Watches and Style

Thank you for framing this correctly. It often gets cast in terms of fruity color-matching when formality level and general style tend to be more appropriate. Honestly, if one makes practical choices, not all that much variety is necessary.

I have seen a lot of "influencers" talking about how you should dress... I believe that some garments and colors work better together, but that doesn't mean you can't mix and match in a way that reflects your style and personality... I personally like to have a "coherent" look, which means you probably won't see me rocking my open heart Orient Bambino and a tank top lol

It seems you are the one with a real job, mate.

Shorts and t-shirts are a good match for a few other options, which means you can justify the purchase of more watches. Isn't it the goal? lol I can share a list if you need an excuse to buy more.

I always try to match my watch to my outfit like any other fashion accessory or piece of jewelry.

My watches are an important part of my sense of style and matching the watch and its strap to the fit or situation is my main reason for owning several timepieces and straps in varying colors and materials. It's also the most fun aspect of this hobby for me.

100% aligned.

No

I try when I can but don't care when I can't. If I am really feeling a vibe then matching a watch just adds this extra touch of effort in my look. And sometimes it's not even the entire watch like matching something like a brown leather strap to a leather belt or shoes.

It is sometimes difficult, but yes... Always try to match the attire.

Yep! One cannot overlook the sartorial aspect of wearing a watch.

There's so much going on in the world that I try to limit the decision fatigue. It explains my wardrobe choices (if I find something that fits right, I buy multiples and in different neutral colors) and my tastes in watches.

I would love to have a small collection of watches one day, but for now I prefer having a larger collection of entry/mid-tier watches to match my outfit/activity.

Me too. My goal is to one day have a 6 watch collection - dress, diver, pilot, field, GTM, and digital.

I like the strategy and I definitely use it for things I have researched and tested a lot, like my t-shirts. With watches, I feel I'm at a point where I am qualified to create a six watch versatile collection... but to get there I have to sell some and buy some, so it might take a few years.

As long as you feel good about it, all combinations are valid.

I match my watch (and clothes) to the task at hand.

Of course, as I don’t own a spacesuit, I have to make up use cases for my speedy.

Nah. I just wear what I like

I pick out my watch the night before, along with my clothes. The clothes are chosen with an eye toward what I'll likely be doing, plus a bit of who I want to be that day. The watch needs to work within the language of the outfit, for sure, although we're talking things like genre of watch and design elements here, not typically direct color matches. In that regard, I aim more for pleasing contrast/compliment. I do get very picky about keeping straps in a careful relationship between shoes and belts, which goes back to my tailored menswear days. No way I'm wearing a brown leather band with black sneakers, or something.

One thing I've been playing around with recently is wearing one of my nicer steel band watches with loungy, day-off style getups. Something about the friction between the soft, relaxed clothing and the sharply-finished watch feels pleasingly careless. Like, I want to say louche, but that's not quite right?

I agree that a larger collection can allow for increased flexibility and some uniquely killer combos (at least when it isn't paralyzing).

The watch is the outfit, the rest are matching accessories 😜

Fully agree, except about upstaging my spouse. She knew who she was marrying. 😉

I've really been enjoying your signature posts. They make me feel, as the kids say, seen.

Also valid! I do this all the time.

It's more of a make sure I'm not going more formal than her....😉

Ah yes, excellent distinction.

Nice to see such careful consideration for presentation. I find it more important than most people.

I generally dress like a hobo but I enjoy wearing a fine watch. I have a varied collection because sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don’t.

Well.. you should at least mix your metals and other jewelery with your watch. Its one of those simple things that make any outfit look good

Whats the difference between a pilot and field watch 🤣

well, I wrote about it here:

https://www.thecuriositytrips.com/post/horology-part-1-the-history-of-field-watches

https://www.thecuriositytrips.com/post/horology-part-2-the-history-of-pilot-watches

And these are the nuggets of wisdom I value on this forum. The best advice is about life, sometimes beyond watches. Thank you, @the_poor_horologist!

Don't mention it!