Prime
More than just bling
A watch can be both a status symbol and a functional accessory. Photos by Fiswal Kasirye
What you need to know:
Time Machine. If there is one accessory almost every man should own, it is a watch. Watches are more than just time machines; they are symbols of status and say a lot about a man’s style and attention to detail.
When a man takes off his coat, he is not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!” Al McGuire, a renowed basketball coach, once said. Open any international men’s magazine and you shall find not less than three watch ads. The men’s wristwatch is, without a doubt, one of the most important “fashion” accessory to set you apart from the masses.
You may have the cool suit and extremely expensive shoes, but it is a dead giveaway if your watch is not up to par. Choosing the best men’s wrist watch can be difficult and confusing if you do not know what features to look for. Too many casual watches make their way into office/work/formal settings. It screams careless and experts urge all of you who wear your so called multi-purpose watches with your suits and other less formal attire to pick up something slightly more sophisticated.
Have different watches for both work and play if your lifestyle merits it or you simply like having variety. However, when buying a formal watch, you should choose something that is classic or more lasting.
Then there is the leather strap versus the stainless steel bracelet. Stainless steel is more practical than leather and is certainly more durable. It is dressy enough to be worn with business suit and casual enough for other occasions. Not only is it versatile, but it is waterproof. You could always go for gold if you wanted to drop some serious cash, but be careful since it might give off an unfavourable impression. It always makes more economic sense to buy a watch with a metal bracelet and purchase the leather band separately. You have to know that leather wears out eventually and needs replacement.
I have a friend who always steers clear of steel bracelets simply because it keeps grabbing the hairs on his wrist, which is painful. A men’s watch can have a strap made of leather, metal, cloth or even plastic. This is a personal choice, but make sure it secures well on the wrist.
Size matters
Another thing to pay attention to when it comes to watches is the size of the watch face relative to the wrist on which it is. On bigger men, a standard watch face can end up looking like a ladies watch. Watch makers are continually coming out with watches that have larger than standard faces. In fact, it has become quite a trend. Many people love bigger watch faces whether they are a big guy or not, it’s a great look.
When caught in the rain
Water resistance is a great feature if you shower or swim with your watch on, but let us be honest, who really does that? Most people like it because if they get caught in the rain or get their watch accidentally wet, they do not have to worry. By the way, water resistant can mean several things, be sure you ask to what degree the watch really is resistant. Some watches will resist moisture from accidental splashing, rain, sweat, etc., and others will resist moisture up to certain depths such as 50 or 100 metres.
Apart from your wedding ring, your watch is probably the most significant piece of jewellery you own. I really suggest investing in one good watch that suits your lifestyle and taste. The appearance of a watch is very important. As it has become a fashion accessory, you have to take the overall look into consideration. That is why you have to put much importance in the matter of how your watch looks. For that purpose you may have to overlook some drawbacks.
Keeping with the labels
If you ask many about brands; Casio, Seiko and Swatch probably pop to mind, however there is a wide variety of different companies, which are famous for making extraordinary watches including Citizen, Diezel, Tissot and the higher end of the spectrum representing the main tier of true luxury watches with brands like Omega, Cartier, Rolex and Breitling.
For most of us, watches are a tool. Specifically, watches are a tool that tell us when it is five minutes to 5pm, when it is five minutes to 8pm and how long we have been in the meeting that simply would have as well gone on without your presence. But for many men, watches are regarded as the No.1 male accessory. This is because they embodies coveted masculine attributes namely style, engineering and status. This is where brand kicks in. The first thing is the budget though.
After you have decided on a budget, you can now narrow down that brand, which falls within your budget limits. It sometimes does not matter how famous the company is, it is always advisable to ask about the quality. It is said that Rolex watches are the best, but what you need to understand is that Rolexes are revered among watch lovers in the same way that BMWs are revered among car enthusiasts. Great cars but can still get outdone by Mercedes, Porsche or Audi.
If you asked the average Ugandan man on the street about watches, they would probably tell you the market starts with Casio, moves up to Seiko, then Swatch, and reaches its epitome with Rolex. And without a doubt Casio, Citizen and Seiko are quite popular brands that many Ugandans are comfortable with in terms of quality and desire.
