Phrases › At the Jeweller › Cerco un orologio da uomo.

Cerco un orologio da uomo.

I am looking for a men's watch.

Pronunciation

'Orologio' — o-ro-LO-jo. Four syllables. The 'g' before 'i' is soft.

When to use it

Many Italian jewellers also sell watches. Use this phrase to direct the conversation. Italian watch culture is strong — from luxury Swiss brands sold at Italian jewellers to Italian-made watches like Panerai and Morellato.

What it means

'Orologio' = watch or clock. 'Da uomo' = for a man (literally 'from man'). Contrast: 'orologio da donna' (women's watch). Types: 'orologio da polso' (wristwatch), 'orologio da tasca' (pocket watch). Movements: 'meccanico' (mechanical), 'automatico' (automatic), 'al quarzo' (quartz).

Variations

Cerco un orologio da donna.

I am looking for a women's watch.

Feminine equivalent.

Preferisce meccanico o al quarzo?

Do you prefer mechanical or quartz?

The jeweller's follow-up question.

Avete Rolex o Omega?

Do you have Rolex or Omega?

Asks about specific luxury brands.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Cerco un orologio da uomo — elegante, non troppo sportivo. Gioielliere: Budget approssimativo? Cliente: Tra i trecento e i cinquecento euro. Gioielliere: In quella fascia abbiamo Tissot, Frederique Constant e alcune proposte italiane.

Customer: I am looking for a men's watch — elegant, not too sporty. Jeweller: Approximate budget? Customer: Between three hundred and five hundred euros. Jeweller: In that range we have Tissot, Frederique Constant, and some Italian proposals.

Cultural Note

Panerai is Italy's most famous luxury watch brand, originally made for the Italian Navy ('Marina Militare'). Other notable Italian watch makers: Morellato (Veneto), Meccaniche Veneziane, and Locman. However, most luxury watches sold in Italian jewellers are Swiss — Italy imports them and sells them worldwide.

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