Thanks to computers, smartphones, and now smart watches as well, no one can say a standard wristwatch is an essential piece of equipment. Half the people that wear a watch are just as likely to look at their phone if you ask them for the time. Barely anybody even needs to ask for the time anymore. So what makes wristwatches so endearing today?
There’s a lot of answers to that question. Certainly style is one—an Apple Watch boasts an aesthetic that’s decidedly more Apple than watch. And although you can swap out the digital faces for all manner of dials and designs, it still looks the same from all angles other than straight-on. Many people continue to prefer the look of a classic wristwatch, especially for special occasions, even if they appreciate the convenience and innovation of modern tech products.
Myriad manufacturers offer an aesthetic that draws from centuries of watch design while still remaining modern. Legendary jeweler Cartier exemplifies this notion with models like their Ballon Bleu or Roadster, featuring contemporary case shapes juxtaposed with their idiosyncratic roman numeral markers. These iconic numerals have been a staple of Cartier wristwatches since they introduced their very first men’s model, the Santos, as an easily legible and hands-free timepiece designed for early aviation pioneers in 1904.
Style definitely isn’t the only reason people still reach for wristwatches. Many brands represent a history and a heritage, something to which people feel connected. A Baume and Mercier Classima, like the name suggests, boasts a design standing on nearly two centuries of watchmaking tradition, which the storied company can trace all the way back to their beginnings in the Jura mountains of Switzerland in 1830. Manufacturing has witnessed several revolutions since then, but the look has changed little, aside from growing to a contemporary 42mm in diameter.
While some watches carry the standard of traditional aesthetics, others represent technological innovation. A Breitling SuperOcean, for example, continues to build on a style first introduced in the 1950s, built for performance and reliability beneath the surface of the ocean. Today’s models are certainly still sea-worthy, but the look and profile of a dive watch has since become a phenomenon in its own right, representing a spirit of adventure and an appreciation for high-precision craftsmanship.
Watches can also be viewed as an investment, part of a diverse portfolio of assets with potential to appreciate in value over time. There’s an entire industry built just around this type of watch and prospective collectors, with regular reports from outlets like Business Insider recommending specific timepieces that are more likely to provide a good return on investment. Many families continue the tradition of gifting a luxury watch to graduating students. It’s all at once an investment in their future, an heirloom in the making, and a symbol of their passage into adulthood.
Perhaps the greatest appeal for wristwatches today stems from the sheer variety available. Even the most popular models are far from ubiquitous. Every watch represents some kind of story, and serves as a cue to other like-minded individuals that appreciate the history and heritage behind them.
