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Watches

Dani

Veteran

I never really considered a watch as an accessory since I always have one on my wrist, I just considered it a necessity. Now I'm thinking I might like to look into a watch with more personality. I know watches are a very personal choice, so I'm asking more what should I avoid.

I traditionally tend to wear mostly bracelet style watches. I have about 5 that are silver bands with a little gold around the face of the watch so I think I'm stuck in a rut. Back when Swatches were popular (early 80's I think) I used to have a bunch that I would rotate.

I'm willing to get more than one, but I was wondering what the basic watch wardrobe should consist of? Thanks for any help.

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Rosie

Veteran

I stopped wearing a watch a few years ago when I didn't need one, but have been meaning to get back in the habit of it. It's funny you mention Swatch - they actually have some amazing styles that really are like pieces of jewelry. If you have a store near you, definitely check them out. I have one that looks like a clear lucite bangle with silver, another multicolored lucite bangle, a gold bracelet style, etc.

I'm searching for the white chunky watch that Angie loves so much - definitely a great piece to have. It sounds like you are pretty set on metal watches. A classic watch with a leather band is timeless. I was lucky enough to snatch up an $850 Robert Lee Morris that if truly a piece of art for $85 at Loehmann's. Stores like those are great for finding quality items at super discount prices.

I know Angie will have a better idea, but I think a good watch wardrobe would consist of:
- metal watch w/nice face (preferred metal or two-tone)
- classic watch with black leather band
- white watch
- sport watch (if you are active)
- a dress watch for really fancy occasions - dainty and w/ diamonds!
- a bracelet watch

deborahlmilne

I am also looking for a chunky watch, but I am not interested in having a huge wardrobe of them. I wear a black leather-strapped, gold tank watch. I think it was first called the Cartier tank. I have my two gold bangles with it at all times. Sometimes I add in a beaded bracelet ( I make my own beaded jewelry). So I guess that mine would be what rosebud calls the classic watch. I have been playing around with the idea of buying a man's watch with a brown strap and wearing it loose. The two tones don't seem to do anything for me. I would love to see more examples of what many people are calling the chunky watch. Everything that I look at in the department stores that are "fashion" watches look cheap to me. Maybe I am just not used to them. I wear gold, not silver.

Nicole

Veteran

I love watches....but wearing them when it's really hot out is annoying to me. I have one gold and silver Bulova watch that was a gift from my husband. My other watches are all cheap fashion ones I get from Avon because my sister sells the stuff. My favorite is a white and silver cuff watch that I paid $20 for. I think it's a great way to try out different styles and have a wide wardrobe of watches without spending hundreds of dollars on watches that may not stand the test of time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yay! Dani's going to get a new watch! I’m excited.

I too LOVE watches. You are tall and therefore need to sport a chunky watch. I know others will disagree, but I have this thing about a watch looking good with my wedding ring. It pains me when they clash. Start there and get something fun.

Nicole

Veteran

angie, what does your wedding ring look like?

Dani

Veteran

Here's the thing about my wedding ring...I really like the setting but it's gold and I've since decided that I look better in silver and white gold. Gold looks cheap on me for some reason. As such I favor silver watches. My watch right now is a bracelet (silver, I know, they clash) so should I go with a white or cream watch instead of a metal?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...you know, I've never been a watch wearer, ever. And then I came to this site and decided to get a chunky white watch for summer, and I LOVE it. It's weird how one little thing can add so much to my outfits. I think I want to continue to wear it into the winter, but I'd love to pick one up with a cream leather band as well. I think those will be the only two watches I sport.

Metal watches have never been comfortable for me (which is maybe why I've never worn one until now). My white watch has gold hardware, which is one reason why I picked it out (gold is better on me). Brendan and I don't wear wedding rings, so I guess it's one less thing to worry about.

Dani, your style has sort of evolved into being very fun and funky.
What about finding a chunky ceramic/leather band watch that is a bright color--how about turquoise?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A.....nkCode=asn

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C.....nkCode=asn

Tanya

Veteran

Oh, I love that second turquoise watch you found Ana!

I currently only own one watch that I wear all the time, it's a simple silver AK style, with link-type bracelet, where you can remove some links, it's the only way I could fit my tiny wrist! I recently bought a cheap chunky white one, but it broke after 10 days. I definitely want to replace it with a better one, since I really like the look. I really like the chunky white MJ one Angie posted on her blog today, it has silver hardware!

To complete my watch wardrobe, I'd also like to have:
-a simple style with black lather band
- a second simple style with brownish leather band and gold (!) hardware, for when my outfit has gold elsewhere
- a statement style in a bright color
- a dainty evening style

If I could afford it, I would certainly get one of those Michele diamond watches that comes with metal bracelet that's removable and you can substitute it with a leather band, which is sold separately in many colors. That would be very versatile!

Dani

Veteran

I've been thinking about this all day and wondering...what do you guys think of an original type swatch, like this:
http://store.swatch.com/casual.....e/1/SFN118

Too young? It would be strictly for casual days, but I used to LOVE my swatch collection back in the day

Ana, the second watch is more my style. I'm not really a heart type of gal. Thanks for the links, I do really like the second one

Tanya, I could totally see you wearing that diamond watch. It's a little too dainty for me. Maybe you can get one someday...

Ana

(website)

Veteran

The second watch definitely looked just like you, Dani. The first one I posted just to illustrate a turquoise band.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love the second turquoise watch for Dani. Do you really look better in silver than gold? I’d have expected gold because you wear warm browns so well. But I’m sure you look great in silver too! If your wedding ring is gold, try to match up the metal. It’s not essential. Just something I think looks nicer.

Ana, why don’t you wear a wedding ring? I’m curious!

Nicole, I have a 1938 white gold vintage pave wedding ring. It looks like cut out lace. No wedding band and no engagement diamond – just this ring. It was purchased at an estate jeweler and was dirt cheap. I’m a pearl girl.

Great choices, Tanya. My white watch is the chunky ceramic Michele. It’s a 364 day a year watch!

Sihaya

Veteran

I love watches and own about a dozen of them. But for the last couple of years have only worn one - it's a double strap red leather watch from Swatch. Because I got tired of tracking and constantly having to replace watch batteries. If someone's figured out the trick to manage watch batteries, I'd love to hear it. There's a great business opportunity waiting for someone to solve.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ooooh Sihaya. You love that watch best because it's RED! A perfect red I might add.

Dani

Veteran

Angie, the silver and gold thing confuses me a lot. My hair color, eye color and freckles make me most definitely a "spring" and I wear coral and warm colors well and I can do the earth tones. However, I have some "summer" tendencies and wearing silver jewelry is one of them. I can also wear some of the powder blues and purples well. I've given up trying to figure it all out

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bet you look smashing in both, Dani. Lucky you!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I guess Brendan and I are sort of non-traditionalists. When we got married it was sort of on the fly and we did it at the court house and then had dinner at my Aunt's. It was really small, just my mom, brother, sister, aunt and uncle, and his parents and granny. I wore an A-line black skirt with white polka dots which my grandmother had made for me before she died, and a sleeveless white cowlneck top (mainly because I didn't have anything else and no money to buy something new), and black pumps with red accents, which I borrowed from my Mom, lol. He wore a dress shirt, slacks and tie all from Sears, because I had a gift card to there. It actually turned out great because neither one of us really wanted a huge wedding and all that. We might have a classier party for our 5 or 10 year anniversary and dress up and take pictures, since we don't have any really nice photos from the wedding. But since we got married so fast, rings were sort of an afterthought, and so we just don't wear them, I guess (shrug). I do have my grandmother's wedding ring, which is beautiful, and I wear that sometimes, but just as a reminder of her, not really for any other reason.
Ha ha, sorry, long story!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That’s a beautiful story, Ana. Thanks for sharing it with us. I applaud non-traditional anything. You and Brendan made a strong and special statement that was all your own. I love that. Your Chloe blouse makes up for it all

I’m on my third wedding ring, same husband. Greg knew that the one he chose would not be for keeps, even though I was. He knew who he married! AND we got married by a psychotherapist who wore Doc Marten boots. Loooooong story.