Holiday Style Gifts for Him - #7 of 10: The Classy Wrist Watch

Style Gift Idea #7 of 10: The Dressy Wrist Watch

Thus far we have featured six stylish gift ideas ranging from $10 to $500 in price. This time around our gift idea attention goes to a piece that might just become the most talked about family heirloom for generations to come. We are talking about a dressy wrist watch.

It is a gift that will not only help you to keep on top of the time, but it will also serve as one of the most effective accessories. It’s a common misconception that a high-quality watch must be expensive, but this is not always the case (although our featured piece below certainly is). As a result, the right watch can make the perfect holiday gift, even if you’re on a tight budget. Consider the following aspects of how to shop for a watch, all of which are worth thinking about before you head to the store.

What to Look For
When looking for the right watch, think about his wardrobe and lifestyle. Is he more of the outdoor, sporty type? Then a sturdy, slightly oversized watch made from a matte gunmetal could be perfect. Or does he like to dress up and does he wear a suit and tie to work each day? Then a sleeker and simpler design would be best suits. The choice in watches (both function and style) is endless. Think about his personal style first as this will narrow down the choices tremendously.

Best Piece of 2012
The "best" watch on the market can depend heavily upon personal preference (and budget), although there are some that truly stand apart from the crowd. If money no object, then Patek Philippe’s Calatrava watch (shown above) is a great choice. Not only extremely functional and attractive, but comes along with a fair amount of history as well. The design of this piece was originally unveiled in 1932, and while it has undergone a fair amount of changes over the years, it remains very similar in design as the original piece. It is certainly a bit ironic that we at Cheap-neckties, a site known for discount ties, is making a holiday gift suggestion costing in the five digit range, but this time piece is a true piece of art that will become a family heirloom for generations to come. For most people, including us here at Cheap-Neckties, this time piece is a out of reach. If you are looking for a more reasonable watch, that is stylish, elegant, and carries a very well respected brand label, then the Longiness Master Chronograph II (shown left) is perfect. It is truly a piece of art that will become an instant statement piece on a man's outfit. Coming in at around 800 bucks it is actually a reasonable price considering the brand, the style, and the craftsmanship.

Watch Style Guide
Traditional sartorialists will tell you that a right handed man should wear the watch on his left, while a left handed person should wear it on the right. While it is not really a style faux pas should you choose to not follow this rule, there is some thought behind it. Take the $20,000 timepiece by Patel Phillippe for example. Would you really want to wear this piece on the side that gets used the most? The chances of scratching or scuffling increase quite a bit.

Another thing you want to consider is the color and material, as the color should be paired with whatever the most major ensemble element you’re wearing is. A silver watch paired with golden cufflinks can cause a disconnect - so can a black leather wrist band paired with brown shoes. Go with a darker watch when wearing a relatively dark ensemble, but don’t hesitate to experiment with a few different options. Last but not least, the simpler the design, the more formal the watch will appear. A heavy over sized chronograph worn for a black tie event might look a bit out of place, for instance. Remember that there are no cut and dry rules in fashion, and that experimentation is the key to finding a look that works for you.

Other Style Gifts for Men:
Men's Style Gift (#6 of 10): Mens Dress Boots
Style Gift Idea #2 of 10: Briefcases & Messenger Bags

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team