The watch: dated or timeless?
July 1st, 2008More and more men and women are omitting watches from their wardrobes because they can check the time on their mobile phone.
I feel naked without a watch. It is a no-nonsense accessory that completes a look like no mobile phone can. In fact, I have several watches that I like to change daily, weekly and seasonally. It’s a fun and subtle way to mix-up an ensemble. There are signs that phones are becoming stylish too, but I’m not convinced that they will be fashion accessories in quite the same way as my chunky white watch.
And the watch on my wrist is more convenient. This may have something to do with the fact that I’m a little obsessed with the time. I look at my watch 100 times a day and can’t imagine having to reach for my cell phone instead. In my life, wearing a watch is as practical and necessary as putting on specs.
Perhaps I am old fashioned, and the mobile phone is replacing the watch as the single piece of technology that is with you all the time. Do you view your phone as a functional, but fashionable accessory? Has it replaced your watch?
July 1st, 2008 at 6:54 am
I am with you here Angie, I always wear my watch (and constantly check the time) so if I forget it ( happens very rarely, but still does) I feel like naked. My cell phone serves only for it’s original purpose/texting, and while I do sometimes check time on it, it’s much less convenient than to look at my wrist
Since we are talking watches, any rules on if one can wear bracelets simultaneously? I guess probably not, whenever I wanted to wear a bracelet I felt silly with both so i alway removed my watch.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:02 am
I only wear watch when i m on vacation! that is because i turn off my cell phone on vacation……But ever since i read your chunky white watch post i been on a look out for one, but no luck so far.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:04 am
I am jealous of those who can wear watches - I think they look very polished. For myself, I always end up taking mine off because it feels too bulky and tends to get in the way, or leave marks on my wrist (even though I have tried very dainty styles). I just prefer a bare wrist. That being said, I keep clocks all around me, but never wear them. If I am away from the clock on my PC, walls, desks, etc., then I just reach for my cell phone.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:07 am
Even though I own several lovely watches, they are all languishing with dead batteries in the bowels of my jewelry box. I use my cell exclusively. Funny though, because I am as obsessed with time as you, Angie. I stopped wearing a watch as a way to relax a little bit more and allow myself to think less about time!
July 1st, 2008 at 7:16 am
If I forget to wear my watch, it drives me crazy all day long! Feel naked without it.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:19 am
I used to wear watches, but I kept losing them when I took them off during tests. I decided to buy keychain watches, I had a really nice one that wasn’t so nice, within a week it had shattered and fallen apart. Then I got a better one, but I don’t really carry it anymore, because I don’t keep my keys in my pocket.
Right now I use my phone, but I hate rummaging through my bags/pockets in class to find it and check the time, which seems a bit rude to me.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:29 am
I used to be watch wearer (and I might end up getting a white watch at some point.) I definitely prefer a watch to cell phone. But as a mom, I needed to let go a little and relax so I ditched the watch. Of course, there are still times when I need to know the time, so I look at a clock or my cell phone. I am on the look out for a white bracelet.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:44 am
I am the last person in the world without a cell phone.
What can I say, I enjoy being disconnected sometimes.
I do like watches though and doubt I would stop wearing mine, even if I got a cell.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:08 am
I feel exposed and vulnerable without a watch. I have now become the timepiece accessory for my friends who “use their cell phones” to tell time. Often it is much easier for them to ask me what time it is instead of digging around for their phones.
Note: I recently read that, historically, it is considered bad etiquette to wear a watch to a dinner party. It gives off the impression that you have somewhere else you need to be. I can only imagine what Miss Manners would say about bringing a cell phone, or in my case, both phone and watch.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am
I’m definitely a watch person! (Tanya, when I wear my gold watch with a white one inch face and panther link band, I wear a plain gold rolo toggle bracelet with it.)
July 1st, 2008 at 8:32 am
Being punctual and on schedule is important to me, and I check the time frequently. I might feel differently if I kept my phone on my person rather than in my handbag, but my wristwatch is significantly more accessible than my phone, so by wearing a watch I don’t waste time checking the time. I can also check the time more subtly with a watch than I can with a phone. I like the look of most of my watches, but honestly, this is one area where practicality wins over fashion–I wear a watch even when the outfit might look better without.
Tanya, I’ll wear a bracelet on one arm and a watch on the other, but I won’t wear a bracelet and watch on the same arm–it always seems too cluttered for my tastes.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:46 am
I wear my fossil watch EVERY day, and check the time obsessively! I can’t imagine not wearing my watch, and it’s definately more convinient then getting out my cell every few minutes. The only time I use my cell phone, is when it’s too dark to see my watch.
Watches are definately timeless! They look so polished.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:48 am
Ditto what Monica said; I couldn’t have written it better myself!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:56 am
I used to wear a watch all the time and couldn’t imagine being without. Then about two years ago my last good one broke and I couldn’t immediately find a nice replacement. So I decided to go watchless for a while and use my mobile phone instead. It took some serious getting used to and my arm felt ‘naked’ without the watch, but now I’ve grown accustomed to it and am even wondering if the ‘reverse adjustment’ will be as annoying (I’ve caught myself eyeing a few lovely watches lately, so I think I’ll be getting one again soon;-)
Oh yes: it’s definitely easier to sneak a quick peek at your watch than having to rummage through your handbag to dig up the phone and ‘inconspicuously’ check the time…
July 1st, 2008 at 8:58 am
I stopped wearing my watch about 15-20 years ago, because I realized all the constant checking made me anxious and if I was late I’d get stomach aches. I have an innate sense of time and I’m never late. Plus, there are clocks everywhere you go and everywhere you look.
Cell phone is a necessary evil. It is handy, yes, but I don’t look at it as an accessory. My kids do. Different generation. They’ve glammed theirs up with jewels and charms and stuff.
My favorite place at our home is our hammock. It’s far away from all the clocks.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
I recently lost my favorite watch and have yet to find one that I like. I’m constantly checking my wrist, as if it will magically appear and tell me the time, only to find that I must check the mobile instead.
Sadly, there aren’t clocks everywhere here. Sometimes there will be a working clock within the public transport (buses, trains, stations), but none of my offices have ever had clocks reliably nearby.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:06 am
Very interesting, ladies. Vanessa, it’s a shame you’re uncomfortable wearing a watch. I am out of suggestions other than a loose bracelet type watch that does not cling. I wear my watches are loose too. They are more comfortable that way.
Tanya, sounds like we have the same watch needs. I think the right bracelet can look super with a watch if it’s your style. My late Mother wore a classic gold watch with a fairly chunky gold bracelet every day. It matched her gold wedding band. This is not my style but it was perfect on her. I’ve seen the look work with an assortment of dainty bangles too (all on the watch arm). Wearing a bracelet on the other arm is always an option.
I don’t have a choice but to be surrounded by easy access to time. I am constantly chasing time with app’s that are away from my PC or home. My clients and friends rely on me as their time keeper. (I’m a time piece accessory too Meredeth – nice analogy!) Now the cell phone I’m not obsessed about at all. It’s quite alright to leave that at home. Ola, it took us a year to get mobiles when we moved to America. It was SUCH fun not having one. But it was getting to our friends, who took us the buy mobiles one Sunday morning cause they’d just had enough.
Few people are addressing the LOOK of watches. There is no substitute for a fab looking watch – for blokes especially.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am
I’d feel naked without one of my wristwatches! the only time I don’t wear one is usually on vacation. I love my two tone super thin bulova with small diamonds on the 12/3/6/9 for a almost everyday. A faux diamond (very well done) for the dress-up (like the opera, ballet, etc), a neat funky chunky cream white one (anne klein) for summer, a thick gold chain one (anne klein, again) for when only gold will do. I’m on the look out for a red leather with a triangular face I saw in a Burda magazine - for fall/winter. I wear mine with bracelets and without - sometimes bracelets get in the way on the computer.
As for being so “connected” with the cell phone - yuk! I remember having to wear a pager in the “olden” days for work - I see it as being on leash. *Rant On* Quite frankly, I don’t see it as a fashion accessory, it’s a tool. would you carry your home or office phone around with you? I just don’t see having 24/7 access, yes I know, I also have kids, real jobs, emergencies, etc etc and it’s terrific when you need it but seriously folks 24/7 always talking on it, often I see it used more rUdELY than as a serious tool *Rant Off* And yes - I do have a cell phone, but most of the time it’s in the purse and I rarely use it at home.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am
I have 2 watches, both of which are somewhere in the back of a drawer, that I stopped wearing because the batteries died. I never consciously gave up wearing them–just never got around to having them repaired. Maybe I should do that this weekend! Since they stopped I have been relying on my cellphone to tell time. It’s a pain having to dig around in my bottomless handbag to find it. I like both my watches–one is gold with a thin rigid bracelet, the other has a chunky flexible metal strap in a dull silver finish. Still have not found a white watch that I like. First though, I should get the two that I already have up and running.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:36 am
I wear a watch every day — dull silver Swiss Army. If I’m wearing a bracelet, I’ll wear a more delicate bracelet on the watch arm and chunkier styles on the right.
In regards to cell phones, I find it’s hard to tell if a person is checking the time or checking to see if they have messages. To me, it appears rude to be constantly checking your cellphone when in the company of another person (there are, of course, exceptions, like you’re waiting to hear from your babysitter or spouse). I work in a firm where the PDA has become king and everyone is constantly checking it — even in the middle of meetings. It drives me bonkers.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:40 am
I used to wear a watch everyday. I was taught that as a professional, a watch was a necessity, like the suit or close-toed shoes. Since the corporate dress code became more and more casual, and we can tell the time from computers, wall clocks, cell phones or blackberries, I gradually stopped to treat it as a part of the work outfit. Now I wear it as an accessory and I’m sold on the white watch look. I stopped to wear my silver and gold chain watch after reading Angie’s white watch blog. It’s on top of my shopping list.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:58 am
I gasped when I saw the title of today’s posting — the watch, dated? Oh no, don’t take my one fashion fascination. If I could afford it, I’d have dozens. I have only a few, but I enjoy deciding which one to put on daily. I think a watch — almost any kind — finishes an outfit. Plus, I’m time-conscious, so I think I would be more stressed not knowing the time than having the time handy on my wrist. The one time I wouldn’t wear a watch is to a formal event.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:02 am
I never wear a watch. I don’t wear bracelets either. I used to wear a watch 10 years ago when I had a “real” job but when I retired to be a SAHM, I stopped wearing the watch. I did start up again when I was breastfeeding both my babies and I needed to watch the schedule and how long they fed. Once they weaned, I stopped with the watch. There are plenty of clocks around and I can check my cell if I really need to know the time. The timepiece I use most of all is the clock in the mini-van! I have timer reminders pop up on my computer. But other than wearing one as some sort of accessory, I haven’t needed a watch in over a decade. I’ve been thinking of getting myself a new watch, only because there are some that are really nice looking. But not for any real practical reason.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:25 am
I am also in the camp of those that *must* wear a watch. I rarely use my cell phone, so it’s more convenient to have my watch right there at my wrist. I do get a bit frustrated with having the same look day in and day out, as I only have one watch. So I’ve been looking to expand a bit. I saw some inexpensive watch necklaces at Claire’s a few months back, and I was trying to figure out how to make that work. They looked positively adorable, but I don’t know if I could wear one without looking too mumsy. Also, I was watching Mary Poppins the other day, and she kept her watch in behind her collar. It had some sort of retractable string on it, so she could pull it out, check the time, and “zip” it went right back behind her collar. How cool is that?
July 1st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Men’s watches: my DH has several! To work he wears a waterproof sports watch (he bike commutes and if it’s not raining he sweats too much). But after work, he swaps it out for one of his fancier watches - some which were presents from me. He likes unusual watches.
One of his favorite watches is a family heirloom but alas it doesn’t work anymore. He tried getting it fixed to no avail. He still wears it as a fashion statement.
He also has a pocket watch - another family heirloom - that he wears with his kilt.
Watches are always a good idea for a gift for him. He can’t have enough.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:44 am
I don’t like watches at all. For one thing–and this is quite embarrassing–it takes me forever to tell time on an analog clock and there have been times when that got me into trouble.
I also have an extremely small wrist. I have a pretty French Connection watch that I got, thinking I could remove the links and it would fit. Unfortunately only a few of them were removable and the rest were permanent, so it’s still too loose and flops around to the wrong side. I don’t wear leather so finding a leather wristband and punching holes won’t work. Watches always end up looking bulky on me, no matter how dainty they are. I tried those watches that tie with a ribbon but I felt like a little girl and found it goofy looking.
I also don’t like to depend on watches and cell phones, for that matter. My sense of time is pretty sharp and I attribute that to avoiding watches and not checking my cell phone every 20 minutes. Being obsessive about time is a very uncomfortable experience for me. If I’m a few minutes late but not exactly sure how many, I can handle it. Once I know that I’m precisely 7 minutes late, I feel sick to my stomach and very nervous. When you avoid depending on watches, clocks, and phones, you start to pay more attention to the sun’s position and things like that, which I prefer.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
I don’t like watches. I’ve actually never liked them. They’re generally way too big for my wrists, they pull out my arm hair, and for some strange reason they make my wrist throb, even though it is loose. I also kill batteries - if I wear a watch the battery will die within 2-3 days even if they are new. Weird! I’ve always found the time when I’ve needed it, so I don’t miss a watch!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am
If I want to accessorize my wrists, I wear a bracelet. I’ve had a hard time historically finding watches that balance my fashion sense with my need to actually know what time it is. I’m terrible at telling whether the very-slightly shorter itty bitty hand is 1/3 or 2/3 past the unmarked 1/4 point on the non-round dial. And then it gets dark and you’re out of luck altogether.
I spend most of my work in front of a computer (with a clock) and have clocks throughout my house, and one in my car.
In the rare cases where I can’t see a clock but still care what time it is, reaching for the phone isn’t a terrible burden. And it works in the dark!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Let me add that at this point, the only reason I would consider getting a watch is for looks, to add to the ensemble. I don’t think they’re dated at all.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I go through phases of obsessively needing a watch at all times and not wearing one at all. I haven’t been wearing one for a year now and thought I was doing good until I got on a long 5 hour red-eye flight from LA to New York. Yep, a cell phone is useless if you want to check the time mid-air. So I turn to my co-passenger to ask the time and she too shows me her switched-off cell phone. Didn’t think I would miss a watch this much. Angie, your post is right on mark. I am going to go get a new watch this week, preferably a white one.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I hate having to dig out my cell phone from my bag or pocket just to check the time. If ever I forget to wear my watch, I end up staring at my blank wrist 50 times a day, even though I know it isn’t there. It’s like a phantom limb!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I never left the house without a watch on before I had kids. After, I never wore a watch as it scratched the baby or pushed into my wrist while I carried them as they grew older and rode on my hip. Now that my youngest is 40lbs, it’s time to start wearing a watch again! Especially now that talking on your cell while driving is against the law in CA (ear piece only), my cell remains buried in my purse- I’m scared to even touch it while driving for fear of a ticket!!
I’ll be shopping for a new watch soon!
July 1st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Our newspaper published a couple of must have lists for women’s fashions last fall. One of them (maybe Tim Gunn’s) said every woman should wear a man’s watch. Because I like a watch face big enough to read w/o my glasses, I tried a watch my son isn’t using. It has a brown leather band and fits me more like a bangle bracelet, but I love it! I’ve had so many compliments on it. Now I’m wearing my silver watch with white band and love it too, but I plan to return to the man’s watch in the fall.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Vanessa, I may have the same watch problem that you do. I have delicate boned wrists (one part of me that is delicate!) and watches often are too big and/or look overwhelming on my wrist. The bracelet solution Angie suggested has worked best for me. Between that situation and the fact that I can only see watches that have good size numbers on them, my choices of watch style become limited. Don’t even talk to me about those watches that have no numbers at all! Often the watches I like the look of the best don’t fit those other criteria at all.
In the last couple of years, I have found myself foregoing the watch more often when I have phone with me. It has worked ok. I do look at the time less often, but I agree with Sal, so far that has been a good rather than bad thing.
I agree with the “wear the bracelet on the other arm” opinion. Particularly since I have a bracelet style watch. I can imagine a loose bracelet maybe working ok with close fitting style watch.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Whew, I was afraid you were going to saw watches are dated. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who loves my watch. I too check the time constantly. Digging in my purse for my cell phone just isn’t the same. The only time I go with out a watch is when I’m singing in front of an audience; then it’s just too easy to play with it if I get nervous. In fact, I just bought a new watch a few weeks ago after my old one bit the dust. My new watch has 7 interchangeable bands in different colors (white, silver, black, brown, orange, blue, and pink), so it’s like having seven different watches. I love it! And I certainly don’t think of my phone as an accessory. It just rides around in my purse unless I’m talking on it. That’s like calling my check book or wallet an accessory.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Ah ha. Two camps. This is precisely what I suspected. I also assumed that everyone could tell the time. Guess one should never assume!
For those of you that have dainty wrists, I do too. They barely measure 13cm in circumference (a little less than 5 inches). I have always worn loose fitting dainty watches because they looked best. But you CAN wear a chunkier watch too. But not too chunky. The key is to keep it fairly loose. I don’t like the look of a dainty watch with a tight leather strap on a dainty wrist. That’s like wearing clothing that’s too small. What you’re looking for is out there. Promise.
I’m with you, Babe. I enjoy selecting the right watch for my outfit. As for blokes, if they don’t wear specs, a wrist watch is THE accessory. Love a bloke with a fab watch. Needless to say Greg (like your hubby, Shiny) is besotted with watches.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Now I’m going to sound like a geek, but there’s one mobile phone I would definitely dare to call stylish: the iPhone (yep, I’m an Apple fan;-)
As far as watches are concerned: I like both oversized watches (the man’s watch sounds interesting Joy) and more daintier styles (my wrists aren’t all that dainty, so not all styles suit me). And at the moment I’m into rectangular watches, wouldn’t mind finding a great white one.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The only reason why I haven’t worn my watches is because I keep forgetting to have the batteries replaced.
Mine are dainty Fossil watches. I really like them, but every time I go out to any place where there’s a reputable jeweler or watch repair place, I ALWAYS forget to have them in my purse!
So, for now I make do with my cell phone.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Phones are still not stylish enough to be considered an accessory, IMO. But I don’t wear a watch either - I was getting obsessed with checking the time, and decided to go cold turkey when my favourite watch’s battery died. It took a few weeks to get over the ‘need’ for frequent time-checks, but I’m happier for it.
Still, when *are* we going to get phones that look nicer? The iPhone comes close, but still looks pretty tech-oriented.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 am
I always wear a watch, but it is mainly for sentimental value. It’s a simple two-tone watch that my husband bought for my birthday right after we got married 9 years ago. I rarely check the time with it, but I’m just used to wearing it!
July 4th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I hadn’t realized how much I like to wear a watch until I lent my white one to my mom. I have other watches, but my white one was my go to watch this summer, and it was very comfy. I noticed my mom wearing the watch yesterday, and while I would have asked for it back from any other person, it’s my mom! If she likes it that much, I’m going to let her keep it, and buy myself another one. It was a cheap Avon watch, so I don’t mind. I’ve already duplicated the watch as a small gift for a friend who complimented me when she first saw me wearing it. So this will be the THIRD time I order this watch. Maybe I should order 2 just to be on the safe side.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I don’t look at my phone as an accessory, but it has replaced a watch. I love watches, but I can’t tell you how many I have purchased that I cannot locate the proper sized replacement battery so it just sits in my dresser all sad and dead along with several other watches, until I move and throw them out. This is also the reason why I do not buy expensive watches. I got a nice one for my 15th birthday, but it sat in my mother’s purse for 2 years hoping she would find the proper battery (yes we tried watch repairmen and jewelers) and when I moved away she still had it.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I just found this website and I like it a lot! I like the outfit formulas even if I’m not a mom on the go or whatever. In regards to this article, I admit that I had been using my cell phone as a watch and haven’t worn a watch in a long time. Unfortunately I just got a new phone and sliding it open every time I want to see the time really kills the battery, so I got out my favorite watch from my jewelry box and got the battery replaced. Now I wear a pretty pink watch!