[Intrepid]

It's unlikely to have any traction here, but there are several reasons to consider going without a watch.

1. Totally unnecessary in todays i phone world.
2. Sends the message that you don't need the status symbol, of yesterday. Moving up the watch price range seems to send out a signal of insecurity.
3. Totally destroys the way the left sleeve of a suit, or sport jacket hangs. Hard to spot on yourself. Look at the guys on TV that have a large watch, and see what it does to the way the left sleeve meets the shirt cuff.

 

[greyflannel]

I wear a $30 Timex weekender on a cheap nato strap- feel naked without it. and it looks great

 

[smmrfld]

Disagree. Apple Watch daily, JLC Reverso to mix it up, and Patek Calatrava for dress.

 

[richard warren]

Keep on telling yourself you don't need the status symbol of yesterday. One day you may believe yourself.

Meanwhile those guys on tv whose job it is to project success will be wearing their big watches.

 

[Dhaller]

I've gone watchless for about two years now (after having worn my Rolex Sea-Dweller daily for 25 years).

It's *possible* that Santa might bring me an Apple Watch (she thinks I have poor sleep quality, and should monitor it... as though I would wear a watch to bed? Do people do that?)

HOWEVER... I have recently discovered the Zenith "Defy" movement, which is the world's most accurate mechanical watch movement (by a lot, to quote a contentious figure). I am also a sucker for clever engineering and precision craftsmanship. Color me tempted.

It's the least "trad" watch ever (it even comes in a carbon fiber case, among other unusual materials), which is probably why Zenith has never been discussed here but... hmmm.

DH

 

[eagle2250]

I've gone watchless for about two years now (after having worn my Rolex Sea-Dweller daily for 25 years).

It's *possible* that Santa might bring me an Apple Watch (she thinks I have poor sleep quality, and should monitor it... as though I would wear a watch to bed? Do people do that?)

HOWEVER... I have recently discovered the Zenith "Defy" movement, which is the world's most accurate mechanical watch movement (by a lot, to quote a contentious figure). I am also a sucker for clever engineering and precision craftsmanship. Color me tempted.

It's the least "trad" watch ever (it even comes in a carbon fiber case, among other unusual materials), which is probably why Zenith has never been discussed here but... hmmm.

DH

LOL...here's hoping Santa comes through with that Apple watch for you.

My wife was concerned I might have a heart attack and after a previous Christmas, I ended up putting my Rolex and Tag (and a few others) away and have been wearing an Apple 4.

The watch tracks your workouts, can replace your iphone, etc and it does indeed call for help if you have a problem. My major reservation with the Apple watch is that, in my case, it keeps asking me if I've fallen and can't get up when I'm applauding at sports and other entertainment events, when I'm reseating the lids of partially used paint containers and sometimes when I'm working out.

Theoretically all I have to do when that happens is tap the "I'm Okay" button on the face of the watch and generally that works. However on a couple of occasions, the watch didn't read my response and it called #911 unnecessarily.

Jeez Louise, that's embarrassing!

Enjoy your new watch!

 

[Patrick06790]

I wear a $30 Timex weekender on a cheap nato strap- feel naked without it. and it looks great

Similar approach here -- Timex EZ Reader on surcingle strap from Central Watch. Had to cut the brown leather strap off, which bothered me a little.

 

[Andy]

It's unlikely to have any traction here, but there are several reasons to consider going without a watch.
1. Totally unnecessary in todays i phone world.
2. Sends the message that you don't need the status symbol, of yesterday. Moving up the watch price range seems to send out a signal of insecurity.
3.Totally destroys the way the left sleeve of a suit, or sport jacket hangs. Hard to spot on yourself. Look at the guys on TV that have a large watch, and see what it does to the way the left sleeve meets the shirt cuff.

Intrepid:

A different point of view.

1. I have a cell phone, but not a smartphone. The cell phone is off and in my car only for emergencies. I don't want a smartphone. I don't want Robo or any other calls. I have no real need to call someone while I'm in public. The home land line is on message and I don't answer it.

2. But I am thoroughly insecure! :hidden:That's what got me into wearing nice clothing and trying to influence others opinion of me. I have three Rolex watches and one served me well when I worked in corporate America. At meetings, everyone checked out everyone else' watch! ⌚

3. Would never wear a large watch with a suit or sport jacket. Large watches are for weekends or very casual wear. I don't even have a thick watch.

 

[Andy]

PS
I also take two newspapers a day (real printed news)!📰

 

[August West]

It's *possible* that Santa might bring me an Apple Watch (she thinks I have poor sleep quality, and should monitor it... as though I would wear a watch to bed? Do people do that?)

DH

I regularly wear my garmin to bed. I'm a runner and find that monitoring resting heart rate overnight is very useful. If/when my resting heart rate ticks up, it's a sign of either overtraining or impending illness.

I also have a Breitling gifted to me on our first wedding anniversary (many years ago), and a Timex weekender. The Garmin is worn 90% of the time these days.

 

[katon]

If anything, I think this will inspire temptation to consider pocket-watches, as that is essentially what reaching into your pocket to check the time has normalized.

I don't wear a watch if I will be doing something in front of a keyboard, as I find that it does not help my wrists. If I am out in the real world, though, I like having a watch.

As you point out, though, a lot of watches today are too big, like a too-wide tie. Makes a person seem like they are over-compensating when there is no reason to super-size.

 

[mhj]

Aren't our fancy expensive suits a status symbol of yesterday too? Why don't you wear a hoodie or an untucked shirt with sweatpants and leather sneakers or whatever is au courant?

 

[happydays123]

Totally destroys the way the left sleeve of a suit, or sport jacket hangs.

I routinely wear larger and thicker style dive watches and have never had this problem. My shirt tailor and/or suit tailors account for it when taking measurements and then make the proper adjustments during fittings. The end result has always looked and felt fine.

 

[Andy]

I was with Alex Kabbaz at an AskAndy New York City Event and he was measuring a gentleman for a shirt. Alex ask "What kind of a watch do you wear and on which wrist?".

Having that experience, I was at MyTailor.com with Joe Hemrajani. Joe didn't ask about the clients watch. When it was discreet I ask him about it. Joe said he noted the kind of watch and which wrist when the client came in the shop!

 

[smmrfld]

I was with Alex Kabbaz at an AskAndy New York City Event and he was measuring a gentleman for a shirt. Alex ask "What kind of a watch do you wear and on which wrist?".

Having that experience, I was at MyTailor.com with Joe Hemrajani. Joe didn't ask about the clients watch. When it was discreet I ask him about it. Joe said he noted the kind of watch and which wrist when the client came in the shop!

Joe did the same thing when taking my initial shirt and suit measurements.

 

[Corcovado]

I go watchless even though I actually like watches as interesting and aesthetically cool gizmos. The main reasons are that I don't need the watch as a timepiece, and I just get physically annoyed by the foreign object on my wrist. Modesty prohibits me from saying whether I need it to project success.

 

[Mathematicus]

I used to wear a wristwatch everywhere and all the time but I gradually stopped doing it when my timepiece broke and the replacement I found were all too big for my 6'' wrist.

I found a cheap Timex that has an acceptable size (36 mm, my older one was 34 mm) and is easy to read (I have serious sight problems) and I wore it until lockdown alternating with an old mechanical pocket watch that I carry in my trousers' pocket.

I haven't worn it since March and I fear it will be a pain to get used to it again!

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Being a TNSIL type includes remaining faithful to the look and ethos, and to the extent that this includes wearing an appropriate watch, assuming you have one, it makes more sense to me to have it on your wrist than in a drawer. If you are concerned about the messages such things send, perhaps you are not truly a Trad.

 

[smmrfld]

Being a TNSIL type includes remaining faithful to the look and ethos, and to the extent that this includes wearing an appropriate watch, assuming you have one, it makes more sense to me to have it on your wrist than in a drawer. If you are concerned about the messages such things send, perhaps you are not truly a Trad.

Another example of trad as cosplay, IMO. A watch is now useless for many, so why wear one if you don't need it...unless it's merely for decoration.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Another example of trad as cosplay, IMO. A watch is now useless for many, so why wear one if you don't need it...unless it's merely for decoration.

I find it curious that you find it preferable to reach into your pocket, push the button to activate the phone, read the time, and put it back in your pocket rather than simply glancing at a readily visible item you already own. Add to that that I dislike carrying a phone. If you find this to be cosplaying I am also curious as to what it might be that attracts you to a Trad forum. Are wearing LHS or cuffed pants cosplaying?