Confessions of a Watchmaker: I Have a Watch Addiction

I have a watch addiction and I want to be honest with you about it. My collection is not just one or two favorites, but an entire lineup that fits nearly every occasion in my life. I own a smartwatch, a dive watch, a range watch, a yard work watch, a dress watch, a workout watch, and even a Sunday best watch. That’s right, a smartwatch. I can already hear the surprise. People say, how can a man who builds mechanical timepieces and longs for simpler times own a smartwatch? But the truth is simple: I love watches in all their forms, and each one has its place.

My smartwatch is a tool I will never work out without. It has GPS, Bluetooth, and music capabilities that make training easier and more efficient. If I forget it on the counter, I have been known to drive back from the gym to get it. But let me be clear. My smartwatch is for workouts only. You will never catch me wearing it at dinner, on a night out, or at the office with a suit and tie. For those moments I wear a proper dress watch, one that reflects the style, craftsmanship, and timeless presence a smartwatch cannot offer.

Think of it this way. Most men do not wear the same shirt to mow the lawn as they do to a steakhouse dinner. You own t-shirts, polos, and dress shirts for different occasions. You probably own more than one pair of shoes too. Sneakers for the gym, boots for the yard, and leather shoes for the office or formal events. You may even own more than one belt, a black one and a brown one, each meant to match what you are wearing. We already accept that variety is necessary in most parts of life. So why would you limit yourself to just one watch, and for many of you, only a smartwatch?

The reality is that style is about more than clothes or shoes. A man’s watch tells a story. A dive watch says you are ready for adventure. A field watch nods to rugged reliability. A dress watch paired with a suit shows you understand refinement. And yes, a smartwatch can have its moment when training or running a marathon. But no one should rely on only one. Watches are not just tools, they are expressions of who we are in different moments of life.

That is why I started Declan James Watch Co. I wanted to create timepieces that men can wear proudly, not just to check the hour but to mark the occasion. Our watches are designed with purpose and built to last, made for the man who understands that life is not one-size-fits-all. You need more than a single watch, just like you need more than one pair of shoes.

So yes, I love my smartwatch. But I love my dress watches, dive watches, and everyday watches just as much, maybe more. Each one fits its moment. Each one tells part of my story. And my goal is to help you build a collection that tells yours. After all, we do know watches.