by Sylvia Mcelherron

Created on: September 29, 2009

The gift of a watch has always been a special way to mark a celebration or special moment, however the sheer choice of styles and brands available can strike fear into all but the most fearless of shoppers. As with most choices in life, a little research goes a long way.

The first and most important consideration is how much you want to spend, this will dictate what kind of piece you should buy. A quartz watch is a practical choice, it will not need to be wound or serviced and many manufacturers are designing some beautiful and affordable pieces which are sure to delight. If you have the resources then a mechanical watch either handwound or automatic is an investment which if cared for properly can be passed down from generation to generation, reassuring in this disposable age. Women are becoming increasingly aware of the craftsmanship involved in creating a mechanical watch movement, so if it's a special occasion a mechanical watch is sure to impress.

The choice of material is very important, and again consider your budget. A gold watch, either yellow, white or rose gold makes for a traditionally classical gift. If she prefers a more sporty chic style then stainless steel is durable, budget friendly and in the case of a sports watch will be water resistant and easily cleaned. For something more unusual ceramic has been used to great effect by some of the top watchmakers, it has a highly polished but tough finish and is available in a wide spectrum of colours, perfect for the style conscious wearer who loves to co-ordinate.

Consideration should be given to the shape of the watch case. Square or rectangle shapes, once a male dominated style can be very distinctive and a round shape has a touch of enduring elegance. A recent trend in ladies watches is for a larger case size, in some styles almost as large as even the most impressive mens sports styles.

Finally, if you can, choose extra details such as a mother of pearl dial or dial engraving such as guilloche, an intricate surface decoration with the appearance of little waves. In the case of a mechanical piece, complications such as moon phase, power reserve indicators or chronograph not only add interest but are extremely functional features. And as always if your wallet allows nothing makes time sparkle quite like a diamond studded watch.

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