<p>PG,
I have a classic gold watch that I got bored with after a few decades. I bought myself a Concord (sarasota?) SS with some gold, larger than other watch. It feels perfect for every day. My g/f replaced her watch with a rose gold one. Sometimes one just gets tired.</p>
<p>My son rejected gift of a watch for graduation. A year or so later, he picked out a blue-faced Tag H, while in Switz. The price was the same as my local store, but it his taste, and he’ll always have the memory of buying it with his Swiss g/f.</p>
<p>I went through a “watch stage” which I am long over, but I still think the classic best looking, classiest, appropriate for absolutely any occasion watch is the Rolex Oyster perpetual datejust or a smiliar model. Back in the day, when I had disposable income and an interest in watches, my wife bought me a Patek Philip (with leather band) which I never wear and I bought her a very expensive Breguet which cost something like $700 just to have serviced (!!!), it stopped working and she is ready to sell it.</p>
<p>About 10 years ago I bought her a Baume and Mercier - metal with little diamonds around the watchface (so it can go dressy) , which she wears every day, so that one was much more practical.</p>
<p>I think there is also a misunderstanding that dressing appropriately means " expensive.
My timex is easily as classy as a watch that runs thousands.
& it performs all the same functions!
;)</p>
<p>No one has said that. No one has dissed everyday, basic watches. No one has said a luxury watch brand is a necessity or that they look down on people who don’t have them.</p>
<p>SomeOldGuy - I think that’s really the quote that caused some posters on this thread to bristle. I really don’t think this was intended, but the way it was phrased seems to imply that those of us who don’t have an appreciation for fine watches are unsophisticated and have unrefined/poor taste… which then seems to get at the idea that there is a correct taste and that those of us who are not in the know are less than. It’s hard when you start to talk status symbols and luxury because I think that it is likely to bring social class into the discussion implicitly even when there is no intention of doing so and no negative sentiments toward other classes intended.</p>
<p>You know…I think the watch idea is lovely. Our kid got a strand of pearls for college graduation…and they were not inexpensive. She doesn’t use them often at all. But she will have them forever. Personally, I think a nice watch…or any other type of special jewelry is a very special gift.</p>
<p>I love hearing about what PizzaGirl is wearing and thinking about buying. It makes my day sometimes (seriously). I enjoy and appreciate beautiful and quality things, like she seems to do, even if I don’t own them all. Life should be beautiful and man’s quality craftmanship appreciated. It is nice to be able to discuss these things on an anonymous message board, where we get to witness others’ sour grapes envy.</p>
<p>I got exactly what PG was saying. One should be able to wear something, whether it is expensive or inexpensive, and not necessary stand out. It is people without taste (wouldn’t matter if the person is wealthy or not) who doesn’t know how to be understated and not stand out. We have all seen people with multiple gold chains, gaudy shirt/pants with large poor quality diamond rings. Money can’t buy taste. The flip side is one doesn’t need money to have taste either.</p>
<p>Buying an expensive watch along the lines of Omega, Patek, Rolex, etc. is supporting an extremely high level of craftsmanship and a tradition that goes back centuries. I can’t afford an Omega or any watch that caliber. (Well, I COULD, but it’d be a dumb use of my money considering my salary, expenses, etc.) But I so appreciate a watch that can last a hundred years. The technology it takes to produce it. The craftsmen (not in China!) it employs. It is very much a work of art, except more personal. It’s something you wear, touch, think about. And when you pass it down to your kids or grand kids, it really MEANS something. My father will one day give to my son a Tissot from the 1920, which his father wore for decades. (Yes, it still works.) Since my father is a very healthy man, it’s not out of the question to think that by the time my son receives this watch, it will be a hundred years old, or so. My son will be the 3rd generation to use it. Maybe I’m a sentimental boob with a watch fetish, but I think that’s about the nicest gift my son could receive.</p>
<p>'I got exactly what PG was saying. One should be able to wear something, whether it is expensive or inexpensive, and not necessary stand out. It is people without taste (wouldn’t matter if the person is wealthy or not) who doesn’t know how to be understated and not stand out."</p>
<p>Except…nobody suggested that someone who wore a nice watch would stand out. Which is why the comment came across poorly.</p>
<p>Most people wouldn’t even notice or care what sort of watch another person was wearing. Unless, perhaps, that person was a thief. A co-workers wife had her $20k Rolex stolen within minutes of getting off a cruise ship at a port stop in Italy. Not ideal as travel wear.</p>
<p>Avoid wearing it in the shower or doing dishes with it, and that Patek will be just fine, emerald! I wear my grandmother’s wind-up watch - no Patek, that! - and it’s no problem.</p>
<p>EK, wear the watch! It’s actually BAD for a watch to not wear it.</p>
<p>This is one of the amazing things about watches. They need to be worn and to interact. The wrist watch is amazing this way, especially the well crafted ones. They are interactive.</p>
<p>Also, Time, it appeals to the romantic. What can I say?</p>
<p>Katliamom, I’m going to suggest you start shopping around consignments and pawn shops, in safe places. Resale shops. You would be surprised. I bet you find that watch that’s looking for you.</p>
<p>You really ought to have that, since you would appreciate it for the art it is.</p>
<p>Also, I think I fine watch might be a somewhat outdated graduation gift. When I was graduating, a watch was the standard, cliche graduation gift. Now I think many young people think of a watch as something an old person (like us) wears. So I would certainly try to find out if the intended gift recipient would be receptive to a watch. Don’t fall into the easy trap of giving something that you yourself would love to have. My wife never really did enjoy that set of golf clubs I got her for Christmas! :D</p>