All my friends use smart watches. I cannot believe that an age -old tradition is being replaced by something that looks more like a computer. But by refusing to participate, do I identify myself as a luddite? What is the meaning of wearing a classic watch in contemporary times? – Gustavo, Mexico City
Back in the Nevels of 2015 I was shockingly an early adoptor of the Apple Watch. (This was still Apple when the smartwatch might be a fashion accessory.) Probably less shocking, I was also an early un-adopter of the Apple Watch. I hated the aesthetics of wearing a gadget on my wrist and discovered that it was alarmingly easy to become obsessed and distracted how often you got up one day. So I know where you come from.
Yet, because smartwatches have evolved from those early, fruitless attempts to position itself in the style universe and have become popular as fitness and wellness aids, their popularity, understandably grew. Now most of my friends, such as yours, wear a fitness band or a smartwatch or a Oura ring, and there is much discussion about not only steps, but also sleeping patterns, heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
But the thing is, although their smartwatches can perform different tasks on their wrist than traditional watches, they are at least exactly the same.
Like my colleague (and confirmed Watch-O-Phile) Jacob Bernstein said: “All watches are somehow a flex.” That is just as true for a Rolex as a Patek Philippe as a steel like Apple Watch. They are all part of the semiology of the wrist – that is, their basic function is to indicate certain important attributes of the wearer the world.
Such as first phase performance and aspiration (Rolex) or a certain non-apologetic, in-your-face verve (Audemars Piguet) or the “If you know you know” Silent luxury of the inner circle (Patek Philippe). Or maybe a story about a family member who died on the watch. Or, in the case of the smartwatch, the idea that you have your health and the acquisition of data about all the above.
Of course you have to take into account whether a timepiece is new or vintage, because each of those choices also says something about connections, tennis and your need for satisfaction (delayed or immediately). And take the material involved into account. Staal has different associations than gold, which has different associations than leather. Just like with smartwatches, the choice of bands and whether you make a difference with Hermès or stainless steel or plastic. But you get the idea.
The point is, whatever viewing style you choose, you make an explanation about your embrace of a certain value system and the approach of the world, and that explanation can be seen for everyone.
That is perhaps the reason why many people have both a smartwatch and a classic watch (or, depending on their budgets and investment priorities, a whole watch wardrobe). And although there was a time when the look was like something like something of a trend – at some point Prince William Wore a classic watch on one wrist and a smartwatch on the other-that now looks more like a choice-watch-for-the-moment or a kind — the-Watch-for-the context type of things.
Whatever watch you choose, the most important thing is to be aware that when it comes to what it tells, time is the least.
Your style questions, answered
Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa answers the fashion-related question from a reader, who you can send her at any time via E -Mail or Twitter. Questions are edited and condensed.
