Lifestyle Change--Wristwatches

[+ Gar1eth]

So we are told that prior to the 20th century, wristwatches were for women. Wristwatches made their way to men's wrists because during war soldiers needed an easy/quick way to synchronize their movements. Pocket watches were inferior because of the need to pull them out of the pocket, look down, sometimes opening them up, and etc. Soldiers became used to using them during the war and continued wearing them in peace

 

But now that everyone's cell phone has the time in big bold numbers, and the majority of us carry our cell phones constantly--as well as the fact that our cars now have digital clocks that don't break in contrast to the analog models of the 1980's and before (my family never had the clock put in our car, but it seems to me that almost every car clock I saw as a child in the cars of friend's parents were broken) how many of you have given up wearing watches? I never really wore a watch routinely (with a few exceptions like when I first learned to tell time as a child and was given my 1st watch for a present) until I was about 25, and my life became full of daily timed appointments. But even then I often took my watch off on weekends when I wasn't working.

 

Gman

[Tommygunzz]

I've worn a wristwatch all my life and currently have about six that I rotate. Then again, I'm 59, so I've of the generation of whom you speak. Interestingly though, I live in Dallas where Fossil is based, and I'm constantly amazed how they continue to outperform themselves. Quarter after quarter they report sales and profit increases, and though their brands run the gamut from young to old, I would have to believe they have been able to tap into a growing (younger) market and not the declining (older) market. On the other hand, they do quite well in Europe and Asia, but I think their demographic would still be hitting that younger customer.

[Steven_Draker]

Times are changing but wristwatches are following

 

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img15/8929/gngl.jpg

 

The Samsung Galaxy Gear

 

"We may know soon whether “wearable tech” is a great idea or just a gleam in the eyes of a few techno-geeks. The one to beat this season, at least in terms of sheer hype, is the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

 

At $299, it’s not all that expensive as a watch, and look what else it does: You can see missed calls, check messages, take pictures, even talk into it, just like Dick Tracy!

 

To which many reviewers are saying, “Yeah, so what?” This is, as David Pogue points out in the New York Times, basically half a computer. It works only in conjunction with another, more functional device, namely, a Samsung phone or tablet, and even then only two of the latest models are compatible.

 

Still, you never know what’s going to appeal to consumers in search of the next cool thing.

 

Samsung has plenty of competition. Among the big names are Qualcomm's (NASDAQ:QCOM) Toq, Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Motorola-branded MotoActiv, and the Sony (NYSE:SNE) SmartWatch 2.

 

The Apple iWatch remains the Sasquatch of smartwatches, and may well be a figment of the collective imagination. As of today, a rumored smartwatch from Google is also getting some buzz."

[+ Gar1eth]

Times are changing but wristwatches are following ...[/color]

 

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img15/8929/gngl.jpg

 

Multiple Thoughts

 

1. I hope I am not denigrating your favorite watch, Steven, but that just looks clunky to me. A smart watch is going to have to look a lot less clumsy/heavy before I'd really want to wear it.

 

2. I've never been one for jewelry. For most of my life, I've never worn a chain with medallion, rings, chokers, bracelets, ankle bracelets, and heaven forfend--no earrings. When I was a young child--talking about 4,5,6,7-etc and found myself attracted to the handsome actors I saw on TV and the movies--I had an aversion to seeing them wear watches for some reason. When I saw them wearing watches, I always wanted them to take them off. I thought the watches made them less attractive. I have no idea why.

 

3. I've almost never used a watch as a fashion statement. My hands, fingers and wrists are on the smaller side (along with my tallywacker--but I've admitted that before and has nothing to do with the current subject). Unfortunately those are the only small parts of my body--sigh. But as this pertains to watches, I've always thought those extremely heavy metal watches with big clunking bands would look too big on my wrist. Maybe it's a Peter Pan syndrome-one of my ways of avoiding age. I mean I couldn't possibly be young if I were wearing a a big, heavy, metallic adult looking watch. That doesn't mean I wear a tiny women's wristwatch. I've worn a certain Casio model or it's successor for the most part for probably 20 years or more. It's a Casio cheap plastic model. I can't tell you how many of them I've bought over the years due to them wearing out, breaking, or me losing them. I often wear them to bed, and the one I was wearing most recently--I woke up and found that one of the plastic arms had broken in half.

 

Here is the watch I usually wear. I can still usually buy it for under $25.00. A few times I've had to actually buy it from Casio when I haven't been able to find it from Walmart/Target/Kmart and the like. I know it's not a fancy watch like most of you probably wear--if you are still wearing them. But it has suited my needs all these years.

 

http://www.casio-europe.com/resource/images/watch/detail/F-105W-1AWYEF.jpg

 

 

Gman

[Steven_Draker]

A note of clarification: the Samsung Galaxy Gear is not a favorite watch of mine and I don't own it.

 

My idea was that wristwatches as other items of our daily lives are constantly evolving and becoming multi-task.

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img31/4902/9fw6.jpg

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img856/8544/hwtx.jpg

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/New-Bluetooth-Bangle-Bracelet-Wrist-Watch-Smart-Mobile-Caller-Vibrate-for-phone-/00/s/NzQ3WDY1Nw==/z/15kAAOxy2BBSUYUq/$T2eC16dHJHgFFlq3mm(FBSUYUpsQHQ~~60_35.JPG

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img844/7083/cgg4.jpg

[rvwnsd]

I have six Skagen and three Fossil watches. They are the only accessories I like to wear.

[geoffk]

I like wearing my watches, feel like i'm missing something when i don't have it on. I was very disappointed when the times square swatch store was closed on Jan 3rd but i got one anyway at the newark airport store on the 10th!

[bigvalboy]

I love wearing watches. I wear them like you would a piece of jewelry. For me they are a nice accessory to an outfit. I think a nice watch says a lot about a man. Not everything in our life has to be practical. I have a small collection of pricey watches that I just love. I never leave the house without one of them on.....but that's just me. I do have friends who rely on their cell phones for all necessary information, including time, and I do also. I turn to my cell phone constantly for current information. But regardless of that, I will always wear a watch.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I have six Skagen and three Fossil watches. They are the only accessories I like to wear.

 

I love my Skagen watches (I have two.) I have a total of six watches that I rotate. The only problem I run into with the watches is keeping the batteries replaced on time.

[+ Charlie]

I have worn a watch almost all my waking hours since I was a teenager, and I feel naked without one. Most of them have been fairly cheap, not fashion statements. When the world moved on from wind-ups to battery-powered, I bought a more expensive, very attractive Raymond Weil, but after several years it stopped working. Then I found the Swatch "Skins," which are so light-weight that I can wear one while playing tennis. Unfortunately, they are also rather flimsy and unreliable, and the batteries are hard to replace (or even find), so a few years ago I bought a Citizen Eco-Drive, which I love because it is powered by exposure to light, so I never need to replace the battery. It is an old-fashioned 1930's style, a gold metal square analog with a second hand; I don't like digital clocks or watches, though I now wear a cheap one only when I play tennis.

 

I hardly ever turn my cellphone on, so it would not be a convenient way to tell time.

[+ azdr0710]

until a few weeks ago, I tried to get by without a wristwatch for a year or two as there are so many other spots to check the time - and I'd read that lots of people don't wear them anymore, anyway..... but am very glad to see these other posters still use them.....I broke down and bought my usual $20 Casio at Target a few weeks ago and don't see how I got along without a watch for those past couple years....

 

[+ purplekow]

i hardly ever wear a watch. I never found them comfortable. The movement up and down the wrist or the grab on the skin is very annoying to me. I have a sleek black Rado watch which is very thin and which I wear purely for a fashion statement when I want to dress especially well and otherwise, the time is something that almost every one is willing to give to you if you ask for it.

[+ Gar1eth]

until a few weeks ago, I tried to get by without a wristwatch for a year or two as there are so many other spots to check the time - and I'd read that lots of people don't wear them anymore, anyway..... but am very glad to see these other posters still use them.....I broke down and bought my usual $20 Casio at Target a few weeks ago and don't see how I got along without a watch for those past couple years....

 

 

While I don't wear mine routinely anymore, I'm glad to see someone else uses inexpensive Casio watches too.

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

i hardly ever wear a watch. I never found them comfortable. The movement up and down the wrist or the grab on the skin is very annoying to me.[/Quote] I've found the same thing. In fact sometimes my wrist has even gotten sore from the compression caused by the watch band. But if you make the band to loose then it moves all the time in an uncomfortable way.

 

I have a sleek black Rado watch which is very thin and which I wear purely for a fashion statement when I want to dress especially well

 

I'm not saying I never dress up for the odd occasion- weddings, funerals, back when I had a career I dressed up semi-frequently for special dinners or functions. And I will say it even if no one else does- I usually looked pretty spiffy. But I don't think I've ever really tried to make a 'fashion statement'. That's just not me. That portion of my gay gene must be defective.

 

 

 

Gman

[+ purplekow]

Yes I am a fashion plait. Well on the odd occasion and only with a watch but hey, one expresses ones fashion sense in many different ways and no statement is a statement in itself. The I do not care for fashion statement.

[+ poolboy48220]

I usually wear a Timex Ironman - been years since I did any racing but I still go for the '100-lap' stopwatch timer. I have a nice Movado that my mother got me years ago that I wear when I want to dress up more.

[Mark Gordon]

I've loved watches ever since I was a little boy. I have about 20 digitals and analogues, multiple brands, from Swatches and Casios to Tag Heuer and Cartier. The biggest hassles are battery replacement and the biannual time change. I rarely leave home without 2 iPhones and a watch. I'm expecting smartwatches and other forms of wearable tech to take off and am eagerly anticipating the iWatch.

[Guy Fawkes]

At the risk of showing my age: "Come in Dick Tracy!"

 

http://www.boymeetsphone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dick-tracy.jpg

[+ Funguy]

I wear a watch all the time….simply a habit. I have a couple of really nice ones, esp. love my Patek. BUT…I do ALWAYS take it off to play. I don't want to know what time it is or how much time has passed!

 

That way, it's always….

Funguy

[Daverwr]

Yep, I'm a watch wearer. Always have been. For me, they are both practical and fashion statements. I have several more pricy ones picked out for specific outfit types. My only problem now is they have to get bigger and bigger so I can read them without my glasses! Ah, getting older...

[Nvr2Thick]

At the risk of showing my age: "Come in Dick Tracy!"

 

 

Funny how in the past we thought that the future would bring us watches with built-in phones, and now it's the other way around.

 

...unless the smartwatch technology Stephen pointed out catches on.

[traveler1954]

For years, I had collected good, antique and new watches and chronographs from Patek, Vacheron, Audemars, etc. I wear them when I am dressed up and want to feel good and make an impression.

I never wear them to work or on public transportation. Watches and cuff links are my only pieces"jewelry" . I marvel at their mechanical precision and beauty.