Style & Beauty
Trends in Wristwatches by Madelaine Brauner Landry
When it comes to choosing a wristwatch, consumers have so many choices. Large or small face? Sporty, bejeweled, or vintage? High-end celebrity-inspired fashion accessory? Economical and functional for everyday wear? The good news in contemporary timepieces is that you don’t have to choose just one. Watchmakers and jewelers want you to know: Don’t just save time—enjoy it! “Most of our customers have an idea of what they are looking for,” says Jason Murphy, of Nederland Jewelers in Lake Charles. “First, I like to learn what our customers plan to use the watch for. From there we go over all the options from quality and pricing to functionality.” Despite the abundance of digital time reminders flashing all around us, wearing a watch has not become outdated. In 2017, industry reports estimated that approximately 32% of adults over 35 wore watches. Millennials tended to shun them. Five years later, however, there’s an uptick in watch sales across all demographics. Age, gender, and income are still factors, but the latest estimates based on online surveys show that 35-50% of adult Americans are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of having a watch on their wrists.
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • March 2022
Modern timepieces are multi-functional instruments, making “timepiece” a misnomer. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, having access to weather information, GPS directions, customizable alarms, health data, and other personal communication options is necessary. Technology has found a way to minimize this information so it can be seen at a glance. At the touch of a button, modern watches keep us aware and informed. “We ask our customers questions,” says Murphy. “Do they need an automatic or maybe a quartz? With an automatic, we go over normal services for the timepiece. With a quartz, we educate on how long the battery will last and how we can assist with battery changes. Our goal is to let them know that we will take care of their timepiece for its lifetime. We offer cleanings, servicing, battery changes, and even trade-ins. We have a CW21 watchmaker on staff who takes care of all timepieces at Nederland Jewelers. He has been with us since 2013, and with his certification, he is one of few in the country.” Watches have long been recognized as
