It depends if you like your clocks going backwards like Flavor Flav or forward.

For time travelling, I always use pre-war Art Deco's, there's a particulary interesting Harold Lloyd vintage Omega wrist watch on one of the web shops that is for sale at the moment, that would be perfect for this.

I wouldn't worry about shapes - a rectangle or oblate spheroid will do the trick. But must be pre-war, something to do with the lack of radioactive content in the metal parts.

Many years back a relation told me he bought a Bulova watch. I instantly imagined the huge pilot's watch, or somethign. But it was thin, square, and small and looked extremely elegant - too elegant in fact for anything but the nicest suit. Sometimes somethign a bit bulkier is OK.

My great grandmother shared an old quote about judging men on their watches and shoes. I've remembered that most extreme of first impressions. My best shoes may be Allen Edmond Park Avenues ( full retail and not AAAC seconds) but they're clean and polished. My old Bulova Accutron became collectable, and with modern batteries blowing out the vintage electronics I sold it. I'm down to a soviet chronograph gifted by the captain of our counterparts. I spotted a sailor fall overboard unseen, grabbed an aid kit and made for him in the ice. Our captain is radioing the Russians and is informed Kavanaugh has him aboard his ship allready (I had attended a russian language course.) The Old man asks if I defected, told NO and says "I never have any luck" We had a mini bit of President Ford diplomacy on the ice. Captain and political officer- both very urbane men nothing like the heavy set or oily cold movie stereotypes present me with the watch in tradition of rewarding exemplary service.
I'm looking at vintage watches. I have a personal aversion to the vintage ornate cufflinks. I think Rhett Butler and 'Don't give a damn.'