Ahead of My Time

...used to be the tagline of my now neglected, old Livejournal.  And telling time,  I believe, is certainly not the only purpose a watch serves.  I used to say that the first thing I look at when I meet a person, especially a gentleman, is his watch.  For most people, it is the one item that you don't change as often as you change clothes; you wear it wherever you go, whatever you do.  Hence, it says a lot about what kind of person you are, your lifestyle, and your tastes.  

The Patek Philippe Nautilus, an obscenely overpriced hunk of steel that I plan to acquire by the age of thirty-five

Don't get me wrong, I don't judge watches as mere status symbols, rather as strong statements of self-expression.  I certainly appreciate great design, at any price point.  Not having hundreds of thousands of pesos to blow on a timepiece is no excuse for wearing an ugly watch.  

Swatch: stark and basic, it lets crazy outfits and accessories shine!

Casio calculator watch: screams early 90's geek, in a good way.  Photo from Style Arena

Although slightly more expensive than a Swatch or a Casio, a Nixon watch would be a still relatively affordable choice for good design.  The fact that it isn't available in Manila yet is a big plus, you wouldn't see watch dopplegangers on a daily basis.  The Nixon Murf strong square shape and use of glass evokes a seventies modern vibe:

Nixon Murf watch in three colors

Aside from actual watches, one thing I inherited from my father and grandfather would be the appreciation for quality timepieces.  Nice watches were not to be hidden behind lock and key only to be worn on special occasions, they are to be enjoyed and worn daily.  I remember my grandfather would go to the fields to buy chickens wearing shorts, walking shoes, and a handsome Rolex.  After all, wearing an expensive watch as often as possible would lower the cost per wear, wouldn't it?

In my dad and granddad's tradition of fabulous-watch-for-everyday, I present my latest obsession for the last half-year or so: the Cartier Tank Americaine in rose gold.  It's one thing to wear a nice steel watch with jeans and t-shirts, but rose gold for everyday would be such a treat!  Rose gold gives off a subtle warm glow that isn't as severely yellow as yellow gold, but would still coordinate nicely with gold hardware on belts, bags, or shoes.  I want mine on an anthracite gray croc strap, to bring out the pinkness of the watch case! 

Cartier Tank Americaine

To end what might possibly be my longest post ever, allow me to share with you my everyday watch du jour.  It's a vintage gold Rolex I've borrowed from my father indefinitely.  He got this at a ridiculously low price, with a non-Rolex gold link strap attached.  When the [ugly] gold bracelet gave in, it was my idea to place it on a dark brown alligator strap.  Truth be told, I'm really just wearing this to pacify my "gold watch for everyday" craving until I can afford to get that Cartier!