It is just cool enough these days to break out the double-breasted suit. This is a Canali in navy blue birdseye. It is worn with a blue and tan striped shirt and an unlined, self-tipped navy tie with green and maroon flowers (A Suitable Wardrobe, again), and the Sloop slip-on in dark brown suede. DB’s were once three pieced, a great boon in the pre-climate-controlled-interior days. Today, their style transcends their function.
I’ve double up in another way, too. That’s my watch I’m holding in my hands. My shirt sleeve cuffs are too tight to wear the watch on my wrist unless I pull an Agnelli and strap it over the cuff. I’m carrying my cell phone, of course, and that has a very accurate clock. In the cell phone pocket of my suit coat I could think of it as a pocket watch, although it is more difficult to access. In fact, the alarms I have set up produce my Pavlovian response to completing errands and tasks.
You’ll also notice that I’m standing in front of my grandfather’s grandfather clock. I haven’t wound it up and let it keep time since the chiming of the bell is too loud in the middle of the night, but it does bring up another point; we’re surrounded by clocks.
Why then do we continue to buy, wear and admire wristwatches? I suspect that, beyond their functionality, they are small pieces of art. Many are also keepsakes. We remember where we were in life when we acquired them. Some are heirlooms. Some were meticulously researched and chosen with great care. They are also one of the few statement pieces that are acceptable for a man to wear. Style, announcing how we see ourselves, often transcending function. A good reason to choose a DB and wear a wristwatch.
Dear Chris,
You do look SPIFFY in front of this heirloom Grandfather’s Clock!
Sure, a wrist watch is an essential men’s piece of jewelry, even if its use has been surpassed by technology but the sentiments still remain with it.
You always know to address a little (to lots of people; not YOUR readers…) unknown detail about fine men’s garb.
Keep those interesting writings come!
Sincerely,
Mariette
Hi Chris,
Very good looking ( the man and the attire!) Watches are works of art and many are so intriguing. Sometimes when I look at a wristwatch ad in a high end publication I am mesmerized!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Series
Great looking suit Chris. I would love to be able to see it up close so that the birdseye pattern in the cloth was more discernible. You look great in it though.
I’ve carried a pocketwatch for many years. I prefer it over the wristwatch. More elegant, more gentlemanly.
Sybarite, it’s a great look! I used to carry my grandfather’s, but it was so heavy that it took the breast pocket of an ancient tweed jacket to accommodate it.
Todd, thanks. I’ll try and remember to get close ups. It seems that I’m running late for everything these days and the details get lost in the shuffle.
Karena, I’m with you. Those ads can be works of art. I love the Bell & Ross ads.
Mariette, I agree. The sentiment must be what drives the continued use of the wristwatch (or pocketwatch) for those us us who aren’t full-time action heroes. That and the art of the thing itself.
The beard looks great! But let it grown in thick-er.
You might try winding the clock for the time but not winding the chime. My own case clock chimes on the hour and I couldn’t live without it. House guests complain, but we are definately used to the hourly bells ringing away; you will get used to the ring too I promise.