How to Wear a Watch: Must Know Rules
Watches are one of the few pieces of jewelry where a man can really showcase his style.
Many other types of jewelry like rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets are a very specific look, where as a finely crafted watch can work for everyone.
Regardless of your personal style, owning a watch goes beyond just telling time. Whether you prefer a classic or a modern timepiece, a watch is a versatile addition that instantly enhances your outfit — showcasing your attention to detail and unique style.
1. How Your Watch Should Fit
Yes, size matters. And your watches should be the right size just like your clothes should. That not only goes for the face of the watch, but the band as well. If it’s too tight, you’ll feel constricting on your wrist with limited air-flow in that area. If too loose, it’ll continuously slide up and down your wrist. You want your watch to be fitted enough to not move around and allow for breathability.
Note that if your watch band is too small or big, a local watch repair shop can easily adjust the sizing to fit perfectly.
2. Best Watches to Wear
Ideally, your watch should complement your outfit. Dress watches, as their name suggests, look a lot better when worn with dressier attire. These types of timepieces have more of a modest size and minimalist design — as you can tell here from this model of Patek Philippe Calatrava, which often features either leather or ostrich straps.
3. Dress Watch vs Sport Watch
Avoid wearing a sport watch with a suit. It just doesn’t match the formality. The goal is to maintain cohesion, so reserve your dress watches for your suits or dressier attire - wearing any other type of watch will completely throw off what you’ll want to achieve visually.
Sport watches usually come with a metal band, and they can vary in “casualness.” A metal bracelet leans more toward the casual spectrum of sport watches while a rubber strap leans more toward the dressier side of sport watches.
A dress watch is perfectly fine for casual wear, as long as the look is more elevated. When dressing for something like a beach-day, pairing a dress watch with your casual beachwear will definitely look off. The refinement of a dressier watch will only clash with the laid-back vibe of your beach attire.
4. How Many Watches Should you Own
To guarantee you're ready for any occasion, have a watch in each category: one for formal events and another for casual events. This way, you’ll always be equipped with the perfect timepiece no matter the situation. Allow yourself to have one in each category as this is the sweet spot and will cover you for all occasions.
Many of my clients start to appreciate watches and eventually find themselves gradually expanding their watch collection over time. But, we’re just talking about staple watches that will get you started. You can always explore more into speciality watches as your style develops.
Brandi is a personal stylist with over 10 years of experience helping men feel confident in their clothing. She offers tailored style solutions to solve your fashion issues, ensuring you look and feel great for any occasion.