From a wedding ring to a wrist watch, an accessory should reflect your individual personality. If you are investing in an accessory, it should be reliable, fashionable and versatile - but it should not be boring. On the surface, face shape might seem like a small detail but when it comes to wrist watches, angles add edge!
For decades, round watch faces have dominated the industry, because that is what consumers are used to. Just because something is traditional does not mean that it is right for you and your style. As square watches begin to take the fashion world by storm, it is hard not to see the appeal of these eye-catching timepieces.
Square Watches: Breaking Away From the Norm
It is no secret that the original portable timepiece, the pocket watch, was round. These simple shapes were designed for easy retrieval from pockets and were usually held by a chain, this may have been a great tool while on the ground but for pilots, the act of shuffling to see the time was very inconvenient. It was because of this that famous designer Cartier created an aviation-friendly style of watch - and the square watch face was born.
Round watch faces are still popular and functional options for certain scenarios, particularly when it comes to the sporting world. Diving watches, for example, are made round because that shape is easiest to secure against water leakage. This is great, but just because an accessory is practical, does not mean that it has to be common and that is where watch faces can set you apart.
Function: Square faces are a way to add a bit of personality and a unique twist to a practical accessory but even the sharpest angles don’t make a difference to functionality. Some might think that adding a unique shape to a wrist watch might impact surface area but this isn’t the case. Not only do square faces have the same amount of space as their round counterparts, they are able to house the same features while maintaining the same level of readability as traditional models.
Form: Clean lines and sharp angles are all the trademarks of the art deco period. Romanticized views of the roaring 20’s have made square watches for women popular, but these shapes are not strictly feminine. Time pieces can be as subtle or detailed as you would like. More than being just another accessory, square watches for men add an element of symmetry, creating clean lines on a bare wrist or just below a cuff.
Style: Round faces are common while square designs are unique and can be styled and designed to fit any personal style. A large face can be played up in a retro style while minimalist styles are able to transition from boardrooms to evenings out.
Investment: It is easy enough to pop out to a department store to find an inexpensive watch, strictly for show. The mass-produced pieces might last anywhere from a week to a month or even a year. Instead of cycling through these options, many wearers opt to invest a bit more capital in order to get a piece that lasts. Many top-name watch brands offer traditional round styles, alongside elegant square faces. No matter your investment level, there are square designs made to suit but even a little goes a long way to durable and stylish pieces.
Seeking Out Square Watch Styles
No matter the style of your accessory, it should fit with your personality. Even though square faces might be design-led, that is not a reason to purchase a watch for the sake of partaking in a trend. Before committing to a certain style, make sure to do your research on the size of face that will work best for you, as well as which type of fasteners and bands fit your needs and lifestyle.