Fratello On Air: Matching Watches And Straps To Clothing

Do we really care about the ensemble?

October 29, 2024

comments 18

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we tackle a listener question about pairing watches and straps with our clothing. Do we care or put a lot of thought into what watches we wear with our garb? Stick around to find out more. Watch content begins after approximately 20 minutes.

Halloween is upon us, which means starting the show off with another great joke to hear Balazs groan. Somehow, we get stuck on clothing brands, including J.Crew, which takes us to the main topic. Our faithful listener Saku from Finland is back again and asked if we purposely pair our watches and straps with our clothing. It’s a deceptively simple question that leads to a sprawling conversation.

Handgelenkskontrolle

When we finally get around to the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs admits that he’s been neglecting his Rolex GMT-Master 1675. He’s wearing it on an original period-correct Oyster bracelet. Mike is wearing a first-generation Heuer Carrera 2447 with a horribly over-polished case he purchased 10 years ago. He’s just found an older case online and will complete the swap within weeks.

Watches and clothing

When it comes to watches and clothing, it’s fair to say that both of us live by loose rules. There are rules, though. We both prefer straps unless we’re wearing a Rolex. Then, if our clothes are extremely casual, we shy away from strict dress watches and always avoid black or brown alligator and crocodile straps. We both enjoy a bold strap pairing with a more toned-down watch and a look that contrasts our clothes. However, we never mix a black strap with a brown belt or vice versa. Is it a pedantic discussion? You bet, but that’s why you’re listening! Let us know your favorite watch, strap, and clothing combos below.

Thanks for listening to the latest episode. If you have future show ideas, feel free to let us know!

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SC
Tam O’ Banter says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 10:12

One of the reasons I am so taken with that Sternglas is that it takes people back to the days when a not-quite-dress watch/unmacho field watch was acceptable anywhere and with anything short of white-tie or wetsuit.
I have few rules except “No proper shirt & a watch that doesn’t fit under the cuff”. There are few sartorial faux pas worse than someone wearing a wristwatch on the back of their hand because they don’t know any better.

Reply
1. JW
  OldJohnBulova says:
  
  Oct 30, 2024 at 19:57
  
  Hahh 😄
  Me I don’t usually care all too much myself one way or other about people wearing what they want or how they do want to, but… What really gets me bigtime is when a person wears a steel watch so so loosely on wrist but I do mean super ooper mega loose, like sliding up, down and circling all around the wrist type loose, until finally for a moment or two sticking right at the thick side of the wrist. Bleghhhkkctt… Hate it the most!
  I once many yrs ago considered firing a guy for it actually (not my proudest to admit it). But, soon enough he then went on and managed to get 3 DUI’s in less than two yrs for himself so that made the whole predicament a bit easier at least for myself 😬
  
  Reply
  1. SC
    Tam O’ Banter says:
    
    Oct 30, 2024 at 23:23
    
    The UK seems to be an outlier when it comes to shoe colour. Non-black shoes have long been considered a specialist item there. That is, there has to be a specific reason not to wear black. Usually it means you’re wearing brogues in the country.
    “No brown in town” and “blue suit, black shoes” are rules of thumb. To this day I find it strange and uncouth to see brown shoes under a blue suit.
    With jeans they’re acceptable, as long as the jacket is Earth-toned. But most non-brown tweed needs black shoes. Green tweed and brown brogues are acceptable….just. More so if you’re in Royal Deeside.
    
    Reply
    1. Bob says:
      
      Nov 04, 2024 at 18:54
      
      Amen. Brown shoes with a blue suit and a matching brown belt. Gag. Who thought that went together? I am old fashioned. Dark suit, black watch band. Never had a brown suit and won’t be buried in such. A pull over shirt and Levi’s wear what ever. The king ranch has great ranch long sleeve snap shirts and they would go well with brown boots and belt. Try a steel and gold on a dark brown band. Pay attention. If it is the latest style and.color.combo it isn’t for the “vintage” collector.
      
      Reply
MN
Michael says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 11:23

I have an idea for a future episode. Clocks by watch brands for your home or office.

Reply
Christophe says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 11:58

I always wear green dial with blue shirt.
Always difficult to match dial with squared shirt so black dial.
And of course strap match the belt (which match often the shoes) if leather.
Always try to contrast, avoiding for example kaki nato with kaki sweater.

Reply
MB
MarkBu says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 12:53

Matching straps (or dials) to clothing isn’t something that concerns me much. The only thing I do is ensure that on those few occasions where I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt is that my watch slides under the cuffs.

Reply
VC
Victor777 says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 13:46

An italian ex- business partner who was always very dapper told me that black shoes are for weddings and funerals and I agree 😎. My strap maker in Vietnam can match any color i need in exotic leather, and i have a vast collection, mainly in tan/British racing, blue, and red. All have the quick release spring bar so matching is easy. My Speedy looks amazing on a stingray strap with large pearls and goes well with grey suede loafers. With an 8″ wrist, I’m in the never-NATO camp and i only have a couple of rubber straps for sportswear.

Reply
1. JW
  OldJohnBulova says:
  
  Oct 30, 2024 at 20:06
  
  I’ve always hated black shoes myself, even sneakers etc most times, but most especially in leathers and loafers etc. I only own a very few pairs for times when necessity dictates (like described above in first post) 😉
  Bright white sneakers are awful and far too flashy/Hollywood boy to my eye as well, though 🤷‍♂️ Maybe I just like complaining…
  
  Reply
Richard says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 16:06

Rough start to the podcast today with the Dad joke, but I appreciate the effort!

Nosferatu looks really interesting. Will probably see that one. The Village was a terrific move. Need to watch that one again. The movie “Old” was good, and keeps the viewer on edge.

This may be a boring answer, but I hardly make any watch decisions based on the clothes I’m wearing. There is one exception- if I’m wearing a suit and tie, I will not pick a watch with a rubber or fabric strap. It’s always a bracelet or a leather/sailcloth strap. My biggest fashion rule? No crocs, and no finance bro vests!

Thank you for another episode, guys! We appreciate your work.

Reply
Saku says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 18:18

Thanks Balazs and Mike for an excellent episode once again!

A good point from you that before, as in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was not much creativity in the use of wristbands. I guess the dress codes were definitely stricter as well.

Nowadays, dress codes have become more relaxed and we have so many different kind of straps to choose from, so we can be much more creative when it comes to watches and clothing. It also makes this hobby much more intresting.

And I agree with you that when it comes to watches and clothing, there are some rules, but basically you can combine almost any watch with any outfit. Just wear what you want and what makes you happy!👍

Reply
EB
EDDI2142 says:

Oct 29, 2024 at 20:45

It was a great joke and I left some more Halloween jokes at the end =D

I also try to combine the colour of my watches with my outfit. However, I don’t have many straps, so my choice is limited.
Since I’m really fond of Speedies, I usually wear them with my suits (they do fit under the cuff, since the shirts aren’t that tight). Sometimes I wear a three piece suit with a pocket watch on a chain. And for formal dinners, I wear a small dress watch from the 50s.
In summer I wore the white Moonswatch on the white Fratello LEMxCSM leather strap (when it wasn’t too hot) with a white t-shirt.
Ultimately I wear the watches because I enjoy looking at them throughout the day and not because what others think. This also means that I don’t care about the combos that others wear.

How do Vampires sail?
On blood vessels

Why do ghosts hate rain?
It dampens their spirits

Reply
1. EB
  EDDI2142 says:
  
  Oct 30, 2024 at 06:28
  
  Oh I just remembered another and yes it’s even worse =D
  
  What do Italian ghosts eat?
  Spooketti Boolognese.
  
  Reply
AG
Stuckon5.10A says:

Oct 30, 2024 at 03:09

Good episode. I am sorry people said you looked like a 10-year-old because you wore a G-Shock. It’s got to be tough to be them. I got rid of my Explorer about a month ago and only have a G-Shock, a Luminox I wore in the military, and a Garmin left. I wear the G-Shock everywhere and double wrist with the Garmin while in the mountains. There was a time when I cared about what I wore and tried to wear a watch that matched. I do not give a flying f**k now. Something about living way up in the northern parts of the world broke me of that habit. It’s tough to care about fashion when it is cold, snowy, muddy, and gross. I find the G-Shock goes well with almost anything. I did like wearing a Grand Seiko, Tudor, or Rolex on a rubber strap when I was trying to be a respectable member of society. I sweat too much for leather, and bracelets are just not for me. Rubber works well, as do nylon straps.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on how being exposed to the comments on this site (and others) may have changed the way you think about watches and the watch community. It seems that you both think civility is less pronounced than before, and I would be curious to hear if this is indeed the case, as well as to hear some examples that show how your thinking has changed (if it has at all). I think the Thierry Stern interview highlighted how some of the watch company execs might be changing the way they speak in response to some of the changes in the community, and it would be interesting to hear from you on it as well.

Reply
010 says:

Oct 30, 2024 at 03:59

I wear what I want and with what I want.
And you know why? As an adult with some modicum of self awareness after 61 years on this planet, I know almost nobody, and I mean 99.999999999999999999999% of the world does not notice what you are wearing. If someone does happen to, they will not remember it after a minute. But, if they do happen to remember it long enough to render some judgement about you, then that says so much more about the pettiness and emptiness of their lives, rather than your sartorial choices.
So live your life as the stoics advised: “Remember, nobody thinks about you as much as you think about you.”

Reply
Doublequickset says:

Oct 30, 2024 at 14:53

Second time you mention the silly comments and rightfully so.

Over 15y ago I was active on a completely different forum. Not only I thought I was entitled to the truth, but I felt the urge to force my opinion on others. I came to the point I severely damaged someone (in this case a professional musician, whom I’d never met in person).

It took me a while before I realized what I’ve done and even after making severe apologies, still this day I regret my actions.

Don’t be like me folks. There’s already so much wrongdoing in this world. We should be grateful we can use platforms like Fratello for free. It’s our hobby but for others it’s a professional career. Trying to ruin that is wrong and simply unfair.

I applaud Mike and Balazc for providing their weekly contributions. And I feel the desire to share my vintage Movado and Tissot collection. Completely voluntary of course 😉

Reply
Jake says:

Oct 30, 2024 at 16:43

But… What about matching wedding bands to watches? Kosher to mix gold with silver, black with stainless, etc.

May not make sense if you are talking about a woman’s ring costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars and a fashion watch costing several hundred, but I’ve got to admit I do it with my watches. One original gold wedding band, one stainless band, one titanium band and one black ceramic band has me covered for my collection.

Reply
Roy-65 says:

Nov 02, 2024 at 13:11

Another wonderful long podcast. Keep up the good work.

This time, the main topic, as we say in the Netherlands: “is writen on my body”.
Every day, I’m combining clothes with watches, rings, bracelets, and belts.

I start with the clothes, which I select for the occasion.

My motto is “Bling is king”. This ranges from a Johan Cruijff tracksuit to a black-tie suit. Then follows the choice of watch, and then the belt and jewelry. My wife hates it, but I can’t help myself.

Since I wear a yellow gold wedding ring on my left ring finger, I only wear yellow gold watches or bracelets on my left wrist.

On my right, I wear the white metal watches. I complement this with a white gold ring with three stones. Set at 120-degree intervals, with a white diamond, a black diamond, and a blue sapphire. Depending on the color of the dial, I turn the matching colored stone upwards.

Moreover, I have dozens of different colored belts in the same colors as my shoes. I match the buckle of the belt to the metal color of the watch.

When Balazs mentioned Mike’s birthday suit, I immediately thought of the photo I send Mike.
I’m lying by the pool in a Speedo with a gold PP Ellipse and a gold bracelet, just as it should be.
Hmmm… Mike never replied to that email.

PS Wearing a nylon NATO on a (soft metal) gold watch would probably eat the lugs.
PPS Love the Gasio G-shock they are sturdy watches. I bought a black and a gold one and gifted them to two of my toughest friends. You don’t want to mess with them.

Reply