A wrist watch is probably the only accessory that a man actually needs. It is not just a time device. It is a testimony about a man’s life-style, about his personality and after all, a man’s watch can be a very powerful status symbol.
The mass-production of men’s watches began after the Second World War, when the fast technological progress has enabled men to find quality timepieces for an affordable price. That was a moment, when men got their lifetime devices with precise mechanical movements, mostly Swiss-made. What is inside the case was more important than the question of design and color of the men’s watch.
Soon after, watchmakers started to manufacture advanced mechanisms with a higher accuracy, durability and supplemented with new functions. A whole bunch of new watch models had been produced and suddenly, a man got the opportunity to adapt a watch to his style and life activities.
New sport watches, with advance chronograph complications, men’s automatics, models inspired by motto-racing, diving watches and casual timepieces for leisure time – all have been added to a men watch collection. With these varieties, a watch soon became the question of style. There are some very precise rules about wearing a watch and a man of style always picks the appropriate one for the occasion.
It should be well known that a man will break these rules if he wears a robust sport watch, with a suit or some other formal clothes. In that case, probably the only feature that misses on his multifunctional watch, will be a style indicator. Also, a stylish watch with an elegant strap could be a big, if a man pared it with a Hawaiian shirt. It does not mean that a man should strictly follow the instructions from a magazine, in order to buy a watch. Except certain basic rules, all depends on a man’s taste and style.
One thing is certain – a wrist watch for men has not been ‘just a watch’ from way back. The 1980’s and the upcoming era of pop culture has changed the way the industry and consumers looked at it. Men’s watches became fashion accessories and designs started to be equally important as functionality, maybe even more significant with the appearance of less expensive quartz movements.
Great technological innovations allowed watchmakers to experiment with new materials, shapes and designers’ solutions and ever since, the best of them have dictated trends in the industry.
Watches for men have been connected with the art, movie and the world of sport. Timepieces of the highest quality needed ideal promoters, celebrities with lifestyles that fit with the adequate brand’s philosophy.
Most of us will never fly to the Moon or explore the ocean’s depth, raise the trophy at Wimbledon or be a part of Formula One racing. However, we like to identify ourselves with these ideals and to come closer to people who actually achieved some remarkable results, because we like their styles. And a men’s watch is definitely a matter of style.