Men’s Watches: 7 Tips To Help You Choose A Mans Watch And Make The Right First Impression

by Jim Walczak

belts, jewelry, watches

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Maybe you’re starting a new career and you want to look professional and confident, like a well-dressed man.

Maybe you’re going to be interviewing for a new job soon, and you want to make a good first impression.

Whatever your current situation is, it’s always in your best interest to dress for success.

There’s no denying that the first impression others form about you is largely influenced by your clothes and your accessories. And one of the few mens fashion accessories that allows you to express your personality is the wrist watch.

The watch you wear does more than just tell time. It also tells people a little about you.

You don’t want your wrist watch to be distracting. You simply want to look nice and make a good first impression. That’s all.

Here are the top 7 tips to consider when choosing a man’s watch:

#1 Purpose:

Consider the purpose of the watch. Are you looking for a watch for everyday wear, a dress watch for formal occasions, a sports watch for outdoor activities, or a dive watch for underwater exploration? The purpose will help narrow down your options and guide you towards the features you need.

#2 Style:

Think about your personal style and the style of the watch. Watches come in different shapes, sizes, and designs, and you want to choose one that complements your wardrobe and reflects your personality. For example, a classic dress watch may not suit someone with a more casual style.

#3 – Brand:

The brand of the watch can indicate the quality and reputation of the timepiece. Research the brand and read reviews from other buyers to ensure that the watch you choose is made with quality materials and has a reputation for reliability and longevity.

You should stick to dress watches from reliable brands like Seiko, Pulsar, Bulova, or Citizen.

#4 – Material:

The material of the watch will affect its durability, weight, and appearance. Common materials for watch cases include stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic, while straps can be made from leather, rubber, or metal. Choose a material that suits your lifestyle and preferences.

Generally speaking, you want to avoid flashy watches.

Professional offices (and job interviews) are usually no “bling” zones. You don’t want your watch to take the focus off of you and your credentials.

A casual watch or sport watch — that would be perfectly appropriate for a night on the town — may not be your best choice for work in a professional setting or a job interview.

For example, if you’re wearing your best conservative suit, then you’ll want to wear a conservative dress watch to match.

#5 – Features:

Consider the features you want in a watch, such as chronograph functions, water resistance, and automatic movement. Think about what functions you will use regularly and which are just nice-to-haves. Features will affect the price of the watch, so be mindful of your budget.

For a conservative yet classy mens watch, you’ll want one that is:

  • 37 to 42 millimeters and diameter
  • less than 15 millimeters thick

(Yes, you’ll find basic watch case measurements with all watches.)

You also want a watch that easily fits under the cuff of a long sleeved dress shirt.

A 57 millimeter case and 25 millimeter thick watch case would be totally inappropriate unless you’re interviewing for a DJ position at a night club.

#6 – Color:

You’ll want to coordinate your watch with your clothing and other accessories.

Here’s a helpful color guide for mens watches:

  • If your watch has a brown strap, then you should wear a brown belt and brown shoes.
  • A black strap or silver bracelet style watch band would go best with a black belt and black shoes.
  • If your watch has gold tones, then you’ll want gold tones in your belt buckle.
  • If you’re wearing a blue suit, you may even want to try a watch with a blue background on the dial.

#7 – Less is More:

timex-mens-watch

Don’t overwhelm people with an overly expensive watch.

If you work in a prestigious office (or you’re interviewing for a very highly compensated position as an executive), then an expensive brand — like a Rolex watch — may help you fit in.

But, for most jobs, wearing a super expensive watch that is out of reach for most middle class workers is a bad idea.

Your fashion accessories should communicate that you will fit in with the existing team.

Ultimately, a watch is just one small factor in how you present yourself. But, you want to pick a mens watch that projects competence and reliability.

You should always feel good about the watch you are wearing.

Together, a great dress watch and the perfect suit inspire confidence.

The Perfect Combination: A Dressy Casual Mens Watch

seiko-5-mens-watch

What if you dress nice for work, but you’re looking for more of a casual mens watch that you can wear for fun, as well as to work?

One great choice is the Seiko 5 men’s watch, thanks to these features:

  • automatic movement
  • durable crystal dial window
  • day & date window
  • water resistant to 99 feet
  • 37 mm diameter
  • 13 mm thick
  • luminous watch hands

Here’s a review of the Seiko 5…