10 Reasons to Wear a Wrist Watch

Back in the day, watches were tools of necessity – before the age of smartphones, people depended on their wrist watches to tell the time. But now, in an era where smartphones and even smartwatches abound, it might seem like a classic wrist watch is becoming obsolete. So why are so many people still spending money on luxury timepieces?

There are numerous reasons to wear an analog watch today, and only a few of them are centered around nostalgia! So let’s dive into the many reasons you should consider adding a few more to your collection. If you are already a horological enthusiast, you can certainly relate – and if you are new to the watch world, welcome. By the end of this article, you’ll certainly be ready to step up your wrist watch game!

Whether you are motivated by punctuality, style, engineering, or heritage, there are plenty of reasons to invest in a luxe timepiece that is sure to instantly upgrade your entire wardrobe. Here are our top 10 reasons wrist watches remain essential to menswear and womenswear alike…

We’ll admit it – this one is obvious! Ultimately, the function of a watch is to tell you the time. Could you look on your phone screen to find the time as well? Sure, but if you are looking to disconnect and reduce your screen time, a watch is a perfect solution. And in this day and age, watches do so much more than just telling the time. Many watches offer exciting complications, which refers to any functions they offer beyond simple time-telling.

This Rolex Day-Date, for instance, displays the day of the week at the 12 o’clock position and the day of the month at the 3 o’clock position. Talk about convenience! Plus, there’s no room for debate: glancing at your wrist to check the date or time is so much more subtle than pulling out your chunky iPhone.

Like any stylish accessory or piece of clothing, wrist watches allow you to showcase your personal style. Unlike a smartphone (which is always going to look boxy and modern, no matter what flashy case you slide it into), a watch can be used to signal your tastes, preferences, and appreciation of the finer things in life. You can signify your timeless style with a classic like a Patek Philippe Calatrava. Or try something new and different with a new-age Richard Mille watch that epitomizes horological innovation.

Selecting the finishes and accents on your watch is the perfect opportunity to find the piece that complements you. For instance, decide whether or not you want to sparkle in rose gold, white gold, platinum, yellow gold, or even stainless steel. You might choose a sparkling diamond dial, or maybe you will opt for a functional two-toned bezel like that we see on the Rolex GMT-Master II line. The options to showcase your own personal style are endless!

If you have an appreciation for engineering, innovation, and craftsmanship, investing in a luxury timepiece is a natural next step. Today’s modern watches hail from a long line of industry developments. Watches can now tell you not only the time down to the second but also the day of the week, month of the year, the time in another country, and so much more. Plus, the world’s elite watchmakers are continuing to innovate every day to create new and improved products.

Take this RM 67-01, for instance, a Richard Mille watch that was crafted using premium materials like titanium and Carbon TPT. The skeletonized dial gives the wearer a sneak peek into the inner workings of the watch and the masterful mechanics that make it work. The new-age materials allow this watch to be incredibly light, thin, and durable.

Especially in a tech-forward world, it can sometimes be appealing to get back to basics. When you wear a wrist watch, you give yourself the opportunity to be less dependent on your phone. You can harken back to days gone by without compromising on function or style. In fact, some of the most simple-looking watches can ultimately be the most powerful and memorable.

Let’s be honest: Your smartphone might last five or six years, in the best case scenario. It is certainly not going to be an heirloom that you pass down to your children and grandchildren. Luxury watches, on the other hand, can be passed down for generations, especially when they come from renowned watchmakers like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, or Rolex.

Consider this breathtaking Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, for instance. This timepiece, studded with diamonds on its case, bezel, and dial, showcases the utmost in heritage craftsmanship and elegance that will never go out of style. Whether you wear it on your own wrist, purchase it as a gift for someone special, or add it to your watch collection, this is a timepiece for the ages.

While tech enthusiasts will certainly love modern watches, those who appreciate history should also consider adding a wristwatch to their lives. Any history buff can appreciate the storied beginnings of the tradition of wrist watches, which became popular in the late 19th century as an accessory for women. By the early 1900s, pocket watches were beginning to phase out in favor of wrist watches for men, too. So many watch models and lines come with a robust tradition of excellence, and many even evoke the time period in which they were introduced.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus line, for instance, hails from the mid-1970s during the so-called “quartz crisis,” when Japanese watchmakers began using quartz in their models, threatening heritage brands who struggled to compete with new, lowered prices. The Nautilus was a distinct success for Patek Philippe at a time when the brand’s future looked briefly unsure.

Unlike a smartphone, the battery in your watch is not going to die. In fact, luxury timepieces rarely have batteries at all. In automatic timepieces, the wearer’s natural movements throughout the day oscillate a rotor, which in turn twists the watch’s mainspring. In a manual watch, the wearer manually winds the mainspring. Either way, you won’t be caught on 5% searching for a charger! Today’s watches are also remarkably accurate, and many need to be adjusted very infrequently as long as you are regularly wearing them.

For years, watches have been a symbol of success and status. To this day, that has not changed – while you might not strictly need a wrist watch anymore, adding one to your wardrobe can certainly take it to the next level when it comes to elegance and sophistication.

Consider the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, for instance, a watch that is favored by numerous artists, actors, musicians, and professionals all over the world. A sizable Rolex like this stately 40 mm silhouette is perfect for showing your success without being too flashy.

Wrist watches are also an excellent way to pay tribute to your favorite household names. Whether it is an A-list celebrity, a star athlete, or a talented musician that you want to emulate, watches are an amazing way to take inspiration from celebrity style. For instance, tennis great Rafal Nadal is one of many athletes partnered with the Richard Mille brand. Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is often seen wearing Breitling watches. James Bond himself (well, Sean Connery, anyway) even wore the iconic Rolex Submariner watch in a number of the franchise’s movies.

While this is not true for all watches, savvy investors can make a profit by investing in high-demand timepieces that they then resell on the secondary market. A watch’s value depends on a number of different factors, including its condition, its manufacturer, any modifications or engraving, and its overall position in the watch world. Sometimes, a certain model can become extremely valuable if it is known as a favorite of a celebrity.

As you look for the perfect wrist watch to elevate your daily attire, consider shopping at Avi & Co. We are a trusted secondary market retailer that specializes in elite brands like Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille. Stop by one of our three stores, located in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen, to explore our broad selection of luxe wrist watches.

Schedule an appointment today!