Matching your watch by dress code chart

Dress codes are archaic and I don’t follow them. I wear what I want when I want.

Since this is a family friendly site I will refrain from commenting on what should be done with that chart.

Divers definitely don't go with black-tie..I mean, just look at this guy...

Appalling, right?!

😂

None of you really wear what you want when you want, not even the retirees.

You come down the stairs and your significant other says "Are you really going to wear that?" and you head back up to change.

I use chronographs to time things at funerals: lowering the casket, folding flags, etc. I then put the information into a spreadsheet to share with the family later. (The pallbearers at the Johnson funeral beat those for Uncle Larry by 13 seconds. Granted, Uncle Larry was a large man.)

Yep but 99.999999 percent of people in the world are not "James Bond" 😂

Where do they offer courses on watch history? I'm intrigued.

Dress watches and street wear can pair really well. It’s almost exclusively how I wear mine.

To a certain extent I’d agree that at first you’re better to learn the rules before you break them.

Corrected 😬

Thanks for sharing with the community Jrod. There’s a reason why watches come in different forms and for different purposes/practicalities. No difference with a dress code, some people more than others, sometimes need the guidance on what to wear, especially if incorporating accessories, e.g, a watch.

Some people may not care, and may not realize it, but guess what?! Mother nature tells you what to wear and what not to wear.

As a retired military officer, I’m kinda of a stickler to dresscodes, so I’m always inclined to look the part.

But I love and respect everyone’s opinion on the subject, and so, I wanted to also share mine.

Happy Monday Crunchers!

Given that this chart comes from Real Men Real Style, it is worth mentioning that Antonio tends to say that “there’s always a dress code even if there’s no dress code” and that “one has to learn and interiorise the rules to know when to break them”.

I see the chart as quite good general input. Breaking the rules is good and healthy but the key is how far are you breaking them and what your general attitude and confidence is. Breaking the rules has to do too with attitude and confidence.

Example: Dive watch while on black tie? Sure, James Bond does it! But you’re not James Bond, and sure your Aston Martin is not parked at the door. You had to go and self-park your Toyota Prius and ordered a Miller Lite instead of a Vesper cocktail.

You can sure wear your Rolex Submariner (or your San Martin Homage of a Sub) on black tie. But without the right charisma, attitude and confidence, you won’t be the cool guy wearing a dive watch while on black tie but a guy who’s out of his depth and doesn’t know what he’s doing and it’s perhaps his first time at this sort of events.

Or just wear a GADA watch.

What if I'm diving in a lake in a field, that I flew to?

Dive watches should only be worn when wearing a wet suit and flippers. Pilot watches only atop a leather jacket. Chronos only when wearing a fireproof overall. For field watches you have the choice between military uniform and dungarees.

And then, Here we go with "what if" scenarios... 😂

I’m a traditionalist and I think this chart is relatively accurate. That said, we live in a far more casual world today and rules are constantly being re evaluated. I’ve worn my RG Santos de Cartier with a tuxedo and with jeans and t shirt and felt both were appropriate. But I wouldn’t think of wearing my turquoise dial diver with a tuxedo! I guess in the end it should be what the individual feels most comfortable wearing.

Lol.

If going for fashion it's s all about confidence and bending and/or outright breaking rules on purpose.

I've worn custom Vans Slip-ons and a G Shock with a shawl collar tux/dinner jacket for a New Years Eve party before.

I would point out tho, in most cases, the watch is usually the only thing "out of code" so to speak. Even the pocket square is level, and not purposefully off center. YMMV.

I love the backlash against dress codes. Sure, you CAN wear whatever you want wherever you want but that doesn't mean you will look good.

I agree you can wear dress watches with casual wear.

But let's not take this logic too far. You CAN wear crocs with a suit too, but let's be serious.

I spend 24 years in the military myself and I concur with you 100% (Master Sergeant, retired USAF). Thank you for sharing your opinion and thank you for service sir.

The only thing cringier than this list is the idea that you're some kind of iconoclastic rebel for wearing a tool watch with a suit.