Wristwatches for Gentlemen
I've recently been shopping for a new wristwatch, and finally purchased one
online. This sounds like fun, and it was ultimately fun, but not the
simplest task I'd ever set for myself. When I'd left the corporate world
(as if there really is such a place as the "corporate world") and moved to
Vermont, I stopped wearing a watch. There was no need for one. For
Vermonters, time is a relatively simple affair: one rises and gets to work at
daybreak, and stops work some time after the sun goes down. Besides, I
would tune in to Vermont Public Radio off and on during the day, and there were
clocks in the house, so I always knew about what time it was.
Now, having moved to Virginia, I'm once again on a daily schedule, with
meetings and appointments. There's good and bad in that, but there's no
question that a wristwatch is required.
In my father's time - remember, I'm probably older than you are - the choice
in watches was between wristwatch or pocket watch, although I never remember my
father having a pocket watch. By the time I was in high school, the choice
had come down to wristwatches with or without date windows. I remember
this clearly, because in sophomore year I happened to consult my wristwatch to
ascertain the date, and a group of young females murmured approvingly amongst
themselves.
There are so many choices now that some gentlemen might be forgiven for not
knowing where to begin. Thus, a few simple rules:
- A gentleman's primary criteria for a wristwatch should be that it simply
fulfill its purpose, which is, to tell its owner what time it is.
- More gadgets do not a gentleman's dress watch make. I do not need a
wristwatch to remember doctor's appointments, or my brother's telephone
number. I certainly don't need one to tell me my altitude, or my
global position on the earth, or my heartbeat rate. Swooning young
misses aside, I don't even need one to tell me the correct date - but if you
like watches with date windows, I don't consider this the worst vice in the
world. Gadgets do liven up a casual watch, and I've no problem with
them there. Who knows - you may even actually use the features . . .
- There is really no such thing as a wristwatch that is appropriate for
formal and informal wear. If you wear a suit to work, you need a dress
wristwatch. If you're wearing khakis on weekends, you need a casual
watch, too.
- "More expensive" does not mean "more appropriate." Get a good
wristwatch, of course, but get one to satisfy yourself, not to make others
envious.
- Leather or metal watchbands are both acceptable. I happen to
prefer leather, but recognize that this is a personal choice.
Here are some examples of what I would consider an appropriate wristwatch for
a gentleman wearing a suit:
And here are some examples of appropriate wristwatches for casual wear:
A few other guidelines: I don't think gentlemen need watches that make them look like they're members
of biker gangs, or Army personnel, nor do I see any great need for a wristwatch
that has two faces, for two time zones, although my older brother wears one.
(You are wondering if he has some sort of special need for such a watch.
No, he does not.) I also think watches with bright blue faces and matching
blue leather bands are best left for others. Start wearing blue leather
watchbands, and soon you'll start thinking it's acceptable to wear blue leather
shoes . . . Also unnecessary: watches that light up, watches with rubber
watchbands, watches that play music, watches that require uploads and/or
downloads.
So, you see: it really is simple to choose a gentleman's watch!
© D J McAdam.
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Wristwatches for Gentlemen