Choosing the right watch can be a conundrum. More than an accessory, a watch might be an investment, a status piece, a serious tool or a quirky statement. Make sense of modern day choices with our comprehensive overview of models on the market.

Sports Watches

Fitness enthusiasts can benefit from a prolific range of training tools. Basic functions – stopwatch, lap timing - are standard, starting at around £20. Mid-range models track heart rate, speed and lap times to monitor training. For the dedicated sports person, upgrade to GPS technology to measure speed, velocity and performance in real time.

GPS Watches

Advanced GPS models incorporate barometers, compasses, and morse code functions - useful for high risk hiking and mountain climbing. Mix in luxury branding and you'll significantly increase the price tag – but mid-range models average a few hundred pounds.

Diving Watches

Divers need a seriously tough, seriously specialist model. Insist on ISO 6425 endorsement for scuba diving. Ensure that features include a unidirectional bezel, clear minute points, shock, chemical and magnetic resistance, and an end of life indicator visible at 25cm in darkness.

Specialist Sports Watches

Keen fishermen will value sonar sensor watches that detect and digitally display fish underwater. Some models read depths to 120 feet within a 75 foot radius, and incorporate a night fishing display. Whereas golfers with stretchable wallets can choose a specialist GPS golf watch that measures proximity between player and green for accurate shot judgements.

Gadget Watches

Nowadays, eclectic gadgetry reaches beyond sport. Watches can synchronise with any remote controlled appliance, saving hours of “hunt the remote”. Sleep tracking watches align with your natural sleep patterns, gently waking you at the optimum time for your body. Your timepiece can double as a fully functional mobile phone, multimedia watches can include cute downloadable photo frames and MP3s, whilst DIY fans can even find watches incorporating a mini tool kit!

Astronomic & Futuristic Watches

Celebrate the celestial with astronomic watches featuring miniature watch face planetariums, equinox indications and sun cycle timings. Futuristic watches harness 21st century satellite technology for ultimate timekeeping. The top-end buyer can master time itself with models that actually slow or speed time just for you - whilst retaining GMT behind the scenes.

Designer Watches

For style pioneers, transparent watches are very, very cool. Cleverly hiding the mechanism so that timekeeping appears to “float”, they're as aesthetic as they are mysterious. Whereas mechanical digital watches come in at the top end of the market, with underlying mechanical quality translating to a bespoke digital display. For the ultimate in clever cult, look for one-off steampunk models combining historical engineering with sci-fi chic. And of course, a huge range of luxury jewellery watches suit any taste and pocket as a sumptuous gift.

With a prolific range available you're sure to find the perfect partner for you. For more information on these types of watches, you can visit http://www.time2.co.uk.

♥

xoxo