Buying a watch for status with women. Good idea?

Ask A Woman:  Is a man’s watch seen by women as a status symbol?

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Hi Beth:

Dappered seems to be extremely fond of watches.  Me, on the other hand, not so much.  I’m a young guy in college.  I have had a phone all my life and have never really needed a watch.  I’ve tried wearing watches and they are just not for me.  I know that a Rolex or an expensive watch on a guy was a sign of status (much like a car), but is it still?  Should I invest in a fairly nice watch for the ladies?

– Sean

 

Hi Sean,

Thanks for your email.  What I’m going to do, see, is not really talk about watches at all, but use something you said to launch a column on a different subject.  Do you feel used and abused?  You do?  Well, I heard you like that sort of thing.  Boom-shak-a-lak.

Some months ago I wrote about the watch being more of an accessory these days, like a belt or ring, rather than a way to simply keep time.  So check it out for ideas if you want a watch, but as far as buying a watch strictly for status?  Boo!  Boo!

I don’t subscribe to buying anything simply for the status symbol.  I mean, if the point of style for you–or anyone–is to impress other people, I can’t really help you out.  Because my advice is based on style being an incredible form of self-expression, first and foremost.  And second, being something that flatters the body and boosts confidence.  Wearable art that makes you look like a sexy beast.  When you begin to worry about labels simply for the name, it takes the fun out of it.  It’s like people who only wear trends.  You know who I’m talking about, right?  They have no taste, no calling card of personal style.  They buy whatever is in the windows of Express and American Apparel, or what they see someone on MTV wearing, instead of carefully cultivating a personal aesthetic.

And no one could figure out why Rolex revenue jumped 1000%

Of course, if you are buying a label because you know and trust the brand for their quality, that’s different.  But you should like whatever it is you’re buying.  Good quality is not so good if you don’t care for (or are indifferent towards) the item itself.  There are consumers out there who would appreciate the specific beauty and quality of a Rolex, and so for them, it’s a purchase that makes sense.

Sean, I’d say no, don’t buy a watch since it’s not your bag.  Assuming you don’t often find yourself in the company of society ladies, I don’t think many women have Rolex-radar.  And if a woman does, as I’ve said many times before, that’s a woman you want to steer clear of anyway.  Unless she pinches you just the way you like.

Did things just get weird in here?

-Beth

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