The right watch can be a comfortable companion in everyday life. It can also be a statement piece that reflects everything from your wealth to your personal sense of taste. Through a men’s dress watch, you can convey power, luxury, affluence and more.
You don’t have to break the bank to get a signature look, either. A pre-owned Rolex will gleam just as brilliantly as a brand-new one. If you want to dress to impress as a modern man, here are just a few ideas for being smart and stylish about your next timepiece.
Occasion 1: Business Formal
When it comes to dress watches, the general rule of thumb is to match the watch face to the time of day that you’re wearing it. This means a light-colored face during the day and something darker during the evening. The same goes for your watch band.
As for your choice of metals, you’ll want something that complements your outfit. The goal is to create a smooth and seamless visual experience. If you’re wearing a suit, for example, don’t pair a gold watch with silver cuff links; this will interrupt the movement of the eye as it passes over your wrist. If you’re in a blazer with other accessories such as studs or sunglasses, make sure that they don’t clash with the bezel of your watch.
Last but not least, consider the little details.
- Stick markers look more sophisticated than Roman numerals.
- A plain dial looks sleeker and more streamlined than a chronograph.
None of these things are bad, but some are more appropriate for formal business environments.
Occasion 2: Wedding
Maybe you’re the one at the altar, and you’re looking for the perfect wedding watch. Maybe you’re a member of the groom’s party or simply attending as a guest. No matter why you’re at the party, feel free to have a little flair in your choice of timepieces. It’s a celebration!
Pull out the gold-coated cases and the chunky crocodile straps. If you’re in a tux, you might want to keep your appearance on the formal side, but a more relaxed dress code can let you show off any number of watch styles. Just make sure that you’re familiar with the movement mechanisms of your watch, especially if it’s a quartz watch. A wedding is one occasion where you don’t want to be late.
Occasion 3: Date Night
Choosing a watch for a date night isn’t unlike choosing a watch for a wedding. You want to look stylish; you want to show off your unique charms. How do you express yourself through your accessories?
For starters, you should get the practicalities out of the way. If you’re going on a romantic sunset cruise, make sure that your watch is water-resistant. If you’re strolling through a vineyard before a wine tasting, make sure that your watch will be cool and lightweight under the sun.
The next thing to consider is your personal sense of style. Think about every component of the watch: the dial, the bezel, the band and the hands. How do you want these elements to come together? What colors and textures do you like? What aesthetic do you want to invoke?
Occasion 4: Work Meetings or Conferences
You don’t want to be too ostentatious with your watch in a business setting. It might not be seen as appropriate. On the other hand, you don’t want to undercut your personal sense of style or the impression that you give off to others, especially if it’s a first meeting.
The solution is to compromise. If your watch is attention-grabbing in one way, make sure that it’s subtle in others. An example might be a watch with a plain band but a complex face that includes features like a perpetual calendar and a moon phase display. Another example might be a simple but vintage watch that connects with a pocket chain, giving you the style of a dapper gentleman from another time.
Try to embody the concept of quiet luxury while in the workplace. Let your watches speak for themselves. The people who actually know and appreciate watches will hear.
Occasion 5: Casual Drinks
This is another occasion where you don’t want to be too flashy with your watch. Rather than dropping someone’s jaw with 18-karat gold encrusted with diamonds, go for a timeless bronze or a light and easy titanium. You could also opt for a sports watch, a chronograph or astrological watch, or something with a textured band or dial.
Casual drinks might also be an occasion to show off your more unique timepieces. If you’re a fan of a good Jaeger Lecoultre watch, for example, you could look into their Reverso styles with rotating faces. It’s sure to be an interesting novelty over drinks!
Occasion 6: Black Tie Event
A black tie event is the ultimate chance to show off. It’s the occasion where you can pull out your most impressive Cartier watch to match your most expensive suit. Feel free to let your crystals shine and your platinum bling. Channel The Great Gatsby to your heart’s content.
Are you wearing a tuxedo or formal dinner jacket rather than a suit? Never fear. You can still showcase your favorite men’s dress watch; in fact, you’ll have even more options without the styling limitations of the traditional suit. How about a hardstone dial made from onyx, precious jade, lapis lazuli, or mother-of-pearl?
You can’t go too big at a black-tie event. It’s the occasion that dress watches were invented for, so let yourself enjoy it!
Men’s Dress Watches for All Lifestyles and Events
You can create a sharp and stylish look in men’s fashion with the right dress watch. Whether you’re thinking Rolex, Cartier, or Jaeger Lecoultre, the perfect watch will be more than just a timepiece. It’ll be a statement of luxury and lifestyle.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
