Are there dress codes for watches anymore?

Pretty sure I have a watch that doesn't go with anything. The infamous #custodesspecial .....click the link at your own risk....👀😂😜🤣

It's funny you bring this topic up, Britt Pearce's video today talks about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1JWqgm1oKw

Weird! The world seems to work on cosmic wavelengths. Let me check that out

There are dress codes still, but they are far more relaxed than they were decades ago.

Norms exist to give people guidelines, they aren't hard and fast rules. If you want to wear a G-Shock to a black tie event, you can... But you are sending a message to others, whether or not you realize it.

Understand the messages you're sending, then feel free to send whatever message you want. Just don't imagine that how you dress, and carry yourself means nothing.

Most people wouldn't notice if you wore a watch at all. Unless you're in finance maybe 🤣

Well, most people wouldn’t know a Lange from a Shinola. That’s why Im asking the good people on WatchCrunch

I agree with her takes, though I think her reasoning is a little weak. She mentions that if she has a black tie affair, she doesn’t care what watch you wear, only that you are there. That sounds fine, but if it is true, why require people dress in black tie in the first place?

Im interested in the codes.

For example, a watch at black tie used to be frowned upon because you shouldnt be tracking time at an event.

However, today, the primary purpose of a dress watch is no longer telling time, in fact it is a way to dress up. So it makes more sense to wear a watch at a dress event.

Similarly, a Submariner is no longer a tool watch. Its clearly a dressed up luxury item. The question is, do we consider this the right watch to wear with a suit?

A sports watch with a suit is pretty much the standard now, so yes, a Sub or SMP makes sense.

I suspect the black tie taboo on watches had far more to do with class than tracking the time during the evening. Pocket watches were acceptable in black tie even when wrist watches weren't.

From 1914-1945 wrist watches became associated with the middle and working class. In 1950 being a peasant with just a practical wrist watch would mark you out as not really belonging in a black tie event. People who belonged would have a pocket watch, not some pedestrian "tool" like a wrist watch.

These days the richest people wear cheap quartz or smart watches, and even Walmart sells basic pocket watches.

My point about choosing your message is more about style than brand or materials/complications. Wearing a G-Shock in black tie says you are "rough", and don't care about conventions. Wearing a Canopus gold Speedy sends the same message as an ALS Saxonia... You have money.

Personally going to random networking events I still cringe at Apple watches especially those Ultra with those orange bands.

I have it on good authority a vintage Sub on a badly fitted NATO is the hight of fashion. 😉

Me too! It's one thing to check the time. It's quite another to check you texts while you are supposedly networking with those around you

meh ... I heard that guy shakes his martinis

In my opinion for what it's worth, I believe any analogue watch can be a dress watch.

As I’ve got older, and can’t rely on youth and fitness, so I’ve turned more and more to the ‘classic’ style rules - cut, fit, fabric and style can hide a multitude of (flabby) sins. If you’re not careful at my age it becomes really easy to look really bad, really quickly.

For a long time, then, I’ve been a proponent of the “dress watches only with formal wear” school of thought.

More recently, I’ve changed my stance. We live in a smartwatch connected society and any mechanical watch is essentially just an anachronistic piece of gentleman’s jewellery. It doesn’t matter that we as watch enthusiasts fastidiously sub-divide and classify these things, to the rest of the world they‘re all just shiny bangles that happen to tell the time.

So, what you’re doing now, to most eyes, is wearing a ‘classic’ mens’ accessory with a ‘classic’ mens’ outfit.

Personally, I think a sports watch looks good with a suit for day wear (thank you, Mr Bond!). I’d still wear a dress watch with formal or evening wear, though - but that’s just because it’s an excuse to wear a dress watch more!

I have to ask. Where are all these black tie events happening so often that you have to think which watch is deemed acceptable?

Plenty if you look around. If fact, you could have one tonight at your own house if you wish.

But that one is easy.

ItS the multiple ranges of Casual that I am interested in.

Oxfords/Jeans/Sportcoat/Tie?Sneakers/Khakis/Sweater?Loafers/Chinos/No Tie?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not interested in going to one. I also think the black tie watch rules are completely made up and no-one ever, anywhere has judged what watch a person is wearing in any setting. 99.99% of people could not care less about watches.

From the comments it seems there are 2 general viewpoints:

1) Those who want to learn about the about the current rules so that they are able to dress appropriately with out getting judged. They see the dress codes as a necessary evil but would prefer to wear what they want.

2) Those who are interested in the dress codes themselves, and perhaps have opinions about how the prevailing codes should be changed. They see different codes as a way to learn more about watch styles.

This gives me an idea! Maybe next time I have a watch gathering, I will impose a dress code. Something that leaves room for interpretation, though...

Of course black tie rules are made up. They are made up by people, and since you are a person you have just as much right as anyone to make your own rules. Whether any else agrees to them is a different story.

I think that is what everyone does, in the end. I am curious if you have any thought behind your choices.

Only business casual dress code I know…and I learned this first hand…never wear a nicer watch than your boss! Just gets weird, especially since my boss is the CIO😁

For real! It is interesting what people know and don't know. I have a few fairly high end watches that my boss wouldn't really know. But when I wore a Rolex, he did ask about it, and gave it a bit of a side eye.

I think if your boss is a watch enthusiast, everything is good. But non-watch people might look at expensive watches as a silly waste of money in the best case and a sign of irresponsibility in the worst.

Sadly my message is "bus crazy"

It’s a stunner enjoy it in good health friend …!!💯⭐️

At least you know the message you're sending. 😂

It amazes me how many people don't have a clue about the reality that how you dress and act sends a message, whether you want it to or not.

Is this an April's joke? Saying Casual dress codes are well defined. I don't think they are. Either way, people wear gigantic diver watches with suits and nobody seems to care. If you can get away with a truck wheel poking out of your sleeve, then anything goes in terms of style.

That said, in a business setting I think the brand perception matters a lot more than the style. I would never wear a recognisable Rolex to work unless I was in charge of pretty much everyone on site or was making obscene amounts of money (mid to high six figures yearly) as an employee with excellent performance reviews. Regardless of dress code. People these days get offended by everything, and some watches do get noticed, so it's just not worth the potential trouble, my opinion at least.

There certainly are Casual dress codes for those who pay attention to such things. Otherwise designer sneakers would not exist. Even luxury steel sport watches are in that category.

I would be happy to to engage in conversation with someone wearing a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms at a dress event. Same if they were wearing some linited Air Jordans. Doesnt mean they will win best dressed.

Good point about the Rolex. I think I have stepped in that one. There are professions where projecting and image of success is advantageous.

Would you prefer an attorney wearing a Rolex or a Timex? Financial planner? Surgeon even.

Nothing other than I paid for them, I wanted them and I will wear them in any scenario I choose. I literally don’t care what the normalised expectations are.

OK. You can certainly wear them anywhere you choose. I guess I am asking how you choose. It sounds like you go with pure instinct, I can respect that.