Nothing will ruin your day (or month) faster than a watch that stops ticking because it took a surprise dip in the pool. Not only does it mean you can't tell the time, but you're likely looking at an expensive repair bill. Luckily, most modern watches put a lot of effort into making this an unlikely occurrence thanks to solid water-resistance. Simply put, watchmakers use a variety of features, like tiny rubber gaskets and screw-down crowns to keep moisture on the outside of your delicate watch. Just how much water your watch can resist is usually written somewhere on the case or dial - typically a depth in metres, from 50m for everyday pieces, to 200m plus for dedicated dive watches. It's worth noting, though, that all the water-resistance in the world is no good if you forget to screw the crown in, or if the rubber seals haven't been maintained through regular servicing.

Changing your strap or bracelet is a quick way to mix up the style of your watch. But the novelty can wear off quickly if you have to pull out fiddly tools and painstakingly do it yourself. Luckily, plenty of newer-generation watches come with straps that can be easily changed without any tools needed. The ability to quickly press a button and give your watch a whole new look is one of the greatest innovations in watchmaking since the tourbillon was invented.