The All-Rounder Watch To Match Every Outfit?

An all-rounder watch, a go-anywhere-do-anything (GADA) watch, the one watch to match with every outfit. Whatever we choose to call it, we all know exactly what it is. The ultimate grab-and-go watch, that will look great on you regardless what you’re wearing that day. Literally a grail watch for anybody who’s seeking a one-watch collection… Or if you could only afford to buy one watch, then it’s the only watch that you’d ever want. And for the rest of us watch junkies… It’s basically the gateway drug into the world of horology…

Close-up of a Seiko 5 SNXA07, a typical all-rounder watch. — Seiko 5 SNXA07, the ultimate all-rounder watch, is part of the affordable Seiko 5 range of mechanical watches. The Seiko 5 family covers a wide variety of different outlooks. But they’re all powered by a common movement, the entry level Seiko 7S26.
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What Exactly Is An All-Rounder Watch?

As the name suggests, it’s a watch that you grab and go, regardless where you’re going, or what you’re doing. Got a hot date later tonight? Check… Having a drink with the blokes at the pub? Check… Going picnicking or camping? Check… Doing a bit of gardening or home improvement? Check… Basically, all-rounder watch is any watch that isn’t too dressy or too sporty (i.e. specialised). And the example we’re using for today is one of the Seiko 5 models, the SNXA07.

Macro view of the lower quarter of a Seiko dial. The type of movement is indicated as "7S26". This watch is the ultimate all-rounder watch. — Proudly listing the 7S26 movement that powers this Seiko 5 watch. Printed just inside the minute track, between 6 and 7 o’clock.
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So what makes this Seiko my choice for an all-rounder watch? Well, for one thing, it’s a relatively simple, three-hander watch. I also like the added day and date complication too. But more importantly, this model sports a fully lumed Arabic numerals for the hour markers. This tones down the formality quite a bit, giving it a slight outdoorsy, field watch vibe.

Dressing The All-Rounder Watch Should Be Easy

Previously, we shared how to pair the dress watch and luxury watch. No, they’re not identical, nor are they necessarily similar either. Today, we’ll continue the series with pairing the all-rounder watch. This should be a breeze, as the name says it all… Right?… So let’s dive in :-

(1) Business Formal

Solid charcoal grey suit, solid white shirt, solid burgundy tie, and solid white pocket square. — Two-piece, solid charcoal grey suit, with a solid white shirt, solid burgundy tie, and solid white pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of solid black plain toe Oxford dress shoes. — Solid black, plain-toe Oxfords, are as conservative as you can go.
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MAYBE – Not exactly the best pairing, as this outfit’s a little too dressy for the all-rounder watch. But if this is your only watch, then yeah, it’ll have to do. Whilst all-rounder watch covers a wide spectrum, it doesn’t cover everything…

(2) Business Semi-Formal

Solid olive green suit, solid blue shirt with white contrasting collar and cuffs. Burgundy tie with small repeating patterns, and pocket square. — Two-piece, solid olive green suit, with sporty, slanted hip pockets, and a ticket pocket above the right hip pocket. A pale blue shirt with contrasting collar and cuffs, small-patterned burgundy tie and coordinating pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of whole cut in ox blood, with wingtip patterned brogue. Another type of typical dress shoes. — Whole cut in ox blood, with burnished toes, and wingtip patterned brogue.
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Again, MAYBE – Similar reasons as above, this outfit also seems a little too dressy for the typical all-rounder watch… Well, at least it is for this specific Seiko 5 model. But again, if it’s your only watch, then yeah, it’ll have to do.

(3) Business Informal

Solid navy, double breasted blazer, with 6 X 2 gold buttons. Solid blue shirt with navy and yellow regimental striped tie, solid grey trousers, and pocket square. — Double breasted navy blazer with 6 X 2 gold buttons. Solid pale blue shirt with navy and yellow regimental striped tie. Solid medium grey trousers, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of brown double monk-straps. A less dressy dress shoes. — Brown, double monk-straps, to exude a more playful vibe.
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YES – This is the uppermost level I’m comfortable with pairing an all-rounder watch. Overall still considered well-dressed, but exudes a slight air of playfulness.

(4) Business Casual

Grey sport jacket in mini-Glen check weave, a solid pink OCBD shirt with block stripe knit tie in autumn colours, and a pair of solid burgundy chinos. — Grey sport jacket in mini-Glen check weave. Solid pink OCBD shirt with a knit tie in autumn colours. Solid burgundy chinos, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of brown penny loafers. One of the least dressy dress shoes. — Brown penny loafers, a typical “less dressy” dress shoes.
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YES – This outfit is well within the wide pairing sweet-spot of a typical all-rounder watch.

(5) Dressy Casual

Unstructured, charcoal brown flannel sport jacket, denim OCBD shirt, and khaki chinos. — Charcoal brown, unstructured sport jacket with an open collared denim OCBD shirt. Khaki chinos, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of khaki canvas derbies. — Derby shoes in tan canvas stretch what it means to be “dress” shoes.
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YES – Again, this outfit is also well within the pairing sweet-spot of a typical all-rounder watch.

(6) Just Casual

Denim trucker jacket, solid white t-shirt, and solid olive green jeans. — Denim trucker jacket, solid white t-shirt, and olive green jeans.
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Close up of a pair of white trainers. — White trainers, with a thin red and black stripe. A stereotypical pair of casual footwear.
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YES – This outfit is still very much within the pairing sweet-spot of a typical all-rounder watch.

Price Difference Aside, What Defines A Typical All-Rounder Watch?

Some of you may notice that I previously lumped this Seiko 5, with the Oyster Date from the last episode. Price point aside, they’re both equally all-rounder watches, GADA watches. Neither too dressy nor too sporty, they both provide just the right amount of information without going overboard.

A Seiko 5 and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, side-by-side, representing the all-rounder watch. Another one of the three watches that everyone should have. — Seiko 5 (left) and Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date (right) are two quintessential all-rounder watches. Positioned on the opposite ends of the price spectrum, both exhibit characteristics that put them squarely in the all-rounder category. Both are relatively hardy, with sufficient water resistance (not for swimming), and display all the necessary information without going overboard.
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So what makes a watch, any watch, an all-rounder watch?… Well, for one thing, it should pair with a wide spectrum of outfit formality. This would offer you the flexibility to pair with just about any outfit you put on.

Real Life Pairing Of The All-Rounder Watch

(1) Upper End Of All-Rounder Pairing

Solid navy blazer, solid white shirt, patterned blue day cravat, displaying the Seiko 5 as an all-rounder watch. — Solid navy blazer, solid white shirt, and a flamboyant day cravat. Dressy enough for sipping martinis by the pool of a members-only country club, but still considered relatively dressed down.
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Close-up wrist shot of the Seiko 5, matched with solid navy blazer and white shirt. Showcasing the highest end recommended for all-rounder watch. — Seiko 5 on the wrist, with navy blazer and white shirt.
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Above pairing is the upper limit of what I believe is the highest formality for the all-rounder watch. Any dressier than this, and the sporty vibes of the all-rounder watch will be a liability, not an asset.

(2) Lower End Of All-Rounder Pairing

Vintage denim trucker jacket, with a light grey t-shirt, displaying the Seiko 5 as an all-rounder watch. — Vintage denim trucker jacket and a solid light grey t-shirt isn’t exactly the lowest level of dressiness for all-rounder watches. But anything else more casual than this, best to pair it with a sport watch instead.
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Close-up wrist shot of the Seiko 5, matched with a vintage denim trucker jacket. Showcasing the low end recommended for all-rounder watch. — Seiko 5 on the wrist, with a vintage denim trucker jacket.
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At the end of the day, these are mere recommendations only, not rules. Every watch worn will mirror the wearer’s unique characteristics. So wear one that resonates best with you.

Disclaimer – This Is Not A Sponsored Article

Neither Seiko Group Corporation nor any of their distributors/retailers sponsored the Seiko 5 SNXA07 watch featured in this article. This individual watch is, in fact, a “zombie” watch, which I had explained in this article. It’s a pretty interesting backstory, so go take a read to understand its context. And as usual, we welcome any offers of sponsorship for future episodes in this series.

As always, if you like what you read here, do consider supporting me by buying me a coffee. Leave all your questions and comments below, whether you agree with me or not. And come back for the next episode, where I’ll deep dive into pairing classic menswear outfit with a dive watch.