Ask most men what their one accessory is, and the answer is usually the same: their watch. It's practically automatic at this point, part of getting dressed rather than a considered styling choice. But that's slowly starting to change, and it's worth talking about why.
Watches Had A Monopoly For A Long Time
For decades, a watch was really the only accessory most men felt comfortable wearing without a second thought. It had a clear function, telling the time, which gave it a built-in justification that other jewellery didn't have. A ring or a bracelet needed a reason to exist beyond looking good, whereas a watch got a free pass because it was "useful."
That Justification Doesn't Really Hold Up Anymore
Nearly everyone checks the time on their phone now, which means the watch has quietly lost its original practical purpose for a lot of men, even though it's stuck around as a habit. Once you take away the "it's useful" excuse, a watch is really just jewellery, too; it's simply the one men were permitted to wear first.
So What's Actually Changing
More men are starting to build out a proper everyday collection beyond just the watch. A simple chain, a signet ring, a pair of small studs- these are increasingly being worn alongside a watch rather than instead of it, the same way women have layered multiple pieces together for years.
Why The Shift Is Happening Now
A lot of it comes down to visibility. Men's jewellery is being worn more openly by musicians, athletes, and increasingly by everyday people you'd actually know, which slowly chips away at the old idea that jewellery beyond a watch and a wedding band was somehow trying too hard. What used to feel like a statement now often just reads as well put together.
The Watch Isn't Going Anywhere Either Way
None of this is really about replacing the watch; it's about it no longer being the sole accessory on the table. There's room for both, and most men who've added a bit more end up wondering why they waited so long.
Visit us at Azzallure and take a look at a few pieces that pair naturally with a watch you already wear. It's a smaller step than you might think.