Wristwatches - going for clean and simple designs

We're told that mobile phones (cellphones) are causing a decline in the wearing of watches. I'm not convinced - there is a widening view that a wristwatch is a fundamental part of how a man dresses. As an accessory, a watch says a lot about the wearer.

I prefer the simple understated approach to watch design; not too large, an easy-to-read dial and plain strap or bracelet. However, some real horrors are available, which are generally characterised by being illegible, too busy and brightly-coloured. I call these (rather rudely, I know) footballers' watches.

Men of taste generally prefer something more discreet, a timepiece that whispers subtly about the wearer's character. This man is a rugged explorer when not at his accountant's desk, this man sails ocean-going yachts when not dog-walking, this man dives in the Maldives when not timing the cooking of his eggs, this man uses his watch to time space rocket engine burns when not checking how late the train is.

Such watches have plain-designed black or white dials, the numerals and hands can be seen clearly and they're not much larger than 42 mm in diameter. The sort of watch that James Bond would wear in fact (I mean the real book-Bond, not the film characters).

Rolex Explorer (1970s)

I've written about a few of my favourites in previous posts (listed below), the older models of Rolex Explorer 1, GMT Master and Submariner all fit the bill. Newer Rolex models are getting larger and fussier, so vintage can be the way to go and older Rolex models are excellent investments.

Rolex Submariner

The Omega Speedmaster Professional is an obvious buy for the budding astronaut (used by Apollo astronauts on the Moon and up the present day on the Space Shuttle and ISS).

Vintage Omega Speedmaster Pro, as worn on the Moon

Vintage military watches have many of the characteristics I've outlined; they have to be rugged and easily legible - and not so large they get in the way.

Omega '53, vintage RAF watch

Modern makers, like Timex and Hamilton (below), follow traditional military designs, without the higher price tags.

Links to other posts about watches (and search the labels to the right of this page) -

Rolex Explorer - the original Bond watch?

Rolex GMT Master - for the travelling man.

Collectible wristwatches - CWC SBS diver.

Vintage military watches

These are the watches that I've come to appreciate on my personal search for style. You, no doubt, will have other preferences. Please comment below -