TGIF: What to do about minimalism in watches!

When it comes to watches, minimalism is an interesting topic. There are a couple of different ways that it can go. You can have minimalist watches that eliminate unnecessary design elements and reduce a watch to the bare essentials. Alternatively, you can have a personal minimalist philosophy that reduces the number of watches you have to one or two watches that work very well for you.

Bulova Quartz Classic

For a truly minimalist watch, you could have a watch that has minimal hands and minimal markers like my Orient Bambino (below). It's influenced by that German Bauhaus design philosophy that your father might scoff at. It simplifies the watch. You can read my complete review of the Orient Bambino, Second Generation, Version 3, here on this blog. It's a high quality mechanical watch with no design excess.

Orient Bambino

But, the versatile watch route is also very workable.  In that case, you get a watch that is appropriate in many situations and wear it often.  For example, a watch like the Timex Easy Reader or a very practical automatic like this Seiko 5 might be an appropriate choice. 

Seiko 5 Automatic Day-Date Watch

Personally, I find it hard to narrow down my minimalist watch choices. There are many to choose from.  My recommendation:  use my Amazon affiliate link and get another watch case. 

A Guide to Minimalist Watches

Minimalist philosophy offers a simple, intentional, approach to architecture, decor, clothing, and life. Instead of having dozens and dozens of watches, it invites us to have only one or a few that are simple, readable, and versatile parts of a wardrobe.  The philosophy stresses quality over quantity.  So, one might only have a watch or three, but they might be a better than ordinary without venturing too far into material excess. 

A Minimalist Fossil Watch

Minimalism also stresses simplicity over complication. Something like the Tudor Ranger or Rolex Explorer I might be the perfect expression of a high quality minimalist timepiece.  Fortunately, when it comes to minimalist timepieces, there are a few attainable brands that come to mind.  

Movado Minimalism

As a brand that has built itself around its fabled Museum watch since 1947, Movado does minimalism well. Many of their watches have no markers. Hands, sometimes a date window, and a disc at 12 o'clock are sufficient for the Movado Museum model.

Movado Museum Model Automatic (Amazon Photo)

You can see the Movado Museum Model here using my Amazon affiliate link. It's the most expensive watch on this list.  However, if you poke around a bit, you can find quartz models for half the price of the automatic.  You might also try outlets like the Movado Company Store. However, buyers should be very aware of differences between Movado models. For example, the Museum Classic is a little more upscale than the Movado Signature watch.

MVMT Minimalism

If you are looking for minimalism in an enthusiast-oriented watch at a minimal price, MVMT might well be your brand.  Initially started as a microbrand, MVMT made an impact on the watch world and was purchased by the Movado Group. This gave the upstart brand international presence and a strong manufacturing base. The brand has many minimalist offerings, but their inexpensive starting point is the MVMT Astro Blue Chronograph. It's from the MVMT Blacktop Collection and it earned a sharp watch shout out here on this blog earlier this year. 

It's simply an incredible deal at less than $100 and you can get it right here via my Amazon Affiliate Link!

Skagen Minimalist Watches

Everyone is gaga about microbrands today.  But, every brand started somewhere. Skagen was the brainchild of Danish immigrants to the United States and draws heavily upon the design influences of artists in Denmark's Skagen area. When they achieved commercial success, they were acquired by Fossil. Now, they benefit from that companies scale and breadth.  But, the watches still remain Scandinavian in design.

A Skagen Signatur Watch

Most Skagen watches are minimalist in nature.  However, the Skagen Signatur Stainless Steel Watch for Men stands out as a very practical and affordable way to scratch the minimalist bug for less than $100.  You can get yours here on Amazon using my affiliate link.

This post just scratches the surface of minimalist watches as a topic. You'll want to check out my Watches A to Z post on Mondaine. If you want to save serious money, check out my watch deal alert post on the Stuhrling Original Minimalist watch. Finally, to see a great 2026 list of minimalist watches visit my Amazon affiliate storefront.

 

Watches A to Z: Mondaine

Mondaine is an unusual watch brand. Founded in 1951, it was inspired by the clocks in Swiss Federal Railway Stations. Thus, they are simple, functional, very readable, and tied to something near and dear to the hearts of the Swiss and tourists who love the country.

A Swiss Railway Station (note clock on right) photo by Joachim Kohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The brand is Swiss Made and offers both quartz and automatic models. In a world where everyone suddenly wants to be minimalist, Mondaine watches have been a standard bearer for minimalist Bauhaus design for over 70 years. Mondaine is very progressive in their use of energy and material resources. One of their factories generates 80% of their electricity needs via solar power. The brand recycles metals and other byproducts for re-use. They also work with an Italian company, Vegea, that creates vegan leather straps from winery and grape plant byproducts. They also participate in reforestation projects. Auditors have found the brand to be CO2 neutral. 

Mondaine Evo Sapphire Classic

This Mondaine Evo Sapphire Classic typifies the Swiss railway watch look. It's a quartz watch with a 36mm diameter case that is just 7.65mm thick.

Mondaine Evo Sapphire 36mm Classic

You can check it out here on Amazon. While I'd probably swap the strap for a black one, this is one of the lowest cost Swiss watches around and it has a unique look. For a collector, this is an unusual watch choice for less than $175. You're unlikely to see many of these in the wild here in the United States.

Mondaine Classic 40mm Quartz Watch

If you'd like a larger sized watch, the Mondaine Classic is a 40mm brushed stainless steel watch with the same railway clock minimalist style. It has a Swiss Ronda RL quartz movement with an estimated 60-month battery life. The strap appears to be nylon, but it is actually made from recycled PET bottles.

Mondaine Classic 40mm Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

If you'd like to check out this watch, you can find it here via our Amazon link.

Watch Spotlight: The Affordable Timex Men's Southview!

If you are looking for a nice Timex, there are plenty of beautiful watches in the Timex Waterbury Collection, but sometimes Timex offers similar features in their regular watch collections.  For example, the Timex Men's Southview Quartz Watch has lines that are very similar to some of the watches in the Waterbury Collection.  It has a 41mm diameter brass case, a crown with a golden tone, and a nice genuine leather strap. The Roman number font has a simpler modern font and the dial is one color. Where the Waterbury collection embraces traditional and decorative details, this Southview embraces modernity and minimalism.

Timex Men's Southview Quartz Watch

The Timex Southview is a very respectable and functional watch that used to retail for around $70. But, now in November 2025, the base price on Amazon has settled to just over $50. You can check out the Timex Southview here at --

Timex Southview watch on Amazon!

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Grenen by Skagen Stainless Steel Mesh Watch

It's that hippity-hop Easter time of year and just last month I caught this candid shot of the Easter Bunny in action. I was able to document the time thanks to my old Grenen watch. It wasn't easy to sneak up on him, but he may have been captivated by the minimalist Scandinavian inspired design.

You can read a review of my Grenen (by Skagen) Stainless Steel Mesh Watch.

Titanium Tuesday: Skagen Sundby Titanium Watch with Stainless Steel Mesh Band

If you are looking for a sleek modern watch that's just a little different than the mainstream, you really can't go wrong with Fossil's Skagen brand.  They have an interesting looking watch that combines Danish minimalism with a titanium case for a winning combination.  On this watch, I like the look of the urgent orange minute track inboard of the hour markings.  It really stands out against the charcoal gray of the dial, bracelet, and the titanium case.  To me, the overall look seems a little more muscular than the typical Skagen watch.

Skagen Sundby Watch with Titanium Case and Stainless Mesh Band

This quartz watch has a 40mm diameter case and 50 meters of water resistance.  Overall, it has a 4.2 rating on Amazon with over 5,400 ratings.  If you want to say, "Ja!" to this cool looking Skagen watch, you can get it right here on Amazon.

As of this November 25, 2024 post, there is a Black Friday Deal on this Skagen watch that marks it down 59% to a comfortable sub-$100 price point.  You never know how long Amazon Deals will run so I'd jump on it--again right here on Amazon!

TGIF: A New Watch Brand From Germany - Kar Watches

Sometimes the internet can provide behind the scenes glimpses of a great thing getting started. I recently came across a post on X from the social media team at a new German watch brand called Kar. 

The Kar Logo

They were looking for opinions on one of their new watch models. I shared mine.  Kar hopes to be launching in the Spring of 2026. 

Kar Watch Series

Kar Value Proposition and Components

The brand is planning to offer minimalist German watch designs at reasonable price points.  By reasonable, I mean they are aiming at between $70 and $100 USD depending on the series. These watches would be at a great price point for this blog's audience.  Especially since the company offers quality components like 304 Stainless Steel and Japanese Citizen movements for the quartz models.  

Kar Watch Series

Kar currently plans to offer four watch series: Sport, Premium, Deluxe, and Vintage.  

Kar Artemis (from the Kar Sport series)

The Sport watch has a mesh bracelet and a quartz movement. There are three models available silver (Kar Artemis), gold (Kar Aurora), and black (Kar Kreon) and each comes in three case diameters (33mm, 38mm, and 41mm). 

Kar Vintage Terra (from the Kar Vintage series)

The Vintage watch has a genuine leather strap and a quartz movement. There are three models available with each corresponding to a different color strap: brown (Vintage Terra), white (Vintage Ivory), and black (Vintage Eclipse) and again each comes in three case diameters (33mm, 38mm, and 41mm). 

A look at the Kar Deluxe Movement

The Kar Deluxe watch has a high quality automatic movement and a stainless steel case and bracelet.  The Deluxe watch provides presence on the wrist with a 46mm case diameter. Kar watches with automatic movements feature an exhibition caseback. There are three models available silver (Deluxe Platinum), gold (Deluxe Nova), and black (Deluxe Midnight).

Kar Premium Amber

The Premium watch series has a leather strap, an automatic movement, and an exhibition caseback. There are three models available with each corresponding to a different color strap: brown (Premium Amber), white (Premium Pearl), and black (Premium Obsidian). Each premium watch has an gold-toned stainless steel case that is 46mm in diameter.

Get into Kar

It's always exciting to wear a new watch brand with German design and quality components.  It looks like they'll be launching in 2026.  For the latest developments follow their social media team on X: @KarSocialMedia.

Watch Deal Alert: Skagen Men's Signatur Minimalist Watch on Amazon

[Post updated with latest deal April 17, 2026] With all the talk around minimalist watches, you might want to check out this deal on Amazon for 34% off of a Skagen Signatur watch.  There are many styles but the Amazon 34% off deal applies to this blue one with a leather strap.  

Skagen Signatur Minimalist Watch (Amazon Photo)

An American brand founded by a Danish business couple, Skagen is named after the northernmost town in Denmark. Skagen has been creating and selling watches with a strong Danish minimalist design ethos since 1992.  In 2012, it was bought by Fossil watches, but the designs remain to true to their Scandinavian roots.

With a Skagen watch, you'll get a good quality brand, a leader in minimalist watches, and a very reasonable price point. This watch comes in under $100.  They are definitely worth a look.

If you'd like to purchase this one on Amazon, here is the link!

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Grenen Men's Black Stainless Steel Watch

Revived with a new battery, I've been wearing my Grenen stainless steel watch again. It's a great modern design with a thin sleek case and a stainless steel mesh band.

Grenen Black Stainless Steel Watch with Mesh Band

While Grenen watches have faded from the scene, it's parent brand Skagen still makes similar watches.  Many people are getting into minimalism and minimalist watches today, but Skagen has been into simple designs for a long time.

A close up of a Grenen by Skagen watch dial

I first reviewed this watch here back in 2016.  The watch continues to be a great alternative to big clunky watches and brings a cool form and great functionality to your wrist.  It's definitely a watch you can wear all day.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Brigada Minimalist Watch for Men

Here's an interesting watch!  The Amazon listing for it is quite a mouthful.  Here goes!  It's the  BRIGADA Men's Watches Cool Black Blue Business Casual Waterproof Quartz Analog Wrist Watch for Men.  I just like to call it the Brigada Minimalist Watch for Men.

The Brigada Minimalist Watch has a thin case.

In these evening shots, you can see that the watch has a generously-sized dial with roman numerals in a gold-tone that is perfect for catching the last rays of a slowly setting summer sun.  The strap is of synthetic leather that looks good and gets the job done.  In looks, this quartz watch compares favorably to other minimalist watches from bands like MVMT.

The dial of this BRIGADA is simple and delivers the time.

Sometimes, I find it difficult to justify minimalist designs that cost a lot of money.  This BRIGADA is cheap. I think it compares favorably to watches that cost between $50 and $125.  But, this watch actually costs much, much, less.  Incredibly, as of 2024, this watch was less than $20.  It is much, much, better than the $5 Youyoupifa watch I ordered from China many years ago.

Brigada Men's Quartz Watch

I've posted about the Brigada brand before and recently reviewed one of their watches.  I think this watch fully delivers on the promise of low cost watches.

Watch Review: LaCoste Club Watch for Men

Minimalist watches have been a bit of a trend over the past couple of years.  Brands like MVMT have been on the forefront of minimalist design.  They offer a variety of elegant minimalist designs.  But, you don't see many of their watches in stores.  If you are looking for a minimalist watch from a more familiar brand, you might check out the LaCoste Club Watch.  My wife was fortunate to find this LaCoste watch for me at a Burlington Coat Factory for a fraction of the prices listed on Amazon or traditional department stores.

The LaCoste Club Men's Watch

Watch Features

What can you list as a watch feature on a minimalist watch?  This one features the LaCoste Logo at 12 o'clock and a date window at 6 o'clock.  The hours are market with simple shiny silver batons.

It has an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand.  It also has a comfortable band that feels smooth and cool against the wrist.

Most of all, it features a simple and elegant look.  You'll find the LaCoste trademark alligator logo on the dial, the crown, the caseback, and the bracelet clasp.  For more photos of the LaCoste Club watch and these details, bang it here.

The LaCoste Club Watch on a table.

Watch Construction

The LaCoste Club watch features a stainless steel case and bracelet. The dial is protected by a mineral crystal. According to the caseback, the watch has 3 BAR (30 meters) of water resistance.  It's enough water resistance to ward off a little rain and wash your hands.  But, this is a dressy watch for the office or a night out, not a watch for SCUBA diving.

It looks just great on the table at my local P.F. Changs.  As a small drawback, I do find that the watch does tend to collect smudges or fingerprints on the crystal.  But, a quick wipe of a napkin or on a shirt fixes it right up.

Watch Dimensions

A profile view of the watch shows its thin case

The LaCoste Club watch has a 42mm diameter case that appears to be about about 8mm thick.  It's a nice thin watch that would fit under the cuff of his shirt.  The watch bracelet is 20mm wide at the lugs and tapers to about 17mm for the trip around the wrist.

The length of the bracelet is generous and I found that it fit my wrists perfectly without any modification.

These proportions are great for wearing to the office or to functions requiring a long-sleeved dress shirt.

Overall Impression

In general, I really like this watch.  It's a nice lightweight watch with solid construction and a band that feels smooth against the skin.  It's a great value and a heck of a find at the low (sub-$50) price point offered by Burlington.  At conventional retail outlets, the LaCoste Club Watch is still a good watch at current price points.  As a familiar brand, it also checks all the boxes for the minimalist look.  

The bracelet and deployment clasp of the Izod Club Watch

New Watch Brands: Brigada Watches

I recently ran across another interesting watch brand on Amazon.  It's a Chinese brand called Brigada.  While some of the Amazon ad text says Brigada Swiss Brand, my research shows that they come from Shenzen, China.

East Gate in Shenzen, China.

Nevertheless, Brigada watches seem to be solid, no nonsense, minimalist watches with reliable Japanese movements.  The watch brand earns consistent 4 1/2 star reviews on Amazon.  Most importantly they simply look good and they sell for reasonable prices.  This Brigada Men's Quartz Dress watch on Amazon is a real winner for the price.

Brigada Men's Classic Quartz Dress Watch

Another winner from Brigada is what I call my Brigada Minimalist Watch.  It's a simple design with roman numerals and a large watch face.  It's a well-executed, inexpensive, watch that is just perfect for business casual wear.  You can learn more about it in this Watch Wearing Wednesday post.  

A minimalist watch from Brigada

There are some pros and cons with Brigada watches.  I also recently bought the Brigada business casual watch (shown below) and you can read my review here.  There were some nice features and a few that didn't quite fit my sense of style.  

Brigada Men's Business Casual Quartz Wrist Watch

These kinds of commodity quartz watches give the basic models from companies like Timex and Casio a run for the money.  Plus, with an exotic name like Brigada, people will wonder if you are wearing an exotic foreign brand.  In truth you are, but this exotic brand isn't coming from Europe.

[As of 2025, it looks like Brigada may be gone from Amazon. But, the watches may pop up on other sites.]

Watch Sighting: Timex Briarwood Terrace at Walmart

A Short Review of the Timex Briarwood Terrace

I recently found a loose Timex watch in the watch display carousel at Walmart.  Since it was just laying there, I decided to try it on.  It turned out to be the new Timex Briarwood Terrace.  This watch is just one of the watches in the Timex Main Street collection.

Timex Briarwood Terrance Watch

This watch is exactly why you can never count Timex out.  It is truly an affordable classic.  It fit my wrist beautifully.  It had a contemporary dial size (40 mm), a comfortable watch thickness (10 mm), and a classic retro modern look that is simply timeless.  The stainless steel case and bracelet seem solid and substantial for a watch in this price range.  While this watch is marketed as a unisex timepiece, I think this Timex looks like the kind of watch a NASA engineer might have worn in the 1960s while working on the Apollo project.

Timex Briarwood Terrace

This watch dial itself is sparse and readable like a school house clock.  You could call it minimalist.  In fact, the European brand, Mondaine, makes a line of watches that mimics the simplicity of Swiss railroad station clocks.  Timex doesn't need to be pretentious about it.  It's just a simple watch.

The bracelet of a Timex Briarwood Terrace Watch

I was impressed that the bracelet for the Timex Briarwood Terrace is substantial and has a real clasp.  It closed securely and it fit my wrist perfectly.  The bracelet is 20 mm wide at the lugs.  It seems much more substantial than the expansion bands on nearby Easy Reader watches.  This Briarwood Terrace watch didn't have a date window and it didn't have a backlighting system for night time wear.  However, I'll gladly trade those features for an affordable watch with a more substantial bracelet and a good clasp.

Timex Briarwood Terrace Watch

Unfortunately, I encountered this watch during the height of the holiday season and had to pass.  However, I've definitely bookmarked this watch in my memory.  This is one Timex that I may well see again.