For most men the one fashion accessory that can make the most profound, yet subtle statement about who we are and what we’re about is all too often overlooked. Or worse, it’s sending the wrong message.

Yes we’re talking about cool watches here, and yours is either working in your favor or it’s not. On the one hand it’s so boring no one even notices, or on the other, it makes a statement. Instead of just disappearing in the crowd, why not select a watch that says something about you.

Fact is, many watches aren’t very impressive. All they do is tell the time and help get us where we need to be. They look like any other and say nothing about the wearer. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Especially with mens watches, you have the opportunity to stand out.

The trick is to be a bit bold and allude to something beyond the everyday. What is it you’re about outside of work or home? If you can’t come up with an answer, consider things you used to do before getting so busy, or else what you’d like to do but haven’t gotten around to yet?

Focus on sports, or activities that require some skill and training. Outdoors is a good place to start. There’s everything from mountain climbing to kayaking, and flying to scuba diving. And for nearly every activity there’s a watch that can not only help, but will make a statement simply because special utility functions are integrated within it.

Just take a look at sports watches made for either aviation or diving. Both are larger by design, making them noticeable but not obtrusive. For example, the oversized dial of the Breitling Navitimer watch is great for pilots because it provides things like chronograph and slide-rule functions.

Similarly, diving aficionados, not to mention the legendary James Bond, favor the Omega Seamaster watch, which has features including a unidirectional diving bezel, helium relief valve, plus water-resistance to depths of a thousand feet or more.

Wearing a watch like one of these will certainly get you noticed. Instead of a bland, boring timepiece, people will see something that catches their attention long enough to think there may be more to you than meets the eye. Maybe something of an adventurous side that causes even those who think they know all about you to reconsider.

A quick aside here – if you’re looking for a practical gift husbands, sons, uncles, nephews, or any other male will actually use rather than tucking away in a drawer, get them some sort of sports watch. Chances are good you’ll blow them away because they won’t have thought about it.

Also, keep in mind guys just like cool stuff – and they like to show off! No big surprise there.