Watches 101: A Field Guide to Watches
Whether you’re heading into the backcountry or navigating the daily commute, a watch is more than just a tool for telling time—it’s a piece of essential gear. But if you’re new to the world of horology, the terminology can feel like a foreign language.
At Redwood, we believe in functional simplicity. This guide is designed to strip away the jargon and give you the foundational knowledge you need to choose a watch that’s built for your life.
1. The Anatomy of a Watch: A Quick Glossary
Fig 1.1: Front-facing components of a Redwood timepiece.
Every part of a Redwood watch serves a purpose. Here is the breakdown of what you see on your wrist.
The Benefit: Usually made of 316L stainless steel, it acts as armor, protecting the delicate internal parts from impacts and dust.
The Benefit: We design ours for high contrast, ensuring you can glance at your wrist and see the time instantly, even in low-light conditions.
The Benefit: We use Sapphire Crystals. Second only to diamonds in hardness, they remain scratch-free through years of hard use.
The Benefit: This is your control center. It allows you to set the time and, on some models, ensure a water-tight seal when screwed down.
The Benefit: Sturdy lugs ensure your watch stays securely on your wrist during high-activity movement.
The Benefit: It glows in the dark, allowing you to check the time during a late-night hike or in a dark cockpit without needing a flashlight.
2. What Makes It Tick: Understanding Movements
The movement is the engine of the watch. There are three main "engines" you’ll find in our collection:
- QUARTZ: Incredible accuracy and shock resistance. The ultimate "set it and forget it" tool. [read more]
- SOLAR: Converts light into energy. No battery changes needed, ever. [read more]
- AUTOMATIC: Pure mechanical engineering powered by your motion. No electronics required.
3. Choosing Your Tool: The Main Watch Types
The Field Watch
Born in the trenches of WWI.
Application: Outdoor exploration.
Why we make it: Defined by simplicity and legibility, it’s the most versatile everyday companion you can own.
The Pilot Watch
Designed for aviators.
Application: High-visibility timekeeping.
Why we make it: Oversized markers and large crowns make this an iconic, easy-to-read style at any altitude.
The Diver's Watch
Engineered for the deep.
Application: Water sports and timing tasks.
Why we make it: Features high water resistance and a Rotating Bezel to track elapsed time effortlessly.
The Chronograph
A watch with stopwatch functionality.
Application: Measuring intervals.
Why we make it: Built-in sub-dials allow you to time anything from a mission to a morning coffee with precision.
The GMT Watch
Tracks 2+ time zones at once.
Application: Travel.
Why we make it: An additional 24-hour hand lets you track home time while you're exploring a different part of the globe.
4. Water Resistance: Field-Ready Specs
We build Redwood watches to handle the elements. A rating of 100m (10 ATM) or higher is our standard for adventure. Why we make it: Total peace of mind during river crossings, sudden downpours, or a jump in the lake.