When finding your first gig out of school, there will be a few things on your shopping list. The right garb to master the ever-elusive “business casual.” A good pair of dress shoes. Pens. A padfolio. Those sort of things. But somewhere on that list should be a quality watch.
It may seem unnecessary when you can have an accurate time-telling device in the form of your phone, but there are a couple of good reasons to go with a classic analog timepiece. Wearing a watch conveys a certain sense of punctuality and professionalism when interviewing or while in a meeting. And while you certainly could look at your phone instead, it might see like you’re checking your notifications instead of the time, which comes off as inattentive or rude. A subtle glance at the wrist is just a safer way to go.
In buying your first professional watch (or gifting one to your graduate), strive for something subtle with a hint of personality that reflects both yourself and the atmosphere in which you’ll be working. It doesn’t have to cost a semester’s tuition, too. There are some great pieces with far more attainable price tags — ranging from just over $100 to just under $1,500 — that look at home in the workplace while conveying just the right amount of humility.
Orient Bambino
The Orient Bambino is the perfect example of a watch that looks like a million bucks but costs barely anything (at least as far as mechanical watches go). This “version 3” variant comes with a brilliant metallic gray dial with sunray finishing, a retro-inspired domed crystal and a Japanese-made automatic movement inside.
Movement: Orient F6724 automatic
Case diameter: 40.5mm
Water resistance: 30m
