I am sure that most of you that end up here know what double wristing is, some however might think it sounds a little xxx rated, I'm not sure why though, you lot need to have word with yourselves...
But for those who didn't know, I'm sure the main photo gives you an idea. Actually, it seems to have been fated, as I doubled up for photo (for comparison/effect only) for last weeks post, and then I came across a Financial Times article this week, weird. It reasonably went over the obvious things that come up when this subject is discussed; why would you do it, is it showing off, is it useful, are watches even necessary? These are basic questions, but I will get a little more complex and nuanced, because we know that there is more to watches than the laypeeps understand, and therefore there is more to doubling (like Transformers) than meets the eye. Personally, I find that wearing two proper watches is a bit weird, but I have actually been semi-double wristing (!?) for a while.
I am going to breakdown some scenarios and circumstances in which wearing two watches might be feasible, acceptable or even useful. There may even be times when it's actually cool - of course that's a default when it do it. I am, without question, a legend in my own mind.
Onwards, and double wristwards.
Double Timezoning/GMTing - the simple mans route to GMTing without a GMT. Wear two watches because you need to know what time it is in Toronto where your colleagues work, or you or someone else is travelling to. Just don't get the watches mixed up or you'll be very early/late to work.
Double Douchbaggerying - wearing two regular watches for the hell of it, or because you want to show off the Patek and the AP at the same time. In my case it's the Samurai and the Spirit. While I might enjoy the balance of sleek and savage here, having double the pleasure, it doesn't sit right with me. I guess when I wear a watch it reflects a harmony with my outfit, my mood and how I'm feeling, two watches might hinder that balance. Unless I'm feeling like an unapologetically brazen twatface poser.
Twin-wristing - This is wearing two watches on the same wrist, It can be an alternative set for two timezones but I don't think it's a good look. It's like wearing both your shoes on the same foot, it doesn't work out. It's a little uncouth, and cumbersome.
Double Speeding - Wearing two chronographs because you want to time two different things or people at the same time. Also, this makes up for not owning a Speedmaster Racing.
Twist-wristing - This is wearing two watches on the same wrist but on one the inside of the wrist. It might be practical and allow more dial time overall, could work for points one and two above. It is a little unseemly though as with twin-wristing.
Days of Future Past.
...some would argue that a micro-rotor has more substance than a micro-processor.
You could also use the form and function/style and substance argument. The smart watch is for function (more than time telling) and substance, though some would argue that a micro-rotor has more substance than a micro-processor.
Time-travel - if you have travelled forwards or backwards in time, you can keep track of what day it is when you came from. And, make sure you are clear on which watch is which. That makes sense, see pic 1 for an example.
Smart bombing - wearing a smart watch with a mechanical or traditional watch. This is logical and useful, you want to log your steps, keep an eye on your heart rate and get your reminders on your wrist. Apple Watch, G-Lide or Samsung Galaxy Watch, it makes more sense but still looks a bit weird if the combo is particularly incongruous (as below).
A watch and a half-ing - This is what I do, it's my everyday carry. I have a Samsung Galaxy watch, I like it, I love the bezel control function, but I can't wear two full-size watches. I have another issue, the heart rate sensor doesn't work with my tattoos on the left wrist, which is some bonkers science right there. So, I got a Samsung Fit2, £35 or so, it's a reasonably streamlined fitness band that sits on my skinny right wrist. And with that slightly lower key wrist action, I feel comfortable wearing a mechanical watch on my left wrist. My nephew, a rambunctious teenager, loves to ask me why I'm wearing two watches every time I see him. Because I want to, and I can, I tell him. This is semi-double wristing or, x1.5 wristing if you please. I think the standard watch has to be more substantial than the band or it looks weird, as below.
Double upside-downing/Yin-Yanning - If you really must wear two full size watches then why not create a yin-yang type balance situation by wearing one watch in the regular fashion and the other on the inside-upside-down of the opposite wrist.
Double inside-wristing - This won't work if you're a desk jockey, as they will get double bashed up. It works for tradesmen, plumbers etc, as the watch doesn't impede movement/get caught on things as you work. Likewise, if you are walking through really tough scrubland or forest, this could protect both your watches. It might be a sunny day so you can avoid glare on both watches this way. Or you might be in a shoot-out/John Wick type situation where you need to be doubly aware of the time while eradicating the aggressive opposition.
Jewellery - if you see watches as fitting in to this category, then you can wear however many you want, however you want. Go nuts.
As you can see, the possibilities are multitudinous and you can be very creative and have fun with it. Get all your watches out and pair them up and and see which ones look good together. You might even surprise yourself and find a combo that makes it acceptable to do it. The Samurai and the Spirit look so damn good in general, even if you're wearing both of them at the same time, you can't look like an idiot, it's just awesome that you own both.
So, challenge yourself, explore new possibilities and be awesome, just don't wear two watches at the same time, 1.5 is fine. Also, I think it might be ok to wear a SARB033 and a SARB035 at the same time, I am so close to buying a 033 (black dial) - I just need a deal to come up on eBay. Also very close to pulling the trigger on a Tudor Black Bay Red Bezel, Rose and Smiley, you know what I mean, the 79220R, but then started looking at one of my fave Rolexes. The Oyster Perpetual 39 Rhodium dial. I specifically remember being at a gig in Brighton a few years ago and telling my sister that I want to buy one, at the time, the price was close to £5000, now sub £7000 would be a bargain. Jeeeeez, Captain Hindsight is punishing me right now that son of a bitch.
Alvin.
Oh and - this is 4 weeks in a row of posts. I am proud of myself, I deserve a reward. I just decided that it's £1000 a week added to the budget per continuous weekly. A great idea, I wish my wallet could back me up on that one...