Does a watch 'category' determine how you wear it?
It's an interesting one, at least for me. The two watches pictured are the latest additions, bought within two months of each other. Being they were bought new and close together, it has been easy to note just how differently I treat them.
It's not about value, the Seamaster is heading towards twice the cost of the Cartier, and yet in the week since picking up the Seamaster I have worn it without are care. Not concerned if it gets a knock, or taking it off to do certain tasks. The Cartier, on the other hand, I treat with reverence. Is this purely down to the Dumont's particularly shiny bezel?
As the lines between dress and tool watches continue to blur. Do any of you wear a grand complication when fixing cars or doing adventurous things, or do you pretty much 'stick to the lanes' of a watches category?
Rekindled watch geekery after a decade long hiatus
Neither deliberately wearing a delicate watch when doing adventurous stuff like changing tyres, nor using them for their original function (or am I wearing my Breitling Emergency because of the possibilty to release a radio distress signal when flying my Citation? Really?😂). I have some beater watches that are extra sturdy (my trusted g-shocks) to wear for those occasions.
Neither deliberately wearing a delicate watch when doing adventurous stuff like changing tyres, nor using them for their original function (or am I wearing my Breitling Emergency because of the possibilty to release a radio distress signal when flying my Citation? Really?😂). I have some beater watches that are extra sturdy (my trusted g-shocks) to wear for those occasions.
Yes, I tend to be sensible when choosing which watch to wear on a given day, but I also like wearing dress style watches in far more casual situations. The Dumont is the first watch that I've treated like this. It'll be interesting to see if that relaxes over time.
Yes, they are both very capable as daily wearers.
Sidenote: The Santos is a rare beast. It's as comfortable as a dress watch as it is a sports watch. Not many time pieces walk that line as well as the Santos. 👍
To me it’s not so much about category as about how they look.
I have Seaweed too and I’m pretty much careless with it.
But I am more careful with JLC Polaris, which is also a sport watch. It’s just that Polaris looks elegant and sophisticated, which makes me feel I need to take good care of it.
I wouldn’t wear the Cartier surfing but i would wear it casually if I had one , I wouldn’t wear the Seamaster with a suit just because it wouldn’t practically fit under the cuff neatly. Both nice problems to have :)
Wear whatever I like for any occasion. Diver watch for wedding, dress watch just with a tshirt and jeans. whatever mood I have right at that moment.
To me it’s not so much about category as about how they look.
I have Seaweed too and I’m pretty much careless with it.
But I am more careful with JLC Polaris, which is also a sport watch. It’s just that Polaris looks elegant and sophisticated, which makes me feel I need to take good care of it.
Yes, I think that's where I'm coming from with the Cartier. It's quartz for a start, so not that delicate internally, but it looks more refined, so I'm wearing it with more caution.
If I'm honest, I don't like that much as I've always tried to wear my watches to the full. I think the first decent ding on the Cartier will sort that out!
I basically only own dress watches, which I tend to wear both casually and formally. I have a Casio Outgear Fishing Gear watch which I use for the gym and the more rough stuff and a Casio Edifice sports watch if I want to be extra casual in summer.
I am quite careful with my watches so I choose which one I wear depending on what activities I am going to do. I also like to match watches with my clothing style and occasion, which is why I don't own dressier pieces, I don't find many occasions to wear them.
I think the category of the watch does dictate the expected use of the watch, e.g. dressier pieces usually are more delicate, with polished surfaces, thinner straps, domed crystals, etc. so they are easier to damage and normally the damage will be more visible as well. A ding in a diver's bezel or a scratch in the bracelet will not look so out of place as in a dress watch.
If I can put it on my wrist then I wear it. Don’t overthink these things.
Well the Seamaster has a scratch proof ceramic bezel and the Cartier has a shiny metal bezel that will show every scratch, no surprises if they are treated differently.
The ADLC Santos models would be an interesting in between case. Much more hardwearing and even if eventually takes some scratches probably not look too out of character (though would like to see what a scratched up looks like).
Funny story: My first watch was the proposal gift from my wife the very dressy "Open heart - Frederique Constant:
And I didn't liked to wear it everywhere (too precious, too much (emotional) value, ...).
Now my watch collection expanded to a Diver and a GADA, and somehow it feels right to wear one or the other to different occasion to me. e.g. gada for working, diver for everyday use and the FC only for nicer events like dinners, weddings ... classical dress occasion.
Idk this way it "feels" good in every occasion with the (for me) propper watch
That FC is a beauty! 👍
Same I have the same watches and I wear the SMP more and wear the Cartier only during Sexy Time 😜
To a point yes, I'd rather a congruent looking wardrobe so I'd wear a dress watch with more dressy outfits and sports watches with more casual outfits.
Same I have the same watches and I wear the SMP more and wear the Cartier only during Sexy Time 😜
🤣
Glad Rolex have lived up to their reputation there.
I wonder if the new watches are as bulletproof as your father's Sub.
I'm pretty sure they are, but my tolerance for looking at a heavily damaged Rolex is zero.
Its a mix of looks and specs for me.
I appreciate scratches on a diver so I would have no problem wearing it in rougher scenarios. On the contrary, signs of wear on a tool watch that I know can take a beating ads to the appeal imo.
On the other hand i have some “cheap” dressier pieces that I would like to keep in pristine conditions for as long as possible. Its like wearing a nice suit with overly distressed shoes.. it looks off.
Its a mix of looks and specs for me.
I appreciate scratches on a diver so I would have no problem wearing it in rougher scenarios. On the contrary, signs of wear on a tool watch that I know can take a beating ads to the appeal imo.
On the other hand i have some “cheap” dressier pieces that I would like to keep in pristine conditions for as long as possible. Its like wearing a nice suit with overly distressed shoes.. it looks off.
Nice suit with distressed shoes is a really good way of putting it.
In hindsight it seems like a dumb question, but it's more that I've never treated a watch that differently than another before.
For me, the day’s activities help determine the watch🤙
For me, the day’s activities help determine the watch🤙
All these constructive and sensible replies. I totally agree, but even bearing this in mind, I still treat that particular Cartier differently from my others.
Maybe in my head it's not a good fit for me, so I'm keeping it pristine to sell it on.
Love your WRUW posts btw 👍
Nice suit with distressed shoes is a really good way of putting it.
In hindsight it seems like a dumb question, but it's more that I've never treated a watch that differently than another before.
“There are no dumb questions” lol. And I totally get your point. The lines between watch genres get blurier every year and most modern watches are built well enough to handle the wide majority of our daily tasks. Its definitely a valid discussion.
I am careful if the watch is on an expensive leather strap and delicate itself, like gold.
All these constructive and sensible replies. I totally agree, but even bearing this in mind, I still treat that particular Cartier differently from my others.
Maybe in my head it's not a good fit for me, so I'm keeping it pristine to sell it on.
Love your WRUW posts btw 👍
Awe thank you - very kind of you to say. Just your regular watch lover, such as yourself! ❤️🎯🤙❤️
“There are no dumb questions” lol. And I totally get your point. The lines between watch genres get blurier every year and most modern watches are built well enough to handle the wide majority of our daily tasks. Its definitely a valid discussion.
Thanks you! 🍻
I am careful if the watch is on an expensive leather strap and delicate itself, like gold.
Yes, precious metal watches are in a different league. The Dumont may as well be as I don't treat it like and other steel watch I own!
My Dad wears a ~08 Breitling Superocean all day, everyday, for everything except sleeping.
I think the trick is he isnt a watch 'geek'. He always thought Brietling was 'the' quality watch, so why would you;
a) wear anything else?
b) be concerned, as its a quality watch!
This extends to servicing as well. He never fusses about how accurate it is, or winding it, just as long as it tells reasonable time. I dont think its ever been serviced.
I genuinely try to use my watches to this ethos, but its directly at odds to having a collection of more than 1 piece, if you think about it! Why do I need anything other than a single quality piece?
Its maybe why in the last 10 months Ive worn my SMP 300 every day, with one evening a fortnight wearing something different when I meet with friends, or a G Shock when im doing heavy DIY.
Food for thought anyway...!
I tend to treat my watches the same for the most part. My Explorer II and my Seamaster, both bought within 4 months of each other, get worn the same way. I might change what I wear more based on where I’m going. For example I’m well aware I’m wearing the Explorer II at night in San Francisco the Seamaster doesn’t carry that same concern. The price difference between the two perchased at AD isn’t as much as you think.
I don’t have a Cartier. I want one but I don’t think a can put if off. I do have an OG Senator which is a dress watch. I wear that pretty much the same way as all my other watches. Although I am pretty aware when I get around water.
I wear my watches, they need to match my life not the other way around.
My Dad wears a ~08 Breitling Superocean all day, everyday, for everything except sleeping.
I think the trick is he isnt a watch 'geek'. He always thought Brietling was 'the' quality watch, so why would you;
a) wear anything else?
b) be concerned, as its a quality watch!
This extends to servicing as well. He never fusses about how accurate it is, or winding it, just as long as it tells reasonable time. I dont think its ever been serviced.
I genuinely try to use my watches to this ethos, but its directly at odds to having a collection of more than 1 piece, if you think about it! Why do I need anything other than a single quality piece?
Its maybe why in the last 10 months Ive worn my SMP 300 every day, with one evening a fortnight wearing something different when I meet with friends, or a G Shock when im doing heavy DIY.
Food for thought anyway...!
Yes, this is definitely an affliction reserved for watch geeks, or anyone with several watches. What's interesting is Watchcrunch has actually encouraged me to rotate my watches more often, or I'd be posting the same watch every day for a few months at a time.
I tend to treat my watches the same for the most part. My Explorer II and my Seamaster, both bought within 4 months of each other, get worn the same way. I might change what I wear more based on where I’m going. For example I’m well aware I’m wearing the Explorer II at night in San Francisco the Seamaster doesn’t carry that same concern. The price difference between the two perchased at AD isn’t as much as you think.
I don’t have a Cartier. I want one but I don’t think a can put if off. I do have an OG Senator which is a dress watch. I wear that pretty much the same way as all my other watches. Although I am pretty aware when I get around water.
I wear my watches, they need to match my life not the other way around.
I think you summed it up perfectly with your closing sentence. I think it's a question of me getting used to more of a dress watch aesthetic. All my other watches are pretty much sports, so the Dumont is a departure.
Not a fan of Cartier, the sea master buy it, wear it, 24/7 regardless of activity/ abuse it that’s what it’s made for…,