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Ever since I needed to keep track of the time, I've had a cellphone. Is it necessary to have a watch to complete the business suit look at OCI, the office?

If so, what kind?

I'd imagine a fake Rolex bought in Asia is probably out.

Very few associates at my firm wear watches. Even many partners do not.

If you get a watch, consider a dress watch (leather strap), with a simple face/case. And not something too thick (most watches today are like 9mm+ thick, which is quite a lot when you have a dress shirt on, unless you are a big man). Consider black or brown (most professional in my opinion).

I wouldn't go out and buy a $1K watch though -- that is overborne for OCI, law students, and your first years of practice.

No reason to wear a watch if you don't want to.

They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Yes.

I'm personally a big fan of low-key watches with a black face. Sieko or Citizen would be a good choice for now, then upgrade to Movado or the like when you're earning that salary. Make sure it matches whatever else you have on... So if your dress belt has a gold or silver colored buckle, either match the belt (black/brown) or the buckle.

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

I've a nice Seiko with a blue face. I can attest to how "good" this watch is in a number of different ways. Never overpowers what I'm wearing and it's reliable.

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Agree with this. Something I've run into even in my current profession. There are times when you'll be in a formal setting and want to know what time it is. It's best not to look like a dick by pulling out your cellphone.

You absolutely should have a watch but it doesn't have to be really expensive--just tasteful. You are billing by the hour, remember? You don't want to look like your are checking your latest text messages when you whip out your cellphone to see if you can bill that extra .25! For guys, a Seiko would be fine, but I would probably go with a black leather strap/faux Tiffany look. The metal bands can tend to look cheap, but it depends on the watch. You might drop some hints for a graduation gift.... Parents/grandparents love to give watches!

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I plan on wearing a clock instead.

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Hmmm, you guys bring up really good points about looking at your cell phone. Does anyone know of any good brands/styles for girls?

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Wow. Better rush out and buy one now as a 0L then, because in 3.5 years I'm going to need it for that one time when I go to court as a first year and want to glance at my watch for 1 second, assuming I get a job!

niederbomb wrote:Ever since I needed to keep track of the time, I've had a cellphone. Is it necessary to have a watch to complete the business suit look at OCI, the office?

If so, what kind?

I'd imagine a fake Rolex bought in Asia is probably out.

Yes, I believe this falls under ABA guidelines 24-6901, 39-6421, and Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(b)(6). Depends on your state, though.

bigben wrote:

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Wow. Better rush out and buy one now as a 0L then, because in 3.5 years I'm going to need it for that one time when I go to court as a first year and want to glance at my watch for 1 second, assuming I get a job!

Not just in the courtroom, but it's really rude to pull your cell out during meetings, especially if you're in a meeting with a partner or higher level associate. Even in my entry-level finance job I would be in meetings without clocks and needed my watch to tell time without being the dick who looks like he can't make it through an hour long meeting without checking his phone.

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bfaiken wrote:

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Agree with this. Something I've run into even in my current profession. There are times when you'll be in a formal setting and want to know what time it is. It's best not to look like a dick by pulling out your cellphone.

+1

Seikos and Citizens for me.

EDIT: Everyone in my firm wears a watch, men and women.

I didn't wear a watch during OCI or other interviews. 9 callbacks, 5 offers.

Get an inexpensive decent looking watch and you should be fine. If you are working, you need a watch for the reasons discussed above (meetings/etc). I usually don't wear a watch, but when I worked for 3 years prior to law school I always wore a watch. I'd imagine that the legal profession is no different. You can manage without a watch, but it is extremely helpful.


For OCI/interviewing purposes, I doubt a watch will make or break you. However, a decent professional looking watch is unlikely to hurt your chances. If anything, it will help.

Anything less than a Patek Philippe is simply unacceptable.

chrisbru wrote:

bigben wrote:

leobowski wrote:They're a must-have. You don't want to be checking your cellphone in formal situations; it's unprofessional and very rude. Especially in court. Glancing at a watch only implies that you are checking the time. Checking a cellphone is basically a big FU to whoever else is in the room.

A low-key Citizen or Seiko would be a good entry-level watch. Preferably stainless steel band with a black or blue face.

Wow. Better rush out and buy one now as a 0L then, because in 3.5 years I'm going to need it for that one time when I go to court as a first year and want to glance at my watch for 1 second, assuming I get a job!

Not just in the courtroom, but it's really rude to pull your cell out during meetings, especially if you're in a meeting with a partner or higher level associate. Even in my entry-level finance job I would be in meetings without clocks and needed my watch to tell time without being the dick who looks like he can't make it through an hour long meeting without checking his phone.

Well, I haven't paid close attention but I think at my firm probably at least 60% of associates don't wear a watch. Since it's more common among older folks, probably 30% or more of partners don't wear a watch regularly. Amazing that all these people are "rude" on a regular basis but still doing just fine! I'm not saying it's not useful, but to call it a "must have" is pretty funny. You're just making your personal preference into a rule.

Also, as far as I can tell this thread is about 0Ls rushing out to buy a watch to commemorate their entry into the legal profession, because they think it is a required "look." Amusing but very silly. The usefulness of a watch to an attorney is a quite different question, which everyone can address for themselves when they start practicing.

It entirely depends on whether you are in court a lot or not. If you are, a watch is probably necessary as cell phones are a no-no.