How Many Watches Does A Modern Gentleman Need?

Men typically don't have as many choices as women do when it comes to jewelry. One staple accessory in the wardrobe of the modern gentleman is the wristwatch. Although some may argue that watches do not serve a purpose since we all have phones on us at all times, a gentleman knows that a wristwatch can add elegance and class to one's wardrobe. Not only is it a statement piece, but it shows others that you value your time, a limited resource we all wish we had more of.

A quick glance at your wrist will let you know whether you're late for an important meeting or how much longer you may be stuck in one, rather than pulling out your phone and getting distracted by the flood of notifications all fighting for your attention.

A man should ideally own at least three watches if he wants to be prepared for all occasions. For instance, you wouldn't wear your fancy dress watch to the gym nor would you wear a big G-Shock to a wedding. Below are the watches every man should own in their collection:

A Daily Beater Watch

The daily beater watch is one you wear for work around the house or a physically demanding job. This watch won't make you shed a tear when you notice scratches or scrapes on it. This watch may experience wear and tear, weather damage, and all sorts of punishment that would make anyone wearing a Rolex wince.

You may immediately think "Ah, yes. A cheap Mal-Wart watch!" However, most department store house-brand watches are cheaply made and often break long before the battery dies. Instead, keep reliability in mind.

You can get a decent beater watch that "takes a licking and keep on ticking" (Timex's slogan) for less than $100 that will add style to your wardrobe. Take a look at Casio, Citizen, Timex, and Seiko—all brands that have developed footholds in the watch industry.

For a daily beater, the tried and true watch is the Casio F-91W digital watch. The best part is, it's under $30CAD! (Around $22 USD). You can purchase one here

Read our review on it here: Watch Review: Casio F-91W Digital (A Great Daily Wear) for a more in depth review on this fantastic watch

A Casual Watch

Friday night is the time to kick off those work shoes and get into something more comfortable. Maybe you plan on going to a restaurant with a date, the bar with friends, a movie night, or camping. Whatever your plans involve, include a watch that reflects them. When choosing a casual watch, consider your lifestyle. 

If you are outdoorsy and enjoy hiking, perhaps consider a G-Shock. 

If you enjoy spending your weekends at live events like concerts, or with friends around a campfire, consider something with lume (the parts on an analog watch that glow in the dark), or even a digital watch, for darker environments. 

If you enjoy dining out and want to look fancy without selling your kidney, a Seiko Series 5 or Timex Weekender are attractive, budget-minded options.

For under $50 CAD (just over $35USD) you can get a fantastic Timex Weekender. This little workhorse from the longstanding brand, Timex, has class and style and won't break the bank. Click here to see the details

A Dress Watch

Even if you don't often wear a suit and tie, owning a dress watch can make you look distinguished. A dress watch can be worn on dates, to interviews, weddings, funerals, and any other places that call for finer clothing. In general, dress watches have simple dials and tend to be on the smaller side. 

You won't be finding digital watches or anything oversized like U-Boats or Fossil watches here (Imagine Flava Flav's clock necklaces on your wrist). Most dress watches will come on leather straps. If you want to be extra dressy, consider a black leather strap to suit most formal occasions.

A standard dress watch will have a simple face, with an hour hand, minute hand, second hand, and possibly a date window. Watches like the Omega Seamaster and Rolex Daytona are arguably seen as dress watches because James Bond wears them, but that's a discussion for another article. Just because James Bond can wear them with a suit, doesn't mean everyone can—unless you yourself are an international spy ready for anything.

Some dress watches to consider would include the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time, Hamilton Jazzmaster, and Orient Bambino.

The Orient Bambino is the best bang for the buck when it comes to dress watches. For less than $200 CAD (around $150 USD) you can have a dress watch for all occasions. Click here to see all the details and the different styles Orient has to offer

Summary

While some men will never own a watch aside from perhaps a smartwatch, a gentleman knows the value of a watch not only as a part of his wardrobe but also as a tool. Owning a few watches will be the cherry on top of the sundae that is your outfit. So next time you're getting ready, think about which watch would be best for the occasion!

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