Lose the Frills: What to Look for in a Minimalist Wristwatch

Everyone from clothing designers to “tiny house” specialists seems bent on convincing us that “less is more.” Many of us have found this to be the case; if we’re downsizing in terms of the houses we live in and the amount of “stuff” we keep around, it can also mean that we’re scaling down our accessories, our jewelry, and our luxury items.

This needn’t mean we’re shopping only at thrift outlets or secondhand stores, however. What it DOES mean is that the size of the watch we choose to buy may be much smaller and less obtrusive than our dad’s or grandfather’s watches were. And that’s all to the good, since minimalist watches can give you all the features of larger ones — while adapting to a variety of wardrobes, styles, and situations. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your minimalist watch purchase.

1. Look for Versatility.

While a dive watch, a driver’s watch, or a more specialized chronographic timepiece might catch your eye, a choice like a classic slim wrist watch can save you both money and stress. How? Because in the case of a timepiece such as a Brathwait classic, you get a watch that works with interchangeable wrist straps — everything from calfskin leather to fabric, and in host of colors from greens to purples, blues, and neutral “khaki” tones.

With a simple few additional purchases of different straps, then, the same watch takes you from the office to the weekend hike, football game, or formal event. You’ll have no need to buy a wardrobe of watches for different occasions — just a quick change of strap takes you effortlessly along. Hence, no unnecessary stress…and a few more dollars in your wallet!

2. Find Out What Moves You….

…or maybe it’s more accurate to say “what moves your watch.” The movement of a watch is crucial to its timekeeping — and there are equal numbers of patrons on both sides of the “quartz” vs. “automatic” debate. What you need to think about is what matters more to you, raw accuracy or sophistication and handcrafted detail. If pinpoint precision is crucial to you, think about a quartz movement. If the prestige of a high-end or handmade watch is more important, you may want to choose the “automatic.”

The name “automatic” may be a misnomer, in the sense that the impetus for an automatic watch to keep functioning comes from the action of your arms and hands, routine motions you go through every day. The upside to an automatic movement is that it can feel more “organic”: for one thing, it will feature a sweep second hand for smoother motion, as opposed to the “click” of a quartz second hand. The downside to it is that it can “lose” time, sometimes by as much as 30 seconds. And, if you take the watch off, it can stop running in as little as 30 hours.

But, truth to tell, some of us just can’t resist the lure of an upscale watch brand — nor should we, if that speaks to our particular style. Just bear a few caveats in mind and you’ll have a great match with an automatic movement watch for years to come.

3. Going “Minimal” Doesn’t Mean “Bland.”

We’ve already mentioned the interchangeable watch strap, but that’s only the tip of the watch “iceberg” when it comes to the variations you can get even on a small, ultra-thin watch. If a calendar feature is important to you, look for a minimalist watch with a date window — and prepare to be surprised by the creativity in these elements, from location to shape. Ditto for backlighting (a boon for outdoor types, pilots, or athletes), chronograph dials that show the time in different parts of the world…and the list goes on. Gone are the days when if you wanted a minimal, lightweight watch, you had to settle for “lightweight” options on it as well. Now, the sky — and your own personal taste — is the limit.

Along with features, the sheer beauty of watches from makers such as Braun, Casio, Uniform Wares, and Huckleberry & Co. may set you back on your heels — pleasantly. Face styles, hand detail, and colors range from mahogany and black to silver, stainless steel, rose gold, bright primaries, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking to impress a potential employer or show off your whimsical side to your niece and nephew, chance are there’s a minimalist watch that’s not only light on your wrist and budget but will do the job with “flying colors.”

Explore the Timely Possibilities

A quick check of online sites can give you a bevy of information about what watch “speaks your language” in terms of looks, reliability, and budget-friendliness. Don’t be afraid to shop around, both in terms of cyberspace and in your neighborhood jewelry store. Once you’ve sampled a few of the minimalist possibilities, you’ll never miss the extra weight, size, or cost of a mega-timepiece!