Watch with suit?

[RTenenbaum]

In general, is it more appropriate to wear a watch with a leather band with a suit than one with a metal band? Are leather banded watches more business appropriate or formal?

 

[Gauss17]

In general, a watch with a leather brand is more formal while a metal band is more casual. The watch band would ideally match the other leather you are wearing (i.e. brown shoes = brown watch band). I highly doubt anyone will really care about the band on your watch as long as it isn't something absurd. Metal or black/brown croc strap is fine for almost any setting (business, casual, or formal), but again the leather strap is considered "dressier".

 

[dbc]

Originally Posted by Gauss17

Metal or black/brown croc strap is fine for almost any setting (business, casual, or formal), but again the leather strap is considered "dressier".

+1

 

[westinghouse]

Honestly, leather bands should only be worn in winter. The leather won't be nearly as comfortable as metal in hot weather.

 

[Chrenetique]

Originally Posted by RTenenbaum

Are leather banded watches more business appropriate or formal?

They do are business appropriate.

Nevertheless, watches must be avoided for formal occasions.

 

[Galix]

Originally Posted by Chrenetique

They do are business appropriate.

Nevertheless, watches must be avoided for formal occasions.

Interesting idea, please explain

 

[Chrenetique]

In a formal event, you're never supposed to check your watch - because you won't have something better to do than being here, and enjoy the moment. Don't waste the party with temporal considerations.

That's why watches are forbidden with a tuxedo; and not suitable either in any event where, being in a suit, you could actually sport a tuxedo (or other formal wear).

 

[GBR]

Not a serious consideration in the 21st century unless you are an obsessive.

 

[MikeDT]

Either is perfectly OK. Avoid rubber though or a watch which resembles a hockey puck.

 

[robinsongreen68]

Originally Posted by GBR

Not a serious consideration in the 21st century unless you are an obsessive.

nobody cares IRL, but i hate seeing big steel divers watches/chronos with a suit. leather strap FTW

 

[Harold falcon]

Leather with a suit.

A simple black leather strap with a small dial watch is perfectly acceptable for black tie.

 

[RTenenbaum]

Thanks for helping a newbie

What's the consensus on skeleton watches? Less business appropriate because it's so "busy"?

 

[watchsnob]

This question is irrelevant without a discussion of the particular watches under consideration. As a general rule, a leather band is more formal and appropriate for wearing with suits, however I'd prefer you wear an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on a metal band than a generic Tag or Longines on a leather band.

And a watch is ALWAYS appropriate for a formal occasion. It shows that you are a man that understands and appreciates the value of time.

 

[SirGrotius]

Leather band definitely gets the nod with a suit. Alligator band can work too and is classy depending on the nature of the event.

A lot of guys wear nicer "sports" watches, for instance, Rolex Subs with suits. This is traditionally a no-go, but is so cool now that I'd venture that it's acceptable in most relatively formal occasions.

HarveyBirdman brings up a good point - smaller watches are usually more appropriate with suits. The new 45mm behemoths floating around these days would be a real travesty.

 

[calvinloke]

Originally Posted by westinghouse

Honestly, leather bands should only be worn in winter. The leather won't be nearly as comfortable as metal in hot weather.

Leather absorbs sweat and honestly, how could metal be more comfortable than leather? It causes marks on my wrists.