Watches & Attire - Rules & Counsel

[TylerDurden]

At this very moment, in the Public forum, are such great watch related debates as "If you won $5,000,000" and "What are the worst watch/brand names." Truly edifying topics, no doubt. Moreover, almost every thread is at its base about opinions (is this or that movement better?, Chinese-versus-German-versus-Swiss*, etc) and not infrequently do those threads devolve into zealous arguments.

This thread arguably provides some learning opportunity (saturated in sarcasm) for those interested in seeking counsel on the more traditional rules regarding which watch is appropriate for what. There is little reason to tell a member that they cannot get advice on which watch to wear to that rich girlfriend's parents' ranch** on a watch forum, especially given the breadth of topics covered on WUS.

* In alphabetical order so as not to offend.
** Chronopolis, if the kid is into the "commando look," he is already beyond our ability to help.

[Metlin]

Im glad someone at least got some amusement from my post. I realized it's hard to state an opinion without the fervor coming off as offensive so I hoped that would lighten the "load".

I actually did read all 6 pages of the thread before I posted I just felt since this was a test thread I would state my feeling on it. I may be wrong and will willing follow suit if found to be such. Ultimately though concerning you analogy I think that person should be going to a forum on etiquette and style instead of here.

And on certain forums of "style and etiquette", there are often questions on whether or not they merit a new watch sub-forum. Ahh, the irony.

[TheSanDiegan]

Since this is a test thread to see if this should be permanently left as a sticky I felt I wanted to weight in.

I personally come to this site to talk about watches, advance my horological knowledge, and to discover new brands and styles of watches not to discuss style. I personally find this to be off topic and quite honestly off putting. When someone comes to Watchuseek it's because they like watches and this is something we can assume we all have in common regardless of our differing opinions therein.

I hate style, the discussion of style, the self imposed governance of it all and I want no part. Then again I am sure there are many who find my taste in fashion unorthodox at best and rudely inappropriate at worst. That is the joy and curse of opinions. I once heard it ludely said that opinions are like buttholes, we all have them and they are mostly full of crap and a disagreement is where two people fan their offense to the other's nostril hoping to be the last to pass out. Anyone who has participated in one of these threads will agree it often degenerates into something like this.

The fact is I come here to discuss watches. Please leave fashion to a forum where it is appropriate as I feel it is not relevant here and personally I dont want it here as it makes me want to go elsewhere for my horological discussions. I mean no offense and apologize to those I do offend with my comments, but please let's not go this direction. At least that is my opinion as I sit here vigorously fanning.

While I respect your opinion, you should consider that having a central repository for these types of queries keeps the rest of the forum clear for more horologically centered discussions.

In other words, the very existence of this sticky helps maintain the decorum of the forum in line with your own expectations.

Or, in your parlance, some forumites are passing gas in here so you don't have to smell their flatulence over there. Frankly, I rather avoid my neighbor's house then go knock on his door just to tell him he should stop baking air biscuits in his metaphorical kitchen.

[Chronopolis]

... it takes into account culture, status, beliefs...all thing that are far deeper and far greater in scope than a watch forum should tackle. In the end I understand the purpose of this thread, and how it is supposed to be a place to attract all those who want to discuss this topic away from other posts, I really do. The very fact that there is a need to have a special thread to distract away from this behavior in my mind only prove that it should not be a part of this forum or at the least not a part of the public forum.

Watches ARE everything you say we should NOT be talking about here. Watches ARE culture: from making to buying to wearing to showing them off in what setting.

Watches are objects of 'desire,' not 'need', to a lot of people. Why else would some people spend thousands for one watch and not another, when the expensive watch is not substantially better as a machine, but only in terms of its status as a symbolic object?

This thread is for people who MIGHT want to ask for help/advice, and for those who, being a little more familiar with the "rules" and "codes" as established by tradition (not personal whim), MIGHT want to give it.
Nobody's here to tell anyone what to wear or not wear against their wishes. This point was established early on.

[drt]

Well, from what I've seen, lawyers are quite slovenly, and most lawyers that I know (even at top firms like CSM or Skadden), couldn't care much about watches.

The ones I polled weren't. In any event, the point is I'm having trouble finding occupations in which most people are substantially more careful dressers.

As far as "caring about watches" in the WIS sense of the term, I think that's irrelevant. Most people don't.

Half of them still wear Timexes.

Whoa! This is the worst thing I've seen you write. Bringing brand names into this discussion is a big mistake. There's nothing wrong with a nice Timex dress watch (or any other brand) on a black leather strap, from a style point of view. Brand isn't the issue, and neither is cost.

You must remember that a good many of the top lawyers are essentially geeks, and extremely brilliant ones at that.

I resemble that remark, and my brass rat and I agree that most top lawyers don't remotely qualify as geeks. Actually, most wouldn't know an IP address from a postal code - all of which is red herring, really.

==

I'm not saying the practices I posted will meet with everyone's approval, or that they're the ideal - just that they are widespread and unlikely to cause offense in most workplaces. Some readers might be interested in actual practice, rather than opinion.

So here's my question. Top lawyers are slovenly, you say. In my experience, upper-level corporate management dress about the same, or worse. The same goes for "rich people", only more so. So, in what occupations do the majority of men currently dress properly for business, when it comes to watches, in your opinion?

I'm not trying to trap you - readers should know when more stringent standards are likely to apply.

[LeoWatch]

At this very moment, in the Public forum, are such great watch related debates as "If you won $5,000,000" and "What are the worst watch/brand names." Truly edifying topics, no doubt

I believe the appropriate response from me is touche. I guess my zealousness is more from an annoyance of hijacked threads that I was truly enjoying until the fashion stuff came up....which is probably the same you are feeling at my hijack. For that reason I feel it appropriate to act with the respect I hope will be returned.

I respectfully bow out and leave you Fashionistas to your Fashism. May I suggest you rename your thread to Critique of Clothes and Clocks in Places (CCCP). Sorry had to leave with a bit of Snark. In all seriousness though enjoy, afterall thats the real point of this forum and thanks for the healthy debate.

[TylerDurden]

Fashism.

Awesome.

And, stick around; we kid because we love.

[TylerDurden]

Slovenly, eh? I smell a defamation suit...

Forgot to mention: There may be variances by practice area, a lot of the corporate/M&A/securities guys and gals I know are quite well dressed.

[drt]

I smell a defamation suit...

A gold Rolex Sub goes nicely with those.

[Chronopolis]

More lawyers should be encouraged to read the UBS Dress Code -- for the hilarious language certainly, if not for the advice.

Well, from what I've seen, lawyers are quite slovenly, and most lawyers that I know (even at top firms like CSM or Skadden), couldn't care much about watches. Half of them still wear Timexes. You must remember that a good many of the top lawyers are essentially geeks, and extremely brilliant ones at that. So, style, understandably, is a lower priority. You'll find more "traditionalism" from a mid-western law firm than any of the top ones in the East Coast.