Jewelry Watches and Collectible Watches
Wristwatches are often considered jewelry or collectible art and not just timepieces. This creates different markets for wrist watches that range from cheap inexpensive watches that are accurate just for telling the time, to extremely outragiously expensive watches that serve as personal adornment, display of wealth, bling-bling, or are examples of miniaturization and precision engineering. Another type of watch is a geek watche. These are watches that tell time but also incorporate computers, satellite navigation, star maps, tracking devices, code decoders, explosive devices, transporter electronics, and complications of various orders, and other features that may be not be needed or even desired by the average person. After all, to you really need an XML standards-compliant web browser in your watch? Or a radio time corrected watch that self-adjusts for any time zone in the world? I know I don't.
Companies which produce watches that specialize in one of these markets include Breitling, Patek Phillipe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, and Rolex. All specialize in watches as bling-bling or fine engineering, while companies such as Casio specialize in watches as timepieces or small computers. Watches are considered by many to be both functional and attractive.
Collectible American made watches were at one time the best available at any price and some leading watchmakers included Elgin, Gruen, Hamilton, and Illinois. Hamilton is was considered as having the best American movements while the art deco styling of The Illinois Watch Company was beautiful. Gruen Curvex models are still desired for how they combine form and function, and Elgin made more damn watches than anyone.
