How to buy men’s watches

The days of the black Velcro-strapped calculator watch are long gone. The modern man’s watch can make or break his outfit—don’t assume that no one notices what’s on your wrist! A smart choice in timepieces can give a crucial first impression of class,confidence and success. Don’t feel daunted by the weight of this small item: just stick with these simple tips!

A casual watch or a formal watch?

When buying a watch, first consider your own lifestyle and needs. For a man who works in an informal office and prefers casual dining, a casual watch with a leather strap might be the best choice. The leather “dresses down” the watch so you can wear it with business casual attire or with jeans and a t-shirt.

Watches with leather straps

However, a leather strap wouldn’t complement a business suit. If you work in situations that require formal business attire, prefer high-end restaurants, or regularly attend formal events, a dressier watch would probably be the best choice for you. Stainless steel, in its natural color or gold tone, is considered a formal choice. It is classic, durable, and can be worn with almost any outfit.

Stainless steel watches

Men’s watch faces

There are many possible features for your watch face. How much or how little do you want? You have many choices. Do you want the watch to display analog or digital time? (Analog faces are generally considered more formal than digital faces.) Do you want the display to include the date? Do you need an alarm clock or a stopwatch function? Digital sport watches will tend to have all of these features, but they lack the aesthetic sophistication of a simple analog watch. You will need to weigh the importance of appearance versus function.

Digital sport watches

In addition, watch faces are not “one size fits all,” especially on a man’s watch. As men’s watches tend to have larger faces than women’s watches, a face that is too small for your wrist may look too feminine. Conversely, if you have a very small wrist but choose a large face, the watch can look comically large, like a little boy wearing his father’s watch. Be sure your watch has a face that is proportional to the size of your wrist.

Water resistant watches

A “water resistant” label doesn’t always mean that your watch can be safely submerged. “Resistant” frequently means only that your watch will survive a sudden downpour and hold up if you forget to take it off while you’re washing your car. Other watches are listed waterproof and can actually be safe under water, up to a certain depth.

Water resistant watches

These advertised depths should also be taken with a grain of salt: if a watch is labeled waterproof to 50 meters, then it is safe for brief exposure to water; if 100 meters, swimming pools; and if 200 meters, recreational scuba diving. Regardless of the specifications, never leave your watch on in a bath, shower, hot tub, or sauna, as heat and soap suds can affect the seal and compromise its ability to keep water out.

How much should I spend on a watch?

You could spend almost any amount of money on a watch. If you buy a five-dollar watch at a discount store, you can expect to buy another one to replace it in a few months. On the other hand, as price increases past a certain point, the marginal improvement in the quality of your watch won’t be worth the extra money. If you are interested in a more expensive brand-name watch but cannot afford it, replicas are often available for a lower price, with only moderate compromises in quality. Try brands like Timex, Seiko and Citizen for good quality at prices below $100. If your budget is more on the extravagant side, Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Cartier make luxurious men’s watches. Because there are so many different styles, prices, and choices available, remember to do your research and plan ahead—the internet provides a wealth of feedback from other consumers. And if you really want a $5,000 Rolex, plan ahead, save, and go for it. Good luck!