Classic Watches: Characteristics that Stand the Test of Time.

There was a time when no man would ever dream of leaving the house without his watch. The watch was viewed as one of the staples in men’s fashion, but with the rise of the cell phone, watches have been on the decline. However, thanks to popular television shows set in bygone eras, some men are re-discovering the classic watch. If you’re interested in incorporating a watch into your dress routine, read on for a list of classic watch characteristics that stand the test of time.

 Classic Watches: Characteristics to look out for.

1.) An aged leather band. The first thing you should look for when choosing a watch is the band. Metal bands are popular now, but they look far too modern. Instead of picking out a shiny new watch band, choose a leather band. The look is much softer and leather can be worn with anything from jeans to a full suit.

When choosing a leather band, look for a neutral colour like a deep brown. In some cases (and depending on the type of watch), black bands don’t always translate well to casual use so consider one as purely formal option. Touch the leather and feel the quality. You’ll want something that will age well and look better as the years go by.

2.) A metal face. The next thing you’ll want to look for is a metal face. Both the casing and the hands should be made of metal. A lot of watches use plastic hands in an effort to save money and some even have a plastic backing on the case.

Besides looking classical, the added metal will help the watch last longer. If you have a metal allergy, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the components of the watch, or opt for a plastic-backed design.

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3.) Roman numerals. Look for a watch that uses Roman numerals instead of written numbers. The Roman numerals are the traditional style for watches and as a bonus, the font doesn’t make much of a difference in the appearance of the numbers. Fonts can be particularly dating, so you’ll want to find a watch that uses Roman numerals rather than written numbers.

4.) Lack of branding. This is probably obvious, but a lack of branding will help prevent you from dating your watch too much. Too many brands, numbers or other bits of writing can also wear and look unattractive with time. Your watch will be in contact with your shirt sleeve on a regular basis, so look for a design with minimal writing that could rub off.

5.) Lack of bells and whistles. Classic watches have 1 function – to tell the time. Forget about all the bells and whistles like stop watch functions and multiple time zones. If your watch has any other purpose other than telling you what time it is, you’re buying too much technology.

6.) A prominent winding knob. Classic watches always have a prominent winding knob. It is usually on the right side when looking down at the face of the watch, because most men are right-handed. The knob will allow you to set the time, though before battery operated watches were popular, the knob also let you wind the watch.

Wrapping it up and getting used to your classic watch.

Use these guidelines to find the perfect classic watch to add to your wardrobe. After wearing your new watch a few times, you may find that you prefer to consult your wrist for the time rather than your phone. Others around you will pick up on your subtle style cue and you may even start a watch trend of your very own. Who knows!