Watches losing popularity

I could have told you this ages ago. It amazes me. Not one of them knows what time it is if their phone is off--which it is supposed to be in my classes. I actually counted the number of watches during a quiz one day this last semester. I think I probably counted 2 out of 30+ students. I've even commented on it and they all say the same thing "my cell-phone tells the time." edit: I forgot to comment on this: But your phone either beeps or vibrates when you get a text message. Why do you need to constantly look at it? Sheesh. bob

On a related issue, that of very expensive watches. It seems odd to me that the wealthy indulge this. For that kind of money, I would think one would have the financial freedom to show up at appointments whenever they damn well please.

I don't wear a watch nor do I carry a mobile phone around most of time. I do fine.

I'm one of those wanton youths. I only wear a watch for style as it is uncomfortable, especially with my wrist which is an odd shape.

I think that may not be that surprisng though. Cheapness and ubiquity of phones means that has becom ethe standard accessory...

My nephew eschewed watches until, for his HS graduation, I gave him an Omega Speedmaster. He hasn't taken it off since and he's dropping hints about what watch he would like for his college graduation.

Same for me. I guess we just keep track of time well? I seem fine checking clocks on the walls and on my computer when I'm at home and in the car while driving. And I always leave my cell at home so I can have some peace of mind and privacy (I think we had this short conversation before).

Speedmasters are great. A truly historic timepiece. I think the only other sportwatch that intrigues me as much would be the rolex sub or the truly extreme sea dweller.

You can also do slightly anachronistic things with sport watches like buying a telemeter bezel.

I've always worn a watch, whether a pocket or wrist.

Being someone who doesn't and probably never will own a dress watch, I wholeheartedly endorse this departure from watch wearing.

First off, I think watches have by far the worst price:usefulness ratio out of any item that could be construed as menswear. Of course it's silly to decry non-practical merits on a forum where we're talking about luxury clothing, but watches represent the extreme of that disparity. Granted, they can last forever if taken care of, but essentially buying a top quality watch means spending tens of thousands of dollars for a shiny wrist ornament. Top of the line suits top out at around $6,000; shoes at $1500 or so. I also can't fathom the idea of spending several hundred dollars for a "respectable" dress watch as a necessary practice to show that I've arrived as a man.

There are also the individual practical reasons I don't wear one: they're bulky, chafe my skin and give me rashes, easy to lose, hard to fit in shirt cuffs (I'm left handed), etc. Why pay a fortune to deal with that hassle when I can just turn to the cell phone I'm carrying around anyway?

Anyway, not trying to begrudge watch aficionados (excepting those people who think that not wearing a watch makes one incomplete or less of a man... I find that annoying), but I just don't get watches and choose to avoid the issue altogether.

The thing I like about a wristwatch is that I don't have to put something in my hand to find out the time.

Actually, the math on watches is very compelling and is certainly better than many pieces of menswear. That said, you can pick up the previously mentioned speedmaster for about $3k at full retail (more like $2k from an authorized dealer). But even at full retail that's less then $10/day in its first year. A $3,500 bespoke suit that you wear once a week comes out to about $68/use in its first year. The low end of high end ties is about $150 and wearing that every other month puts it at $25/use. In addition to being more expensive than the watch, clothes are far more fragile. Ties are also more often victims of changing tastes.

So, I can understand that you don't get the watch thing, but I don't accept your assertion on the price/value ratio. But to each their own. Perhaps a brief and incomplete exposure to Heidegger has destroyed my mind.

I wear a watch to work because I need to have accurate track of the time throughout the day to ensure that I make it to hearings on time. Since I must keep my cell phone turned off when I am in court, the cell phone clock is not an option.

Yeah, but you need to wear clothes for protection from the environment. You don't need a watch to tell time - you can use your cellphone, or a wall clock, or ask the guy next to you, or look at your computer, or call time on the damn phone.