The internet is a great starting point for finding information on purchasing a high-end watches. To find out if an online retailer is reputable, look for testimonials or comments from actual customers. If you can contact any customers, that's even better. Visiting online forums and asking other shoppers or watch enthusiasts for expert recommendations on the reputation of a luxury watch dealer is a very smart move before making a buy.

Chronograph watches have both timekeeping and stopwatch functions available.

Analog watches show the time and stopwatch functions, both kept with analog hands. The Bull-one head variation of the analog chronograph has the movement rotated ninety degrees, and the crown and buttons on top of the watch instead of the side.

Digital chronographs have separate digital displays for both stopwatch and timekeeping functions, or switch modes on a single display.

Analog-digital chronographs are standard analog watches with a digital display operating separately from the standard analog watch with permanent center seconds. Most mechanical chronographs reset to zero when the stopwatch is stopped; with an analog-digital chronograph, if the reset button is pushed while the stopwatch is running, the fallback will reset to zero and then continue running.

The watch case can come in different varieties including titanium, stainless steel, gold or platinum, with sizes varying from modest to large. Crystal case backs add a touch of elegance on certain models.

You should clean and service the watch every two years, and replace batteries and seals at this time. After exposure to saltwater, always rinse a watch under freshwater, and don't expose a water-resistant watch to too much pressure or heat. Remove the watch for hot showers or games of golf, and take the watch to get serviced if moisture gets under the crystal.

Mechanical watches should be wound at the same time every day. Automatic watches still need to be wound once every couple of weeks to keep the wheels moving.

Rolex still remains the world's standard in men's watches because of the solid craftsmanship and perhaps because of the powerful resale market.

International Watch Company (IWC) - The IWC developed the Caliber 52 movement and produces technically advanced models like the DaVinci, programmed for five hundred years.

Hublot has a distinctive line of sturdy timepieces and is trusted for its accurate machinery.

Cartier still remains in a class by itself across all of its lines. The newest model, Balon Bleu is elegant, unique and smoldering with class.

Panerai is extremely popular in Europe and gaining attention in the U.S. Its high style and rugged good looks set it apart from most of its competitors, with its Radiomir and Luminor watches have put this company on the map.