How to Pick a Watch for a Man & Capture a Precious Moment In Time @CitizenWatchUS, #betterstartsnow

How to Pick A Watch For a Man,  and Preserve a Moment in Time

by Alison Blackman, Editor in Chief, advicesisters.com

Citizen Watch VP Ellen Seckler talked about “watch mates” at the “Make Time For Love” event at Citizen’s Time Square Flagship Store

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you

From the song “Time in a Bottle”  by Jim Croce, songwriters: Jim Croce, Robin Spielberg

Time is precious. We only have a certain amount of it on this Earth. In between the moments of daily life are moments so important you want to preserve those precious moments in time, for a lifetime.

You can’t save time in a bottle but you can preserve a moment in time with the gift of a watch. If you are thinking about giving a gift to a special man, consider a watch.  It’s more than just an accessory or a piece of jewelry. It’s not just a way to stay on schedule. It might become a collectible or a potential family heirloom. But the most important reason to give a man a watch is that it’s a tangible talisman that will remind him of a special moment you share, and by doing so, preserves that precious moment in time in a sentimental and also practical, way.

If you give your groom a watch, you send the message: ” Let this watch remind you not just of this special day, but of all the other special moments that I’m looking forward to in the future with you.”A gift of a watch to a new graduate is a way to affirm: “you have succeeded and arrived at a new level in your life –confident person who is ready to move forward.”  Whatever the occasion, a gift of a watch is a very personal way to honor someone special and or to commemorate a special occasion.  Every time he checks the time, he is reminded of what makes that watch and the giver, so special.

Alison Blackman makes a point at the make time for love event at the Citizen Watch Store

I was honored to be among the expert presenters at the Make Time For Love Event  at the Citizen Watch Flagship Store in Times Square where I presented some relationship Tips for Making Love Last.  Among the speakers was Ellen Seckler, Citizen Watch’s Vice President of Marketing, who gave editors ideas about pairing watches for brides and grooms. After the event, I had a chance to sit down with Ellen, and talk about watches, time and the Citizen Watch Company.

One of my “Lasting Love” tips is to be on time (being late is a relationship killer) and you can do that easily by wearing a watch (read the tips & check out Tip #6).   

Watches have both a practical and an emotional purpose.  As Ellen Seckler pointed out, relationships are all about time as it’s the one thing that connects all of us.  That’s why a gift of a watch to a bride to her groom or a groom to his bride is such a time-honored and lovely tradition.  As Ellen pointed out: “Giving a watch says we are going to share our life’s moments together and I want you to remember the time of this day and all the moments to come.”

That’a a lovely and sentimental reason to buy a watch for someone, especially for a man who might not normally think about buying a really good one for himself. Get him wearing one, and you might find he ends up with a collection of covet-able watches of every type and style. But there is a practical side to this kind of gift as well. A good watch not only keeps you on schedule, it makes a statement.  A good watch looks beautiful, and it signifies to those who see it on your wrist that you are already successful (even if you are just job hunting).  This is particularly important for (younger) men who may not have worn a watch at all, or who have simply worn inexpensive watches preciously.

If you want to get a special gift for a man (or if you are a man reading this), a watch is the way to go. But which watch will you choose?  What follows are my suggestions for selecting a men’s watch. 

SATELLITE WAVE-AIR MODEL: CC1076-02E MSRP $2650 by Citizen Watch

MARNÉ MODEL: EO1102-51A MSRP $1750

Let’s start at the top (and I am including one for women, too).  Citizen’s priciest but also the most “high tech” watch for men  is the Citizen Satellite-Wave Air Model: CC1076-02E MSRP $2650.This dark grey Titanium Satellite watch has a three-layered dial inspired by jet engines, but what makes is really special is that it will give you accurate information anywhere on earth via Satellite.

My favorite high end watch for women is the beautiful, Eco Drive Marne Model: EO1102-51A  MSRP. $1,795.  This impressive watch has 48 genuine diamonds surrounding the bezel and one on the crown, in gold-tone stainless steel, with an anti-reflective curved sapphire crystal and a date feature. The eco-drive means  you’ll never have to wind it as it is powered by light.  Admittedly, this is the watch on my wish list!

the Citizen men’s eco drive bracelet BM8430-59E is just $200

A watch is an investment, but Citizen has beautiful watches in every price category and with both leather and metal bands, starting with the “Drive” collection $75-$295 and moving up to the Eco-Drive Collection $175-995.00. The Signature Collection is a bit more expensive with watches $895.00 to $1795 + but many of these include diamonds or other special features such as atomic or satellite technology. When my husband literally broke his watch into a gazillion tiny pieces by running over it with the vacuum cleaner (he claimed he didn’t see it on the ground near the bed), he wanted an elegant looking watch but one that wouldn’t be so expensive that he’d be worried if he lost or damaged it. The he Citizen men’s eco drive bracelet Model: BM8430-59E  is powered by light (eco-drive) and has a day/date function plus it is water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft): suitable for snorkeling, as well as swimming, but not diving, but while it looks expensive, it is just under $200!

how citizen eco drive works

Online Information:  There is a dynamic store on the Citizen Watch web site to help you make a choice by collection, price, gender, size, band color, band type, dial color, case material, amount of water resistance, and other features. But it’s overwhelming when you see all the fabulous styles. My advice for choosing a watch for a man (or anyone) is to consider four basic things:  personality,  lifestyle, interests, and whether this person has worn a watch before.

Citizen Eco Drive Men’s Strap Watch MODEL: BW0072-07P MSRP $150

 Is he a “power broker” who spends most of his time in a suit and tie (or he wants to work in that environment)?  Does he prefer something that isn’t “fussy?”  A classic look in a Citizen watch might be just his style. This Citizen Eco Drive men’s Strap watch MODEL: BW0072-07P MSRP $150 is an amazing buy and it’s still an Eco Drive powered by light watch.

Blue Angels World Chronograph A-T MODEL: AT8020-03L MSRP $575

Is he a tech geek? Does he love “gadgets?” A unique watch will keep his interest like this Blue Angels World Chronograph A-T MODEL: AT8020-03L MSRP $575 . The Citizen Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Chronograph World Timer, Blue Angels edition with caseback insignia has automatic time in 26 world cities; radio-controlled accuracy in 5 zones. 1/20 second chrono up to 60 minutes, perpetual calendar, 12/24 hour time, power reserve, non-reflective sapphire crystal. Stainless steel, blue ion plating, and a complimentary, leather strap. This would also be a good watch for a guy who has never worn a watch before as it’s impressive, but also fun. He will move to other styles as he gets more interested in watches!

Eco Drive by Citizen Promaster Super Sport Model: JW0111-55E MSRP $675

Does he live in the fast lane? Is he a sports fan who works and plays hard? Is he kind of casual?  A rugged watch with a chronograph might be his favorite like the Eco Drive by Citizen Promaster Super Sport Model: JW0111-55E MSRP $675. This impressive, Promaster racing chronograph features a 1/1000 second chronograph, recall of up to 20 lap times and average speed calculator. it has a stainless steel case and bracelet, grey ion-plated bezel and black dial with red accents. World time in 43 cities, alarm, 99-minute countdown timer, perpetual calendar and LED backlight.  The watch plays hard, but also looks appropriate with just about anything he might want to wear.

Citizen Eco-Drive AXIOM
MODEL: AU1062-56G
MSRP $325

Is he formal?  Try this Axiom Model: AU1062-56G MSRP $325  that is powered by eco-drive and has an elegant, gold-tone stainless steel case and bracelet with black dial, features the intriguing detail of edge-to-edge glass, an 11 diamond dial and date.

WORLD CHRONOGRAPH A-T MODEL: AT8116-57E MSRP $650

Does he travel a great deal and/or does he like fashion trends? A watch like the World Chronograph A-T MODEL: AT8116-57E MSRP $650 that features Atomic timekeeping in 26 time zones, 1/20-second chronograph measures up to 60 minutes, perpetual calendar, 12/24-hour time, power reserve indicator,day and date. Crafted with rose gold two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet with black dial featuring rose gold-tone accents and sapphire crystal will make him smile.