Watches, bad trends, and what should I buy?

[bubblewhip]

Just looked up this story about an Apple IOS watch and I think this is pretty stupid.

How I view a watch is not some actual practical tool, it's more style, class, and fashion than anything else. But not trendy or *shivers* hipster. I know there are people who have needs for practical watches, in particular to divers and pilots, but I doubt a digital iOS watch is really what those people want.

I'm looking for a watch suitable for formal business attire and I'm not really well versed in this area. How much am I looking to spend, and what exactly are people looking for in a watch like that?

I'm also looking for a tritium watch for Business Casual if it's acceptable, so many different brands and I have no idea what to decide.

Anyone have any opinions on watches?

[Rod]

I've got a Seiko Chronograph that ran about 350 bucks. It's both an everyday watch and looks pretty good when dressed up. Straight up face with date block in it. A little too many other tiny dials that I don't use. The other watch I have is a 25 dollar Timex digital, the first one I had lasted around 8 years before giving up the ghost.

[PawPaw]

My everyday watch is a Timex Indiglo. It's virtually indestructible but has a classic analog look to it. About $30.00 at box stores everywhere.

My dressy watch is a Seiko. Very nice looking watch, a bit classier than I, but it makes a statement without being gaudy.

My lady's watch is a Rolex. She picked it up the last time she was in Lucerne. Very, very classy without overstatement. She's an RN and for a time worked in a psychiatric hospital, that watch was forever getting dinged around. An like a Timex, it kept on ticking. Ticking in an exrtemely classy fashion. That little watch is really a lot more durable than it appears to be.

For formal business attire, a nice Seiko, Bulova, or Timex would do just fine. It all depends on the statement you want to make. A nice Patek Phillippe or Rolex is always in style. I like Omega watches, but they tend to be a little big (as do Seiko),

[Mike OTDP]

It's interesting, because pilots will put money into a good watch partly as a tool, partly as a statement. Especially with watches with unit markings. I'll admit to doing that myself, I've got a Bremont on my wrist solely because it's a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School watch.

Now, when it comes to high-end watches, there are watches...and watches. Depends on who you want to impress. Wear a Rolex, and you impress the peasantry. Wear an IWC, and you impress the movers and shakers.

[JustinR]

How do you know someone's a pilot? Either...
A) They'll tell you. Or,
B) They're found naked in the woods wearing only a large,expensive watch. (At least according to the grapevine.)

[JustinR]

Oh, and I've been wanting one of these...

http://www.ballwatch.com/html5/index.ph ... lang=en_US

...but no way I can afford that until I win the lottery.

[MarkD]

My every-day watch is a Swiss Army, it's the first watch I've had for more than a couple years that hasn't corroded. Plain analog with date.

My dress watch is a Bulova my wife gave me as a wedding present.

[randy]

My only watch is a Timex expedition, received as a present last year after my previous Timex finally gave up the ghost after over 10 years. Tells the time, has a second time zone for ZULU (useful for Ham radio), alarms and stop watch.

To me watches are tools, not jewelry. Is Watch. Is wear. Is not fashion statement.

The only time I had a separate watch was when I was actively SCUBA diving and I reserved that watch for diving so as to not lose/damage it during day to day activities.

[Rich]

Casio Data Bank 150 for every day. It's also a Waveceptor for daily WWV time hacks.

For dress a pocket watch which is far less accurate, and leaves me with a silly white band around my left wrist, which is why I never go formal.

[Denis]

When I wear a watch, it's usually a Mondaine Swiss Railways. I have fancier ones, but the railway watch is stylish, elegant, understated and practical, as well as not being so valuable that I would be upset if anything happened to it. The best place to buy one is - surprise - a Swiss main railway station, but I'm sure they can be found online too. Mondaine also make chunky aviator/diver/chronometer-style watches, if you prefer that look.