“Every man should have a variety of designer watches in his repertoire,” luxurylifestylemag.co.uk advises, “but if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered.” The website offers readers their idea of the “right watch” for a business meeting, beach holiday, first date and family occasion. Post-COVID, I presume. Here are LLM’s mostly whacked-out recommendations and my entirely sensible alternatives . . .
Business MeetingÂ
LLM: “Impress from the first handshake with a classic timepiece such as a vintage Rolex or Omega. Not only will it exude excellent taste, but high standards, too. Our top choice? Rolex’s Paul Newman Daytona. This legendary chronograph oozes class, style and sophistication – and is guaranteed to never let you down.”
RF: The Brits didn’t invent snobbery, but they perfected it. Their top choice couldn’t be a new Rolex or OMEGA for a biz meeting. That so new money. Roll up with a $200k Paul Newman Daytona! Back here on Earth, my choice: any watch with an alarm. Business meetings are the only thing more boring than cricket. Sorry guys! Must dash! Apple Watch on the low end, Jaeger-leCoultre Polaris Memovox at the top.
Beach Holiday
LLM: “If you’re the active type and enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing or sailing, then a diving watch is a great daytime pick . . . here at LLM, we’re partial to the Seiko Prospex. Its unusual orange face is perfect for summertime, and it’s waterproof up to 200 metres.”
RF: While LLM’s choice doesn’t break the bank, steel bracelets at the $600 price point are nasty. Maybe that’s why LLM’s abtastic male model wears a white Casio that’s about about as classy as white patent leather shoes (i.e. not). The $360 black-strapped Citizen Promaster Tough is on point: comfortable, durable and legible. Sophisticated in an understated macho kinda way.
First Date
LLM: “The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 5970 watch is robust yet understated, making it the perfect partner for a simple yet sophisticated first date look.”
RF: LLM tells readers to “leave that gold-plated Rolex on the shelf,” then recommends a $200k Patek. Riiight. If we accept their GDAR (Gold Digger Avoidance Remit), I recommend the elegant and slightly-more-affordable Mondaine Swiss Railways Watch ($175). The world’s most legible watch is perfect for counting the seconds before you finally ditch the date that seemed so perfect online.
Family Occasions
LLM: “Occasions like weddings and family dinners are the perfect opportunity to impress the in-laws . . . Avoid coming across as pretentious – opt for a vintage Patek, Breitling or Omega to be certain of getting it just right. Our favourite? TAG Heuer’s steel and gold-plated Formula 1 watch, with its attractive blue face, is stylish yet understated.”
RF:Â There they go with that “impressing people” thing again, with a garish variant of an otherwise attractive watch, no less. I reckon family occasions are the perfect place to wear a watch you love, to add memories to a cherished timepiece. For me, the right watch would be my Hamilton Railway Special Pocket Watch. For you, whatever you like. In fact, wear whatever you like for any occasion. Why let anyone cramp your style?
I’m now at the point in my life where my daily wearers are a $40 G-Shock, a $100 G-Shock on a linked plastic bracelet, and a fibershelled tritium 38mm automatic from Marathon. Just won another auto race with the $40 G-Shock, though the strap isn’t in the best condition from repeated dousings in bug spray, sunscreen, and brake cleaner.
The more expensive stuff just sits on the dresser.
What is a “designer watch?” I thought this meant some piece of tat just above commodity level bearing some fashion name that one would find in a shopping mall display case. Needless to say, your choices are more tasteful and appropriate, and at lower price points too.
Their recommendations aren’t exactly gold-plated.
If we made the definitions, I think Mondaine would qualify: design is its sole reason for existing.
+1 for Gshocks as well; and if you’re willing to accept a primitive analog quartz movement, some of the Victorinox watches share qualities similar to the Casio’s.