The Best Watch for Your Lifestyle
Read Time: 5 minutes
If you wanted to know what the time was you’d just pull out your phone, but what does that say about you other than you’re no different from the person next to you.
Watches play a role much like a phone where time is just part of a much larger function. In fact, a watch can tell a lot about a person and their lifestyle without a word being spoken.
You see, if you bump into someone wearing a Rolex Explorer II it’s safe to say that person has an affiliation and connection to adventure (but beware, Rolex wearers may also be spreadsheet wranglers and their watch may only ever see an office building) while someone with a Orient Bambino may care for a more subtle lifestyle.
If you’re new to the watch game or have been here for some time you may have clicked on the title hoping to find the Deus ex machina pulling you from the pits of uncertainty and ushering you to the “one and only answer”. Sorry to burst your bubble but there isn’t a one size fits all approach here.
So, whether it’s your first purchase or the next in a worryingly growing collection, I’d like it if you left with a fresh outlook on what direction you may want to take when choosing the right watch for your lifestyle.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIFESTYLE
Lifestyles vastly range from person to person. You might be the type that seeks out 4am mountaineering adventures for fun. So, something like the Hamilton Khaki Expedition might be the right decision or maybe you’re the type that enjoys a quiet coffee with a book in hand, which is where the subtle yet beautiful Seiko Cocktail Time would be a good choice.
So when defining what your lifestyle looks like, ask yourself a couple things:
⁃ What do I like doing on the weekends?
⁃ What does my daily routine look like on an average weekday?
⁃ What do I often wear when leaving the house for the day?
⁃ What is my honest budget. i.e what can I genuinely afford to buy without hurting the bank. My rule of thumb is: if I can’t buy it twice, don’t buy it at all. (I’m not a financial advisor so take my advice with a grain, or bucket, of salt).
BREAKDOWN OF WATCH STYLES
If you’re a seasoned professional of the watch game, feel free to skip this section. However, if you’re new or just want a touch up on your knowledge, then welcome!
As we all know there are A LOT of watch styles, so don’t come after me in the comments if I miss some elusively unique or rare style.
At a very simple and broad overview there’s:
⁃ Dive watches
⁃ Aviator watches
⁃ Racing watches
⁃ Field watches
⁃ Dress watches
I’ll provide a simple breakdown of each but there’s a much more in depth description for these categories that you can read here: “Your Guide To Watch Styles”.
Dive Watches
Specifically designed for underwater activities and exploration, dive watches offer water resistance usually rated for 200 meters or more (although 100m water resistance is also commonly seen as a ‘dive watch’ too). Key features often include; a rotating bezel to track dive time, luminous hands and markers for visibility in low-light conditions, and a rugged build to withstand deep-sea pressures. Eg. The Tudor Pelagos 39
Tudor Pelagos 39
Aviator Watches
Aviator watches traditionally feature large, highly legible dials, often with luminous markings for reading in various lighting conditions. They typically include additional functions like chronographs for measuring flight time and/or GMT complications to track multiple time zones (although this is not always the case, such as a the Laco flieger Stuttgart pro), making them ideal for pilots and frequent travelers. Eg. Seiko 5 SSK003K Automatic GMT
Racing Watches
These watches are tailored for motorsports, featuring chronographs for precise timing and tachymeters to measure speed over a specific distance. Racing watches are characterised by often bold designs, large dials, and easy readability, allowing drivers to track performance at a glance. Eg. Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph
Field Watches
Initially designed for military use, field watches are known for their durability and simplicity. They feature easy-to-read dials, often with minimal complications, and rugged cases to withstand rough outdoor environments. Their classic, no-nonsense design makes them a practical choice for adventurers and those needing a reliable tool watch. Eg. The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
Hamilton Khaki Field - Mechanical
Dress Watches
Dress watches are minimalist and elegant, designed to complement formal or business attire. Typically featuring smaller & slimmer cases, simple dials, and premium materials like a high grade leather strap. These pieces focus on understated sophistication rather than functionality, making them perfect for special occasions or professional settings. Eg. The Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY (IF YOU CAN)
It’s always worth it (if you can) to wear a watch you’re thinking on purchasing, before you purchase.
Believe me, I’ve purchased without trying on and absolutely regretted it. So, if you know someone with the watch you like or a near by store, go check it out.
If you can’t do the above, make educated decisions and do as much research as you can. Ask forums, find images, get dimensions and then hopefully you won’t find yourself regretting anything!
SO, WHAT’S YOUR WATCH?
To be fair, it’s a subjective one. We’ve covered a lot of variables here but hopefully you’ve now built out a mental blueprint for when you set out on discovering your next (or first) watch.
At the end of the day, the perfect watch for you is entirely down to what you like. Watches are amazing pieces of craftsmanship and your taste will be different from the person next to you.
Functionality obviously plays its role so don’t disregard that entirely but follow what you love and you should find yourself with something you may even wear throughout the rest of your life.
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Let us know what’s been on your wrist lately and what your perfect watch is below!