The Best Wristwatch for A Man - 3 Rules to choose a wristwatch.

Men are such unfortunate beings. We don't go far when it comes to fashion. How many ways can you fashion a white button down shirt? And how many ways can you wear khaki pants? Or that faded coduroy blazer you got hanging in your ward-robe?

And we can't wear make-up. Though I've seen some metro-sexual friends attempt nail-polish but I just don't dig that style.

Now, the one accessory that would truly show your status among men is the humble wristwatch. Trust me, a good wristwatch says a lot about you; just ask James Bond. How many times has his wristwatch saved his back? And wristwatches come in several flavors, though you may want to put some thought into it before splashing out serious money for one.

So here I lay down my watch inspired rules to choosing the best wristwatch a man can have (if you don't agree, shoot me).

Rule 1: Go for function

Watches tell more than just time, they come with a lot dials and tell you stuff from dates to temperature, to alttitude and tidal cycles. So ask yourself, What will I use my watch for?

Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph

A favourite watch to have is a chronograph and almost all watch brands have a version of this form of watch. A chronograph is a stop watch and on some models, you can tell how face your car is moving by running the chronograph. Now, chronographs are great watches to have (I have two of these) yet, when would you actually use one? After a while, you'll realize you dished out serious money for a function, you only used the first few days of owning your watch. The rest of the time, you're just looking at your watch to, well, tell time. So buying a chronograph may not be real value for your bucks, unless you fly a small aircraft every other day.

So what do you get, in terms of function?

Seiko Premier Perpectual Calendar

Here's my suggestion - a perpectual calendar wristwatch. I own two of these watches and boy do I love them. Why? You only have to set the date once and the watch will take care of the rest. And it even count leap years. Most brands carry a version of this type of watch and it makes more sense then a chronograph. I currently own the Seiko Premier Perpectual Calendar and its a time-less elegant watch. I purposely went around looking for the above model, it was release in 2007 and is the first model of this kind in the Premier line, making it a collector's item of sorts.

Rule 2: Go Automatic


Seiko was the culprit that broke the back of most european wristwatch makers when they introduced quartz technology back in the 1969. Basically, it meant that watches can now run in little batteries, making them more realiable and durable. And cheaper to produce. This revolutionized the watch industry and the wristwatch became standard issue apparel (much like underwear). Heck, James Bond wore a Seiko in four movies and I think it was Sean Connery who wore a digital Seiko in Never Say Never Again.

I own several quartz, yet any chance I get; I'll but automatic. Why? Better resale value. Collectors love automatics and they are willing to pay for it. So if ever you feel like off-loading a watch, automatics will get buyers.

Quartz watches do have revalue but unless you own the following quartz watches, selling them would be hard.

Seiko Holo - only 2000 sold, can fetch USD1000 on eBay

Seiko 7a28 - worn by Lt. Ripley in Alien. Extremely rare.


This one sold for USD410

So in short, buy automatic. They sell well and you can pass it down to your grand-children.

Rule 3 : Buy metal bracelet and leather


Wristwatches come in metal bracelets and leather bands. Have both. Why? A metal bracelet watch can be your everday wear. A leather band is for those moments you need a subtle touch, like going for a dinner or meeting.

Switching watches around can be fun and it shows off your character as someone who's not monotonous.

There you have it, three (3) rules you can apply to choosing a wristwatch. I did not mention brand nor size (wristwatch normally come in 3 sizes) or shape. These factors are very subjective and really depends on individual taste.

If you have any more rules we all can apply to buying a wristwatch (especially for men) do drop me a comment.

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To Those That Don't Understand, It's Spelt 'DEPRESSION'

"Let it go." "Get over it." "Move on with life." "I don't like the change in you." "Just think happy thoughts."

I've heard my fair share of comments. The comments are fair and spoken from well-intended motives. The people are sincere and trying their best to nudge me along.

But they got it all wrong.

I often dismissed this form of positive-emphaty as being the inability of the commenter to understand the true nature of the condition that has gripped me. For in all fairness, only those who suffer would know how it truly feels.

It's spelt DEPRESSION and here are some points a care-giver should know:

1. 
   
   Understand the condition and then the person. It is a condition the sufferer may not fully comprehend themselves (I sure did not) and in most cases, they do not know why they are in the condition they are in. So do your homework. Study the condition and use that knowledge as a platform for reaching out.
   
   


2. 
   
   
   
   • 
     
     Depression: Beyond Serotonin
     
     
   
   
   • 
     
     The Evolutionary Reason for Depression
     
     
   
   
   • 
     
     Exploring The Links Between Depression, Writers and Suicide
     
     
   
   
   • 
     
     The Cantopher Document
     
     
   
   
   
   


3. 
   
   Stress. Stress plays a key role in the on-set of a depressive spiral. We all face stress in some measure through out our lives. Unfortunately, the sufferer has lost or lack the mechanism to handle stress. DO NOT add to the stress they are already facing. Stress could come in the form of a simple question such as, "Why are you feeling this way?" Yes, finding the answer to why is stressful. DO NOT push them over-the-edge by unnecessary questions and fact-finding activities.
   
   


4. 
   
   Trauma. An overwhelming blast of stress causes trauma and this broke the brains natural ability to cope and thus begins the onset of depression. Studies have shown that exposure to a traumatic experience in early child-hood makes the brain hypersensitive to stress which contributes to the onset of depression in adults. Understanding the traumatic experience in the life of the sufferer will help. In some cases, it was a series of traumatic and stressfull incidences that hit the individual at the same time that caused the depressive spiral.
   
   


5. 
   
   Personality Change. Understand that once depression has set in, the person's personality and character has change. They will not be the same person, you once knew. Why? The body compensates and adapts itself to the new condition. The body is trying its best to cope. These changes are in itself, confusing to the sufferer. Don't stress them out by pointing out the change, instead accept it and allow the sufferer the space to reconfigure themselves to their new state. In some cases, the changes do not stick and the sufferer reverts back but in some, these changes are permanent.
   
   


6. 
   
   Walk with us. I cannot emphasis more on the importance of this point. Walk with the sufferer. Don't merely say, "I understand." but instead add, "We'll walk through this together." There is a deep sense of hopelessness and loneliness in the sufferer. Leaving them alone or on their own enforces this prevalent feelings. Most sufferers commit suicide, not because they are stupid or attention-seeking, but rather because they want the pain to end. If you are sincere and genuine, walk the talk. Don't just say you want to help but be the help. If a care-giver does not owe up to what they say, it would merely push the sense of hopelessness and loneliness deeper into the sufferer's psyche. Walk with us, show us that someone cares and trust me; change can happen.
   
   


7. 
   
   Antidepressants. I am NOT an advocate of this form of treatment. Why? To me, it merely mask the condition. It represses the condition into a dormant state and really doesn't help the sufferer. In all the readings, I've read; I've come to the conclusion that antidepressants do not cure the condition. It merely brings it down to a manageable state. Problem with that is, without the antidepressants, the condition may return with a vengence.
   
   

Once broken, can this be fixed?

I am incline to say, NO.

The scars are buried deep in the psyche and mind. The brain has changed and this is not something that can be fixed that easily. Yet, there is hope. The brain is a wonderfully flexible organ and it can re-wire itself to work-round the handicap. A sufferer can start these processes along but they cannot do it on their own. They need care-givers around them to help them along, until the brain has rewired itself, well enough for the sufferer to manage on their own.

This is a plea for all to understand because only through understanding can one help to beat down this condition. For sufferers, I know it's hard but we too need to understand as best as possible what we suffer from.

Sun Tzu wrote, " It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

Understand this condition called DEPRESSION, understand yourself and we can win this battle.

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