When it comes to fashion, a watch is much more than a leather strap, dial and battery that displays time. A watch doesn’t just tell you whether you’re late or right on time for the big presentation, it makes a statement about who you are. Finding the watch that works for you can be time-consuming and confusing. To help, the Diamond Gallery’s Allan Malbranck explains some of the differences between today’s better watches.

To start: why do some cost $200 and others $2,000? “It has to do with the quality of workmanship and the watch’s country of origin,” Malbranck says. Different countries have different costs for labour and workmanship. And trendier names mark up the amount of the watch. But some $2,000 watches have low life expectancies because they represent the name, not the quality.

“It’s also about the quality of the fitting on the back. Some lower-quality backs can be removed so easily that water gets in. Assembly quality is very important, but people don’t think to ask about that. A watch with 100 metre water resistance can leak if it’s poorly assembled.”

Malbranck says taking time to find the right watch shows how much care you put into your personal sense of style and how you present it.

“A watch is one of the few pieces of jewelry a man will wear. It tells others a lot about him before he talks to them,” Malbranck says. “If someone takes time to find the right brand and style, a watch will represent the style they’re looking to portray.”

Finding a watch doesn’t have to be difficult. You can choose quartz, which is entirely mechanical, or solar powered, which is charged by a solar panel dial. There are also kinetic or motion quartz watches, which are charged by the power your movement creates and stores in an energy cell. One feature you might look for is a chronometer, the most accurate instrument for measuring time, but the latest innovation Malbranck notices is the return to automatic movement.

“For men that enjoy technology, quartz is already pretty dated. If someone enjoys the art of accuracy and precision, they’ll enjoy the art of the automatic watch,” Malbranck says. “When shopping for a quality watch, look for a reputable jeweler and talk to a knowledgeable person—just a few simple questions and you should know if he knows what he’s talking about.”

Independent Jewellers: Name: “Hampton” (#311828) Brand: Baume & Mercier Price: $2,695   DIAL WINDOW MATERIAL: Stainless steel CLASP TYPE: Hidden clasp BAND MATERIAL: Brown leather BEZEL MATERIAL: Sapphire WATER RESISTANT DEPTH: 50 metres MOVEMENT: Automatic quartz

Vandenberg's: Name: “Quartz Line Fashion” Brand: Vandenberg Price: $375   DIAL WINDOW MATERIAL: Carbon fibre dial and side inserts CLASP TYPE: Deployment buckle BAND MATERIAL: Crocodile strap BEZEL MATERIAL: Stainless steel with carbon fibre on the sides WATER RESISTANT DEPTH: 50 metres MOVEMENT: Swiss quartz

The Diamond Gallery: Name: “Gemini” Brand: Accutron Price: $995   DIAL WINDOW MATERIAL: Sapphire crystal on the front and back so you can see themoving parts on the inside CLASP TYPE: Push button deployment, which conceals the clasp BAND MATERIAL: Stainless steel BEZEL MATERIAL: Stainless steel WATER RESISTANT DEPTH: 100 metres MOVEMENT: Automatic (25 jewels, a high premium. Other watches have about 17 jewels)

W.K. Chan: Name: “Grand Carrera 43MM Automatic" Brand: Tag Heuer Price: $3,495-$4,995, exclusively at W.K. Chan   DIAL WINDOW MATERIAL: Double sapphire crystal on the front and back so you can see the moving parts on the inside CLASP TYPE: Solid steel folding clasp BAND MATERIAL: Solid steel. Also available in brown and black alligator stras BEZEL MATERIAL: Solid steel WATER RESISTANT DEPTH: 100 metres MOVEMENT: Automatic chronograph

Dimitra's Jewellery: Name: “Sintra" Brand: Rado Price: $4,100   DIAL WINDOW MATERIAL: Sapphire CLASP TYPE: Deployment clasp BAND MATERIAL: Ceramic BEZEL MATERIAL: Crystal WATER RESISTANT DEPTH: 30 metres MOVEMENT: Swiss automatic chronometer