The Man in the Midwest

I apologize for the delay…Here is a preview what I am bringing…been working on bring watch that’ll impress @rickyrozay while reviewing @birchbox

This is what happens with the Men of the Midwest at 5 a.m. on Sunday after a three day drinking binge.  Whomever brought out the Taser Stun Gun, I love you & hate you.

M

The One Accessory Every Man Needs

Is it a blonde bomb shell, red lambo, or the worlds best wing-man?  Nope, but I’ll give you a couple hints: it is traditionally made from metal. it can be very expensive and it is my one major addiction.  Yes, you are correct if you guessed the wrist watch.  I do not know if it stems from the fact I inherited my Father’s two-tone Rolex at 7 years old; but I cannot remember when I was not wearing a watch.  Disclaimer: I do not believe I am anywhere near a Horologist nor do even claim to be an expert on watches.  However, I have been collecting watches since seven, and obviously I think I have great style and taste in Mens’ timepieces. 

I am a firm believer in the statement that “you can tell a lot by the watch a man wears”.  Furthermore, I find myself glancing at individuals wrists when first meeting, which probably stems from the fact it seems a lot less judgement and receives fewer weird looks than the one over.  I am not saying you needs to run out and buy a Breitling or Hublot, but I think it reasonable that every man should have at least two watches at all times. My suggestion for newbies would be to buy one metal banded watch & one with a leather band. The watch you wear can be taken in various ways, from the douchebag who shows everyone his Rolex to the LA cab driver I noticed wearing 35 ct Black Diamond Breitling, it is all about how you wear it.  Lets look at what I’d wear on a daily basis versus the watches I wear to make a statement.

The Collection: Daily Watches

I stick to a pretty solid rotation regarding the watches I wear on a daily basis.  These are watches that I love the style & design but are not anything special.  My daily watches also include timepieces with more nontraditional designs, colors & shapes than watches I wear when making a statement.  Some of the watches I wear on a daily basis are: Leather Banded Haurex Raptors , Stainless Steel pieces by Michael Kors or a couple timepieces crafted by Armani.

As you will see, I do not rock anything outlandish on a daily basis.  This is for a couple reason: one being that I do not feel the need to be the asshole showing off his Rolex daily (Rolex are classic but unless you have a decent collection, I’d buy something else before you go with a Rolex) nor do I think it is smart to have 1k to 10K on my wrist in Cleveland for no good reason, especially after a couple of my boys got held up downtown last Spring.  Thus, I leave my favorite and prized watches for moments when I want to make a statement or feel the need to open the safe to rock something people will stare at.  Humble, I know :)

The Collection: Making a Statement

Even though my collection is young over the last couple years I have been able to pick up a couple pieces that I love to wear with well tailored suit or while sailing in shorts, polo & boat shoes.  Wearing the right watch at the right time can really make a statement in both a style and professional sense.  There are a couple things one should take in account when choosing the right watch to make the intended statement.  Things to consider: One’s Personality, One’s Style, Needs & Your Budget.

If you have a laid back personality a Cartier probably is not the piece for you just as a bold personality may prefer the design of a uBoat over the time tested classic design of Rolex.  It is all about the watch helping define who YOU ARE.  Think about who you are, and let your watch help you make statement. Regarding style, just think about your standard dress.  Are you wearing a suit and tie or are you kicking shit with your boys in jeans and v-neck? The suit and tie crowd can get away with a couple diamonds in the bezel while you will look like an asshole with diamonds and a t-shirt on…Depending on when and where you plan to wear the watch will also help to determine what style you need and can ultimately afford.   Ask yourself this easy question, will you wear the watch primarily to weddings this Spring & Summer, or will it be worn on the boat? If its for Wedding Season, leather becomes an options because durability is not an issue.  Once you figured these things out, have fun and try to stay somewhat within your budget.

Here is a rundown of my statement collection: two-tone Rolex that I have had since my father last wore it.  This watch gets a lot of wear due to the sentential value and is durable as hell.  The other Rolex I have was definitely one of the most irrational purchases I have ever made but fuck it. This watch gets limited to wear due to the obnoxious diamond bezel but it is likely on my wrist if there is a tux on my back.  I rock the uBoat when doing almost anything active in good weather and while kicking shit out downtown.  I have not seen another one in the area, so I think it attracts stares… Within the six months, I purchased the Breitling Super Avenger through a jeweler friend of mine at a great price, which I love to wear with any business suit not conducive to a black watch.  Lastly, the first watch I ever spoiled myself with is an all black Cartier that I wear with most business suits.

The Collection: Wishful Additions

Someone asked me the other day what watch I would buy if I had endless cash.  Great question, anyone of these six.  The goal is to add one of these to the collection by 30 wish my luck.  The dream, dream watch of mean is the Zenith Defy Xtreme Sea Tourbillon Titanium this thing is just amazingly gorgeous, and unless you have seen one in person you have not see the detail nor the true skilled involved in its craftsmanship.  I would also settle for almost anything made by Audemars Piguet or Hublot, but more realistically I would love to obtain that Breitling w/  35 cwts of black diamonds that I saw my cabbie wearing in LA last December (first row, farthest to the left).

The Collection: Under $300

I love watches but I also don’t love dropping a couple grand if I just want a new style of watch.  The great news is you can purchase high quality watches at reasonable price from great designers.  This is the best part about the resurgence of mens’ timepieces, it has allowed a huge new demographic into the sector by providing reasonably priced watches that resembling higher costs timepieces.  A couple of my favorites watches under $300 are designed by Michael Kors, Haurex, Armani Exchange, Nixon & Emporio Armani.  I actually just picked up a new Nixon, The Chironicle, for under $300 while writing this damn post..

You can also find refurbished and/or used higher end watches through a local jeweler or online.  A great time piece is still a classic even if you are the second owner, however, beware of fakes.  They have gotten great at mimicking the design and style of great timepieces, but knockoffs continue to fail the test of quality and you’ll look like a jackass when I call you out for rocking the fake Tag!

M

Looking to purchase one of the timepieces referenced above?  Check out the links below.  

Looking for great daily watches and timepieces under $300 checkout: Michael Kors, Priced $195 - $325, Armani Exchange $100 to $250, Haurex $250 - $1500, Nixon $125 to $550 & Emporio Armani $150 to $350

Like something from my Statement Collection?  Here where you can find one yourself. uBoat $1500 to $25,000, Rolex $1200 (used) - $100,000+, Cartier $7500 to God Only Knows & Breitling $4500 to $35,000

Ballers, here is where you can pickup some of my dream timepieces.  Zenith Defy $85,000, Breitling Special Edition Super Avenger $12000 - $15000, Hublot $15,000 - Up & Audemars Piguet $50,000 - Up