TGIF: Watches ARE an Accessory

This Friday rumination is to remind people that watches are fashion accessories. Sometimes I think that many watch enthusiasts think of watches as THE thing. If they can just attain that elite watch, that will automatically convey upon them--wealth, status, and class. But, the watch doesn't provide any of those things. The watch is a byproduct of those things.

A Rolex Datejust

If you have wealth, your watch is a byproduct of that wealth. If you have status, your watch might reflect it. For example, a company owner might have a better watch than the company's rank and file employees. If you have class, you might wear a watch that reflects taste and an appreciation for the finer points of horological  heritage. 

An Orient Bambino

A luxury watch by itself is a bit of an anomaly. As I've explored on this blog before, there are many appealing aspects of a luxury watch. However, a watch alone is not a path to instant respect. Respect is earned through achievements. Achievements in the military, business, entrepreneurship, education, family, the arts, athletics, charity and religion accumulate over time. Achievements, personal conduct, and ethics help form your reputation and, to be a bit too trendy, your personal brand. 

Rolex Sea Dweller

To symbolize class or rank or wealth, a luxury watch also needs to be accompanied by a suitable wardrobe, car, home, and boat. In other words, a luxury watch is just one of the coolest trappings of wealth. Alternatively, an adventurous watch is the perfect complement to the way veterans and military members dress and carry themselves. Experience in far away place with nowhere to spend a paycheck can lead to some nice watches. 

Your watch can reflect your personality, taste, and values. But, you have to do you. If you want the respect, become that elite SCUBA diver and have some adventures. If you want status, climb that corporate ladder.  If you want wealth, start that business and succeed. The watches can follow.

TGIF: How much watch do you need?

It dawns on me that I'm not going to hike the Pacific Crest trail. I'm not going to dive on a Caribbean shipwreck in search of Spanish gold. I'm not even going to fly an aging DC-3 over the Sahara to deliver mercenaries and steal the Holy Grail. While I might imagine such adventures, it's enough to make me wonder if I really need to buy the perfect watches for them. When the watch ceases to be a necessary tool for adventure and becomes a talisman to ignite the imagination about potential adventures, you have the opportunity to save quite a bit of money on watches.

This Rolex Sea Dweller Might Be Overkill

Enter the fashion watch. A fashion watch might nail the adventuring look perfectly, but cost much less than the premium adventure watch. You could step down from the genuine dive watch to the diver-style watch. Externally, they look much the same. In fact, the diver-style watch might be a little skinnier and work more easily with your wardrobe. I've covered the differences between dive watch and a diver-style watch here with this blog post defining dive watches. I've also covered that you don't need a helium-release valve unless you are a commercial diver working with a diving bell. It's pretty simple. If you aren't Jacques Cousteau, you don't really need his Rolex.

A Commercial Dive Helmet

We've got a lot of programming to overcome. Financial success and hard work are often reflect on the wrist. But, with the rare exception of a few financial deal makers and salesmen, the high-end Swiss watch doesn't necessarily help build towards that success. After all, a $12,000 Rolex is the equivalent of 2400 $5 Lattes at the coffee shop down the street.