How conservative to be with a watch

[woltej1]

Hey, I'm looking at getting a new watch that I plan to wear to any interviews and professional settings. I really like the citizen brand and a lot of the models I like have some lime green or orange accenting on the watch or stitching in the band. Would this come across as inappropriate in a med school setting at all or is it not that big of a deal.

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[histidine]

in med school - no. in interviews - yes.

 

[pietachok]

Nobody will care about your watch in med school.
You don't need it in interviews, so if there's any question, just take it off before you go.

 

[kyamh]

Also, it's sometimes not a great idea to wear a watch. The following advice comes from my mother who interviews residents...not the same thing but similar.

If you wear a watch you may be tempted to check it. Checking your watch can come off as bored/anxious to leave so it's a negative. In my interview experience, there hasn't been any reason to wear a watch.


Edit: I don't think a watch is going to make or break your interview, but apparently these kinds of body language cues come up during match meetings...so clearly there are some people who care. I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[BlueLabel]

Also, it's sometimes not a great idea to wear a watch. The following advice comes from my mother who interviews residents...not the same thing but similar.

If you wear a watch you may be tempted to check it. Checking your watch can come off as bored/anxious to leave so it's a negative. In my interview experience, there hasn't been any reason to wear a watch.


Edit: I don't think a watch is going to make or break your interview, but apparently these kinds of body language cues come up during match meetings...so clearly there are some people who care. I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

That's an interesting point I had never considered. Safe to say if you have a habit of nervously checking the time, don't wear a watch in an interview.

To OP: citizen makes lots of great watches, in my personal opinion the best watches are simple. I got this one from my parents about a year ago and it's served me well (sorry if this looks weird or wrong size, SDNing from my phone)

 

[histidine]

this is what i'm rocking. goes well with a suit imo

personally, I can't live without a watch.

 

[woltej1]

Right now I'm between these two I think. Citizen must be in the process of updating their line because a lot of the watches I have been looking at are disappearing off retailer's websites.

 

[F1rstGen]

I feel naked without a watch and haven't had any interviews but I can share one experience I had recently at a med-school open house where an adcom commented on how large my watch was (50mm fossil with white face...for my current income, it's what I consider "nice").

It wasn't really said with a negative tone but humility seems to be the most desirable quality during an interview so wearing a large faced watch should probably be avoided. 50mm cases are gaining popularity, and I love the ascetics even if fossil isn't considered a quality watch, but when I purchase my next timepiece I plan to stay below 44mm.

 

[CW 2010]

You don't need a watch for an interview. For med school/rotations you'll want a watch that's water/shock-everything-resistant, that will have date and day of the month on it and that will be easy to clean! Personally, I think it's a good idea to have 2 watches - one for going out or casual activities and another one (something like casio g-shock) for work.

 

[histidine]

View attachment 25644View attachment 25645
Right now I'm between these two I think. Citizen must be in the process of updating their line because a lot of the watches I have been looking at are disappearing off retailer's websites.

The left one is a good mix of casual/dress. All black looks too casual/flashy.

 

[CyberMaxx]

This is what I wore to my interviews. I also feel naked without a watch, but I would agree that you shouldn't check it when talking to someone. Its just a Timex Easy Reader, something like $15 on Amazon.

 

[histidine]

I feel naked without a watch and haven't had any interviews but I can share one experience I had recently at a med-school open house where an adcom commented on how large my watch was (50mm fossil with white face...for my current income, it's what I consider "nice").

It wasn't really said with a negative tone but humility seems to be the most desirable quality during an interview so wearing a large faced watch should probably be avoided. 50mm cases are gaining popularity, and I love the ascetics even if fossil isn't considered a quality watch, but when I purchase my next timepiece I plan to stay below 44mm.

50mm??? That's huge even for a casual watch. I have big hands/wrists, and 45mm is the largest I can pull off without it looking absurd. Also, you need a smaller and thinner watch if you are going to be wearing it with a suit/dress shirt, as you don't want it catching on your cuffs (or stuck hidden under).

 

[Pacna]

I wore my Nike FuelBand. *shrug*

 

[masaraksh]

That's an interesting point I had never considered. Safe to say if you have a habit of nervously checking the time, don't wear a watch in an interview.

To OP: citizen makes lots of great watches, in my personal opinion the best watches are simple. I got this one from my parents about a year ago and it's served me well (sorry if this looks weird or wrong size, SDNing from my phone)

View attachment 25642

I would not wear a sport watch with a suit. Also, since its gold, it should be paired with a brown belt/gold buckles + brown shoes.

 

[masaraksh]

This is what I wore to my interviews. I also feel naked without a watch, but I would agree that you shouldn't check it when talking to someone. Its just a Timex Easy Reader, something like $15 on Amazon.

View attachment 25655

Looks great!

I have this one. Has worked well.
http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T52142...ie=UTF8&qid=1385244918&sr=8-6&keywords=tissot

 

[Goro]

Quit fussing. No one's going to care.

Hey, I'm looking at getting a new watch that I plan to wear to any interviews and professional settings. I really like the citizen brand and a lot of the models I like have some lime green or orange accenting on the watch or stitching in the band. Would this come across as inappropriate in a med school setting at all or is it not that big of a deal.

 

[histidine]

Quit fussing. No one's going to care.

Watch choice is like sock choice, suit choice, tie choice, shirt choice, shoe choice etc. For the most part, mistakes will be forgiven. White socks with black shoes, square toed shoes, black suits, short ties, dark and heavily patterned shirts - all won't directly cause rejections, but they certainly won't help you.

It's always better to dress the part. If you wear a sports watch with a suit, it won't kill you, but you'd be better off with a dress watch.

 

[masaraksh]

Watch choice is like sock choice, suit choice, tie choice, shirt choice, shoe choice etc. For the most part, mistakes will be forgiven. White socks with black shoes, square toed shoes, black suits, short ties, dark and heavily patterned shirts - all won't directly cause rejections, but they certainly won't help you.

It's always better to dress the part. If you wear a sports watch with a suit, it won't kill you, but you'd be better off with a dress watch.

amen.

A guy at a recent interview looked great. Nice, well fitted suit... even had a pocket square. Buuut... he wore a sport watch & whats more ridiculous was that he always kept BOTH buttons on his jacket buttoned (even when sitting down). I'm like, you cold bro? Like, if you're gonna wear a PS, you have to first know the rules about the bottom button. You can't just skip a level.

 

[Goro]

In >10 years of doing admissions interviews, not once has a candidate's dress ever been an issue when the AdCom discussed who to accept. It's deportment that gets on our radar.

So chill out, kids.

Watch choice is like sock choice, suit choice, tie choice, shirt choice, shoe choice etc. For the most part, mistakes will be forgiven. White socks with black shoes, square toed shoes, black suits, short ties, dark and heavily patterned shirts - all won't directly cause rejections, but they certainly won't help you.

It's always better to dress the part. If you wear a sports watch with a suit, it won't kill you, but you'd be better off with a dress watch.

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

Hey, I'm looking at getting a new watch that I plan to wear to any interviews and professional settings. I really like the citizen brand and a lot of the models I like have some lime green or orange accenting on the watch or stitching in the band. Would this come across as inappropriate in a med school setting at all or is it not that big of a deal.

Man.. you are worrying WAY too much...

 

[histidine]

In >10 years of doing admissions interviews, not once has a candidate's dress ever been an issue when the AdCom discussed who to accept. It's deportment that gets on our radar.

So chill out, kids.

Of course no one would explicitly call attention to a candidate's attire unless it was absolutely insane. But attire may factor in subconsciously. There are many studies on the psychological effects of attire, and I would doubt interviewers are immune to these effects.

OP asked the question and someone should tell him that lime green/orange watches are not appropriate for professional interviews, even if med school interviews/admissions is forgiving to mistakes in attire. If he asked whether black sneakers are okay, of course we'd tell him no. If he asked whether he should pick a black vs charcoal suit, of course we'd tell him charcoal. I don't see how watch choice is any different.

 

[woltej1]

Watch choice is like sock choice, suit choice, tie choice, shirt choice, shoe choice etc. For the most part, mistakes will be forgiven. White socks with black shoes, square toed shoes, black suits, short ties, dark and heavily patterned shirts - all won't directly cause rejections, but they certainly won't help you.

It's always better to dress the part. If you wear a sports watch with a suit, it won't kill you, but you'd be better off with a dress watch.

 

[mehc012]

OP asked the question and someone should tell him that lime green/orange watches are not appropriate for professional interviews, even if med school interviews/admissions is forgiving to mistakes in attire.

OK I'm with you on the giving-advice and most of the advice thus far, but I'm confused as most of the responses here seem to be in line with what you're saying here (lime green/orange sport watches are not appropriate) when OPs question seemed far more neurotic than that.
I've definitely seen not-sport watches which had colored stitching or accents, and I thought that's what OP was referring to (never occurred to me he'd actually be talking about a sports watch, lol).

 

[histidine]

OK I'm with you on the giving-advice and most of the advice thus far, but I'm confused as most of the responses here seem to be in line with what you're saying here (lime green/orange sport watches are not appropriate) when OPs question seemed far more neurotic than that.
I've definitely seen not-sport watches which had colored stitching or accents, and I thought that's what OP was referring to (never occurred to me he'd actually be talking about a sports watch, lol).

Typically, the only color accents on dressier watches are red and dark blue and, like this:

 

[mehc012]

Typically, the only color accents on dressier watches are red and dark blue and, like this:

Fair enough...I was thinking of things such as

or

But now I actually see that the first watch is labelled 'sport'. I would never have considered that a sports watch if it weren't labeled as such. Guys get all the cool toys...girls watches are usually far less fancy and far more bracelet-y, I suppose because we have small wrists and would look ridiculous with such a large watchface.

 

[histidine]

Fair enough...I was thinking of things such as

or

But now I actually see that the first watch is labelled 'sport'. I would never have considered that a sports watch if it weren't labeled as such. Guys get all the cool toys...girls watches are usually far less fancy and far more bracelet-y, I suppose because we have small wrists and would look ridiculous with such a large watchface.

Yeah those are definitely "sports" watches. Like all other clothes/accessories, there is a gradual blend between dress-casual. Those watches you linked are definitely sport watches, but they are less sporty than say, a G-Shock.

This, even with the orange bezel, would be dressier than the ones you linked because it is simpler.

This would be a good combination of dress/casual:

 

[histidine]

Most watch companies make watches for women, but yeah the options are usually a bit more limited if you like the styling of guys' watches but just want a smaller size.

 

[mehc012]

Most watch companies make watches for women, but yeah the options are usually a bit more limited if you like the styling of guys' watches but just want a smaller size.

Well as an example, I have yet to see a classy women's sports watch. It's not so much the styling of the men's watches (I have tiny wrists, I would look like an imbecile), it's that we're lacking entire categories. I have yet to see a non-plastic women's sportwatch.

 

[masaraksh]

so how about swatches?

 

[histidine]

Well as an example, I have yet to see a classy women's sports watch. It's not so much the styling of the men's watches (I have tiny wrists, I would look like an imbecile), it's that we're lacking entire categories. I have yet to see a non-plastic women's sportwatch.

Well, here's 4 for you. There are lots out there, but not all brands will carry what you are looking for so you'll have to look harder. I guarantee you that for any style out there for men, there exists the same style in a smaller size for ladies.

Chris Ward Tridents:

Hamilton Seaview Quartz Ladies:

Hamilton Officer Auto Ladies:

 

[mehc012]

perhaps I just don't understand how they are defining sports watches. Ah well, I have no money anyway, so it's a moot point. Thanks for the imgs though!

 

[histidine]

perhaps I just don't understand how they are defining sports watches. Ah well, I have no money anyway, so it's a moot point. Thanks for the imgs though!

After a decade of medical training and a decade of paying off your loans, you will!

 

[mehc012]

After a decade of medical training and a decade of paying off your loans, you will!

A decade? Please, man, that's one of the few advantages of the foreveralone camp!
(I jest)

 

[bambam92]

pretty much rolex or fail..

 

[Skyforever]

Watch choice is like sock choice, suit choice, tie choice, shirt choice, shoe choice etc. For the most part, mistakes will be forgiven. White socks with black shoes, square toed shoes, black suits, short ties, dark and heavily patterned shirts - all won't directly cause rejections, but they certainly won't help you.

It's always better to dress the part. If you wear a sports watch with a suit, it won't kill you, but you'd be better off with a dress watch.

I'm just curious as to why you don't find black suit acceptable??!

 

[histidine]

I'm just curious as to why you don't find black suit acceptable??!

It's not that it's unacceptable, it's that it's not the most appropriate for an interview. Black suits are traditionally for funerals and other very formal events - interviews not included. Just google it if you don't believe me.

Black suits won't kill your chances (half of interviewees have black suits), but if you have the chance to pick a suit, go with navy or charcoal. If you already have a black suit and the budget is tight, it will do.

If you wore a black suit to, say, an interview for a business job, they might be more critical of your choice of "professional" attire.

 

[fjkfukdfy]

Nobody will care about your watch in med school.

 

[masaraksh]

pretty much rolex or fail..

more like IWC or Patek

 

[sazerac]

pretty much rolex or fail..

Is it me, or are all these numberless watches are just cheap knock-offs of the Rolex submariner?

 

[histidine]

Is it me, or are all these numberless watches are just cheap knock-offs of the Rolex submariner?

Submariner is a classic design and copied by a large number of legitimate mid and high end watch companies. Definitely not "cheap knock-offs," but they do copy the style. Inside are quality swiss automatic movements - not the ones that Rolex uses, but high end nonetheless.

In the watch world, it is acceptable to copy older classic designs. Watchmakers call it "homage" lol. Copying newer, modern styles is frowned upon though.

 

[Warnerade]

Movado FTW

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Is it me, or are all these numberless watches are just cheap knock-offs of the Rolex submariner?

The IWCs are anything but cheap knock-offs. Their style is also not similar to the Rolexes. Although I will admit the striking similarities other companies have used that look like Rolex copies.... like the Omegas.

OP, I would recommend the Hamilton Viewmatic that histidine posted earlier.
I have the black dial version and I had two interviews where my interviewer complimented on its design.

 

[histidine]

The IWCs are anything but cheap knock-offs. Their style is also not similar to the Rolexes. Although I will admit the striking similarities other companies have used that look like Rolex copies.... like the Omegas.

OP, I would recommend the Hamilton Viewmatic that histidine posted earlier.
I have the black dial version and I had two interviews where my interviewer complimented on its design.

The Viewmatics are sick. You can get them for ~250 used on Ebay, and, like most automatic watches, will probably keep their used value indefinitely. I attribute our UTSW acceptances to the Viematic 😛