Simple Watches
I wear each of these watches on a regular basis since simple watches are my favorite design choice. Simplicity lends itself to the dress watch category, but it is not limited to dress watches, as is evident in this set.
Christopher Ward C65 Trident Classic Vintage
Though it is fairly small on the wrist at 38mm, it stays out of the way and is perfect for daily wear. The dial is balanced and uncluttered, just the time and date. A black dial in a black case is wonderfully offset by the vintage markers and lume. This is one of my most worn watches and has held up wonderfully over time. Technically a dive watch, this goes well with most sorts of casual clothing.
- Favorite Detail: Black PVD case
- Diameter: 38mm
- Height: 11.6mm
- Movement: Sellita 200-1, Automatic
- Crystal: Boxed (double-domed)
- Strap: 20mm
Christopher Ward C1 Grand Malvern Small Second
A beautiful and subtly textured opaline dial with printed markers, which adds to the simplistic feel. Though it has a small seconds complication, it is unobtrusive and emphasizes, in a unique way, the unit of time. I also really like the large hand pins and how they draw attention. Though this is a dress-style watch, I actually find it quite summery and expect to wear it throughout the summer with shorts and t-shirts.
- Favorite Detail: Large small second sub-dial
- Diameter: 40.5mm
- Height: 11.6mm
- Movement: SH21 Chronometer (COSC), hand-wound
- Crystal: Domed
- Strap: 20mm
Hamilton Electric Converta (1959)
I typically don’t like any sort of gold color when it comes to watches, but this is the one exception. This watch has a history (engraved on the reverse), as it is truly vintage, it has the original electric 500 movement which is a temperamental battery-powered mechanical movement with an unmistakable sound. This is a Converta 3 with a Converta 4 bezel. All original, including the original lume in the hands. A simple watch that goes well with a blue sweater for semi-formal events.
- Favorite Detail: The movement, and the bezel
- Diameter: 36mm (39 w/crown)
- Height: 12mm
- Movement: Hamilton 500, battery-powered mechanical
- Crystal: Boxed (double-domed)
- Strap: 18mm
Hamilton Jazzmaster (ref. H32451751)
The most recent addition to this mini-group, the Jazzmaster has the same design characteristics of the Converta, from the hands to the bezel. The two Hamiltons side by side are what watch collecting is all about for me. Vintage versus modern, gold versus silver, quartz versus mechanical, black strap versus reddish-brown strap. You can see the heritage via the logo, hands, and markers. Another simple watch that also has the date and is very photogenic.
- Favorite Detail: The sunburst silver dial bordered by black
- Diameter: 40mm
- Height: 10mm
- Movement: ETA Caliber 955.112, quartz
- Crystal: Domed
- Strap: 20mm
TenSix (10/6) Glass 42
A very casual watch that I put together myself for my brand TenSix that simply just tells the time in analog. Glass is a series in which there are no dials on the watches, the movement can be seen in all its glory both from the front and the reverse. The number 42 is based on the size of 42mm. A daily wear sort of watch that is great with jeans and a t-shirt, but could also be a suitable companion at a semi-formal event.
- Favorite Detail: Unobstructed view of the movement
- Diameter: 42mm
- Height: 11mm
- Movement: Sellita 210-1, hand-wound
- Crystal: Flat
- Strap: 22mm
More complicated does not mean better. It is always nice to have some simple watches that keep to the point of what a watch is all about anyway…quickly telling the time.