Watches and Cufflinks for the incoming Chimps
Hi everybody,
I tried looking in previous forum topics about watches and cufflinks (and other accessoires if someone thinks they are acceptable), but these topics have not been discussed for some time, so therefore this topic. Small note, this is for in London, but I don't know if there is a big fashion difference between London and NYC.
First of all, the watch. What kind of watch is acceptable as an intern? And while a lot of times the discussion here on WSO is if the $5k+ or even 10k+ watch is OK to wear as an intern, I am actually wondering what you should have at least. I understand that I should not show up with a $50 country fair plastic watch that you only see on bombs in low budget action movies, but I do not have the budget to start with a nice $1.000 unit. Do you guys have some advice on brands and models? Also I was wondering what people here on WSO like more, leather or metal?
Next up, the cufflinks. Do you wear them as an intern? Personally I think you can only rock these when you have a full-time offer, but I like to hear what you guys think. But if you do wear cufflinks, what kind of shirt do you guys wear with it? Do you think you can have them on any shirt that has the cufflink holes or should you only wear cufflinks with French Cuff shirts (So with the cuff folded back again). Somebody once told me that you can only wear cufflinks in those French shirts and you should use the normal buttons otherwise, but while I do respect his opinion I would like to hear what you guys think (since he also said I should wear cognac shoes under my navy suit to an ib interview.
Thanks for the advice!
I don't think there's much to add on watches that hasn't been said before. Don't wear something you had to spend you bonus on. If you're touching 4 figures, you're running the risk of it being perceived wrong.
On cuff links... They are pretty inconvenient in this work setting as you spend your whole day typing and they keep hitting your desk. If you don't care, just wear something very simple. They are rare, even at MD level, so people may look at you funny - if they're simple, you'd be perceived as eccentric (as opposed to snobby).
Thank you for the confirmation on the cufflinks, but about the watch. As I stated in my previous post, I was wondering what you should have at least and not what your max should be (like spending your complete bonus on a watch). I don't have a bonus (yet), so I can't blow it on a watch, but I don't think it is appropiate to wear no watch until I have a full-time offer AND I have received mu bonus.
Wear whatever watch you can afford and isn't garish, leather or metal, and don't wear cufflinks. This shit isn't rocket science and doesn't take in-depth aspergers-level analysis.
No such thing as a watch you should "at least have." No one cares if you don't wear a watch. No one cares if you wear a swatch. CRE is correct.. this isn't rocket science.
Literally no one that matters will care about your watch or cuff links, especially in London. You may get shit from other analysts or associates, but 99% of them actually will not care. And those who do care, for whatever reason, really do not matter at all.
The only person who will care about anything you wear is other interns who have not had to actually work.
If you do wear a expensive watch and cufflinks, a two tone shirt, tie clip etc. you will probably get made fun of.
Look into the Seiko SARB/SARG/SARX pieces, sleek design and can easily be paired with steel or leather (you could always have both and change it up depending on the occasion). Top quality at that price point.
In terms of watch: When I was an intern I used to think wearing an expensive watch was a no-no but I can honestly say I dont think anyone cares. If you wear a rolex or a patek people will just think you come from a wealthy background which is not a bad thing. Ive had interns with a rolex and nobody cared as they were hardworking and smart. After a couple years in I got a relatively large Breitling that people on here call gaudy and nobody could give two sh1ts. Honestly, a lot of stuff like this is mostly in your head, people dont pay enough attention or care enough about other people to really give a sh1t, everyone is walking around caring what others think of them anyway ha.
In terms of cufflinks: I am not sure what you mean to wear cufflinks with regular shirts, surely cufflinks are only for french cuffs (double cuffs), if there are regular buttons and single cuff do not wear cufflinks, I am not even sure how this would work. Cufflinks and french cuffs are completely acceptable in London on any level, and for a lot of roles its the more appropriate choice. For S&T you see a mix as a lot of guys like to roll up sleeves and this is easier with single cuffs as you dont have to worry about the cufflinks.
hi derivstrading, completely unrelated question, but I've tried to download your sales and trading intern guide off your website but the link does not work. is there an alternative way to buy the guide?
Let me have a look, have had a couple emails about it past week so need to investigate
Nobody gives a shit really unless you're a real marginal performer. I've worn cufflinks since I started (London) and although I don't like watches, friends have worn £2-5k watches since they started as well.
Note on cufflinks - wear SMALL ones purely for the reason that larger ones will get in the way when your wrists are on your desk (i.e. all the time).
Yeah, in London it's not really an issue, regardless of the watch and cufflinks you wear. You'd really have to push into bling-bling territory to rub somebody the wrong way. When it comes to watches, you're more likely to get complimented on a nice watch than get killed for having it. Having said that, you shouldn't overthink this at all as most of the above posters have already said - people don't care, everybody has way more important things to worry about than what the intern is wearing. The most you'll get is maybe a cheeky comment from your co-workers saying how much of a prima donna you are for wearing your diamond encrusted cufflinks and IWC Portuguese.
Just get a HP 12C.
My Citizen EcoDrive gets a lot more compliments around our office than my buddies Omega.
Great choice. Can't wait to pick up the EcoDrive One.
OP, Schwarzman wears US$50 plastic swatches...so do I.
Cufflinks in London are no problem, but they're not ok in NYC.
I don't get this single cuff cufflink thing, have you even seen cufflinks?
I am a VP. (all in USD dollar) > My tailored made shirt is 40. My suit is 700. My watch is Guess 150. My shoe is 700. My tie is 40. Light blue/white shirt. Dark Navy Suit. Black shoes. Black belt. Net net. You should look good and neat - and move on.And no cufflinks. No initials on clothing. Only solid navy blue or dark red ties. You shouldn't dress too fancy or loud.
150 on a watch and 700 on shoes? seems a bit odd
expensive shoe last longer. i been wearing this same shoe for 7 years (700/7=100 per year > compared that to kenneth cole shoes that last for a year at 90 dollars). expensive watch makes clients feels uncomfortable (i.e. is this guy screwing me so bad that he can afford this expensive watch).
Suit: ~$500 Tie: ~$50 Shirt: ~$40-50 Watch: >$10k Shoes: ~$600
Lower level than the two of you, but:
Suit: ~$500 Tie: ~$50 Shirt: ~$50 Watch: ~$300 Shoes: ~$300
Agree with investing in quality shoes. Never go cheap on leather goods or hunt for the deal of the century. Always be speculative if something is leather and priced below $200 (for shoes) and $75 (for belts).
I am currently trying a pair of Paul Evan’s shoes and compared to my Ferragamos I do notice a difference in quality. Not the end of the world, but when you begin to wear these types of shoes daily rather than on special occasion you need something that can take some mileage and still look presentable.
Suit: c. US$500 Tie: US$LOL Shirt: c. US$50 Watch: c. US$50 Shoes: c. US$500
Where are you getting tailor made shirt for $40 from? Everywhere I see is $70+...even off the rack shirts run me >$40 for decent quality. Also curious where the $40 ties are from
Shirts - my back alley tailors from Hong Kong. Tie - Charles Tyrwhitt bulk purchase during sales. If you actually go to the factories in India where they produce Charles Tyrwhitt shirts, you can get those expensive 200 dollars shirts at 20 dollars. That is how much margins they make from selling these shirts.
mrsteez mentioned some great product lines from Seiko. Good value for the money. I can also recommend Tissot and Orient watches.
Imo, automatic watches are wax nicer than quartz watches. This comes down do individual preferences.
But as the majority already said, few people really care about your watch or cufflinks. Just try to look clean and neat and not too shiny.
Hope this helps...
Fucking fancy little limey.
Fossil watch, $100-250 at a store, some are $80 with deep discounts on eBay. There's a lot of brands in that price range that look nice. Per above, Citizen comes to mind as does Skagen.
For the people with the nice suggestion of watches: Thanks!
For the people stating it isn't rocket science and I shouldn't make an 'aspergers-depth' analysis; I got it that wasn't the purpose of this thread. I just wanted to hear some watch suggestions without have answers like Rolex, Omega, ect.
As for the cufflinks part. It was just a question, because I had a small discussion about it with a friend, nothing more.
Jerry Speyer - worth $4.4 billion and rocks a Mickey Mouse Casio
Also, whoever used the phrase "bling bling territory"... love it
I'm in gym clothes. So: Suit(?): N/A Tie: No. Shirt: $20? Watch: $300 Shoes: $150
My job's awesome =)
I'm normally in a suit, similar in price to what's been said. People are nerding this shit out man, it's not that hard. Don't try to be fashionable with your pink shirts and pocket squares, just wear blue/white shirts, with a charcoal/navy suit, and make sure your shoes match your belt. Stick with a dark tie without any crazy patterns. And ffs if you're an intern don't wear cufflinks. If you want to be fashionable, great, have a wonderful time, just consider your professional working environment. Banking probably is less accepting of that than I'd be in my CRE firm. I'd just make fun of you, they might lock you in the shitter and give you a swirly.
inverse relationship between watch prices and weiner size
http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BU2013-08E
if anyone was interested.
Pretty much none of this matters. My only advice would be to not use a kids wallet.
Seiko has some of the best watches at any price point, particularly at the sub 500 area. Citizen, Hamilton and tissot are good too.
Also if you know what you're looking for and don't mind waiting for 4 to 5 months, kickstarter has lots of watches with features that should be sold at 3 times the price if they were a major brand.
Its' already resolved. Go out and buy a nice watch, that is something you can afford that isn't gaudy. Get a nice conservative suit (Brooks Brothers ~ $500 on sale), nice dress shirts, (BB, $60 on sale) and good shoes (AE, $250 on sale). And who cares about what the ultra-rich guys wear, they've already made theirs. You need to make yours so play the game.
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