Some models simply have a wooden face with a metal case and band, while others are made entirely of wood. In general, the more wood a watch is made of, the less durable it will be. If you want a watch for a statement piece, this may not be an issue, but for everyday wear, you may want to consider watches with metal cases and bands.
Durability
Wooden watches rarely match the durability of metal watches, but you should still consider this factor when choosing a watch that suits your lifestyle. Different types of wood vary in their durability and propensity for chipping, but a protective lacquer can reduce the chances of damage. Some wooden watches may be water resistant, but few are waterproof. These watches are generally not made for swimming or showering.
Movement
The movement of a watch is the way it keeps time and moves its hands. Most wooden watches use battery-powered quartz movement, but some mechanical movement models are available as well. Swiss quartz movement is the most expensive option, but it is known for its extreme accuracy.
Size
The size of your watch, determined by its face, impacts its look and feel. If you have a smaller wrist, a large face can be uncomfortable to wear and look awkward. Similarly, if you have a large wrist, a watch with a small face may not look or feel suitable.
Women’s watches usually have faces with diameters of 22 to 40 millimeters, while men’s watch face diameters typically vary from 38 to 54 millimeters.
Band
The band of a watch can play as big of a role in its style as the face and case, though the band needn’t be made of the same material as the rest of the watch. Many people prefer the look and feel of wooden bands, which are lightweight and eye-catching. These bands are difficult to adjust, however, and require special tools to remove links. Leather bands are generally more formal in style, and some people find them more comfortable. In addition, they are far easier to adjust.
Crystal
The clear material that protects the face of your watch is the crystal. In wooden watches, this can be made of acrylic, mineral crystal, or sapphire crystal. Acrylic crystal is inexpensive but is easily scratched. Mineral crystal is somewhat tougher. Sapphire crystal is the most durable type of crystal and is common in high-end wooden watches.
Did you know?
While wooden watches are more popular among men, many women’s designs are available as well.
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Features
Almost all wooden watches have analog designs, but their timekeeping features may not end there. Here are a few features to look for:
Calendar: This display shows the day and month, either with dials or with a digital display.
Chronograph: This tool allows you to easily keep time, operating similarly to a stopwatch.
Digital display: For quickly checking the time at a glance, this is a useful feature to have in addition to an analog display.
"Wooden watches have gained tremendous popularity in the past decade, and the trend shows no sign of ending. "
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Wooden watch prices
Inexpensive: Wooden watches in the $20 to $30 price range are often low-quality novelty watches. While they may look nice and can even last for several years, they are often made of inexpensive wood that is prone to chipping.
Mid-range: For $30 to $80, you can find better wooden watches manufactured by brands known for their quality and trustworthiness. These are available in a wide variety of woods and may have additional features, like chronographs.
Expensive: Wooden watches for $80 and more may have sapphire crystals and Swiss quartz movement, making them ideal for formal occasions. These watches are likely to last for a decade or more if treated well. Handmade watches are common in this range.
Did you know?
Wooden watches tend to be lighter than their metal counterparts.
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Tips
When looking for a wooden watch, there are a few things you should keep in mind to determine whether the watch you are considering is the right call.
- Look into a brand before you make a choice. Do they have a handful of novelty wooden watches and not much else? Or are they known for quality timepieces? The more wooden watches a company has to offer, the more likely they are to put care into their craft.
- Handcrafted watches generally offer superior construction and are often worth the additional cost.
Other products we considered
For a simple, casual watch from a trusted brand in wooden watches, the Treehut Mens Wooden Bamboo Watch is a popular choice. While it won’t work for formal occasions, the simple design and comfortable leather band make this an ideal casual watch with few issues.
If you are looking for a more eye-catching timepiece, the Wilds Premium Eco Self-Winding Wooden Wrist Watch is an elegant handcrafted option. The automatic mechanical movement eliminates the need for batteries, and the exposed gears and mechanisms make this watch fun and quirky while still maintaining a classy style.
FAQ
Q. Can wooden watches rot?
A. Maybe if you bury your watch in the ground for a few years. Otherwise, you are not likely to experience wood rot since most wooden watches are treated to be water resistant. This is the same reason why wooden watches won’t become waterlogged, though we don’t recommend leaving your watch submerged in water.
Q. Are there any wooden watches without any metal parts?
A. No. There are always gears (at the very least) made of metal, and the hands and pins may be metal as well.
Q. Is it difficult to replace the battery of a wooden watch?
A. Yes, it is difficult, just as it is with most watches. You may need to take your watch to a professional to have the battery changed.
