Some men genuinely believe that no outfit is complete without a wristwatch. I disagree.
I only own a few watches - none of them cost more than $200 - and I don't wear them every day.
However, I believe every man should have at least one watch. And if you can choose only one, it's best to go with something simple, classic, and timeless.
Gentlemen, I'm talking about a regular watch with a simple dial and a leather strap.
Like any classic, these watches won't go out of style anytime soon.
You can choose black or brown leather. It depends on your collection of shoes and belts, as it's always good to match your watch, shoes, and belt.
But for most guys, a brown leather watch will be the most versatile choice. In fact, you can manage with just one watch if it's chosen correctly.
Simple watches with a brown leather strap and a clean white dial are great because they can be dressed up or down.
Wear them with a suit, and they look like dress watches. Wear them with jeans and a button-up, and they become an elegant addition to a casual look.
I recommend choosing something dressier over casual watches. Dressier watches won't look out of place with casual attire, while casual watches can ruin a formal look.
An excellent example of versatile watches with a brown leather strap is the Tribeca from The Fifth Watches “New York Classic” collection:
These particular watches also come with a black strap, which is a nice bonus:
But it's the size (41 mm diameter, 6 mm depth) and simplicity of these watches that make them easy to wear with a wide variety of outfits.
Note: I prefer gold metal on my watches because most of my belts have gold buckles. If you prefer silver, that's okay too!
To give you some ideas on how to wear these watches, I've put together three different outfits.
OUTFIT #1: CASUAL WEAR FOR COLD WEATHER
When to wear: Guys' night out, casual Friday, dinner and a movie.
coat | shirt (similar) | jeans | boots | gloves | headphones | watch
Instead of brown, black could be used – black gloves, belt, boots, and watch. But most men already have plenty of brown leather accessories.
Let's step up a notch on the dress code scale…
OUTFIT #2: BUSINESS CASUAL
When to wear: Office, church, Thanksgiving dinner
coat | sweater | shirt | trousers | boots | watch
Firstly, a camel coat is a timeless and stylish way to stand out among those wearing navy, black, and grey outerwear.
Secondly, if you don't have a pair of grey flannel trousers, address this!
Lastly, brown leather ankle boots are just as versatile as brown leather watches.
I know what you're thinking: “Will these watches go with a suit?”. Yes, they certainly will!
OUTFIT #3: SUIT
When to wear: Office party, wine tasting, any other time you want to feel exceptionally sharp…
suit (similar)| shirt | watch | shoes
This outfit exudes old-school cool. Brown, gold, and light blue are just what you need for a retro vibe.
In this case, a gold watch dial is an excellent choice. It helps highlight the pale yellow tones of the jacket's buttons, belt buckle, pocket square, and shirt pattern. Silver would make this outfit less cohesive.
BUYING A WATCH
You can spend a little or a lot on classic watches with leather straps. You can also spend too much time researching different options.
To save you time, here's a quick list of classic watches approved by For Men Best (from cheapest to most expensive):
- Timex T2M441 Easy Reader ($29)
- Frederique Constant FC303V5B4 ($1,250)
- TAG Heuer Carrera ($3,500)
- Cartier W1529756 Tank Louis ($8,000)
No matter how much you spend, classic watches with leather straps will be one of the most versatile accessories you ever buy.
They are worth the investment, regardless of their size!
