TGIF: What do you get with a fashion watch brand?

Sometimes watch enthusiasts treat fashion watch brands with disdain. With mass production and an emphasis on quartz movements, fashion watches just aren't the watches purists would choose with their appreciation for the artistry and mechanical wizardly of European timepieces. They view watches at collectibles and long term investments. This is all well and good, but you can't tell time with a fractional share of a Rolex.

This Izod covers the dive look

What is a Fashion Watch?

According to Grok, a fashion watch is a watch designed as a styling accessory and a status symbol rather than a serious precision timekeeping tool. Yet, a fashion watch with a quality quartz movement will keep time as well or better than many serious mechanical masterpieces. While a certain amount of status may be associated with fashion watches, most of them are simply not the wealth flexes that brands like Rolex or Patek Philippe have become. If you aren't buying an investment quality watch or a watch with a serious mission like diving, mountaineering, or aviation, you can focus on a watch that is visually pleasing to your eye and that has a good level of quality.

This Zoo York watch was on trend about ten or fifteen years ago!

Design Consistency in Fashion Watches

As I've accumulated a number of fashion watches from brands like Hilfiger, Izod, Lacoste, Nautica, and  Perry Ellis, I have noticed that they do have one thing in common: design consistency within the brand.  Watches from these fashion brands generally pair very well with clothing from these same brands. It makes sense.  After all, these sorts of watches are first, and foremost, a fashion accessory. The fashion brands also cover a variety of watch styles so that they always seem to have a watch that complements your clothing.

3 O'clock is Crocodile time with this Lacoste

Watches from fashion brands also tend to have a consistent look within the brand.  For example, Nautica watches usually have a boating or sailing theme and Lacoste generally has that crocodile somewhere on the watch. If you like the brand's style, you'll probably like most of their watches.

A Nautica Watch

Brand Quality in Fashion Watches

Finally, fashion watches generally uphold the quality standards of the brand. This means you get a predictable value proposition when you buy a fashion watch. While the watch may still be made in China, you should expect a good level of quality control from trusted brands that are household names.

Why Buy A Fashion Watches

Ultimately, when I look for watches, I look for watches that look cool and that fit my budget. Fashion watches usually fit that bill. In a time when young people are hard-pressed to get solid employment and older people worry about job security and retirement, there is no shame in a watch that you can afford and that brings you joy!