Keeping watches ‘timeless’ in 2023

Often we see the world and phenomena in general taking a U – turn. Take for instance, fashion. Old styles are coming back in vogue. Big sunglasses, neon bright clothes, macro sized prints, realtor shoes etc. In architecture too, we see colonial style homes, exposed walls etc making its way back to the drawing board. Fast moving consumer products too, in the name of ‘limited edition’ release a lot of products to boost sales and revive their old glory. To the new age customers, it gives a feel of what it was like in the 70s and the 80s which they most likely know only from old photos or what their parents or grandparents had to say. In the world of watches too, traditional classic designs are making their way back as seen in the latest collections of 2023 but with a twist. Let’s time – travel.

But first things first…

What is a watch for? The simplest definition would be – to know the time. But a watch, especially now, is far more than just an apparatus that shows you what time of the day it is. From simple features to knowing the date to complex features such as alarm, light, stopwatch and in the recent past even features such as heart rate, steps taken, taking calls etc have found their way through to a watch. It is now more of a ‘multi-tasker’ than anything else. And this multi-tasker is in an everlasting love story with colours, shapes and sometimes, precious and semi-precious stones too. To understand this better, we need to explore some of the latest watches that were released in 2023 by some of the top watch brands of the world.

Seiko SSB430P1

Dress watches were a rarity in the collection of Seiko up until the 1960s. But since the time Seiko started manufacturing them, there has been no looking back. The Seiko SSB430P1 is an ode to their beginnings in this segment. Crafted in steel and yellow gold across the bracelet and the watch, it is everything elegant and yet, loaded with features. The watch features a chronograph with minutes, hours, and seconds sub-dials and also a tachymeter on the bezel. It is completed with a 41.5mm dial size and has a Japanese movement as the case has been from the time of the company’s inception.

Seiko SRK048P1

Even by taking a quick glance at the Seiko SRK048P1, you will be able to appreciate that this watch radiates minimalism. The watch has a quartz movement with a 39 mm dial size, a tad smaller than the Seiko SSB430P1. The three-fold clasp with push button release on this watch is a feature that is usually seen in high end watches. It truly is a masterpiece and would neatly wrap itself around your wrist.

If you are wondering where you can get to see these watches, experience it first hand and take one of your choice home, Krishnan Nair & Sons is the answer. Hands down, they are one of the best watch shops in Trivandrum. They house a host of brands under their wings. The salesmen at Krishnan Nair & Sons come with years of experience and top notch product knowledge in order to help you make the right choice when it comes to buying a watch.

Moving to other brands, Tissot has introduced a self winding watch as a part of their T-Classic Collection – the TISSOT PRX POWERMATIC 80. The watch combines the best of both worlds by giving an authentic 70’s look with latest features such as a Nachron Hairspring that has 80 hours of power reserve. The watch also comes with a see through caseback and has the added advantage of having an interchangeable quick release bracelet.

The TISSOT CHRONO XL VINTAGE is yet another collectible watch from the Tissot family. Being one of the largest chronographs with a 45mm dial size in the Tissot collection, the watch is easily noticeable from a distance. The sporty yet elegant design of the watch with a synthetic strap makes it a watch for all occasions. The straps are interchangeable as well. Krishnan Nair and Sons, one of the best watch dealers in Trivandrum keeps a good inventory of the official straps that can be used with the TISSOT CHRONO XL VINTAGE.

Next set of watches that we would like to mention is from the house of Citizen. Not just any Citizen watch but a watch from the iconic and award winning series – the Eco Drive. The Citizen CA4505-80L is nothing shy of spectacular. With a striking blue colour dial, the watch is pumped up with features that very few other watches can match especially at this price point. The watch has a date display as well as a 24 hour display and comes with a 44mm dial size. The CA4505 – 80L has an international warranty of 1 year. In India, the user gets a warranty of 3 Years 3 Months and 3 Days. Like any other Eco Drive, the watch does not need a battery thus making it an environmentally responsible watch that you can wear for parties and meetings alike.

The Citizen AT2244-84L is yet another hallmark watch from the 2023 Eco Drive series. Again with a blue dial but with a stainless steel strap that has a two tone rose Gold Plating on it. The watch has a sleek date display and comes with a dial that has a 43mm diameter. It has a fold over clasp with push button buckle type.

The entire series of fast moving Citizen Eco Drive watches are available with Krishnan Nair & Sons, Trivandrum. Be it the best analog watch or the best digital watch that you are looking for, Krishnan Nair & Sons in Trivandrum has it all.

One might say that we saved the best for the last and the Citizen NH9136-88A would definitely justify that argument. Elegance, form and function – is all wrapped into this gentleman’s watch. With an automatic movement that can be seen through the dial in the front, the watch is surely going to be star gazed by anyone who gets a glance at it. This watch too comes with a stainless steel bracelet with two tone rose Gold Plating on it. The dial is white in colour and comes with a sapphire glass casing. The watch comes with a – 1 year International warranty and a 2 years warranty that is applicable in India.

That’s a wrap on some of the best watches from the 2023 release by some of the top watch brands of the world. All the aforementioned watches are budget friendly and high on value for money. Needless to say, all these watches are available with Krishnan Nair & Sons and they can help you select the watch of your choice by understanding your purpose, preferences and taste. Do check us out here or drop in to our store . We are open 7 days a week from 9:30AM to 8PM.

Points to note when buying a watch for your teen

The first watch in our life is always special. And, in all probability, we would have got ours when we were in school. It did not matter how small or cartoonish they were. It meant something to us then and it is a nostalgic treasure now. As a young boy or a girl, we would have all looked up to our parents or our favourite relative sporting their watches on their wrists. We might have even tried them on with or -if brave enough- without their permission as well. Thus, we were already weaving a dream of owning a watch when we hit adulthood. Truth is, the kids of this generation are also fascinated by watches, albeit they have more options to choose from. This article will help you square in on the best watch that keeps up with your teen’s desires of owning their first timepiece.

First, let us understand what functionalities a teen’s watch should have.

Readability

The watch should serve its primary purpose. The time should be legible enough to read easily. Going by this, the default choice would be to go for a digital watch where the numbers are visible and are of standard format. But there is a different school of thought amongst parents that a watch should teach the kids to read time from an analog watch. But irrespective of the watch that is bought, the time should be displayed in the biggest size possible.

Durability

Teens are most likely to wear their watch everywhere they go, whatever they do, as it is their prized possession. Be it a sport they are playing or when hitting the shower. Hence, it is important not to cut corners when buying the watch as it should be durable by all meanings of the word. It should be able to withstand a high impact fall and should be water resistant as well.

Price

There is hardly any reason to buy an expensive watch unless your name is Cristiano Ronaldo. His son, Ronaldo Jr was seen sporting a Rolex GMT Master II in 18k white, fully set with baguette cut diamonds. The watch is estimated at a price of $485,350.00USD or in Indian Rupees, a couple of thousands shy of Rs. 4 Crore! But that apart, buying an expensive watch does not make sense. For one, the preferences are likely to change as your teenager comes of age. From the shape of the watch to the colours on it to the brand, there will be a fresh outlook to watches as they grow older

Colour & Design

At very young ages, teens are fascinated by the superheroes in their cartoons and the colours they see around them. What we adults usually brush off as flashy is what they would pick by default if given a choice. For instance, a girl’s eyes, in all likelihood, would be on a watch that is pink or red in colour and has Barbie’s picture on it. Whereas the boys would be all in for an Avengers themed watch that gives them the ‘macho’ feel.

These days there are watches that have unique shapes and motifs on them. You can easily spot watches that have unicorns, Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and his counterparts on the strap or in the dial. These quirky designs make watches attractive to the teens thus making it their most valuable gift and is something they will cherish for a lifetime.

A host of such watches are available with Krishnan Nair & Sons which is easily one of the best watch shops in Trivandrum. Some of the best watch brands such as Tissot, Rado, Citizen, Casio, Timex etc can be found here from which you can select your kid’s favourite watch based on their taste and choice.

Size of the Watch

The size of the watch is very important especially for a teen who has relatively smaller wrists. The smallest size that is generally available is 23-28mm which is the diameter of the dial on the watch. The larger ones are usually 30-35mm. Anywhere between the size of 26-32mm would constitute as the ideal dial size for the kids. Most popular brands make watches to meet this size.

Smartwatches an Ideal Choice?

This is the most asked question amongst the parents to themselves and on the internet. While smart watches come with their own positives, there are downsides as well. Like mobile phones, kids can be hooked to their watches as well. Moreover, depending on the brand, there are quite a lot of features that would mostly be unnecessary for a kid. That said, if there is parental control over these gadgets and only the much needed apps are installed on the smartwatches, it would be an ideal choice for the teenagers. They would get to appreciate technology at a very young age and also be aware of the developments happening in the tech world.

We spoke about colour, durability, price, legibility of the watch and even the ideal size for a teenager’s watch. So when it comes to the crux of the matter, you may implore which are the best watches that are available in the Indian Market. Here, we are suggesting a couple of watches that ticks most, if not all the boxes that make a perfect watch for a teenager.

One watch series that stands out prominently is the Baby – G by Casio. The Baby – G watches takes its inspiration from the iconic G – Shock series of Casio. The Baby – G watches have some of the highest durability with most of their starting range watches having resin band and case material. The BGA-260-3A Baby – G watch for instance is shock resistant and comes with a 100 metre water resistance. Weighing only 37g, the watch comes in a sleek design thus making it an easy wear for the teens.

The Chic Mirror Dial Stainless Steel Mesh Band Watch is another that meets almost all the criteria but doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket. With a case diameter of 30mm, the dial comes in baby pink colour and the case colour comes in a contrasting silver tone thus accentuating the colours in the dial. To ensure durability, the watch movement is quartz and the watch glass is made of mineral glass. It is water resistant and comes with a stainless steel mesh band.

On a concluding note, as parents, we might take a soft corner with our kids and fall for their ‘sentimental marketing’ and get them an expensive watch that would neither meet the functionality nor its purpose. To help them make a wise decision is not an easy task but has to be done nonetheless. Krishnan Nair & Sons who has been in the business of watches for more than a hundred years, have in their collection some of the best watches for teenagers. Do check them out and buy your kids happiness that can be wrapped around their wrists.