Brian Maynor February 6, 2014

Cellphones may have become the new pocket watch, but a wristwatch is still a valuable and functional professional tool.

Wristwatches are as much a part of professional culture as a briefcase.  While they serve as status symbols of professional achievement and rewards for years of service, they also perform an invaluable function, helping you to stay on schedule and arrive at meetings on time.  Tardiness has become so prevalent in the professional world, but it is a huge pet peeve of mine and very unbecoming.  Here are my tips for why everyone should invest in a good wristwatch and how to choose the right one for you:

1.    Be on time.  In our immediate, always-on world of communication we don’t think twice before sending an email or text message saying we are running late, which is thoughtful, but not as courteous or professional as being on time and certainly no excuse.  The bottom line is showing up on time is a sign of respect.  When you run late you tell other people you do not value their time, plus it’s just rude.

2.    Metal for day, leather for evening.  This classic style rule has lost prominence over the years with younger professionals but remains a hallmark of the elite and seasoned ones.  Rarely will you find a professional over the age of 40 wearing a metal watchband to dinner or formal event.  The next time you run from the office to a dinner meeting take a second to change your watch.  It may be a subtle cue, but one that will definitely make the right impression.  

3.    Size matters.  Large, over-sized wristwatches have been the trend for the past few years and are great for casual use, but not in a professional setting.  Just like the rest of your jewelry your watch size should be proportional to your frame.  Small and medium watches are your safest bet, and keep the embellishments to a minimum. 

4.    Color.  Gold and silver are the most common and acceptable colors for metal watches, whether they are solid or two-toned.  Rose gold has gained in popularity over the past few years, but I would still save it for casual settings along with any other colors including white and black.  Colored watches are statement pieces while work watches should be functional ones.  Do we even need to even mention novelty; sports and plastic watches?

5.    Bells and whistles.  Watches come in all shapes and sizes with multiple knobs and buttons for just about any function you can imagine.  I’m sure some people are counting the days for the newest trend, the minicomputer and telephone watches.  Just like the Casio calculator watch of the 1980’s the office is not the place to show off the latest and greatest technology.  Keep it classy and elegant with a traditional analog watch whose only added function is the date.

We all run late from time-to-time for legitimate reasons, but being on time is important and should be the norm, not the exception.  The added benefits to being on time are:  staying focused; conveying to others that we are reliable, and it showing respect for the people who don’t have to waste their time waiting on you.

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