Watch This

By Anne Grant

A luxury watch (e.g. Blancpain, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe) remains a classic and chic fashion symbol embodying the power of appearances. A wardrobe essential for all men who have about them an air of style, sophistication and strength, the high-end timepiece becomes a fundamental means by which to communicate power to one�s contemporaries. Once a man reaches a certain level of success in his life, a high-end watch communicates that not only has he reached the upper echelon of achievement, but also that he looked pretty damn sexy on the way up. Although men�s fashion has evolved greatly in recent years, opportunity for self-expression in this realm remains limited in comparison to the varied and eclectic options available to women. While the latter slip into red soles or out of silk tights�of which colors and styles are inexhaustible�on their way to the top, the former are presented a far more restricted selection for self-expression. In this sense, a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre (pictured) becomes both a wardrobe staple and a symbol of identity and elegance�as basic as an impeccably tailored power suit and as emblematic as an offshore bank account. Quite simply, the high-end timepiece denotes authority, strength and timeless sophistication.