Why Should You Wear A Wristwatch If You Already Have A Phone That Tells The Time?
Educate yourself with this Interview With Wristwatch Enthusiasts.
I met a physician from India who I greatly admired. He owned five mechanical watches that he wound every morning. He would wear one all day and remove it at night before going to bed. He said that this ritual was a subtle reminder to spend the day fruitfully
. The good doctor went on to share that every patient has only one true possession, time. Some people have years and others have only moments. When making hospital rounds, he took the pulse of the sick and dying while consulting the second hand on his watch. He admitted that the hospital had devices that were far more accurate but felt his patients appreciated the human touch.
I collect watches like some people collect coins or stamps. Unfortunately, it can be an expensive hobby. Most people who appreciate the intricacy or variety of watches have more than one, when one will do. Each has a story and each tells more than the time of day. If you wonder why some people wear a watch when they have a phone, the reasons are varied;
Convenience: A turn of the wrist and there is the time without the need for digging out a phone.
Reliability: Smart phone batteries need to be charged constantly while kinetic or solar watches can run for decades. Quartz watches run on a single button battery that can last for 2–7 years before needing a battery change. Most watches are water resistant most phones are not.
Cost: An accurate watch can be bought anywhere from Walmart to Tiffany’s for a few dollars to “ya gotta be kidding me”. Regardless of where the watch is purchased, it doesn’t require an additional plan or subscription.
Style: For men, this may be the only jewelry a gentleman wears as a form of self expression.
Status: In the high end watch market, some brands are recognized as expensive while other brands are not well known by the general public as being costly. The watch enthusiast knows they’re pricey and that says something about the owner.
Practicality: Running or exercising, it makes more sense to wear a sports watch than lugging a phone. The Timex Ironman remains a trusted running accessory. For those who enjoy water sports like scuba diving, they need a water proof diving watch like the DOXA pictured or Seiko SKA371.
Monitoring: Classrooms that do not allow cell phones will permit watches. A watch can very useful when testing - especially for board or entrance exams.
Freedom: Often people fear they will miss something if they turn off their phone or leave it behind. It is also an indication that they are plugged into a cacophony of meaningless chats, feeds, texts, and messages, which can be mind numbing. Wearing a watch charts the time while disconnected from the cyber-world.
One can be a slave to technology or rebel against the machine.
For those who sneer at the watch wearing public, you are in danger of joining the ranks of tweeting sheeple. You risk becoming one of technologies connected drones. While grasping for the cutting edge, don’t forget that for all of us time is running out. Make good use of every second as the sands in your hour glass descend.
- For students: Phones are not allowed in exam halls, but watches are allowed. It is really handy to check time on wrist watch rather than asking the invigilator. Even now mobile phones are not allowed in most of the schools.
- Why do I still wear it?
- Suppose I am in middle of a conversation with my manager or driving, I can quickly see the time on my watch rather than taking my phone out of my pocket, seeing it, and then putting it back
- It acts as a style statement and looks good with formal wear.
Hint: Answer is at the end of this posting.
To answer this question properly, we have to know where we have come from to know where we are going.
Women have been wearing watches since the early 1500s. It was the invention of the mainspring (below) that made it possible. Yes, you heard that right, women wore wristwatches and men carried pocketwatches.
Imagine how this little spring changed the world. The mechanical watch would self-wind with the movement of the wearer’s arm (self-winding) or would have to be “wound up”.
The early watches, which only had the hour hand, were not reliable; by the end of the day it would be hours off, but it was still worn as ornimantation by the nobility. Accurate time wasn't important.
And glass didn't protect the watch, it was covered by a “cage” so one could still the time while protecting the face. If you ever see a Cartier watch like this (below), it's inspired by our first watches.
And this is how it was from the 1500s all the way up to the 1960s, imagine! Of course during that entire period time mechanisms became more and more reliable. But this isn't about the history of watch mechanisms, but of ornimantation.
Men used pocketwatches up until the early 1900s and wearing of a watch on a wrist was exclusively by women, mostly as bracelets.
It was war that changed things, the first wristwatches worn by men was for military use (below), which came about in the late 1800s.
In 1903, the Swiss developed the mechanism we still see today. It was during this period where watchmakers like Cartier and Rolex started creating timepieces.
The 1960s brought about the battery-operated quartz watches. Japan and other Asian countries began producing cheaper watches, like Timex, and it damaged the Swiss watch sales since they refused to make anything other than mechanical watches Quartz crisis - Wikipedia. Digital warches came into the market in the early 1970s like the “Pulsar” (below).
I know, scary looking….
This is where, in 1983, a Swiss watchmaker developed the now famous Swatch brand, a Swiss-made watch with a quartz movement, affordable to the masses.
The Swatch 1983 “GB101” (above), one of the first Swatch watches put out in the market.
And Swatch changed the industry. It gave Timex and similar brands made in Asia a run for their money. Swatch made watch wearing fashionable for the masses. It also made the founder a very wealthy man, so wealthy, he purchased other iconic Swiss watchmakers and created “The Swarch Group”
The smart phone put a huge dent in watch purchases. People use their phone to tell the time - in any time zone. But still, Apple and a host of other smartphone companies came out with…wristwatches! Why? Because just as in the 1800s when soldiers couldn't pull out a pocket watch while doing military maneuvers, humankind couldn't always pull out their phone:
The Apple Watch (above) is one of many “smart watches” that have come into the marketplace.
So, now that we know where we have come from, the answer to your question:
Why do some people still wear wristwatches?
That word “some” is relative, here’s some facts:
In 2015, there were 1,200,000,000 wristwatches sold…yes, 1.2 BILLION, 36,000,000 of which were smartwatches.
On the high-end, Swatch-Omega and Rolex alone sold over $12,000,000,000 in watches in 2015.
The biggest wristwatch market? Hong Kong - the US is 2nd. So there’s a lot of people who still are buying wristwatches.
But why? Why?
- To tell the time
- For status
- For fashion
- For investment
- For collection/appreciation
Personally, I wear a wristwatch because it's the only thing I wear as an accessory piece, apart from a leather wristband. I love the art of watchmaking and, for me, it's an extension (and expression) of who I am.
All my watches are left on Chicago time (my home) and as I cross-cross continents, I just add or subtract in my head depending where I am (below, selfie wearing my limited edition Louis Cartier Pasha, below).
Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
What is your favorite timepiece?
my 7 reasons EVERY man should start to wear a watch.
1. Watches Are Convenient
Phones don’t keep you punctual. Watches do.
A wrist watch is the most convenient way to tell the time.
I don’t need a watch because I have a phone, is a common response from a generation who are now questioning the adverse effects of constant cellphone use. Fishing for a cell phone on regular occasions just to check the time looks desperate.
A quick glance towards your wrist is a much classier way to keep tabs on time during a date or a meeting. Not to mention how rude it would seem to your companions if you pulled out your phone during a conversation.
On other occasions where it’s advisable to leave the phone concealed – like the beach, a funeral, a wedding, a watch is a much more subtle and convenient way to check time.
2. Watches Are Functional
Any item inspired by the military has a functional use. Wrist watches included.
Wrist watches were first used in the 19th century by the military to synchronize maneuvers during war. Since then, specialized watches have been used in the depths of the ocean by divers and high up in the sky by aviators.
One of the big advantages of a watch – especially over a smartphone – is how long it can operate in the field. Many watches are made to either be self powered through motion or use a small amount of energy from a battery. Think years of maintenance free time telling…..compare that to a smart phone’s 8 hours!
A complicated watch is designed with features beyond the basic function of displaying the time and date. Such a functionality is called a complication. Two of the popular complications are the chronograph, which allows the watch to function as a stopwatch and the moonphase complication, which displays the lunar phase.
3. Watches Provide Simplicity
The best watches don’t use the latest technology. They are powered by ingenious mechanical clockwork technology that predates electricity. So when your cellphone runs out battery – you can trust the technology that keeps running on your wrist.
When you wear a watch – it’s less likely you will fall back on your phone as a distraction. Often, checking the phone for time results in a rabbit-trail of activities including checking every messenger app, email and Facebook.
When you need to keep track of something as important as time – a unique device to measure and manage it is justified.
4. Watches Signal Style
Compliments.
The range of acceptable jewelry for a man is limited. Many men are only going to be seen with three main accessories decorating their hands – a nice watch, a stylish pair of cuff links, and a simple wedding band if they’re married.
In addition to helping wearers stick to their schedules, wristwatches make it easier for them to display their sense of style. They are a form of self-expression – reflecting hint of danger, adventure and sports depending on the make of the watch.
Watches can communicate a lot about the wearer’s personality. For those that prefer a bit of high-status bling on their wrist, a Rolex can be an understated, timeless and incredibly masculine accessory.
As the saying goes – boys look at their smartphones to check time – men look at a watch.
Call it what you will, a quality luxury watch is a man’s equivalent to the engagement ring.
5. Watches Embody Craftsmanship
A wrist watch is more than a time-keeper. It is a symbol of tradition and history encased in a showpiece with extreme craftsmanship.
Not many men realize that they are wearing pieces of art on their wrist. Some watch houses have four craftsmen working on one watch for several months – designing complex pieces of technology by hand.
It’s detailed art at the higher end of human ingenuity and creativity.
An analog watch has a simple and consistent mechanism. The way of expressing it is where the bulk of the creativity comes in. Watch design is inherently artistic. There is a lot of generic and non-inspiring watch styles out there, but the best stuff is beautiful and how often do you call a tool beautiful?
Art on a watch can come in multiple forms. The dial can literally be a painting, or the design of the instrument itself is pure art. For many people – the movement arouses as much fascination as the dial and case.
6. Watches Make Great Heirlooms
Not only is a timepiece the quintessential gift – it is the quintessential heirloom. No matter what your philosophy is on the end of life, we can all agree that people can live on through the memories of those that knew them.
Owning timepieces from a different era is a remembrance of people who lived before you. Having their watches makes you think of them, in a real way. They wore these same watches which show signs of use, care and and love.
A watch collection is also a legacy. It doesn’t necessarily have to be worth a mini treasure – but leaving your watch(es) to someone you care about is in essence passing on values that were important to you, to someone else.
7. Watches Help You Create A Relationship With Time
Since the days of the sundial (and probably before) – men have been obsessed with devices that measure time. A reminder that our time is limited.
Wearing a watch has a positive effect on my attitude towards time. I am more attentive to how I spend my 24 hours.
Beyond the technical and mechanical intricacies of a watch – men are fascinated by these devices that claim to mark and control time.
There is a passionate community of watch lovers who dive into the details of watch-making and collecting.
The only other obsession matched with the passion for this inanimate object is the passion men share for cars. A watch collection is far easier to maintain and less expensive as a hobby.
Everyone can rock a watch. Wearing a watch is a great way to add interest to an outfit, especially if you’re a guy.
Why should you wear a watch if you already have a phone that tells the time? Some things to consider why watches are still a great thing to wear and own.
- A watch helps me to be on time. If I look at my phone to check the time, I end up getting distracted with text messaging, Facebook Newsfeed, and answering questions on Quora!
- A watch solves etiquette problems. When you're at a formal event like a wedding ceremony or a funeral, sometimes you need to check the time, and a watch allows you to be discreet. The appearance of checking your cell phone at a formal event appears rude and more noticeable.
- A watch is a convenient hands free device. Busy moms like me always have their hands full with their purse, shopping bags and kids. You can look at the time if it's on your wrist, and not worry about digging through your purse to find your phone.
- Not only it's hands free but it can be an attractive piece of jewelry on your wrist. For guys it's probably the only piece of jewelry they can get away with aside from a wedding band and cuff links.
- Watches are great heirlooms no matter the price price point! What makes watches special is that you don’t need an expensive watch to make it valuable. The value of the watch is not solely based on price, it becomes more valuable based on who wore it and the story behind the watch. No one else can put a price on the inexpensive wrist watch your grandfather wore in battle during WWII as an example. In fact, a watch will not have any value if one doesn't wear it. It is very special to receive a watch from a loved one who has passed on. When you receive a watch that belonged to a loved one, they are not just giving you their watch but a part of them. They wore it on their wrist for decades and now it's on your wrist. It's the closest thing to having them in your presence and close to your heart.
- A watch measures maturity level, i.e: adults look at their watch for the time, kids look at their phone. In addition, the watch a man or a lady chooses to wear tells a bit more of their tastes, personal values, status, maturity, and yes, net worth.
Wearing a watch separates the non-conformists from the conformists that just elect to stick with their smartphone to tell the time. I love and admire those who wear watches.
Keep in mind that watches, like cars, aren't investments. Unless it's a Rolex, watches do not retain their value. Regardless of price, if you buy it and don't wear it, it'll be a waste of your money. Buy a watch that you definitely will love wearing, and thus reduce the cost per wear.
1. WATCHES ARE THE EASIEST ACCESSORY FOR MEN TO WEAR. PLUS IT’S VERY VERSATILE.
As men, there not a lot of fashion accessories that we can wear. Tie, money clips, wristbands, gloves, suspenders. These are too hard for me and I think a lot of guys will confirm that.
Watches always have been stylish and will be. A lot of famous people had worn them through history. Watches are a timeless and classic accessory, that quickly improves any man’s appearance.
Whatever you wear like a suit, sweater, jeans or pajama a solid watch (like this one) always helps you to look better.
2. WATCHES INSTANTLY MAKE YOU LOOK ATTRACTIVE
A lot of studies show that men who wear watches:
- Are more sexually attractive to women source
- Appear smarter, more competent, and more trustworthy
- Are more likely to be hired and get promoted sour
Quick test. Compare these 2 images:
Are you agree?))
3. WATCH IS THE INVESTMENT!
I won’t talk about expensive timepieces that increase in value over the time. It’s understandable.
Look from this side. You don’t buy a watch to wear it once. You buy it for today, tomorrow and for the future. In other words, it’s a low-cost (under $100) investment in yourself and your style.
4. WEARING A WATCH GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE BOOST OR “BADASS EFFECT”
For instance James Bond. He is Badass. He’s highly intelligent, can do anything, always gets the girl, and somehow, always looks timeless and elegant doing it.
So the main idea is that people tend to act more confident, freely, feel them more intelligent when wearing a bold watch (for example like this). And the James Bond will never check the time by pulling out a cellphone out of his pocket.
Be a timeless man like Bond…Be more confident and if you want to know the time, check your wrist over your phone.
5. WHEN USING A WATCH TO CHECK THE TIME HELPS TO AVOID GETTING “STUCK” ON YOUR PHONE
Not only is it more elegant to check the time with your watch, over your phone, but it also helps from getting “stuck on your phone”.
We receive so much information, so many notifications, and exciting stuff on the cell phones, so some time is easy to get distracted or stuck on Facebook etc. Especially it’s not fun when it happens during conversations. It’s confusing, annoying, and, honestly, rude.
Will a watch completely stop you from getting “stuck” on your phone?
No. But considering the average American checks their phone 45 times a day, it makes a big difference.
6. WEARING A GOOD WATCH MEANS YOU’VE REACHED ADULTHOOD
Watches are one of the most common gifts for man who’ve reached a new level of adulthood (for example graduation, wedding, etc.).
Watches cost money (a good watch will cost you at least $100). People don’t spend that on a 9-year old because he’ll just destroy it…
And they don’t want to spend it on a high school freshman because he won’t appreciate it.
Wearing a watch shows you’re adult enough to take care of and appreciate a nice accessory.
…And when you wear one, not only do you show people this, but you start to acknowledge it in yourself. You’ll take care of your watch, become proud of it, and start to notice others who wear them.
Here’s the bottom line:
Wearing a good wristwatch is almost like a secret club, that you only find out exists after you consistently wear one for a few months. Wearing one won’t turn you into a man, but it will show others (and yourself) that you’re old enough to care for and appreciate one.
7. A WATCH CONNECTS YOU TO HISTORY’S GREAT MEN
Great men, throughout history, have worn wristwatches.
Just check the photos below and see how many great people have warned watches and new celebrities following that classic trend.
Why do great men continue to wear wristwatches?
Two reasons:
Reason #1: Wearing watches is timeless. It shows that you’re not a man whose trendy, and jumps on every new fad that comes around.
Reason #2: Wearing a classic wristwatch is a connection to history. It’s what your father and your grandfather wore. Wearing one connects you to them, with great men throughout history, and with the great men of the future.
8. IT’S 1000X BETTER THAN A SMARTWATCH
SMARTWATCHES ARE AN INCREDIBLE, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT, BUT THEY’RE NOT WATCHES.
Microwave and DVD player also show the time, but they are not watches.
When you wear a watch, you’re making a statement. Which statement would you rather make: timeless and classic or hip and current?
Smartwatch is a great gadget with a lot of features, but it will never substitute the classic timepieces.
9. WATCH MECHANICS WILL ALWAYS BE INCREDIBLY COOL, NO MATTER HOW FAR TECHNOLOGY GOES.
Watches are powered by their movements (which are basically tiny motors that make the hands tick). There are 2 main types of movements:
MOVEMENT #1: MECHANICAL
Mechanical movements are powered by a tiny spring, inside the watch, that slowly unwinds.
Originally, this spring was wound by hand (manual watches)
But in the early 1900’s, a watchmaker ingeniously added a mechanism that uses the kinetic energy generated from your movements (like moving your wrist or arm) to automatically tighten the spring (automatic watches).
While technically made obsolete by the quartz movement, mechanical movements are still really cool (and are still used in luxury watches today like Rolex, Patek Phillipe, and A. Lange Söhne).
MOVEMENT #2: QUARTZ
In quartz movements, the spring (that’s used in mechanical movements) is replaced by a battery.
To power the watch, the battery first sends an electrical charge through a quartz crystal. This electrifies the crystal and causes it to vibrate. These vibrations then power the motor that drives the watch’s hands.
Because they don’t have as many mechanical moving parts, quartz watches last (almost) forever and require no maintenance (other than changing the battery every 4-5 years).
Here’s the bottom line:
The inner-workings of watches have been incredible for over a hundred years and will still be incredibly cool for hundreds of years to come.
10. IT REMINDS YOU TO KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER
Shop this style here.
Time runs our lives.
Meetings, dates, waking up, working out, going to sleep… we assign deadlines to every part of our lives. It’s how our society functions.
Now:
A wristwatch will obviously help keep you on time for your appointments, but, to me, its real value is much, much greater than that.
Here’s how I look at it:
The sole purpose of a watch is to tell the time. It doesn’t let you look at a webpage, check your email, text your friends. It, plain and simple, tells the time.
Now, in having such a basic and specific function, it begins symbolizes that function. In other words:
A watch begins to symbolize time.
It becomes a silent reminder of the inexorable march of time… that time is constantly moving, and that you better make the most of every second of it.
IN CONCLUSION
THE INVENTION OF THE SMARTPHONE DOESN’T MEAN THAT MEN SHOULD STOP WEARING WRISTWATCHES. WEARING A WATCH IS A MAN’S CONNECTION TO THE PAST, HIS CONNECTION TO TIME, AND A HALLMARK OF HIS STYLE AND WHO HE IS.
Remember:
Great men have worn watches for hundreds of years and will continue to wear watches for hundreds more.
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