Good with tux?

[Castor]

Originally Posted by Rock

Even though I have a 'Dress Watch', I kind of feel that noone really cares about this kind of thing any more.
There are so many lovely 'dressy' watches around - any DJ for e.g. - that unless you are really mixing with 'snobby' people, noone is going to give a toss.
It's about how good you feel with an elegant watch on your wrist.

I tend to agree with this. However my dad was always very specific about men's dress watches in that they had to be thin, inconspicuous, & dark. That a formal event is very much a 'uniform' type of event (such as a wedding) where you are trying to look classy yet without drawing undo attention to yourself. There are apparently rules to follow which a quick google search will help. For a watch a dark Celini or Calatrava would probably be perfect.

However the 'rules' of dressing formally are a lot more relaxed now than in my father's day.

[T. Ferguson]

I tend towards the more traditional approach so can appreciate where the OP is coming from. That being the case, the most traditional approach would be no watch at all.

That said, on the rare occasion I find myself donning my monkey suit I usually use it as an excuse to wear my grandfather's old watch, a vintage 50's YG Hamilton.

While I personally go more traditional I can certainly accept that the "rules of engagement" for accessorizing formal attire have loosened up, and it's more of an anything goes type thing when it comes to the timepiece. A Breitling Emergency might be a bit much but a Sub is seen as perfectly acceptable in many quarters.

Really, unless the crowd in attendance is composed of truly well-heeled blue-bloods and the affair is a career builder type thing, going with whatever fits your style seems more acceptable these days. I find it kind of funny though when people get all caught up in wearing the perfectly appropriate watch to a black tie affair when at many of these things a good percentage of the attendees are in rented clothes and shoes to begin with.

[Tools]

I'm afraid that things like; responsibility for ones actions, good taste and manners, and even a good moral compass, have become Paleo in todays cliche' world, as well as traditions that were passed down for decades.

You are liable to see anything at a black tie event today - black converse tennies, untucked shirts, cuffs flapping in the breeze, bizarre colors or patterns, ostentatious jewelery (on both men and women), and no tie at all...

I admit that I do wear a watch to the several formal ocassions I attend each year, usually a vintage Omega or Patek on leather that fits nicely under a cuff. I have to say that I see almost everybody with a watch of some sort on at these affairs, again, few are tasteful, but I do appreciate it when I see somebody that has taken some time and thought in his attire and surroundings..

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Tools

I'm afraid that things like; responsibility for ones actions, good taste and manners, and even a good moral compass, have become Paleo in todays cliche' world, as well as traditions that were passed down for decades.

You are liable to see anything at a black tie event today - black converse tennies, untucked shirts, cuffs flapping in the breeze, bizarre colors or patterns, ostentatious jewelery (on both men and women), and no tie at all...

I wonder how much of this trend is due to the general deterioration of society versus exposure of marginal taste from all the televised awards shows where celebrities are seen trying to pull off their individual versions of "Hollywood chic".

[Castor]

I don't think that we're seeing 'the general deterioration of society' so much as the evolution of fashion. Evolution just happens. I wonder what our descendants will have to say 100 years from now?

[CWIN]

I'd just wear your watch and have a good time. Honestly no one would even care.

[Rock]

So - no watch with a Dinner Suit.
What about " No 'phone" ? (what have you observed in real life?)
My observation is that 99% of people are so addicted to their 'phones that they have them in the shower, let alone at formal events.

[dstacy]

Originally Posted by Rock

So - no watch with a Dinner Suit.

Suit is ok, but not a tux

Originally Posted by Rock

What about " No 'phone" ? (what have you observed in real life?)
My observation is that 99% of people are so addicted to their 'phones that they have them in the shower, let alone at formal events.

The addiction level of people with their phones is out of hand and very sad. My wife and I go out for dinner in very nice restaurants often. We are continually amazed at the number of couples who pay $200+ to have a nice dinner and never say a word to each other because their heads are buried in their phones.
Good Lord! Get a life! Facebook is not living. Very sad.

[RollieVerde]

Originally Posted by AK797

All these rules on how you should dress lest you be judged and ridiculed is just the other side of the same silly gangsta rapper big swinging d1ck wannabe coin.

Amen.

[vitalsignsrn]

Don't bother wearing your watch because in all reality, you most likely will have your phone hidden and in silent mode. Just check your phone for the time.

Etiquette be damned.

[jyan212]

Originally Posted by Dittox

Very interesting, never thought of it that way!

Also, I don't think that nomos watches are formal enough for black tie events as they are essentially minimalistic Bauhaus pieces. A JLC Master Ultra Thin 1348420 could be a great option as it is great formal watch without the hefty price tag of the Calatrava.

Seconded! Although the consensus here seems to say no watch, I think a JLC Master Ultra Thin or even a Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 would be great.

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by dstacy

The addiction level of people with their phones is out of hand and very sad. My wife and I go out for dinner in very nice restaurants often. We are continually amazed at the number of couples who pay $200+ to have a nice dinner and never say a word to each other because their heads are buried in their phones.
Good Lord! Get a life! Facebook is not living. Very sad.

Amen, brother! It's crazy! My wife and I go to great restaurants very frequently, and almost everybody has their phones sitting on the table during dinner, checking them regularly. For me, dining is a social occasion, and I think it's very rude to be checking your phone when you should be enjoying the company of the people you're with. But I guess I'm becoming old fashioned.

Tux = no watch. That's why I don't attend black tie affairs! Well, also because I'm never invited to any..

[Rock]

Some of you guys would attend lots more formal events than me - I'm betting that whilst some might not wear a watch, they would bloody-well make sure they had their phone.
What have you observed?