Men It’s Time!

Men, It’s Time…Literally!!

To kick off our Men’s Week, Blueprint for Style is focusing on one of the most critical elements of a man’s wardrobe – his timepiece.  By itself, the little piece of wonderment says lots about what you are and who you are not and, what you live for and how you make it happen but also a little of where you’re headed and how you plan to get there…some much from something so small!!

Therefore, in honor of its grand place in the hierarchy of the man’s wardrobe, Blueprint wants to share a few tips and recommendations with you.  When it comes to purchasing a watch/timepiece/wristwatch, time is a luxury you can nary afford to be without…no pun intended!  Picking the right watch requires investing time in understanding the following items (among others):

1. Lifestyle and needs — consider whether you spend most of your time on the playground with kids, in the office with corporate types, in your jeep moving from adventure to adventure.  Being clear about your lifestyle will help dictate a lot of the other elements of your watch.
2. Spending budget — ranging from $50 to $50,000, you can find what you’re looking for.  Because a watch is a piece that can be worn forever (and passed down), this is one of those wardrobe pieces that you should consider spending as much as you can afford!
3. Features — your lifestyle and needs will help to dictate whether you need multiple time zones, etc
4. Band — leather, stainless steel, titanium, alligator, rubber, cloth, rose gold, yellow gold, white gold.  The choices are numerous but, once again, if you’re thinking “timeless” then simple is best so, leather, stainless steel and titanium are your best options.
5. Fit — do you want to wear your watch above or below your wrist bone?  Do you need a little room because you sweat easily?  Consider your short sleeves- most traditional is to have a little room and have the watch rest directly above your wrist bone.

Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to go shopping.  Two words of caution: think reputation!  Plan to peruse for watches in stores that are reputable as there is no salve for the sting of a purchase gone bad!

If you’ve done your homework then you know that their is no “average” men’s watch – it’s very personal but, Blueprint for Style recommends that you get the best you can afford because a watch is not something you’ll need to change often — a quality timepiece can stay with you forever.  Although the selection process is a very personal affair, here are our recommendations for a few different styles that are noteworthy, classic, and versatile pieces that will stand the test of time:

• Baume & Mercier Classima Men’s Executive Watch Retro Collection, $1,663

• Raymond Weil Parsifal Two Tone White Dial, $1,195

• ESQ by Movado Drake Men’s Chronograph, $303

• Ebel 1911 Men’s Automatic Chronograph, $1,995

• Cartier Tank Americaine Silver Dial Leather Strap, $10,087

• Raymond Weil Tradition Men’s Automatic Watch, $629

Good luck!!.