Watches today are more a style statement than a timepiece. With all the gadgets we own these days, we can always reach for our pocket to check the time, the date or anything else that might interest us. Despite this, many men choose to wear clocks around their wrists for a simple reason: watches are a style statement that embodies refinement, luxury and elegance. More than that, the type of watch you wear says a lot about the wearer: dive and pilot watches are the expression of a sporty or adventurous personality, while big watches embellished with precious metals indicate a taste for extreme luxury and richness.
Why wear a minimal watch?
Even though many brands offer watches that feature many complication and can do a lot of other things besides showing what time it is, many men wish to wear a watch that simply indicates the time. The reasons for this can vary, from the fact that they express their passions through other elements or simply because they enjoy minimalism.
Minimalism is a current that has grown a lot lately as a reaction to the development of the consumer’s society culture. Minimalists are usually people who don’t give up on things in general, but who want to let go of the elements they don’t need. In fashion, watches are one of the fields where minimalism is very well represented. For many guys, wearing a watch that indicates not only the time, but the temperature, your phone calls and e-mails as well is a little too much. These guys prefer to stay with classic timepieces that indicate only the time and maybe the date.
Other men enjoy minimal watches because they don’t see well enough to check all the features of a watch that features many complications, and therefore, all they need is a simple watch that only lets them know what time it is.
Where to find a minimal watch?
There are many places where you can find minimal watches these days. For example, one brand that focuses on designing minimal pieces is Elliot Havok. Under their brand, they have designed and developed not only watches, but eyewear, belts, wallets and other accessories as well. The reason why we love Elliot Havok is because their company is proof that minimal products are very much sought-for and that a lot of men from all around the world wish to own very basic, yet stylish accessories. Their company has been actually funded through Kickstarter. Right now, they have a new Kickstarter project revolving around their brand new watches.
How to wear a minimal watch?
The main advantage of minimal watches is that when it comes to pairing it with an outfit, minimal watches are very versatile. If you are wearing a minimal watch, such as a piece from Elliot Havok, illustrated here, you can wear it with almost anything. Due to their design and aesthetic, minimal watches go great with sports outfit as well as with suits.
Therefore, if you are transitioning from one outfit to another when you are going to the gym or leaving the office and going directly to a pub, you can keep your watch with you on all occasions.
One question that gets asked a lot about watches is in regards to wearing silver and gold – how you should wear them, when you should wear them, etc. The answer to these questions is very easy: in fashion, metallics are neutrals, which means that they can be worn with anything and with other metallics at the same time. Therefore, you can wear a gold or silver watch with any color you wish and you can also wear it while wearing another type of metallic. For example, if you are wearing a silver watch, you can pair it with a golden chain or a golden pair of glasses.
Speaking of neutrals, always remember that in fashion there is a series of special colors, called neutrals. These colors are black, white, beige, gray, tan, khaki, ivory, brown, dark blue, etc. The thing you need to know about neutrals is that, as we already said, they can be paired with anything, so if you have a watch that comes in any of these colors or any of these colors plus a metallic, you can wear it with any color.
If you are looking for wear a more colorful watch, you should always make sure that it fits within the overall color scheme of your outfit. Remember, colors that lie closely to each other on the color spectrum (such as red and orange) go together well, but colors that like on opposite sides of the color wheel (such as orange and purple) go well together too.
In fashion, simplicity is always best, and wearing a minimal watch will add style to your outfit, without adding any bulk or drawing too much attention to your wrist.
Minimal watches are a perfect way to express your personality, showcase your style and enjoy a very polished and refined look!
As you can see, sometimes, less is more and minimal watches are the thing to prove it!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
The complete guide to choosing a watch
Universality in elegance: Finding the perfect watch
Emotion and design: The aesthetics of watches
3 Reasons to buy a preowned watch
Details you should know about watches
How to match your watch to your clothes
P.S. What do you think of minimal watches? Do you prefer them opposed to watches with many complications? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
7 replies on “Back to Basics: Minimal Watches”
I love minimalism, every year I take a break and go minimal – including clothes and accessories and other things!
Hi Evan Ch,
That sounds like it could be a good idea!
This is my life – James Minimal.
Love these watches!
We agree, they are great!
Love a minimal watch that works well duuh!
Of course 🙂 !