[ARTICLE BY S. ALI]
When it comes to men and fashion and our endless supply of toys, obsessions, and all things not focused on our women, few things upset our women more than gaudiness. This can come in many forms; car too big, jewelry too flashy, shoes more expensive than hers, and many, many more. This piece was written to ensure you don’t make one of these fatal errors in regards to one of the most important accessories a man dons daily, and that is his timepiece.
Please note I said timepiece and not watch. Now before you immediately think the main difference between the two is price tag, think again. The differences have way more to do with style and way less to do with how much you paid or if you peacock like an asshole (and, yes, there is a proper way to peacock that will be discussed in a future post). It also, most certainly, under no circumstances, has to do with how big your timepiece is! We are here to make sure you do not ever suffer from BWS (Bulky Watch Syndrome).
Now depending on what your budget is you’ll have a few more options on what timepieces you can acquire, but it’s not a necessity to spend a lot to have a couple great ones in your collection, and again, they don’t have to be huge.
Now, before we get to what timepieces you should be putting on your wish list, let’s just graze the surface of the Freudian science surrounding size. To many individuals, the line about men obsessing over large toys to compensate for uh, shortages, in other departments is still somewhat prevalent! So aside from you not wanting to look like you’re overcompensating, overly gaudy trinkets without the proper frame of reference and/or style are just tacky. So our advice is to just play it safe, yet stylish, with a more understated look and not turn off that wonderful woman before you even get to hello.
Now onto a couple brands that are so understated and classy, they actually accomplish more than their clunky, costly counterparts.
1. One of the prime authorities on thin, sleek timepieces: Skagen of Denmark. Available at both mid & high end retailers. They have been making timepieces since 1989 and doing with precision. From the Skagen website:
“Skagen was founded in 1989 by Henrik and Charlotte Jorst who, inspired by the small, seaside village of Skagen, Denmark, set out to create a design- driven company centered around the welcoming spirit of the city. The inspiring natural landscape and modern design sensibilities, coupled with an unmatched attention to detail, made the brand one-of-a-kind.
Skagen’s most distinctive collections represent a passion for the Danish aesthetic, an emphasis on simplicity and a higher grade of craftsmanship. Combining sophisticated designs with functional details, these timeless pieces— from the delicate curvature of our jewelry to the natural form of our Klassik watches—are this season’s icons of stylish simplicity.”
2. The next sophisticated watch on our list is the Cyclops by Mr Jones Watches. This is a cult brand based in London. It is very unique in that it uses multicolored hoops to identify what time it is (or monochromatic if that’s your thing).
3. The Ora Unica and is so unique you’ll need special training before you can even read the time! This unique watch was designed by Italian phenom Denis Guidone for the Milanese Nava Design of Italy. It is a very minimalist design that doesn’t have to say much in order to make a statement. This is one of my favorite timepieces featured and epitomizes low key. It’s also an absolutely killer conversation starter.
4.The Vue Watch by Issey Miyake
The Vue, designed by Yves Behar for Issey Miyake is another one of these head turner, conversation starters you can own for not that much, and still make a bold statement. The brand Issey Miyake needs not a huge introduction, as they have been synonymous with style, high fashion and flair forever. This timepiece simply adds to the portfolio. This piece represents a fusion project between French designer Yves Behar and Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake. Check it out!
5. The Basic Blend Classico Fusion/Bones Ultra-Slim by Hublot
I had to include at least one super high end timepiece and this was the one! The Swiss timepiece maker, Hublot is known for making super bulky, functional and very high end nautical pieces. Hublot (pronounced “oo blo”) is actually a French word meaning “porthole” and those seafaring roots are reflected heavily in their designs. However, this ultra-slim piece is a break from their traditional offerings and they nailed it. Skeleton face, sleek monochromatic black finish and leather band along with precision you only get from the Swiss. If you have an extra $18k laying around, this is the one to get! And remember this is a slim watch.
What all these timepieces have in common is that they combine style, function and uniqueness, all to give you something that gold and diamonds alone can’t. Conversation starters can be undervalued, so why not make sure you have one close by at all times?? As we sign off, remember a couple things: no BWS, style isn’t the same as fashion and you don’t have to spend $18k to make a statement, but you can if you want.
As always, Have at it and let your personal style shine through.
-S. Ali
0 Comment