::About Time::

     In the next of couple write ups I’m going to focus on wardrobe essentials.  These are the pieces that every man needs, staples as you will.

     Little says more about a man than his time piece.  Prestige, worldly, or cultured are some of the words that come to mind when one sees a proper watch.  Conversely, gaudy, ridiculous, or he’s compensating for something are words or phrases that come to mind if the wrist watch is done wrong. 

 

Pop quiz: Which picture is an example of a cultured man and which is the gaudy man?

     I can’t remember the number of times someone has started or I’ve started a conversation with “Is that a…you’re wearing.” For watch savants, you know what I’m talking about; but for others, allow me to explain.  Watch lovers are a kind of private men’s club.   Even if you don't know the man next to you, the watch bonds all men.  Whether you wear a $100 or $10,000 watch, the shiny timepiece poking out from the shirt sleeve next to you will always spark an internal or outward conversation.

              

     “Damn, that’s a Cartier he’s wearing.”  “He must know his watches to be wearing that.”  “I wonder what he does?”  These are the internal quandaries that occur when a special piece catches your eye.  But nothing is an easier conversation starter at a coffee shop, airport, or board room, than “what are you wearing.” 

                

     Watches fall into two basic categories: automatic and quartz.  I won’t go into details, but automatics are more heralded due to the craftsmanship that goes into them.  There are three essential styles that you should be familiar with: classic, sport, and fashion.  The classic watch is meant to be worn with a suit or shirt and tie.  The sport watch can be considered the everyday watch.  The fashion watch is probably the most common watch.  It can be defined by its looks or having origins from fashion houses (e.g. Gucci, Marc Jacobs, etc.)  Then there are those styles and brands that can blur styles.  Think Rolex, which looks equally well in a bathing suit as it does in a two button suit.  However, these are not unbreakable rules.  Once you become more comfortable with your timepiece, mixing and matching will become second nature.  

     It’s completely understandable to scoff at buying a watch that cost as much as a mortgage, but think of a quality piece of horology as an investment.  It not only serves a man’s lifetime, but nothing is more rewarding than passing down that timepiece to your son.   

::Classic::
Typically worn with dressier attire.
Think shirt and tie, suits, or special events.

::Sport::
This is the everyday watch.  Jeans, t-shirts, or
early morning surfing, this is the watch to grab on the go.

::Fashion::
There's really no definitive definition for a fashion watch.
They can come from fashion houses or be defined
by the look of the watch.  They are the most common
watches among most men.

     The timepiece is a singular item that can say so much. 

-A great forum to learn about watches is Timezone.

-Photos taken from (in descending order):

     1. http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/impressions-eduouard-lauzieres-eldiamante-525604.html

     2. http://www.englishblog.com/2008/11/james-bond-product-endorsement-trivia.html#.USG3BORkzCg

     3.  http://www.global-customer.com/marketing-to-global-customer/Amman/watch_JaegerLe%20Coultre.html

     4.  http://www.interwatches.com/panerai-news/2011/11/04/New-Advertising-Campaign-by-Panerai

     5.  http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=gucci+automatic+watch