Datalyss

Explain.

LoganSnake

Quite simply, what you may deem unnecessary, others will find useful or essential. Most people who have cell phones do not need MP3 players, e-mail clients, ability to read e-books, GPS, MS Office editors, etc in their phones. Basic phone functions such as making and receiving calls and text messaging as well as light internet browsing is all that's used. However, despite that, these new phone features are a godsend to some. For example, the people in my office are issued Blackberries with integrated corporate e-mail accounts to keep in touch with each other and clients. My supervisor has a GPS on his phone and uses it instead of his store bought one. My friend uses an integrated MP3 and video players in his phone, so that he doesn't have to carry an iPod around.

While all these features aren't necessarily needed, they make everyday tasks a whole lot easier for some.

As for me, I love tech. I think the Nokia N95 is orgasmic and would buy one in a heartbeat if I had $500 to blow on it. It does virtually anything you can think of.

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Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

Datalyss

Acknowledged. Just one question. Who'd wanna read an e-book or e-mail, surf the web, or edit on a screen that small, even play a game? Granted, some cellphones have a larger screen than others.

As for playing music and video; it's a nice convenience, but still unnecessary.

Ilow

Well, it's not so much out of context as hyperbole, exaggeration for effect. My point was that I felt Will was being irresponsible by not qualifying his statement that anyone who does not wear a watch appears poor. I like Will, and I know he can take a bit of critique.

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"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about"
--Sam Harris

LoganSnake

You know, I asked my friend the same question. "Why would you want to read e-books on your 2.2" screen?" "Because it shortened the commute to school."

Some features I wouldn't ever use, such as reading books on a tiny screen, while some I would use quite consistently, such as music, video, camera, game playing, email, web.

__________________
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

MSD

I can't wear watches -- the last one I tried worked alright ... for the first week, then the battery died. I replaced the battery and it died in another week. Left it on my desk for a few weeks and it worked fine, put it on again and in three days the battery was dead. Same happened with the one before that, plus it slowly ticked backwards for a few hours before dying. There has to be something oddly corrosive or conductive about my skin or sweat that kills them, or maybe I should go for a self-winding one.

When I need something extra for a formal occasion, I bust out my great-grandfather's pocket watch which is accurate to within a few seconds per week if I wind it regularly. As far as I can tell, it's a 1913 Lord Elgin series watch, worth around $200 these days but priceless to me with the monogram on the back and the history of it.

Willravel

I'm guessing MSD generates an EM field. Use the wind up type.

Martian

I qualified it, and he agreed. Or did you miss that part?

He's not wrong. Appearance dictates reaction. The type and nature of accessories is included in that. In the right context, lack of a watch can communicate either poor finances or a lack of attention to details.

Everything you wear says something about you. Sometimes the things you don't wear say something about you too. This is a very simple truth of social interaction.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Ilow

Well, I guess that counts as a qualification. I was sort of wishing that he had qualified his original statement, but it's no biggie.
Appearances do matter, but not wearing a watch is not like wearing white socks with dress shoes. I believe that there are some rather small circles where people evaluate each other closely and appreciate small things like watches, cufflinks or whatever, but I would contend that that is the minority of social arenas. For the three piece suit crowd, I would agree that a nice watch would be expected, but there are plenty of avenues where people are not "poor" but choose not to wear a watch. I will have to tell my friends who own construction companies and other businesses that they must be poor because they do not wear a watch.
I do apologize if I have stated anything too strongly or inappropriately, I just do not have much use for people who would judge me on whether or not I choose to wear a watch.

__________________
"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about"
--Sam Harris

cadre

So, it would appear that this subject depends entirely on what type of person you are and who you're around. For people who are like willravel and myself, it seems to matter. Then for many people it doesn't matter at all. That's cool, I can understand that.

Ding ding ding. Status symbol, that is correct. Kind of like a Corvette.

And I'd just like to point out genuinegirly, I know many of my customers quite well. It's my job to. I don't treat anyone badly, ever and just because I have a good idea of someone's income level doesn't mean that I am judging them. It's called an observation. And if you haven't noticed, I'm not the only one pointing out that people buy watches they can't afford sometimes.

I definitely understand the watch thing, as a business person/student I get both sides of the spectrum. When I'm a student I wear jeans, a t shirt, and whatever I feel like for jewelry. But when I'm meeting with a potential client I always look not only professional but like I have money, it tells people something about you and it makes them more likely to be willing to pay for your services. After all, if you seem to have money you must be good at what you do right?

I'm also in the twenty something age group and maybe that matters, but I don't know that it does.

One more question for you watch people. I'm not willing to spend a lot of money on a good handbag that I won't use or some fancy shoes but I'd be willing to spend money on a dress watch to wear with my suit/business outfits. Does the expensive watch thing apply to women? If I were to have a really nice watch would people notice or would it not be any different than a diamond bracelet or something of that sort?
I've been contemplating this for a while since I have nice looking watches to stare at all day. I have a Fossil but it's something you wear with a t shirt and jeans, not a suit. Granted, this is my second Fossil watch and it holds up to a lot! My last one made it through three years of abuse before a violent jet ski crash claimed it. I'm happy to wear my current watch when I'm on the lake or diving but it's not always appropriate, just like a diamond bracelet is not always appropriate IMHO.

Edit:
To avoid confusion, I work in a motorcycle dealership to pay the bills and get me through school but I am also a pro photographer and I do work, when I can, for businesses both large and small. After school, photo will be my full time gig.

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My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

dlish

wow, this thread has really generated some responses.

based on ballpark figures, responses are about 10% of views from what ive seen. so this thread must really have hit it off with many people.

probably cos everyone can talk about their own experiences with watches. there are many things to be taken into consideration, and a wearing a watch isnt just about telling the time. theres a lot more involved than just that, like class stature, money, job etc.

interesting thread cadre.. and very interesting responses..im following with eagerness.

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- Filthy

cadre

I know what you mean, this thread really took off. I'm pleased with it

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

Martian

I play Tetris on my phone quite often. Best $3.00 I ever spent. I also check the weather, sports scores and other miscellaneous online stuff. I would never try to actually browse on it, but for the added interconnectivity stuff it's great.

I would be thrilled to be able to read an ebook on my phone. In fact, when I upgrade that and a better camera are my two 'must-have' features. It'd be much more convenient than carrying an actual book around (which I also do often) and my eyesight is fine, thank you.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

j8ear

I hate the tone implied by phrases like "I hate to break it to you..." so please ignore any implied condescention it might convey.

But seriously in the world of watch "enthusiasts"a $3000.00 watch is by no stretch of the imagination considered in the mid to high end.

Personally for me the watch could make the man. If you spend more then you can afford on your watch, that says far more about ~you~ to me then you could possibly imagine. Likewise if you spend less then you can afford on a practical watch, that also speaks volumes about the man. I suspect the reader will be able to discern what I see of the man from these two scenarios.

Just my $.02....

-bear

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pocon1

nothing to say

Tirian

I read on here some people hate wearing a watch, and some feel "off balance" etc. Just FYI, I find it the opposite. I feel it's to an extent a habitual thing. If you get in the habit of reaching for your cell phone to check the time, you'll be comfortable with that.

If your like me, in the habit of looking at your wrist for the time, it's comfortable there. I wear mine 24-7. I sit at a computer, have a cell phone, PDA and a few clocks around too. Where do I turn for the time, ? My wrist every time.

I feel naked without a watch on.

PS would it be a threadjack to ask if there is a watch enthusiast on this board who knows about watches ? My grandfather left me a watch called "White Star" - other words on the face are "Incabloc" "Automatic", and "Swiss Made". I don't wear it because I'm afraid of trashing my grandfathers watch. It works though, and seems very accurate. It's well worn for sure. Maybe PM me if you want to discuss this watch. Thanks

william

I have two watches - one for everyday; one for going out. Neither cost $300, and why should they? Judge me for me, not my posessions.

host

Seems silly, and an anachronism. A wrist watch was reduced to a vanity item with the advent of small, personal communication devices.

You only have that one opportunity to make a first impression that you have personal confidence issues you are attempting to compensate for with a watch or a car or whatever prop you include in your personal presentation.

In your personal life, how interesting will it be to interact with the people who first approved of you because of what you were wearing, or driving?

Business, on the other hand, is business. You have to meet your perception of the expectations of those who have the option of selecting you, and your talent, product, or service, vs, those competing with you.

If you carry, into your personal life, your perceived need to ornament yourself in the way you think you need to, "for business", how interesting will it be to interact with the people who first approved of you because of what you were wearing, or driving?

cadre

I think this is where the watch thing is important for most men. I know for me it is definitely the case that I need to dress the part. Many men seem to carry it over into their personal lives as well thinking that the impression will still help them. I can't say that it doesn't, but not in every situation.

I think for men that are looking for dates the watch thing can be a real need as well as a perceived one, but I also think that many women will not notice or care if a man is not wearing a watch at all.

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.