If you have ever wondered "What's the perfect watch for me" here is a 10-step plan to find the perfect one for you.

Step 1

If you are just starting out in the world of watches, visit online communities and ask questions. Not "What watch should I buy". Forum participants do not know you, so their advice is likely to be off the mark. Instead, ask specific questions about the watches to build your knowledge. Ask questions based on the instructions below. In any online community, keep in mind that the answers may reflect an integrated bias. Regular forum participants may have already formed strong brand loyalties. A site dedicated to a particular brand will be populated by fans of that brand.

Step 2

Make a list of the features and qualities you are looking for in a watch, prioritize, and then look for watches that fit your list. Really think about the features. Will you use the watch underwater? Do you need to read it in the dark? Need a special complication? Need a big date for better readability? If you like to change belts, do you need standard lugs? Will you trade overall readability for a nice view? Does service cost a concern? The list goes on.

Step 3

The more time you spend researching, the happier you will be in the end. Avoid impulsive purchases. Be methodical.

Step 4

If at all possible, do not buy a watch because you think it will please or impress other people. You can buy any watch and people will line up to tell you that you should have bought their favorite watch. Putting happiness in the hands of others is a risky business. Learn to give up criticism. Be confident in your choices. The only thought that does matter is yours.

Step 5

Whenever you see an image of a watch that you like, save it. Try to find multiple images of the same clock. Don’t focus on professional beauty shots - try to find good direct shots. View saved images every day (or more often). Keep a list listing your favorites. If a watch stays on top for a while, it can be winning. On the other hand, once you spot something that worries you about the watch, you will notice it every time you look at the watch, so you should probably eliminate it from your list.

Step 6

Do your best to identify two or three things about a watch that really make you like it. Don't just think "It looks beautiful" - be specific. Once you do that, you can look for other watches with those qualities.

Step 7

Be as complete as possible in your search. Nothing is worse than buying a watch, just to find the one you like the most next week. (Although for some, this is a lifestyle. They are collectors of "flippers" or "catch-and-release" living for hunting, and this item is not for them.) If you find a watch you really like, visit watch communities, tell the good people watching, and ask them to recommend similar watches. In this regard, advice from others can be helpful.

Step 8

Try before you buy! Try as many hours as possible. Watches can definitely surprise you once they're on your wrist. Watches that are too big, too small, too thick and/or too heavy generate a lot of buyer regret. If you see a watch you like online, find the same watch near you and try it. If you can not find that watch, find one that is close in size and try it. If you buy long distances without testing it, be sure you can turn the clock back without any questions.

Step 9

When trying on watches, pay attention to how they make you feel. Ideally, a watch will "call on you" out of many of those you are thinking about. This may be what to buy, assuming he keeps calling for a period of time. Do not marry after (or during) the first date.

Step 10

Once you have made a decision, try it for a few days (decision, not the watch). Pretend you bought the watch and your search is over. Any other watch you were thinking of buying now is beyond possibility. Are you still happy with your choice?

Finding the perfect watch can be a challenge, but hunting is part of the fun and choosing the right one can bring years of fun.