A watch is quite the statement about a man — it can demonstrate his taste in fashion, his desire to look good, and particularly a sense of his personality. However, this can backfire badly on those who think that just dropping a wad of cash will get them the luxury watch they need, as evidenced by the many “Folex” wearers.
A watch is a personal statement, and with the wide range of luxury watches available today, you can make that statement whatever you want, as long as you know how to choose a luxury watch that suits you. When you decide that it’s time for you to move on from Timex and cell phone combo you’ve been using so far, there are several things to take into consideration.
The Style — What are you trying to say?
A watch is the most widely used fashion statement for men today. Considered a mark of maturity, but without the staid feeling that comes with cuff links, a watch is the best way for a man to make a subtle, but dramatically effective statement about himself. There are many styles of luxury watches, from flashy sports models to understated businessman looks, from skeleton to lunar to racing car watches, there is a luxury men’s watch for literally almost every look. When you decide to buy your luxury watch, you need to consider what statement you want that watch to make about you and your style.
Do you want to appear cutting edge, yet reliable? Perhaps a model like Jaeger – LeCoultre’s Reverso Classique Grande Automatic, with it’s ability to swivel inwards towards the wrist is what you’re looking for. Watches with innovative mechanics, whether it be twisting, twirling, or inverting, can be a good start for someone looking to make a statement, but not that much of a statement.
For those more interested in a classical business look, Tag Heur, Omega, and the ever-popular, though quite common Rolex produce a wide variety of models in a more traditional look. However, be aware that business watches can be considered a safe bet, so if you buy a more traditional watch, consider getting it in a different material or with a different face.
Finally, if you’re willing to spend, there are many flashy luxury watches with really quite innovative designs. These watches show that you’ve not only got the cash, but you know how to spend it wisely and get some creativity in the deal. Watches with visible skeletons, lunar and star cycles, and space age materials are all eye-catching and can be an extremely fashionable, yet fun, statement. Your best bet for these watches include Richard Mille, Patek Phillipe, and Constantin, and sometimes Cartier.
The Price — The $64,000 (or $10,000 or $5,000 or $2000) Question
A luxury watch is going to cost you — there’s simply no way around it. However, there is wiggle room when it comes to how much you want to spend. The least you can expect to spend for a genuinely luxurious watch is about $2000, but if you’ve got cash to burn, you can pay up to $700,000 for some of the most luxurious watches in the world.
The way to get the most bang for your buck when buying a luxury watch is to know what you want going in, and how much you are willing to spend. If you are specific in your needs, a jeweler or watch maker can likely provide you with options in several price ranges. Like everything else, shop around when buying a luxury watch.
Whichever watch you choose, make sure that you like it and feel that it reflects your personality, because that’s what other people will associate with it. When used properly, a luxury watch is the way to show that you are not just any man — you are the man.