Recently, I've been weighing the decision of whether to buy a cheap watch or an expensive one for my husband's birthday. Knowing how he loses things, and how much those designer men's watches can cost, I started wondering if it would make such a big difference whether I got the designer "look-alike" watch, or one of those really high-tech chronographs that I keep hearing about.

So, to satisfy my curiosity, I conducted a little survey of the men in my office. (On a side note: It's funny how we women rarely even notice what kind of watch a guy is wearing, but we probably could describe the watches - and wardrobes - of all our female friends and co-workers.) Anyway, when I got to the office on Friday, I was determined to see just how important it was to men; whether they had a cheap watch or a more expensive, state-of-the-art chronograph. Boy, was this an educational experience for me! After speaking to the five men on my floor over lunch at the food court, I decided it wasn't even worth talking to any more guys. The verdict was already in, and it came as a total surprise to me.

Apparently, men look at watches the way women look at shoes - in fact, that may not even begin to describe the phenomenon. Call it "watch envy", I guess. Men won't even admit this to other men, it seems, but they confided in me, and what I learned was an eye-opener. A certain hierarchy exists within the white collar world when it comes to the kind of watch a man wears.

The men I spoke with had some very serious issues about wearing anything but a TAG, Breitling, Rolex, Tissot, or similar Swiss chronograph. These men are by no means snobs, but they stuck up their noses when I mentioned some other well known, but less "fabulous" brands like Citizen, Bulova and Timex. Not that they didn't personally own a few of these less expensive brands, and they even liked the looks and accuracy of them - but in the business world, perception is everything!

So what did I do after leaving the office on Friday? Well, I didn't stop at the fake designer watch vendor on 34th street on my way to the train, that's for sure. I went home and did some research, and ended up buying my husband a beautiful new Breitling for Bentley Swiss chronograph. It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but in the end it may pay for itself.

You should have seen the spring in his step when he left for the office on Monday, wearing his sparkling new Breitling Bentley Motors steel chronograph. If that attitude adjustment continues, who knows, he may just get a promotion!

This whole experience made such an impression on me; I decided to let the rest of woman-kind know what I learned. Men may not be the style mavens that we women are, but they are certainly not unaware of the watches that other men are wearing. It may go a long way in your relationship if you surprise your husband or boyfriend with one of the classiest Swiss chronographs you can find.

If you are looking for some inspiration, check out TAG Heuer, Breitling, Concord, Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil, Chopard, Ebel, Golana, and many more. You will not be sorry, and the man in your life will be thanking you for years and years to come. But don't take my word for it try it out for yourself.