Ask A Woman: Is wearing a watch out of date?
If you’ve got a question that needs the female treatment, chances are you’re not the only one who wants to ask it. Beth is our source for the answers. From opinions on men’s style to decoding the sometimes mysterious ways of women, she’ll take on a different question every Thursday. And don’t worry, your identity will be protected too. Click here to get to know Beth, then get in touch with her by sending your question to: askawoman@dappered.com
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Dear Beth:
Dappered.com has had a significant impact on my college fashion and my small-town university has seen it (so you have my thanks). My only problem are watches. My cell phone is attached to my hip practically (it comes with the generation), which allows me to always know the time. Are they a lost timepiece? Do they serve a better purpose other than convenience?
Thank you for your input
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Watches are definitely becoming a lost accessory, as cell phones have taken on the duties of not only calling, emailing, and picture taking, but also keeping time. There are, I’m sure, people who feel that watches are living on borrowed time (Boom! I love a good pun.) and should go the way of Family Ties, the 8-track, and ladies keeping their ankles covered. I am not one of those people. A watch may no longer be necessary to tell time, but that’s not its only purpose, right? It’s a piece of jewelry! Watches come in different colors, sizes, shapes, and materials. They’re just one more component of style, like shoes or a tie, with as many variations.
You can probably break down timepiece styles into three categories: functional, classic, and modern. Let’s look at examples of all three:
The functional watch is for the guy who doesn’t have the patience to fuss with extra distractions, like visible gears or bright colors. But that doesn’t mean that his watch can’t be stylish. This watch by Titanium has a rubber strap for comfort, big numbers to make time-telling quick, and at under $20 it’s easy on the wallet (but still on-trend). This barrel style from Kenneth Cole keeps it simple.
The classic watch is for the fellow who appreciates a watch as a piece of jewelry, and wants something handsome, but won’t wear anything that Humphrey Bogart wouldn’t have worn. He may be willing to spend a bit more money because his watch will stand the test of time (I couldn’t help myself) and may even be an investment. This gorgeous watch is Marc by Marc Jacobs–contemporary styling but with classic rose-gold tones. Another beautifully-made watch–this one by Armani
–that will never go out of style.
The modern watch is for the man who loves trends, and is perhaps more likely to take risks with his style choices. His watch may have lots of bright color, or be made of a unique material. This Burberry is sporty, sophisticated, and also oddly enough digital. Yes. Digital and sophisticated can coexist. This Swatch watch has a fun, futuristic feel to it.
I love the look of a watch on a man. There’s something about a sturdy, manly watch clamped tight around a hairy wrist that’s so…timeless. (It was right there, I had to do it. Forgive me.)
-Beth
Got a question for Beth? Send them to: askawoman@dappered.com
I think it’s a timeless look, pardon the pun. After years of shunning a watch, I don’t feel fully dressed without one.
I think it’s easier to take a quick glance at your wrist than to haul our your cell phone and turn on the screen. In a meeting it’s real easy to sneak a peak at a watch on your wrist and nobody will know you are doing it. Think of other situations where you don’t want to send the message you wonder what time it is (dates?), you can unobtrusively look at a watch. Plus, as Beth says, they are an accessory.
In my circle everyone asks me for the time or date now because I can tell them both the fastest while everyone else is still busy trying to fish our their smartphones.
In addition to what Loki has to say, it’s pretty damn hard to look as cool and effortless as Paul Newman when you’re leaning up against a post and staring at a 4 inch brick of electronica. The watch is a must-have classic for any man wishing to be taken seriously.
I agree with those above. Watches are still fully functioning and necessary. Yes you can use phones and other electronic devices to find the time, but if you travel enough it is nice to know what time it is when your electronic devices are supposed to be turned off on a plane. You can also glance at your wrist while driving. I used to hate watched, but then my dad started requiring me to have one on me at all times. I began by getting an Ironman watch and velcroing it my belt loop. Then eventually I moved it to my wrist so I could time things in my work out. Now I feel naked without a watch.
I don’t feel fully dressed without a watch.
I started wearing a watch regularly about 8 months ago, and since then I’ve noticed that I’m less dependent on my cell phone. Which is good, if you ask me.
I agree 100% with Mike. A watch should compliment any wardrobe. Unless I’m doing heavy infrastructure work (i.e. pulling cables for a switch upgrade), I’m not caught without my watch. I guess it’s just a part of my 100% philosophy.
A watch is damn near required for an adult. The selections pictured above are kind of hideous though.
They lean a little young and different. More options here of course: http://dappered.com/category/watches/
Thanks for answering my question! I really appreciate it.
Now a pocket watch, on the other hand …
Fashion house watches? Really? The recommendations are absurd to say the least. Would you buy a cell phone from a Pet store?
Lower your level of snobbery please. Beth’s suggestions are just that. Suggestions.
I’m with Joe on this. To judge any clothing or accessory item on the basis of the brand instead of the item itself is total snobbery. And it shows someone willing to let a brand rather than his own judgment dictate his reactions.
Actually, buying any of these fashion brand watches IS snobbery. You are paying for the name, slapped on a cheap chinese watch. I’m simply stating buy a watch because it’s a watch, a tool to track time. Timex, Seiko, Citizen, etc.. all make quality watches without the exorbitant price tag of simply putting “Marc Jacobs” or “Emporio Armani” on the face.
I’m a total Timex snob!
Simply state with a little less attitude then. Thanks.
i’m a big fan of the watch. partly because it can be such an awesome accessory, but mostly because checking the time on your cell phone is obnoxious. i mean, not always, but if you are talking to someone (or on a date!) it’s unobtrusive to glance at your watch, but pulling out your cell phone gives the impression that you are just waiting for something more interesting to happen – a call, text, email, or time to go.
I have a titanium Tissot – very basic with metal band to match. I’ve had it for years and if I’m up and showered my watch is on. I never really think of it as an accessory or jewelry. I just couldn’t do without it, which, in light of this post, is making me feel a little antiquated :). I’m not fond of the constant cell phone tinkering whilst in company. It belongs in your pocket or briefcase not hung off your belt or superglued to both thumbs.
Watches are pieces of art. Are they necessary? no, but neither are cell phones. Both simply make your life more convenient. To this days I still don’t carry a cell phone, but I have a massive watch collection. It’s all a matter of what you want. Nothing sets off a nice outfit like the correct watch. You shouldn’t wear a sporty G Shock watch with a tuxedo, and you shouldn’t wear a thin classy gold watch when playing soccer.
Do women notice? You bet your a__ they do. I can not tell you how many times I have been told by women that they love my watch. My last compliment was a question “Are you an entertainer?” She thought I was in the movies because of the way I dressed. She finished with “I absolutely love your watch”. Where was I? Boarding an airplane. I get it all the time. To tell you the truth, I love it when other guys don’t care about their appearance because it sets me apart. The choice is yours. You can either be like all the other guys, or you can be your own man. Do you have the confidence???
Watch Snob
It kinda completes a look. Of course, there are cell phones that can tell you the time. But you can’t attach those to your wrist. It doesn’t have to be formal either. There are moments when you won’t be able to use your phone, and having something to tell you the time is certainly helpful.
I’m military, and oft-times in Iraq and Afghanistan cell phones were unauthorized (early fears of accidentally detonating IEDs). Watches were, and are, a necessity for a man. Checking your cell to see what time it is makes you look a bit like a school-aged girl.