Define "Fashion Watch"?

I hate going to the Public Forum at WUS. It seems to me every moron in WISdom posts there and says the stupidest things I have ever read. I don't know why I drop by that forum occasionally, honestly.

That said, someone was suggesting that Sinn watches are not genuine Made in Germany products because it doesn't say that on every dial.

Another was suggesting that Sinn watches are "Fashion Watches" an assertion I have read elsewhere. I know my opinion on this but it started me thinking about the term "Fashion Watch".

Just what is a "Fashion Watch"? Is that the same as saying something is fashionable? Does the fact that a model comes with 4-5 color options make it a "Fashion Watch"?

Or, does "Fashion Watch" imply something more (or less depending on how you look at it)?

I have always taken "fashion watch" to generally mean a watch marketed by an (often fashion) company like DKNY or Hilfiger, Quiksilver or Burberry's that is not primarily a watch-builder...you get the idea.

But there is some crossover since I'd also call any numbers of Swatch brand watches fashion watches--but many companies in the Swatch stable are decidedly *not* fashion watches, like Tissot, Mido and Longines, Breguet, Blancpain...but then ya get to Tiffany and thijngs get all confused again

I wouldn't call a Sinn a fashion watch. Sinn is decidedly a watch/instrument company...and always has been.

I agree with AT. I've also heard some believe that a marque that uses branding on non-watch products make it a "fashion watch." I don't believe that to be true, as several marques, that are considered "tool" makers, have done non-watch branding.

My thinking has been along these lines.....if a watch was designed to look a particular way in keeping with current fashion trends with little or no regard to the technical needs or requirements. Not sure how far that goes.

Sinn, I have no concern that Sinn is a fashion watch. Its more of a tool watch than nearly anything else on the market. More technical innovations built into their watches than any other company (across their offerings) than any other brand I can think of readily.

No, to me "Fashion Watch" is a comment on the watch being for show and not for go. My daughter had one .....

I was thinking the same sort of thing, DKNY, Guess etc but Cartier and Tiffany really through a curve ball on that line of thinking for me as I do respect some of the stuff they make.

Those individuals that call Sinn, Tag and others a fashion brand I think are referring more to the popularity of the brand and the status they have with Joe average.

Jamie wrote:

I was thinking the same sort of thing, DKNY, Guess etc but Cartier and Tiffany really through a curve ball on that line of thinking for me as I do respect some of the stuff they make.

Those individuals that call Sinn, Tag and others a fashion brand I think are referring more to the popularity of the brand and the status they have with Joe average.

I think you're right about many calling the Fashion watches because they cost more than $25 and don't do more than their basic quartz.

As a corollary question - can a genuine watch company produce a fashion watch among their more traditional offerings? Sinn has produced some really small LE runs that are still very technically sophisticated but have color and other features that have no useful purpose other than satisfying some fashion sense or issue. I know that some of TAGs offerings are more for bling purposes than for high tech reasons too.

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All Invicta including SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

jaw wrote:

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  </li>
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

JAW,

Could that also apply to multiple strap/bracelet options? I mean what are they other than fashion issues? Also, does dial color variation within the brands offerings make it a fashion watch?

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  </li>
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

JAW,

Could that also apply to multiple strap/bracelet options? I mean what are they other than fashion issues? Also, does dial color variation within the brands offerings make it a fashion watch?

Good question,

I would limit my criteria to dial color only. The greater expense for fashion reasons alone.

What a GREAT question Doc ! ..I think Ron, Tim, Jamie, and Jaw hit it out of
the park too ! When a watch is made by a company that isn't necessarily all
about watches,and is more about clothing, perfumes, and more !..Maybe when
they make a watch it's a fashion watch !..It's not really a bad thing I don't think.
It's maybe just how people, or companies decide to view watches. If it's a
company that just focuses on watches, and sees them as watches, and
not just an accessory of some kind, then these wouldn't seem to be fashion
watches. It's an interesting question though, and when you stop and think
about it, lines can actually seem to get blurred. Partly because I know
alot of watch companies try to make watches that look like other popular
styles. However, I guess this is just the way the watch industry works, and
as long as it's about the watch, then these aren't fashion watches. Oh, and
I would say your Sinn is DEFINITELY not a fashion watch !

jaw wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  </li>
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

JAW,

Could that also apply to multiple strap/bracelet options? I mean what are they other than fashion issues? Also, does dial color variation within the brands offerings make it a fashion watch?

Good question,

I would limit my criteria to dial color only. The greater expense for fashion reasons alone.

That would mean that nearly every major maker does "fashion watches" as they offer variations in dial color. For example....

AtomicTom wrote:

What a GREAT question Doc ! ..I think Ron and Jaw hit it out of the park too !
When a watch is made by a company that isn't necessarily all about watches,
and is more about clothing, perfumes, and more !..Maybe when they make a
watch it's a fashion watch !..It's not really a bad thing I don't think. It's
maybe just how people, or companies decide to view watches. If it's a
company that just focuses on watches, and sees them as watches, and
not just an accessory of some kind, then these wouldn't seem to be fashion
watches. It's an interesting question though, and when you stop and think
about it, lines can actually seem to get blurred. Partly because I know
alot of watch companies try to make watches that look like other popular
styles. However, I guess this is just the way the watch industry works, and
as long as it's about the watch, then these aren't fashion watches. Oh, and
I would say your Sinn is DEFINITELY not a fashion watch !

Thanks AT. It is definitely more complicated than many would suggest in their black and white posts on the subject. Are watches, at least in part, a fashion statement - I would say yes. Men, at least most men, are limited in what accessories they feel comfortable wearing. In this day when cuff links are not routinely seen and hats are not worn by businessmen or professionals there are very few accessories that a man can wear that will not raise serious eyebrows. I mean seriously, think about it, what is culturally acceptable today for a man to wear to a job interview when it comes to accessories? If you show up wearing a fedora you're gonna get weird looks, the same (in most instances) for cuff links. But a watch? Well, it can say a LOT about who you are and how you see yourself.

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  </li>
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

JAW,

Could that also apply to multiple strap/bracelet options? I mean what are they other than fashion issues? Also, does dial color variation within the brands offerings make it a fashion watch?

Good question,

I would limit my criteria to dial color only. The greater expense for fashion reasons alone.

That would mean that nearly every major maker does "fashion watches" as they offer variations in dial color. For example....

Greater than 2 colors is fashion, less than 2 not fashion.
And I'm just testing my logic on you guys to validate it (or invalidate it).

jaw wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

jaw wrote:

As I am rather fashion conscious, I've lamented over this distinction myself rather often. I finally came to some fasion criteria from my POV.

• Yes: Watches offered by what we consider "famous fashion labels" DKNY, Armani, etc.
  
• Yes: Same watch design available > 2 color variations
  
  
  
  • Excludes the PO orange/black, and Rolex 2 tones
    
  • Renders All SAS, SANIII high-mid-tier fashion watches
    
  • But for fashion reasons, why else would you want more that one color combo of same watch?
    
  </li>
  
• Price is irrelevant
  

This logic also begs the question...
Is it NOT a fashion watch UNTIL you actually own more that one color of same?

JAW,

Could that also apply to multiple strap/bracelet options? I mean what are they other than fashion issues? Also, does dial color variation within the brands offerings make it a fashion watch?

Good question,

I would limit my criteria to dial color only. The greater expense for fashion reasons alone.

That would mean that nearly every major maker does "fashion watches" as they offer variations in dial color. For example....

Greater than 2 colors is fashion, less than 2 not fashion.
And I'm just testing my logic on you guys to validate it (or invalidate it).

I hear you and I am doing the same. Its why I picked my Monsters to post. Few would call them "Fashionable" but perhaps they are a fashion statement?

"But a watch? Well, it can say a LOT about
who you are and how you see yourself."

Sure, Robert. Any watch can be/is a fashion statement. The guy that owns a bunch of gigantic divers, that only goes under water in the shower...
The guy with a bunch of Pilots, but doesn't even fly, anywhere.

Not saying anyone here is like that.

porschefan wrote:

"But a watch? Well, it can say a LOT about
who you are and how you see yourself."

Sure, Robert. Any watch can be/is a fashion statement. The guy that owns a bunch of gigantic divers, that only goes under water in the shower...
The guy with a bunch of Pilots, but doesn't even fly, anywhere.

Not saying anyone here is like that.

Well, it's true that they are one of the few ways in which traditional men in American Culture can express themselves from a fashion perspective without much worry about comments. There are limits and those have to do with your base group identification. I mean wearing a 52mm BLING Invicta as a neurosurgeon would probably get people talking.....

Docrwm wrote:

porschefan wrote:

"But a watch? Well, it can say a LOT about
who you are and how you see yourself."

Sure, Robert. Any watch can be/is a fashion statement. The guy that owns a bunch of gigantic divers, that only goes under water in the shower...
The guy with a bunch of Pilots, but doesn't even fly, anywhere.

Not saying anyone here is like that.

Well, it's true that they are one of the few ways in which traditional men in American Culture can express themselves from a fashion perspective without much worry about comments. There are limits and those have to do with your base group identification. I mean wearing a 52mm BLING Invicta as a neurosurgeon would probably get people talking.....

Comments, do you mean something like: "He must not be a very good surgeon..."

porschefan wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

porschefan wrote:

"But a watch? Well, it can say a LOT about
who you are and how you see yourself."

Sure, Robert. Any watch can be/is a fashion statement. The guy that owns a bunch of gigantic divers, that only goes under water in the shower...
The guy with a bunch of Pilots, but doesn't even fly, anywhere.

Not saying anyone here is like that.

Well, it's true that they are one of the few ways in which traditional men in American Culture can express themselves from a fashion perspective without much worry about comments. There are limits and those have to do with your base group identification. I mean wearing a 52mm BLING Invicta as a neurosurgeon would probably get people talking.....

Comments, do you mean something like: "He must not be a very good surgeon..."

Ah...that would be a No.

Just was thinking "Invicta" and "neurosurgeon" were two words that didn't belong in the same sentence...

Docrwm wrote:

Another was suggesting that Sinn watches are "Fashion Watches" an assertion I have read elsewhere.

porschefan wrote:

Just was thinking "Invicta" and "neurosurgeon" were two words that didn't belong in the same sentence...

Here's a sentence that they fit in, IMHO:

The neurosurgeon was able to successfully remove the invicta that was embedded in your friends skull.

Fashion watch.
A watch you only wear in the house.

For instance, as a WIS, would you wear this outside? In public?

Docrwm wrote:

porschefan wrote:

Just was thinking "Invicta" and "neurosurgeon" were two words that didn't belong in the same sentence...

Here's a sentence that they fit in, IMHO:

The neurosurgeon was able to successfully remove the invicta that was embedded in your friends skull.

IMO...

A FASHION brand is if a company makes products OTHER than watches (i.e. clothes, cologne, accessories)...

ANOTHER term I have heard is BOUTIQUE brand (the manufacturer may only make watches but are smaller in production and only sold through certain outlets, typically NOT retail establishments) Like NFW, NauticFish, microbrands in general...

Anomaly wrote:

IMO...

A FASHION brand is if a company makes products OTHER than watches (i.e. clothes, cologne, accessories)...

ANOTHER term I have heard is BOUTIQUE brand (the manufacturer may only make watches but are smaller in production and only sold through certain outlets, typically NOT retail establishments) Like NFW, NauticFish, microbrands in general...

Good one - adding it to my list.

Defining watch categories, among other things, is fraught with peril.

That's why unless someone posts a link to something REALLY funny in the Public forum I avoid that area cuz I know I'll read something there and be like this or this for the rest of the day.

brian D wrote:

That's why unless someone posts a link to something REALLY funny in the Public forum I avoid that area cuz I know I'll read something there and be like this or this for the rest of the day.

You'd think I would know better by now, wouldn't you.

Docrwm wrote:

In this day when cuff links are not routinely seen...

Amita Damascene/Japan 1964/Tokyo. Always cuff links if I wear a suit. Maybe cuz I'm an old guy.

jaw wrote:

Anomaly wrote:

IMO...

A FASHION brand is if a company makes products OTHER than watches (i.e. clothes, cologne, accessories)...

ANOTHER term I have heard is BOUTIQUE brand (the manufacturer may only make watches but are smaller in production and only sold through certain outlets, typically NOT retail establishments) Like NFW, NauticFish, microbrands in general...

Good one - adding it to my list.

So, then add TAG, Breguet, Cartier (which started as tools, then became more upscale), Montblanc and Omega to your fashion watch list, among others...

Bottom line, they are all a "fashion watch" to one extent or another. Otherwise, a company that claims to be strictly a tool watch company wouldn't offer a load of variations, would they? "You need a dive watch, rated to 300meters, here it is. One option, we can size the bracelet."

porschefan wrote:

jaw wrote:

Anomaly wrote:

IMO...

A FASHION brand is if a company makes products OTHER than watches (i.e. clothes, cologne, accessories)...

ANOTHER term I have heard is BOUTIQUE brand (the manufacturer may only make watches but are smaller in production and only sold through certain outlets, typically NOT retail establishments) Like NFW, NauticFish, microbrands in general...

Good one - adding it to my list.

So, then add TAG, Breguet, Cartier (which started as tools, then became more upscale), Montblanc and Omega to your fashion watch list, among others...

Bottom line, they are all a "fashion watch" to one extent or another. Otherwise, a company that claims to be strictly a tool watch company wouldn't offer a load of variations, would they? "You need a dive watch, rated to 300meters, here it is. One option, we can size the bracelet."

Uh Oh...guess Mark was right - Fraught with peril.

Yep, because many of the makers do more than just watches. Some actually manufacture other "things," some only brand other products.

. . . tough question Doc. I believe almost everyone will have a different take on this. The boys over at TZ do that's for sure.

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=101133

. . . me, I see it as a watch made more for aesthetics than purpose/function.

I'm not sure how a VARIETY OF STYLES from the same manufacturer equates it to a fashion brand...