A small history of watches and several tips for buying the perfect watch. Classic Fusion Ferrari GT 3D Carbon, 45mm carbon 3D fibre case, black rubber and Schedoni leather strap. One of the luxury partnerships that just makes sense, Hublot has been working with Ferrari on a series of special edition watches since 2011. Taking its cues from Gran Turismo cars through the years, the 45mm Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is a true collaborative effort: Hublot built the movement, Ferrari built the case. The latter is cast in carbon 3D fibre and designed at the Centro Stile Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. The former — Hublot’s Unico manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement — is made in Switzerland and comprises 354 parts. Besides black-on-black carbon, the Ferrari GT is also available in 18k “king gold” (£32,100) or titanium (£18,200).

Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. If you just wanted to spend $70 or so on a good-looking quartz watch, you could do a lot worse than the Nokia Steel (formerly the Withings Activité). But this being a “hybrid” smartwatch, you get more than just the time of day. The watch connects to your phone via Bluetooth to give you simple sleep and fitness tracking info that, while not super-comprehensive, is helpful in tracking and motivating healthy behavior. Braun’s minimalist aesthetic is perfect for someone looking for a wardrobe accoutrement rather than a showpiece. What’s more, graphic elements like the yellow seconds hand and austere font are sure to call to mind the brand’s legacy of Bauhaus-inspired product design.

Certina, founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1888, has always been a rather low-key brand. You may not know, but they were innovators in shock protection and water resistance, which is nearly weapons-grade on this watch. The rotating ceramic diving bezel on this 41mm beauty, usually a hallmark of much more expensive pieces, is scratch resistant and nearly indestructible, and the handsome strap features a deployment clasp. Shinola watches, assembled in Detroit, have sparked a renaissance in the Motor City and for American watch brands in general. One of their latest editions of their most popular design, the Runwell, is a subtle version of what can be a busy style. This is destined to become a classic design that will no doubt age well with it’s stainless steel case and durable leather strap. With a clean ivory-colored face and luminous hands, wearing this watch makes a statement that you value good design, but don’t need an overly expensive timepiece to speak for you.

WatchNerd is dedicated to giving watch enthusiasts access to hard facts and data, not just opinions, in a way that’s easy to understand, so that they can make well-informed, confident decisions. It exists to make your mechanical watch buying experience enjoyable and clear, giving you all the information you need to be confident in your decision without overwhelming you or pushing you in a particular direction. WatchNerd remains rooted in the watch enthusiast community, actively engaging with fellow watch nerds regularly so we can make sure we’re serving your needs. WatchNerd believes the watch-buying experience should be fun, not overwhelming or complicated, and always rooted in a passion for mechanical watches. We are completely open with our users when it comes to how we find our information, score watches, work with sellers, and make money. See more details about Watch Enthusiasts Blog.