Discover the Best Gift Watches for Men

As mobile phones have gained in function and popularity over the last decades, some believed that the wrist watch would go the way of the dinosaur. In fact, the opposite is the case. This accessory continues to be both a practical aid and an aesthetic magnet, especially when coordinated with one’s wardrobe. As the UK Guardian observed in 2020, "...as the need for watches has waned, the passion for them has remained." Appearances and first impressions count today as much as they ever did, so an elegant or handsome watch can complement a professional and confident image. This explains why watches make such meaningful gifts, particularly for men.

How to Select the Best Gift Watches for Men

Given the value a watch adds to personal presence and poise, choosing a wristwatch as a gift is not a light matter. It is, of course, best for the giver to know the recipient well or, at least, well enough. For instance, most men spend 40-plus hours per week at work. Yet some jobs demand a pinstripe suit with polished wingtip shoes; others, overalls and mud boots; still others, hoodies and sneakers. Beyond work, the giver might ask what social occasions the giftee commonly attends. Are these events formal, semi-formal, or casual? In short, an individual's style, customs, and environments have much to do with what kind of watch suits him best.

Temperament and even physical characteristics are strong determinants in watch selection. Is the recipient outdoorsy or more of a couch potato? How important is fashion to him? Is he near-sighted, far-sighted, or is his vision 20-20? How big are his wrists and forearms? These are just a few considerations when shopping for gift watches for men. As with any gift, it is the thought that counts. The person receiving this watch will know how much thought the giver put into it.

An Infinite Variety of Watches

While the style and look of a watch should correspond to the receiver's way of life, the type of watch preferred can be idiosyncratic and hard to discern without paying attention. The broadest categories are analog and digital.

Analog

Most people grow up learning how to tell time. Almost always, we do this using an analog clock, i.e., shorter hour hand, longer minute hand, and a needle that sweeps the circular face of the clock while indicating the passage of seconds. Hours are arrayed in the circle with 12, representing noon and midnight, stationed at the top. Given this design, the analog representation does not differentiate between AM and PM, a disadvantage to some. However, the sweeping second hand provides a more precise display of the time than most digital displays. The faces of these watches vary widely in font and design. Some may provide additional functions, while other analog watches are more streamlined. Again, personal preference is helpful to know.

Digital

By contrast, digital watches convey the time in a straightforward, numerical form. They may or may not have an option that displays the seconds as they elapse. Actually, digital watches might embrace a whole host of features, e.g. heart rate and blood pressure monitors; step counters; and even telephone communication as with smart watches. Worth noting is that a smartwatch itself can be bulky or more streamlined. The former is expected when engaging in outdoor activities. The latter tends to be less obtrusive when wearing business dress or formal attire.

Is One Category Better?

Such preferences are a matter of personal taste, a fact that underscores the importance of having a knowledge of the recipient's life and activities.

The Role of Comfort

An attractive watch that adorns your ensemble and provides convenient information is a gift worth receiving unless, that is, it pinches the skin, dangles too loosely, or makes the wearer sweat. The truth is that discomfort will cancel out all of the advantages of a high-end wristwatch. It follows that the watch strap is almost -- if not equally -- as important as the timepiece itself. As a rule, straps are of three types:

• Metal
• Silicone
• Leather

*Metal bands are acceptable in casual, business and formal settings. They are also eye-catching and complement almost any wardrobe color. The drawback, according to some, is that metal is a good conductor of both heat and cold. So, it may not adapt to more intense climates.

*Silicone straps are durable yet, at the same time, barely noticeable by the wearer. They are common among those with busy and active lifestyles. However, they make few appearances at fancy affairs.

*Leather straps are likewise light and agile tethers. Ubiquitous among watch-wearers, these straps are acceptable for any type of attire and at every venue and occasion.

Whatever strap material is worn, the key to exceptional comfort is size. If the wrist is slight, stay away from large, bulky straps. Conversely, a thin strap may not be suitable for a more substantial carpal joint. Once again, familiarity with the giftee is central when considering gift watches for men.

Making It Personal

One way to add uniqueness and meaning to a gift watch is by engraving a message to the object of the gift. Words of friendship, affection, or respect remind the wearer of his significance in the lives of others.

How to Find the Perfect Watch

Shoppers need look no further than Watches Beyond, a premier online outlet for luxury watches and exclusive jewelry. The numerous offerings from this online retailer contain, most assuredly, just the right watch that the discerning buyer can present as a gift. Standing by high quality, expansive variety, and relative affordability, Watches Beyond has men's watches of diverse displays, diameters, straps, and functions among its abundant inventory. In addition, customers can avail themselves of transparent exchange and warranty policies.

An elegant and useful watch is a most thoughtful gift if it applies well to the man who receives it. If it is appropriate to the lifestyle, comfortable to wear, and serves the recipient's purposes, a luxury watch will prove to be a most memorable present.