Throwback Sundays: Six Watch Recommendations to Impress Your Interviewer, From Our Archives

Interviews are perhaps one of the most daunting and dreaded things that a person must undergo, especially if you are a fresh graduate who is out in the market looking for the first job. Even if you have been in the workforce for quite a while, interviews can still be intimidating at times as well. Impressing the interviewer and not overwhelming him is the key.

Besides impressing your interviewer with your answers and knowledge, dressing is also another important bit that many people tend to leave out. This includes watches, although we unanimously agree that the way you dress should be a priority over wristwatches. However, if your wrist game is right, you might probably earn some extra brownie points.

So, what are some of the suitable watches that one should wear for an interview? Naturally, it should be a dress watch – after all, you are going to wear either a suit, or a long-sleeve shirt. A chunky diver’s watch, or a massive timepiece would not be quite appropriate in this case. Neither is a plastic watch. It should look elegant and subtle as well; a blinged-out timepiece, or one that is too ostentatious, may not create a good impression with the interviewer. In short, a nice watch will not only complement with your clothes, but it will certainly impress an interviewer (who might happen to be a watch collector as well!).

Now, without any further ado, let us begin with six watches that we have selected for today’s article!

 

NOMOS Tangente neomatik

 

 

We start off this week’s article with an interesting watchmaker from Glashütte – NOMOS.

NOMOS is a pretty much a newcomer in the horological scene, since its 25 years of history is relatively short by the industry’s standards. However, over the last two decades, the German watchmaker had proved itself as a force to be reckon with. Priced competitively at around €1,500 – €3,000 (approximately S$2,276 – S$4,553), NOMOS provides watches with excellent price propositions especially with its quality finishing and the use of in-house movements.

The Tangente neomatik, launched in last year’s Baselworld, is an excellent example. The 35mm timepiece features a clean Bauhaus-inspired design, with an in-house manufactured self-winding movement. It is rather slim too, at 6.9mm. This is thanks to its sleek movement design, which has a thickness of a mere 3.2mm. This dress watch is sized rather nicely, and its slim profile makes it easy for one to slip it under the shirt cuffs.

The example that is pictured above features a stunning lacquered midnight blue dial, and it is priced at S$4,510. It is rather reasonable for a timepiece with such offerings, and we reckon that it’d be perfect for someone who is looking at a simple timepiece, and yet wanting to differentiate themselves from the usual options.

 

Longines Railroad

 

 

In recent years, watch manufacturers such as Longines have been producing some interesting pieces that draws its inspirations from its archives. Some of them, such as the Legend Diver and the Pulsometer Chronograph, have found great success with the collectors. The latest addition – the Railroad – seems to on the right track as well

The Railroad, as its nomenclature suggests, is a timepiece that can trace its roots back to the train industry. In fact, the watch has got an interesting history. This is a faithful reproduction of the wristwatches that train operators wore in the 1960s, in which it was used to keep track of train schedules before computers and digital timers came into the picture. As mentioned, the Railroad is very similar to the original model, with a few minor tweaks and the use of an automatic movement (the original one used a manual-winding movement).

The 40mm Railroad is a lovely timepiece, and one that has got an interesting provenance behind it. We also really adore its classic aesthetics, which adds a nice touch to any watch collection. It retails at S$2,700, and we think that it is priced rather nicely for any new collectors who is looking for a decent dress watch to add into their watch collection.

Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection Twincounter Date

 

 

The next timepiece that we have in line is Montblanc’s Heritage Chronométrie Collection Twincounter Date.

Over the last few years, Montblanc have impressed many collectors with its revamped collection. The Villeret collection is impressive, but for the more modest wallets, the Heritage series is perhaps more interesting. One particular model caught our eye: the Twincounter Date, featuring a symmetrically designed dial with two counters (one for a sub-seconds display, and another for the date indicator). Interestingly, the dial design was inspired by the double counter Minerva Chronographs from the 1950s, although the Twincounter is not a chronograph.

The 40mm timepiece is fitted with Montblanc’s MB24.23, which is a self-winding movement that boasts a power reserve of around 38 hours. Overall, the Twincounter Date – which is priced at €2,850 (approximately S$4,325) – is another excellent timepiece that is price reasonably. In addition, the finishing is pretty decent as well. This is definitely a superb piece to wear to an interview, and the inclusion of a date complication may be something that might appeal to some collectors as well.

 

Zenith Elite 6150

 

 

The Elite collection from Zenith focuses mainly on the dressier pieces, but they are often overshadow by its more illustrious siblings in the company’s line-up, such as the Pilot and models based on the legendary El Primero. However, the Elite collection should not be dismissed.

One of the pieces in the collection that had caught our eye was last year’s Baselworld novelty: the Elite 6150. When we first saw the watch, we were impressed by it. The 42mm is sized nicely for the gentleman who prefers a larger timepiece. The clean aesthetics is timeless and elegant. We particularly like how Zenith used a thin bezel, as well as the sunburst dial and domed sapphire crystal, to accentuate the classic look. The movement is not to be outshone. The watch is fitted with Zenith’s new twin-barrel in-house Calibre 493, featuring a power reserve of around 100 hours. The finishing is very decent for a timepiece at this price range.

Priced at €5,800 (approximately S$8,800), the stainless steel wristwatch is a tad higher than some of the pieces that we have recommended in this article. However, we feel that its premium can be justified by both the finishing and the movement that was used. Overall, it is certainly a handsome timepiece, and one that will complement any business attire nicely.

 

Omega Globemaster

 

 

Next up, we have the Omega Globemaster. Similar to the Elite collection from Zenith, the Globemaster is one of the lesser known collection from Omega. After all, the manufacturer is more well-known for both its legendary Speedmaster and Seamaster collection (and perhaps, the De Ville and Constellation as well).

Launched in Baselworld 2015, the Globemaster drew much of its inspiration from the Constellation of the yesteryears. This includes the pie-pan dial and the retro fluted bezel, as well as the classic medallion that can be found on the caseback of the watch. However, the technical bits are definitely more up-to-date. The watch is fitted with Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement. Notably, the movement is anti-magnetic, and it comes with a date display as well (there is also another model that features the annual calendar complication).

While we were often enamoured by the latest Speedmaster or Seamaster from Omega, we think that the Globemaster is an sublime addition to the family. The classic touches, as well as its clean design, is rather appealing. Even though the watch is slightly pricier at S$9,800 (for the base stainless steel model, with leather strap), but we think that it offers collectors the best of both worlds – a classic and timeless design, coupled with the a capable and robust movement.

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second

 

 

Finally, we conclude this article with Jaeger LeCoultre’s Geophysic True Second.

When we first saw the timepiece, we immediately fell in love with it. A near perfect watch, if there ever was one. The timepiece is an amalgamation of what a Watch-Idiot-Savant (WIS) would want in a timepiece: a nice proportional case with a simple design, combined with an interesting complication (the dead-beat seconds mechanism) and an intriguing provenance. The Geophysic was based on an original JLC design made in 1958 used for the “International Geophysic Year” mission in Arctic. The recommended JLC Geophysic True Seconds and the Geophysic Universal Time was first shown in last year’s Watches and Wonders.

The thing that truly fascinates us about this 39.6mm timepiece is the seconde morte mechanism, or more commonly known as the dead beat seconds. The movement of the seconds hand is similar to that of a quartz watch, in which it ticks once every second. While it may not be a function that is excites many collectors, but those who knows their watches will understand the complexity behind it. Please read our review article on the watch to find out more about the mechanism.

Retailing at S$13,300, the Geophysic True Second is the priciest timepiece among the six watches that we have highlighted today. However, its pricing is justified by its finishing, as well as the rare seconde morte mechanism that is only produced by a limited number of high-end ateliers and watch manufacturers.

 

Concluding Thoughts

 

In this week’s article, we have featured six dress watches that we reckon will complement well with a business attire and might probably impress an interviewer. As usual, the selections today cover a good price range, from S$2,700 (Longines Railroad) to S$13,300 (JLC Geophysic True Second). The likes of Longines, NOMOS, and Montblanc are great options if you are a fresh graduate – it is decent, and yet not too pricey. Besides, the quality is great, and they are probably one of the few watches that offers collectors an excellent price proposition. On the other hand, for those who are looking at an interview at the management level, we feel that the watches such as JLC’s Geophysic, Omega’s Globemaster, and Zenith’s Elite are appropriate. They are well-balanced, and they look very presentable without being too gaudy or ostentatious.

There are definitely many pieces out there that deserves a spot in this list. Some of the pieces that we can think straight off from our heads include JLC’s Reverso, Chopard’s LUC line, and the dress watches from Grand Seiko. While they are excellent pieces, but we reckon some of our choices today have an edge in terms of design, as well as price proposition. Finally, do share with us your thoughts on that, as well as what are some of the watches that you have worn for an important interview!

P.S. We do not guarantee that wearing one of these six watches will ensure you that you will land your dream job after an interview!