” In the past, one’s shoes, one’s suits and, yes, one’s watch spoke volumes about one’s place at work. Even though some believe status watches still send signals, today’s office has drastically evolved: CEOs wear sneakers and tell time with their smartphones; many people work remotely; wristwatches are less commonly remarked upon. “You’re more likely to get comments on a new iPhone” than a new watch, said Ryan Cecil Smith, 33, a designer at an animation studio in Los Angeles. In January, he purchased a Rolex and braced for snipes from his Apple Watch- and Casio-wearing co-workers, but so far no one has even acknowledged the pricey timepiece .”

WSJ

I for one, still notice an expensive watch on my company, whether it’s at work or outside of work. Who notices an Apple Smartwatch, when *everyone* has one.

” The idea that a watch reflects one’s place in the hierarchy definitely persists in more traditional workplaces. Myles Fennon, 40, a commercial real-estate broker in Manhattan, noted there are certain watches, including a ceramic Rolex Daytona and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, that his co-workers buy when they’re thinking, “I just made a lot of money, I’m going to go light some of it on fire.” He prefers more-discreet watches “a couple layers deeper” than the common Rolex, like a modern Tudor Blackbay stainless-steel sports watch. He can recall a recent deal with three other brokers who all wore various Daytonas (which can retail for $10,000 and up) .”

WSJ

The article lists 5 watches for the choosy guy, including The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, ($12,400) for the ABC Guy (Always Be Closing)

If you work at a startup, skip the watch race. Nobody cares and you need to fit in.

If you sell expensive stuff, like commercial real estate, maybe cars and antiquities, you may need it.

Regular job, regular office -forget about it. A $100 watch (or less) is all you need.

If you’re a top guy at a top asset-management firm, have $5000 watch, like the Ulysse Nardin Marine collection is the one that I like. (2 or 3 years ago it was the one that I recommended).

Should your watch top your bosses’ ?

In principle, no. But if you go on TV, at a Conference where you represent your firm or your interests, yes.