How to style a men's wristwatch?

Should men's formal or sports wristwatches be better?

Answer: It depends.

Your choice of watch depends on your lifestyle, taste, and the events you intend to wear your wristwatch  to. Some watches are suitable for certain situations, but may not be suitable for other occasions.

You probably know that your belt should match your shoes. There is a similar rule for watches, but with the difference that your watch should match the style of your clothes.

Of course, these rules are more applicable to formal events. In fact, you are free to wear any clothes you like with any watch. However, for those who value etiquette and style, matching the watch with the outfit can set them apart from the crowd.

Nevertheless, it should be remembered that a watch is considered an accessory to your style. That is, it should enhance your appearance, not dominate it.

Matching your watch to your outfit is not a complicated matter at all; it just requires a little care and thought.

To do this, first match the metals in your clothing; silver with silver, gold with gold. Pay attention to the metal elements of your clothes, such as belt buckle and shoes, rings, and cufflinks, and match them with your watch

he watch strap is also important. Like the belt and shoes, a leather watch strap should match the other leather items in your outfit. A brown leather watch strap pairs well with brown leather shoes and belt. A black strap, on the other hand, matches with black shoes and belt.

The same goes for shoe styles. Formal shoes pair better with dress watches, while sporty outfits look good with sports watches.

Light-colored watch faces are often considered for casual outfits, while gray, khaki, black, or brown faces are more suitable for evening wear.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about matching men's clothing and watches so you can make the right decision in different situations. Stay with us.

Choosing the right wristwatch; important details to consider

Your options for choosing a wristwatch  are virtually endless. The only limiting factors are budget and personal taste.

This can make the process a daunting one for those who know nothing about watches. Some choices relate to style, while others relate to the watch's functionality, but in brief, the biggest decisions to make when choosing a wristwatch are outlined here.

Which wrist should a man wear his watch on?

Most sources suggest that a man should wear his watch on the wrist he has less control over.

That means if you are right-handed, wear your watch on your left wrist and vice versa. The logic behind this rule is that in this position, the watch moves less, which may maximize its lifespan. It also means that you can still check the time while using your dominant hand for other activities.

Usually, the watch should be loose enough to allow full use of your wrist. The watch face should also sit next to the ulna (outer wrist bone). When standing comfortably, your watch should not protrude from under your shirt sleeve. It should only be visible when your arm is bent.

Should we have a formal or casual wristwatch?

Is one watch enough or how many watches should we have?

If you intend to buy one watch and wear it in any situation, it should be very neutral in style; able to match with any color and any level of formality in clothing.

If you want to have two or three watches, you have more options and choices. But if you only want to buy one watch, it should be reasonably maintained and have a simple metal strap and face, rather than leather.

A black leather watch does not match with brown leather shoes and vice versa (although many leather watches are designed to have interchangeable straps, at this point you can have one watch but several straps and still wear it for all occasions).

Match your watch with your outfit style

If you don't have a luxury watch worth millions of dollars, it's better to use a watch that matches your outfit. Using different watches adds a good variety and can have a stronger impact at an occasion. This article gives you a better idea of which watch is suitable for each situation.

Black/White Tie: We recommend a formal watch with a chic design for this type of occasion, something that is less sporty. Using this watch gives you a very chic appearance. Therefore, for example, we do not recommend wearing a watch with a red strap unless you wear red shoes too.

Formal Business: A classic watch is mainly seen in formal fields. In fact, in such situations, you cannot lose the watch and leave your outfit incomplete. A luxury watch shows from the first impression that you have everything in order. This is very important in formal business.

Informal Business: The rules can be a bit more relaxed in informal business. Especially in combination with jeans, a striking watch can help enhance the beauty of the outfit. Of course, a sporty watch is also good because it can quickly have a strong impact.

Leisure Time: A sporty watch or a smartwatch has the power to add some beauty to any casual outfit. In fact, with this outfit style, any colorful wristwatch can find its place in your personal style.

Sporty Style: A sporty watch is suitable for sportswear. For example, a beautiful diving watch with a plastic strap. In fact, any watch that is sporty and not too classic is suitable for this style.

Metal or Leather Strap?

Metal watch bands have the advantage of neutrality.

In fact, the metals in your clothing should always match each other, for example, if you have a silver-colored watch band, it's better to make sure that you use a silver belt buckle instead of a gold one.

Apart from belt buckles and cufflinks, which are both easily replaceable, men usually don't have a lot of metal options for coordinating. This makes a metal watch band a simple choice.

On the other hand, leather should match your other leathers (usually shoes and belts), but can appear simpler and less flashy than metal.

At the highest level of formality, a simple black leather band even beats a very shiny metal band. And in less formal situations, leather offers a more relaxed vibe and can seem a bit more attractive than solid metal.

Ultimately, choose a watch that matches your wardrobe and personality, or invest in several watches or one watch with multiple bands.

Matching the color of your outfit with your watch

When wearing a watch, it's important to look for good color combinations. For example, if your wristwatch has a blue face, it would be great to wear blue shoes or blue jeans as well! A black leather watch strap also goes well with other black items of clothing such as a black ring or a black belt.

In addition to color, you can also look at contrast. For example, suppose you're wearing a simple jacket with calm and bright colors and comfortable casual clothing. Wearing a black watch with this outfit is great. The contrast between light and dark immediately creates a chic and tidy appearance.

The model of the watch face and body 

The model of the watch face and body can also affect how well it matches with your outfit. A sporty watch, for example, may not go well with formal attire, while a classic watch with a leather strap can complement both casual and formal outfits. It's important to choose a watch that matches your wardrobe and personality, or invest in a few watches with different straps.

The clock face is a circular and visible part where the clock hands move on. The body is also a metal casing that encompasses both the clock face and the motor behind it.

Most clock bodies are made of metal or plastic that resembles metal, and almost everyone prefers a metal body. Except for sports watches or practical tools for professionals, there's little reason for an adult man to have a rubber or plastic watch.

The materials for the clock body can vary from stainless steel to white gold and platinum, and everything in between, including rarer options like titanium. They usually come in a silver or gold color family or are black or white.

On the other hand, clock faces also have a wide range of colors. Some intentionally have a simple design (a black face with a metal casing is probably the most common option for men), while others have bright colors like white or yellow.

The numbers' color is usually in contrast with the face for better readability, although the contrast can vary from white on black to light blue on dark blue.

In general, the higher the contrast of the clock, the more noticeable and less formal it is. A simple silver or steel casing with a dark face and small numbers is typical for business attire, while regular watches can have more color and contrast.

The shape of the casing and face are to a large extent aesthetic choices. In modern business styles, there is a preference for rectangular faces and casings, and most watches are produced round. However, more unconventional styles (such as triangular, etc.) go well with casual attire.

What kind of watch should we ultimately buy?

The answer to this question ultimately depends on your personal preference. However, a man who is buying a watch for the first time and wants to use it with different outfits should keep the following points in mind:

Few watches match with every outfit. You may need at least two watches to complete your wardrobe. Metal bands are more comfortable than leather, but leather can look more beautiful and natural. All metals used in your clothing should match (the watch straps for bridal and groom outfits are exceptions), and all your leather should match as well. This means that your watch band should be coordinated with other metals and/or leathers in your clothing. The accuracy of the watch motor varies according to the quality of construction, but each of the three main types can produce a reliable watch if cared for properly. Examine your options and take some time to find the style you like.

Final Note:

It should be noted that there are times when these rules do not apply. For example, if you are wearing a watch that is a valuable family heirloom with high sentimental value. These vintage products are often a good topic of conversation, especially if they have a personal significance. Your conversation partner will appreciate that you are wearing it as an accessory. Wearing a watch is also a part of your identity that you should demonstrate. That's why we are fans of watches. Of course, it's never a mistake to coordinate these watches with colors and other materials.