Dive Watch
What it says: “I’m a rugged individual who is at home in the boardroom or in 2,000 feet of water exploring the ruins of a sunken city.”
How it came to be: Jacques Cousteau’s documentaries created the demand for what is now the gold standard for all adventurers.
Who does it best: Rolex’ iconic Submariner.
Tank Watch
What is says: “I’m an urbane, refined man of means.”
How it came to be: Created by Cartier for WWI tank crews who needed a compact timepiece, it’s now the favorite of tycoons seeking a sleek, elegant means of arriving on time.
Who does it best: Cartier.
Big Face Watch
What is says: “I’m near-sighted and too vain to get glasses.”
How it came to be: Rumor has it Sylvester Stallone kick-started this trend when he fell in love with Panerai Watches while vacationing in Italy a few years back.
Who does it best: Panerai.
Chronograph
What it says: “I’m a perfectionist who is often mistaken for an engineer.”
How it came to be: Often found on the wrists of F1 drivers, the chronograph effortlessly keeps track of seconds, minutes & hours.
Who does it best: The Rolex Daytona.
Digital
What it says: “I can program my own computer.”
How it came to be: After Casio created the category decades ago, this trend comes and goes, but for true digitals, it never goes out of style.
Who does it best: Casio.
No Watch
What it says: “I’m bound by no rules.”
Hot it came to be: The easy availability of pocket-sized phones made watch-wearers wonder why they needed both a watch and a cell on them at all times since the early 2000s.
Who does it best: An Android phone. (Those who have iPhones wear a watch that costs at least 10x more than the phone did).
