Why Variety Is the Secret to Great Watch-Wearing
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Despite the gallons of ink spilled on celebrity watch spotting and the outlandish prices of rare timepieces, the vast majority of people are more interested in a watch that works well and looks good than they are one with a particular set of horological bonafides. Instead of viewing watches as status symbols or investments they see them primarily as functional accessories, there to keep the time and look good doing so.
This last point, looking good, is another reason to stick with more moderately priced watches over four- and five-figure options. More, less expensive watches mean you can have a variety to choose from on a given occasion, that you’ll be afforded the opportunity to match the watch to the outfit instead of being stuck with one expensive timepiece.
As a longtime leader in mid-priced automatics, anyone looking to up their watch game without spending a fortune should check out Bulova, the New York-based timepiece company that’s been churning out well-made watches for nearly a century and a half.
One of Bulova’s most popular lines is the Surveyor, a collection of watches with the exceptional quality and sophisticated aesthetics you’d expect from timepieces that cost thousands, not hundreds. There has been a good amount of variety in the line, with plenty of face colors, day/date display options, and strap materials. The Surveyor collection was a good place to start (or expand) a solid watch lineup even before its recent expansion.
Earlier this year, Bulova refreshed the Surveyor line with some new models, specifically four 39mm closed dial timepieces. Three of them feature silver-tone stainless steel cases: a striking pistachio face with a brown leather strap, perfect for spring; a dark green case with a stainless steel bracelet, great to match with dark brown tones; and a rich burgundy face featuring rose gold accents on the same stainless steel bracelet that would be ideal to wear around the holidays. All are handsome options suited for very different outfits, but those looking for a bit more panache might want to go with the fourth new Surveyor.
That would be the all gold-tone heartbeat automatic watch. The case and bracelet are gold-tone stainless steel, the dial is a radiant sunburst in champagne that highlights the gold-tone time markers and movement gears, viewable through the dial aperture. It’s the perfect example of a watch that will look great with some outfits and bizarre with others. You want this watch in your life, in other words, but you probably don’t want it to be the only watch in your life.
Thankfully, these new watches (and the existing models in the Surveyor line) punch well above their price class. With MSRPs from $350 to $525, they live in that sweet spot between cheap watches that don’t last and expensive watches that are more investment than accessory. A new Surveyor or two is thus the perfect way to start or continue a watch collection that ensures you’ll have the right timepiece for every occasion.