Watches aren’t just utilitarian pieces that can tell you the time, as much as time-telling is their primary purpose. A watch is one of the ways that men can show their sense of fashion and taste, and a good dress watch is made for this specific purpose.
While other watches, like smart watches, are great investments for how much value they can add to our daily tasks, they serve a different purpose from a dress watch and may not be the best choice to wear along with your formal attire. In contrast to the smart watch, the dress watch is style over function, but it doesn’t mean that it is any less of a watch than the latest technological marvel.
Below are a few thoughts you should keep in mind when you’re ready to get your first dress watch.
Set a reasonable budget
A dress watch isn’t just for your everyday watch-wear needs, which is why getting a good one also means spending a significant amount of cash. Since good dress watches don’t come cheap, make sure that the one you’re buying will last you for quite a while without making you break the bank.
A good way to save up for your first dress watch is by setting aside a small portion of your monthly income for a year. The sum that you will be able to save for a year can buy you a good dress watch that is not to ostentatious. Responsibly setting aside some cash this way to buy yourself a new dress watch also makes sure you get to keep a roof on top of your head.
Aside from the financial benefits of saving up for a dress watch within your budget, having a watch that you’ve saved up for definitely feels better to wear. You’re essentially wearing a symbol of your hard work and success on your wrist.
Simpler is more elegant
A good dress watch isn’t loaded with too many features that you don’t even need for occasions where you should be wearing a dress watch. Waterproof watches, for example, tend to be bulky or have designs that clash with formal wear. You don’t want to be rocking your G-Shock at a formal function and risk looking like someone’s lost child.
A dress watch is also not a sports watch nor a field watch, so try to avoid getting dress watches that have cluttered faces filled with chronographs, world-timers or too many exposed tourbillons. If you’re worried that such features may result in you buying a “boring” watch, remember that there are other ways in which you can flaunt your style with a dress watch.
Dress watch faces are a great place to look for variety if you’re looking for a style that speaks to you. Decide on whether you want a round-faced watch or a square-styled watch face. How elegantly a watchmaker presents the watch face – including the watch’s numbers and hands – should also be considered. A good dress watch is, by nature, a simple design. It should not take away attention from you or the rest of your formal outfit more than a watch should.
Keep you wardrobe in mind
Remember, your dress watch is not the centerpiece of your outfit. It should compliment the look you are currently wearing, which means that a good first dress watch either already matches most of the colors in your current wardrobe, or is neutrally colored that it is quite easy to match to a variety of other fashion choices.
As a rule of thumb, make sure that your watch’s wristband is easy to color-coordinate with the clothes and accessories that you already own. A brown wristband on a dress watch looks great when matching with brown shoes and a belt, while black wristbands look great with the same colored accessories.
Wear what you’re comfortable wearing
Always make sure that whichever dress watch you choose, you’re choosing something that you’re more than ready to wear at any time. Wearing what you’re comfortable with isn’t only a prudent decision, it also speaks of what style fits your personality.
Investing in a dress watch you don’t even like is a definite waste of your money so don’t try to be too adventurous with your first watch purchase. You can try experimenting with your style if you make any future dress watch purchases, but your first purchase should be a watch that you can reliably wear to any occasion.
