Alex Vaughn

There are many theories about what certain items of clothing say about a man, but none are truer than the wristwatch. Undoubtedly the male equivalent to an ‘It Bag’ for women, this is the one area of fashion that still belongs to men. You can tell someone whatever you want about your lifestyle, personal taste, income bracket and many other little hints of your social standing with just your watch. Are you flashy? Demure? Sporty? Whichever watch you invest your time and money in, chose wisely. Don’t try and be someone you are not; that said, the right watch can speak volumes about you even if you are just wearing boardshorts.

When you say watch, brands come flying to your mind left right and center: Rolex, Omega, Timex, Casio, Jaeger, Cartier, to name just those that hit me straight up! Like so many things in life, the watch you choose should reflect you; are you a fashionista with cash in the bank? A Diamond Rolex or a Chanel J12?  Maybe you have a little less cash in the bank.  How about a Guess or Rado?

You might be sporty and not flashy at all, suggesting a G-shock Sports Watch or a Tag Heuer.

The offering today on high quality watches is phenomenal, any design house worth their salt offers a time piece that suitably incorporates the heritage of the brand, from Oakley to Hermes.

So, how do you pick the right watch? First, pick your price point and the vein in which you want to go, and try them all on. See what looks right (your skin tone, your current lifestyle, etc. will all influence your watch choice.)

I have chosen my top picks for watches across all income brackets.  Remember, a watch is a good investment that will retain its value and capability for a long time (I am currently wearing my late grandfather’s Omega Seamaster from 1969). One word of warning, though: A high-quality timepiece, like a good car, needs maintenance – and that is not cheap. However, it is worth it.