7 Best Outfits for a White Watch

No longer will a simple T and jeans do, no sir, your attire is a representation of the man you are. The man you could be. The man you aspire to be. And, as you might have noticed in recent years, your watch can tell others a lot about the kind of man you are. As you talk to veteran collectors you’ll soon learn that each man needs a white watch. White dial watches attract attention without being ostentatious, and show that there is more to you than meets the eye. But how does one pair outfits with such a timepiece? Well, here are seven of the best outfits for your white watch. 

Outfit #1: A Casual Summer 

Not all of us are eager to spend hundreds of dollars on a white watch and then several more on an outfit as well. Summer might have just passed, but there are bound to be some hot days for you to appear a bit more casual, especially when you’re on the move. 

Casual summer attire typically includes essential items such as T-shirts, button-down shirts, shorts, and lightweight trousers. Experiment with different colors, patterns, and even fabrics. Casual summer looks are a place to play with different hues, and combinations, and find what works for you - and what doesn’t. 

When it comes to your watch, a white dial will go with almost anything except for extremely bright colors. If you are wearing such colors, you might want to wear a nice and bright rubber strap with your watch. Make a statement. On that note, you should be able to make a statement with the style of watch as well. Divers, chronographs, grand complications, no style is out of touch, and no complication is off-limit. A casual look for you means that any watch will find itself a nice little home on your wrist - granted the size actually fits you. 

Outfit #2: The Polo

The humble polo will probably always stay in fashion. There are very few pieces of clothing that can be dressed up and down. That said, where the polo was your escape route a couple of years ago, it no longer is. A mere polo will no longer do the trick - you better spice things up. With the addition of a nice sweater, a pair of fitting trousers, and an elegant belt you’ve got yourself a nice look. That said, modern tastes have forgotten the usage of a loose-fitting polo, you better make sure yours fits appropriately around your body. 

A sober-colored polo would pair nicely with a leather strap on your white watch. Leather straps tend to be worn very formally, so, but would pair nicely with the polo even at informal events. When it comes to the style of watch, well, it depends on the occasion and your size. The more formal the occasion, the smaller the watch will tend to be, and the less utilitarian it needs to be. Conversely, if you’re at a summer market playing with dogs between bites of tacos, then you better be wearing something that might be able to take a ding. A thicker bezel or even a harder case would not go amiss. 

Read: Timex Is Releasing The Upside Down's Most Stylish Watches

Outfit #3: The Office Look 

From the polo on a Sunday brunch to the suit at work on a Monday morning, you best be prepared. Depending on the environment you work in, you need to dress for the occasion, so to say. Regardless of your office look, it needs to look sleek, in proportion, and suited to your body type. When it comes to how you dress your watch, things get a bit trickier… 

If you work in an extremely formal environment, let’s say your boss is sporting a Patek (and not a Nautilus). 

You might want to opt for a dark leather strap with your white watch, creating a bit of contrast, sure, but being different might just be what you need to climb the ranks. If you’re in a more informal setting, you should be able to play around with different straps and color schemes. You might even be able to rock a metal bracelet as well, especially something that resembles the famous ‘Jubilee’ bracelet from Rolex. As mentioned before, formal attire calls for watches that were designed for everyday or ‘dress’ usage - meaning they are smaller, tend to have thinner bezels, and also tend to have finer case designs. 

Outfit #4: The Black Tie 

If you look at any red carpet event you will have noticed a few men sporting a Cartier Santos or Cartier Tank, both classy and elegant watches from the French Maison, often presented with a white dial. And it works like a charm. Rami Malek is known for wearing a white dial Tank on the red carpet and has worn this reference with various different suits. The white-dialed watch is a classy look, something that cannot easily be replicated with other dials simply because of the contrast it creates with a black suit. You might want to be careful with complications and sizes, however. Watches that are designed for diving or that feature a ton of complications might be a tad thick, which will remove the ability to slide under your dress cuff. So, you’re better off wearing your ‘time-only’ white watch with your black tie. 

Outfit #5: The ‘Western’ 

Perhaps it’s the Yellowstone effect, but it’s impossible to miss the Western influence in men’s fashion these days. Rather than reaching for cowboy hats and chaps, there are a few subtle ways to get the look. We’re fans of embroidered shirts that feature pointed yokes and believe that belts with big buckles add flair to the average pair of pants.

Another small switch you can make is swapping out your Chelsea boots for a Western boot. To keep things from feeling too much like a costume, try a sleek suede pair instead of regular leather. When it comes to your watch, any strap or bracelet will do. Opting for a light leather strap might just be your best bet, though. With this ‘Western’ look you have a tremendous amount of freedom when it comes to the style of watch. Whether you opt for a hulking diver or a subtle white vintage dress piece, both will suit the overall demeanor perfectly - granted they actually fit your wrist. 

Read: Why a Watch is a Perfect Gift

Outfit #6: The Houndstooth  

Houndstooth is a distinctive textile pattern characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes, often in black and white. The pattern creates a series of small, even-sized, pointed shapes, resembling a duotone grid. This enduring pattern is just that — timeless — and there's a certain crispness to the way it elevates an outfit when draped over trousers and a sweater. When considering this beloved pattern, you have to stick to a black leather strap, and you have to have an ‘everyday’ or ‘dress’ watch. These tend to be smaller and tend not to draw as much attention to themselves - which is something that’ll fit quite nicely with the understated hues of the Houndstooth. 

Outfit #7: The Trek

Not all of us love the outdoors, but you’re probably going to go on a hiking Tinder date at some point - so, what are you supposed to wear? Now is not the time to dust off your dad’s favorite pair of New Balance shoes, but rather a moment for you to show the utilitarian side of yourself. Opting for a simple white tee with an unbuttoned checkered shirt over is a surefire way of showing you both take care of yourself, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Whether you pair this combo with a pair of summer shorts or combat trousers, they’ll look the part. This is also the time to really let your watch shine as well, and you can wear almost any style you want. No size is too big, no complication too useless, and no strap too vulgar. You might even be able to pull off some rubber or plastic straps when you’re doing your trek. The only option that might not be fitting for this occasion is the metal bracelet. In the sun, in the field, between the rocks, this is a breathing ground for scratches and damage - opt for something that’ll be able to handle a few dings. 

Conclusion

Do you need every single look or outfit? Surely not, but you need to make sure your watch and outfit are styled for the occasion. Understanding what style of watch matches which outfit, and understanding what type of bracelet or strap you need to wear is key. That said, don’t be afraid to mix and match styles and watches. Nothing wrong with standing out, especially in 2023…