Watches for Work: Are Movados Okay?

Serious question, generally in the business world are movado watches kinda looked down upon? I have a museum collection movado watch that I bought myself last Christmas. Pretty much this exact watch http://www.certifiedwatchstore.com/product_images/cache/320x500//Movado…

For personal use, I'd never spend more than about $500 on a watch, which is right around where this one was. But in the workplace, are watches like this looked down upon? I know some people will drop tens of thousands on a watch if they have the money, and keeping in mind how office politics can sometimes work, are Movados a bad idea?

--Art Vandelay

Movado Watches Review for Work on Wall Street

Most of our users shared that the mid-range Movado watch would not be thought of negatively in the office, many did not love the style and offered some suggestions of brands to look at.

While the original image posted by the OP is no longer available, a mid-range watch from Movado is pictured below.

Watch Brands for Work

Our users shared a variety of suggestions for watch brands below.

Our users share their thoughts below.

Reset - Consulting Associate:
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Movado from a work appropriateness stand point, and a $500 watch is about what most people would expect a guy a couple years out of college to wear. It's the same thing as buying a Gucci or Fossil watch - a fashion brand.

If you are interested in finding a watch in that price range that "watch guys" will respect I'd suggest you look at watches from Hamilton or Tissot. If you can spend a little more you can look at the entry level offerings for Stowa or Sinn.

West Coast Rainmaker - Equity Research Associate:
I would also look into Nixon and Hamilton watches- they look classic, are a little cheaper than the Movado, and a little more interesting. They aren't as flashy - a Movado is easily identifiable, but not so fancy you really want to show it off.

User @Aimez" offered a detailed perspective on what watches signal:

Aimex:
Keep in mind that leather bands will wear in a way a metal one won't, the lack of dots on the watch means you like the idea of being reliable, but you fail to value precision - which for something which has the sole goal of signify reliability, means the watch is failing at its job. Swiss watches are known for their precision, I don't personally see the value in buying a swiss watch which won't be precise.

Following trends is great if you're a day-trader, and innovation is great if you're in IT or working in VC or growth industries but not if you're an accountant. Accountants are meant to be precise, reliable, dependable. You don't want to be projecting that you're creative in accounting, if you know what I mean. Buying a watch is not about money, but signaling. It's about creating a consistent brand message.

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West Coast rainmaker:
Movado occupies that weird niche where the watch is a luxury good, but still clearly mass produced.

Thats exactly what I was thinking might be the case. I almost find it comparable to a 3 series BMW or a C class Mercedes: still "luxury" and fancy, but very affordable and common. Although I do like my watch, just didnt know if this would be considered played out and cheap in certain offices.

--Art Vandelay

 
Art.Vandelay:
West Coast rainmaker:
Movado occupies that weird niche where the watch is a luxury good, but still clearly mass produced.

Thats exactly what I was thinking might be the case. I almost find it comparable to a 3 series BMW or a C class Mercedes: still "luxury" and fancy, but very affordable and common. Although I do like my watch, just didnt know if this would be considered played out and cheap in certain offices.

--Art Vandelay

I've seen senior level bankers/lawyers wear things like Invicta/Bulova, so no, you should be fine.

I would also look into Nixon and Hamilton watches- they look classic, are a little cheaper than the Movado, and a little more interesting. They aren't as flashy - a Movado is easily identifiable, but not so fancy you really want to show it off.

 
Best Response

Though I wouldn't judge you on it, I don't personally love it for work. Maybe for picking women up in a club, but not for interviewing. Here's why.

You wear watches, not to tell the time (we have cellphones for that), but to signal reliability.

Watches in financal terms are often viewed as heirlooms (if they are over a certain amount, you're going to get taxed on them under a capital gains regime in Australia, as they are viewed as a collectable by the tax office). You're in big 4 Accounting, so if the CGT regime is similar in America, you should know this.

The watch pictured isn't classic, but seems somewhat ultramodern. It signals that you are innovative, sharp, but not necessary forward thinking in the way a classic non-fashionable piece -that you might pass down to a grand-child, and which would retain its value due to its classic nature - would signal. The watch says you follow trends, but says you don't necessary maximise efficiency or return on investment (the leather band will wear in a way a metal one won't, the lack of dots on the watch means you like the idea of being reliable, but you fail to value precision - which for something which has the sole goal of signify reliability, means the watch is failing at its job). Swiss watches are known for their precision, I don't personally see the value in buying a swiss watch which won't be precise.

Following trends is great if you're a day-trader, and innovation is great if you're in IT or working in VC or growth industries but not if you're an accountant. Accountants are meant to be precise, reliable, dependable. You don't want to be projecting that you're creative in accounting, if you know what I mean.

I'm not saying you need to drop more money on a watch. It's not about money, but signalling. It's about creating a consistent brand message. But that's just my opinion.

 
Cane0180:
Whoever judges you based on a watch is a douche cock, unless you come into work with a G-Shock or something.

First time I've heard the phrase/moniker "douche cock." Hopefully it's not trademarked yet.

I can only imagine what kind of fuckery a douche cock would engage in.

Either way...well put.

"Now go get your f'n shinebox!"
 

Well anyone who knows watches will instantly think that you don't know anything about watches, but that's fine because horology isn't a hobby for everyone. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Movado from a work appropriateness stand point, and a $500 watch is about what most people would expect a guy a couple years out of college to wear. It's the same thing as buying a Gucci or Fossil watch - a fashion brand.

If you are interested in finding a watch in that price range that "watch guys" will respect I'd suggest you look at watches from Hamilton or Tissot. A Khaki Field Auto or Visiodate Automatic can be had for less than $500 on the grey market. Even cheaper then that you can pick up a Sieko 5 Automatic for under $200. If you can spend a little more you can look at the entry level offerings for Stowa or Sinn. I have a Stowa Marine Original, which is a gorgeous watch that I picked up for about $1200. The Sinn 556 is a really terrific piece that you can normally find on a strap for under a grand.

Of course the really great stuff will cost more, but saving up is half the fun. I bought my Rolex Submariner with part of my first bonus post-MBA, and that was a great feeling. I'm currently saving for a bespoke Dornbluth & Sohn 99.1, and I must have designed it 100 times in my head by now. Fair warning - watches can be an addictive and expensive hobby, but still cheaper than golf.

 

Thanks for the answers everyone. I guess what I can gather from this is anyone who is a watch expert isnt gonna respect it very much, but most people wont care. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it, and like it myself. I like watches a lot, but for the style aspect of it, I'm not big into the movement, mechanics, etc.

--Art Vandelay

 

I'm sure Art.Vandelay has already made his decision long ago, but i'll put my two cents down anyways.

Movado gets hate because of simple snobbery. Quartz watches are the bane of the watch elitist. Forget the fact that Movado has been around since 1881, that they keep fantastic time, that their service is impeccable. If it's not auto, it's not a watch.

Movado is nice for a thin wrist and subtile style. It's accents without being overdone.

If one is going to make a purchase because of what other people might think, then they aren't being true to themselves. And, no matter what you buy, someone somewhere will have something negative to say about it.

 
bernayscafe:
I'm sure Art.Vandelay has already made his decision long ago, but i'll put my two cents down anyways.

Movado gets hate because of simple snobbery. Quartz watches are the bane of the watch elitist. Forget the fact that Movado has been around since 1881, that they keep fantastic time, that their service is impeccable. If it's not auto, it's not a watch.

Movado is nice for a thin wrist and subtile style. It's accents without being overdone.

If one is going to make a purchase because of what other people might think, then they aren't being true to themselves. And, no matter what you buy, someone somewhere will have something negative to say about it.

Yeah, I made the decision before I made this post. I wear/have worn my Movado all the time, to social events and professional events like interviews, and have gotten nothing but compliments every time I wear it. I just know that a watch elitist would piss on it, so I suppose if I get a boss like that I'd stop wearing it lol.

 

I think that the Movado SE Sport with the blue museum face is the most unique and beautiful-looking watch I've ever seen. People say "Oh you can't tell exact time with a Movado Museum face because there's no numbers." It's complete bullshit. It takes time to get used to it but hey, many things considered great take some getting used-to. Take Guiness for example. Movado is the only watch I can think of that nobody will ever mistake for something else. That is the thing that Movado has that nobody else has, the thing that sets it apart from every other manufacturer in the world. A Movado looks like a Movado, nothing else. And nothing else looks like a Movado. They are completely unique.

 

Cant say I am a fan of Movado in any way shape or form. The statement about the Invicta is comical, those watches are absolute garbage.

There are tons of NICE watches to be had in the $500-$4000 mark which is still considered on the cheaper side for a nice swiss automatic. Grey market was mentioned, check out the for sale forums on Watch You Seek and The Rolex Forums there are usually some gently used very nice pieces to be had there.

Some brands at the forefront of my mind... Omega, Tag, Tudor, Panerai etc

Id stray from a sub, everyone considering themselves watch educated has one.

 

Old thread guys, I'm way over it. I like the Movado, don't really give a fuck who doesn't, but its more of my dressy watch. I have a diver watch that looks similar to a Submariner and a chrono that looks similar to a Speedmaster that I alternate as my "daily drivers."

 

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