Do you know how to choose a watch for a ball?
The ball season is in full swing, gentlemen pull out their perfectly fitting tuxedos, ladies wear beautifully polished shoes and enchanting gowns. A ball is an event where we can feel special and put on our best. During this period, I almost always see articles in tabloid magazines discussing who wore what, how they looked, and so on.
Last time, I happened to watch a report from the Bratislava Opera Ball. This beautiful, prestigious event with a charitable undertone attracts many important and influential guests every year. Honestly, unlike my mother, who watched and evaluated the individual women's dresses, I was more interested in ballroom etiquette and its observance. Who offers their hand first, where to stand correctly, etc. I noticed that a lot of attention was paid to this aspect of social behavior.
Before the ball, every woman certainly has to deal with a lot of things that I can't even imagine (dress shopping, hairdressing, cosmetics, etc.), but we men are not spared this torturous ordeal either. After all, we need to be equal partners to our significant others, if you know what I mean. Just as shoes and clothes are subject to various criteria, so are watches.
What watch to (not) choose for a ball or important event?
Forget models such as the Omega PlanetOcean with a rubber strap or Chronomat 44 from Breitling. Also, leave your chronograph or smartwatch at home. I understand that the current global trend is for prominent CEOs to speak on stage wearing a Samsung or Apple watch on their wrist. I just want to say that if you pay enough attention to your suit shoes, you should also carefully consider choosing the right watch. I don't just mean the financial aspect; you can buy a nice, elegant, ballroom watch for as little as €100.
So what should an elegant watch for a ball look like?
I would choose a smaller diameter, something around 40 mm plus or minus, for me 39 mm max. The case should be as thin as possible so that it can be easily hidden under a shirt cuff. I wouldn't overlook its shape; rather than technical and sharp edges, I would go for something softer, more cushion-like. The strap should be leather, preferably black or brown. The dial should be simple, without a stopwatch or slide rule, without any unnecessary features. Ideally, it should not have a date window, but this is not a requirement. This may seem extreme, but these parameters perfectly describe an elegant watch. In this field, the holy grail for me is the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196 with manual winding or the Patrimony from Vacheron Constantin. The same goes for Longines and the Les Grandes Classiques or La Grande Classique series. Omega Prestige Small Second 4813.30.01 – unfortunately, this model is no longer in production. These models captivate me with their perfect simplicity, elegance, and incredible timelessness.
I won't discuss automatic or quartz watches; everyone must answer this question for themselves. But I think it's clear to everyone that only one option is the right one. You can wear anything on your wrist, and I suppose someone will argue that you can wear whatever you want, that there are exceptions, etc. Yes, I know. I know that the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and Daytona changed the established rules, that I can wear the Diver 300 from Omega with a diving suit and to a meeting in a suit. I also understand that if you are a big boss, you will wear the Big Bang from Hublot to sign a contract. I just wanted to advise gentlemen who may not be looking for a universal watch, but rather a watch for a specific occasion. Here are a few specific types:
1.Tissot T-Classic Carson Premium 280 eur
Introduction
My name is Martin Demko and I have been working with watches since 2011. During that time, I have handled many models, both cheap and expensive, from renowned brands and lesser-known ones. My work is both a pleasure and a hobby for me. What I have always strived for and continue to strive for is maximum honesty towards customers, even at the expense of business. I have completed numerous training courses and a relatively large number of training sessions in Switzerland. If you like my articles and my subjective view on various issues, or if you disagree, feel free to write to me at m.demko@racio.com. I would really appreciate any feedback.
