Watches are made from a wide variety of different materials. If you are buying a quality watch from a reputable dealer you will be able to tell what a watch is made from before you buy it. These details can normally be found on each different component; the watch strap or bracelet and the case back. If you are buying online this information should be found in the product description.

Gold Watches
Gold is only used for luxury watches. There are two main reasons for this; firstly that gold is an expensive material, secondly that it is an extremely soft metal. Gold watches are dress watches, normally purchased for special occasions and are not suitable for everyday wear. One advantage to having a gold watch is that gold has an intrinsic value. If the watch can no longer be worn the gold still has a value according to its weight and the price of gold on any given day.
Silver Watches
Silver is also a luxury item that retains its value. It is not as expensive or as soft as gold but is still a malleable substance which is why it is used so frequently in jewellery. Silver watches are more durable than gold watches but are more prone to tarnishing. Although this can be rectified by regular cleaning and taking good care of your watch.
Titanium Watches
Titanium is a lightweight and exceptionally durable material. It has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. Anything that is worn on the wrist is likely to take a lot of damage over it's life, so titanium is an ideal material to make a watch out of.. The downside is that it is an expensive material compared to stainless steel, so the cost is often considered prohibitive by watch makers.
Stainless Steel Watches
Stainless Steel is the most common of all metals used in the construction of watches. It is strong, resistant to most forms of corrosion and does not easily stain. This combined with its distinctive bright colouring make it an ideal metal to use in watch making. It is commonly used for watch cases whatever the strap type and is a relatively cheap option.
Rubber/Resin Watches
Watches with resin straps are normally designed for serious outdoor use. They are really tough and have the advantage of being both lightweight and water resistant, protecting the delicate workings of the watch. Often childrens watches will have a strap made from resin for much the same reasons!
Leather Strap Watches
Leather is used to make watch straps because it is inexpensive, compared to the other products. It also allows for customisation. Leather can be dyed any colour. Due to the predominant use of buckles as a fastening, leather straps can be made one length and easily adjusted to fit a number of different sized wrists. The downside is that they are nowhere near as long lasting as metal straps and they can get stained fairly easily. Leather straps have the advantage of being made from a soft natural fabric, so most people find that they are comfortable to wear. Imitation leather is also available, these straps tend to be cheaper and less durable. Some people may find that they are allergic to them.