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Spending priorities: watches

April

Veteran

After reading Angie's post today about budgeting, I'm curious as to how the watch-wearers among us choose their watches.

I realized I don't invest in those super high-end watches that will apparently outlive our grandchildren. I focus on how it looks (silvertone, large face, simple: no mini-clocks showing other time zones, no date window) and while I would never buy a scary-cheap watch from a street vendor, above that I'm not particularly fussy about brand.

I should add I do not have a watch wardrobe. I keep the same one until it can't be repaired and wear it daily.

How about you - how do you choose? Are there brands you're devoted to and if so, why?

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from April

Helena

Veteran

I have a smartwatch now but I am not a high end watch girl (or a high end girl in general lol) ... Give me a classic Timex and I'm a happy camper. I wore a $10 watch from Shoppers Drug Mart for many years (a classic tank style ... Someone once asked if it was Cartier so there you go ha!!!). I did have a watch I really liked that was Skagen I think? And I really liked the minimalist design. Not expensive either but more than my drugstore watch!

DH on the other hand ... He has a collection of pass-down worthy watches. He loves to collect and learn all the details and history though, so it becomes more a full hobby than a fashion statement. Horses for courses!

Je Ne Sais Pas

I have 2 watches I switch between: both hand me downs from my husband (these are smaller men’s watches, while it looks like these days the trend for men is really large watches). None high end: one a metal swatch, the other one vintage, from a lesser known brand.

cat2

Veteran

Day to day, I wear a smart watch. I also have an inexpensive watch with a leather band that I wear for travel or on days I need to go through security. I also have 3 vintage watches from high end jewelers, that I used to wear to work, but nothing a watch geek would find interesting.

lyn67

Veteran

My Hubby is a watch nerd-but I am not a high end watch-or general- girl at all-more focused on color and size!:-) I did have a Donna Karan chunky white & silver with white leather band watch 15 yrs ago which I loved for years and then DH updated it for me to a Swiss Legend (if I can read it well:-)) a few years ago- same size and color with a white rubber band- which I love even more! I don't even long for a smart watch at this moment- I am still fine with paying (and toying:-)) with my phone when needed.

BlueJay

Veteran

I don't think too much about it, but all the watches I own were inexpensive and gifted to me and keep great time! They were chosen for aesthetics. The only thing my watch must have is a traditional watch face and a sweeping second hand.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I have my grandmothers, mom and dad's silver toned stretchy band watches that I wear, I often stack them just for fun.
Interestingly the toddlers I work with are fascinated by them and "swipe" them to see if the work like a smart watch.

RobinF

Veteran

I wear the same watch every day and am a little bit picky about it. I seem to go through a new one every few years and spend about $100 for them. I am definitely most concerned with the aesthetics of it. My current one is both silver and gold which I like, and it is solar charged so I never have to plug it in or change the battery! I love that!

April

Veteran

Helena, I LOVED my Skagen! The sleek silver mesh band, the uncluttered face. Unfortunately, a piece of one of the hands broke inside the glass and the battery died. Local high-end jeweler told me no one could do anything about either of those issues (not even the battery) except a certified Skagen repair shop. Apparently Skagen uses proprietary tools that no one else has.

I figured that endeavor might cost more than the watch itself (sniff) thus I moved on.

JNSP - I love a men's style watch.

C2 - smart strategy.

L67 - I can't bear the thought of all the tracking a smart watch does.

BJ - this seems ideal - people gifted you things that actually meet your requirements.

RF - solar charging, well that is just brilliant.

IP - can picture toddlers doing that. When I recently thought I might get a job at a K-8 afterschool program, I seriously considered getting the Timex with Charlie Brown on it.

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Roberta

Veteran

I have a wardrobe of watches from my working days, which I wore instead of bracelets. I donated some, but kept the ones that I really loved (even though I don't wear them much these days). I have one of those black velvet bracelet stands so I can at least admire them.

Except for my 40-year-old Indiglo Timex watch, which is perfect for checking the time at the movies, they all were about $200. I have definitely spent that much on new leather bands for the Timex! At one point I did long for a white ceramic Tissot, but I can't justify it. A few favorites are below. I also had to retire a watch because one of the hour indicators came loose inside the bezel.

April, my local jeweler has changed the battery in my Skagen several times. Not sure what that is about?

Skagen Signatur Slim Mesh Strap Watch

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Michael by Michael Kors 'Brenner' Square Leather Strap Watch, 31mm

$195.00 $116.98

Sale

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Mondaine Women's MSX.3511B.LC SBB Analog Display Swiss Quartz Red Watch

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rachylou

Veteran

My favourite watch of all time was the (now) $40 arabic numeral easy reader Timex. Clean. Readable. Lightweight. But now I have an Apple Watch SE - no choice there, I use it to see my blood glucose numbers. And the weather and sunset time (which is all about getting the dog his run in ). I worked for a banker once upon a time, which means I can’t ever buy something like a Rolex. It was against the bankers’ dress code. Because, I quote, ‘No one wants to entrust their money to someone who might spend it like that.’ You must look like you’ll squeeze blood from a rock. That you won’t spend your own, let alone theirs. Lolol My dad liked a fancy watch though. He was a fashion plate at heart.

MsMary

Veteran

I generally wore mid-range watches my whole life -- nothing fancier than a Citizen. Then I made the "mistake" of admiring a very fancy watch in a magazine a few years ago, and was dumbfounded when it showed up under the Christmas tree that year! At first I was rather horrified but now I wear it every day and love it

Omega Constellation Mother of Pearl Diamond Dial Steel and Rose Gold Ladies Watch 123.25.24.60.55.006

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Carol

(website)

Veteran

Definitely not a watch person. Will use my phone, or run to nearest appliance to tell time. I do think they look nice on the right person. Interestingly, many young people today are not able to read a clock or watch with hands.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

100% Team Watch! VERY IMPORTANT. I always wear one too, April.

I LOVE my Apple Watch!! I love how it helps me think and synchronizes with my iPhone. I'm on my second one - new one a few months old with new gold strap.

Also have a gold Shinola for dressy.

I'm devoted to a good quality watch made by a pukka watch and clock maker - as opposed to a fashion brand, IYKWIM.

Shinola 'The Birdy' Bracelet Watch, 34mm

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Jonesy

Veteran

Fun thread! I too had a Skagen watch (a men's watch, stainless steel, with a square-ish face) that I wore for about 20 years. Loved it! I had the battery replaced many times, but post-Covid, I replaced the battery and it was still dead, so I reluctantly let it go. After doing a bit of research, my new watch is a men's Seiko; it's sort of a basic sporty design without too many bells and whistles. I like the look of this sort of watch, really loved the navy face, and it was reasonably priced, figuring I'll have it for roughly 20 years like my previous watch (~$275, if I recall).

So many gorgeous watches on this thread: Mary, that watch is amazing! And what a peach your husband is!

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Karie

(website)

Veteran

I’ve always been a watch girl! Over the years I’ve had many ~ I’ve never been all that concerned about the brand, but I love big watch faces. The past few years I’ve been an Apple Watch girl, since hubs bought me one for Christmas it’s all I wear now. I love that I can change the watch by changing the bands, frame, and watch face.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am nodding along with Angie.
My husband never expresses any opinion about my fashion choices except to say that I look beautiful. Still, on this point, he is adamant: Watches have to come from genuine watch-makers as opposed to fashion houses. He is a bit of a watch snob They don't have to be expensive, high-end brands, but should be known for producing watches. So I have two beautiful Skagen watches. Unfortunately, I kind of lost my watch-wearing habit during the pandemic and never picked it up again. I check the time on my phone.

Skagen Womens Karolina - SKW2689

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DonnaF

Veteran

No Apple Watch here, but I own about a half dozen watches. DH has wrecked a couple when trying to replace a battery so I am now on my second Skagen. My biggest limitation is my tiny wrist size; most face sizes are wider than my wrist. I wear a watch daily and am currently wearing matching watch and earrings—clear plastic/acrylic.

Prada Play Recycled Plastic Watch, 35mm

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BP Iridescent Hoop Earrings

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madeline

Veteran

I wear a watch every day. I love to collect fun ones, like my Swatch Queen Elizabeth Jubillee watch and the black one with multicolored stripes.
But my favorite is the Raymond Weil I got for Christmas a few years ago.
Mixed metal and so comfortable.

Isabel

Veteran

I love watches … it’s a functional piece of jewelry and a bit sentimental to me . I have a watch wardrobe - but not super high end . I have a Michele watch that I’ve had for decades and that I love . That was the most expensive at around $700 . Otherwise I go for look and long lasting . I LOVE timexs , my swatch ( yes LOL ) and I have Seiko and Casio solar watches . and I’ve had them all a REALLY long time ..:: including a lovely Invicta that has 12 different color leather bands . Each watch is radically different form the others and are key additions to bracelets …. I actually thing of them as bracelets .

And I’m completely satisfied with my watch wardrobe.

Echo

Veteran

I don't wear anything truly high-end, but I do have a Tag Heuer Carrera, a Gucci bee watch (fashion watch, but priced higher), and a mid-range Omega. I'd love to have a Cartier Ballon Bleu, but that's probably not in the cards.

I often wear a watch, but they are always tradtional watches and not "smart" watches. I just cannot stand wearing a big black box on my wrist that doesn't look like anything until activated. When there are more options for watches that look traditional but transmit info to my phone, I might consider it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I used to have a few nice watches that I rotated, but since I started wearing my cheap smart watch I have given them up. Love this thread though.

Bijou

Veteran

I love watches and have just bought my first iWatch. The iWatch is very practical and useful, especially to track my health and fitness goals, but I really love a classic watch. Of my classic watches I have three:
- black ceramic Rado watch (bought 25 years ago)
- stainless steel Longines watch (bought 35 years ago)
- gold Gucci watch (a birthday present from my in-laws acquired 6 years ago)

All my dress watches get serviced and new batteries every 2 years. The Rado is my favourite.

April

Veteran

Angie - re. the Apple watch: yes, you and the rest of the world. Mine is a minority viewpoint, no doubt, and evokes much eye-rolling from my family.

Karie - see note to Angie.

bella - that's the sort of husband known as "a keeper."

DF - I have very small wrists too much I enjoy the contrast with a big watch face for some reason.

madeline - Welcome to Team A Watch Every Day.

Isabel - now you have me thinking about having more than one.

Echo - yes, why doesn't that sort of watch exist yet? I would think there would be some demand for it.

Jaime - another member of Team Smart Watch.

RL - the idea of a dad who was a fashion dandy is so delicious! My own dad is of the "knee-high socks and black dress shoes with shorts" fashion category - and not in the Thom Browne sense.

Roberta, yes, now you have me wondering: "What IS that about?"

Bijou - are you telling me one can replace a watch battery before it dies, and get them serviced when they aren't broken? No wonder you keep yours alive for so long!

JAileen

Veteran

I have had a Citizen Eco-Drive for about five years. It has a medium sized face. I bought it when my battery guy retired. Because it’s solar powered, I haven’t had to do anything to it in five years. Regular room lights charge it, too. I got it at Macy’s on sale, and I think it was under $200.

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April

Veteran

JA - I will definitely look for solar power next time around!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have an Apple watch and a love-hate relationship with it. I use it for fitness tracking etc because my Fitbit was a useless piece of garbage that continually broke. (Sorry, Fitbit). But I don't much love the sporty look. I actually miss my older DKNY watch...it felt like a bracelet.

My brother is a watch nerd. And Mr. Suz wears an antique Movado, inherited from his dad -- very thin and beautiful on his rather fine boned wrist.

DKNY 'Soho' Round Watch, 34mm

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MsMary

Veteran

Oh, forgot to say I have a very fun watch that I inherited from my husband's late wife. It's the Gucci interchangeable bezel watch and it's very fun!

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Lee

Ooh MsMary, fun set!

April, I like the Charlie Brown, I got my husband the Linus one!

I have a lot of watches but nothing over $250 and most under $90.

April

Veteran

Suz - the DKNY is just the kind of face I love: simple and uncluttered.

MM - ok, see my comment to Bella above. This husband just keeps getting better and better!

Now, to be fair, my FIL did gift me the tiny, dainty, watch he gave my late MIL on their wedding day, inscribed on the back from him to her, 1954. It's lovely but so tiny it's not terribly practical, unlike that Gucci!