3 tips to start wearing men's watches today
Meaning, material and size. How to choose a watch?
In the world, practically everything can become a science. Just dedicate the necessary time and attention and, suddenly, you are bent over minutiae, understanding all the active principles behind it.
And you don't even have to go very far.
When that friend of yours became a barbecue fanatic, he certainly came full of cuts and types of meat you've never heard of. The same with your friend who went nuts over coffee. Or beer. Or on guitars (my case).
The clothing world is no different. And it just gets more and more specific, as you zoom in on the microscope.
I share here, with you, a little of what I've been discovering about watches.
Keep the watch in mind as a symbol
Watches are accessories that have a history and, therefore, like everything in life, carry a symbolic charge.
By having some idea about your origins, you can identify elements that you would like to bring to your presence, qualities that you would like people to perceive in you.
The wristwatch, before becoming a classic men's accessory, was actually worn mainly by women of the aristocracy. It is said that the first watch was given to Queen Elizabeth I, in 1571, by Robert Dudley.
Men's watches were pocket watches and were very rare and expensive.
The male wristwatch began to be used most notably by the English army in the midst of the Anglo-Burmese war, during the 19th century, when it was realized that a mechanism was needed to synchronize battle actions that could not be recognized by the enemy. And, of course, when you carry a lot of weaponry, taking the accessory out of your pocket should certainly not be the most practical task.
There is a legend that considers Santos-Dumont the inventor of the wristwatch. The story, in fact, is that he requested a watch of the type to facilitate his activity as an aviator. His adoption of the play was important for popularization among men, who were reluctant, despite its use in the army.
After a while, the magic was done. Men from the most aristocratic circles took the wristwatch as an important element of status. Punctual, disciplined and mature men should certainly have one.
Of course, for us, it's not just that information that counts. The variety of materials, sizes, shapes and functions greatly influences this result. But keep that in mind.
The material talks a lot
There are watches of all types, for all tastes, that highlight all types of physical and / or significant qualities. Choosing is probably one of those tasks that has a great chance of catching a person, due to the number of options available.
Each detail that makes up the product carries a meaning. Therefore, when thinking about what type of watch you want, it may be important to first think about what quality you want to transmit and, from there, research what types of materials and colors carry which messages. I strongly suggest giving up cheap internet guides, since these aspects are cultural. Looking in books and also trusting your affective memory can help a lot.
Some meanings are said to be widespread in the West. An example is metal watches, usually silver or gold, which are more expensive and therefore usually associated with more formal contexts. The same occurs with rubber watches which, being a very resistant material, waterproof and do not conduct electricity, are associated with sports and more dynamic people, who are in constant movement.
These are just two examples, but the reasoning can be extended to other materials. What does leather bring to your mind? Steel? The wood? The plastic? What if it is made of scrap metal? What if it has gold or silver details?
The size of the clock versus the size of the wrist
The wider wrist is associated with men who practice sports and who, therefore, have a more robust physical constitution. That is, in men, the size of the wrist is seen as a symbol of strength.
Wearing a watch that is too big can highlight the fragility of your arms. On the other hand, a very large man with a very small watch may give an impression of fragility or that something is simply out of proportion.
The ideal is to find that balance point where things seem to be in the right place. The body, the clock and the context of the clothing must compose a set.
How do you choose watches? Do you use any of the above tips or would you have others to add to the list?
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Further reading
How To Wear A Right Dress Shirt - Teaching Men's Lifestyle
How To Wear A Men's Shirt? Check Out The Tips! - TML
7 Tips Every Man Should Follow To Wear Jeans Every Day - Fashion - TML
