Time-Lines

Hello again, and thank you to those of you who keep checking in on this page. I appreciate your support.

Today we'll being talking watches, but of a very specific type. Today we discuss the vintage digital watch. Now when I say "vintage digital", I'm not talking about a black plastic monstrosity with an integrated calculator. I'm talking about stark, minimalist lines. There are a great many brands that produced some interesting vintage styles. Our example piece today is by Seiko. This watch (pictured) pays homage to vintage designs, however this one is not really vintage itself. The Seiko cal. W524, or "Nooka" was produced as a limited run a mere decade ago, and the designer launched his own brand (yes... Nooka) when Seiko decided against producing more licensed products.

I like this watch a lot more than the current Nooka offerings. A quick Google search for the brand may clue you in as to why, but I am getting off topic. After all, my watch is simply an example to point you in the right direction.

The reason I plug the old-school vintage watch is because adding one to an otherwise dressy outfit throws just the right unexpected twist in to shake things up... it's an eye-catching piece that jars and sets the precision of the rest of the outfit into relief. The boxy, architectural lines provide sophistication, but the digital readout on the screen injects a very special playfulness into one's ensemble, and consequently, into one's demeanor. The informality issue can be avoided by paying attention to the following:

It is because of the suggested pairing with a suit or jacket and tie that metal is the desired medium for this watch. Stay away from plastic. Blending a chunky plastic G-Shock with a suit should stay reserved for U.S. presidents. It DOES... NOT... LOOK...COOL. After all, we're talking about a digital watch here. That in and of itself is informal enough.

If you like the watch pictured, they can still be found online by searching for the Seiko cal. W524, but eBay is rich with other vintage offerings that may grab you even more. Keep to the guidelines we discussed, and happy hunting.

Until Next Time,

Cheers!

-Paul