“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”: Marilyn Monroe’s famous song applies to today’s watch world just as much as it described the jewelry of the 1940s and 1950s. But glitz, brilliance and glamour can sometimes look pretty old against timeless, simple watches for ladies. Our top 5 takes you into the stylish world of feminine understatement.

Ladies take note: Why simple ladies’ watches are a hit

Simple is the new fancy: for several years now, top watch brands such as Junghans, Rado and MÜHLE Glashütte have been focusing on producing elegant ladies’ watches that combine harmonious shapes with the measured use of gold and precious stones. In everyday use, few ladies want to scream for attention with an overloaded chandelier on their wrist, preferring simple watches that give form to their delicate taste and sense of beauty.

The more timeless the watch, the more effortlessly it will outlast fashion trends and the more different outfits it can round off in a distinguished way. Such a watch need have nothing to do with boredom or low price ranges: Available in all segments from three to six figures, simple ladies’ watches often inspire with maximum attention to detail and require a second look to reveal themselves to the lover in all their glory.

Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 9 Ladies 29 mm

Our first candidate may come as a surprise to many readers: a sleek, elegant ladies’ watch from a manufacturer known for its racing-savvy male audience? That’s right, and this is where the beastly repertoire of the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 9 Ladies 29 mm only begins. Characterized by sporty edges, it strikes a perfect balance between traditional dress watch and modern business instrument, similar to the Rolex Datejust, which cuts a confident figure in any everyday situation. Despite its feminine diameter, this wristwatch for ladies, which we recommend in a restrained version without diamonds, has a fully automatic movement including a visible back and withstands 100 meters of water resistance. Deep midnight blue (Ref. WBN2411.BA0621) or shimmering mother-of-pearl (Ref. WBN2412.BA0621) in the dial is the decisive question; both ladies’ watches can be set with eleven brilliant-cut diamonds as indices if desired. Those who like things as plain as possible choose blue without gemstones.

Junghans Max Bill Ladies Watch

An all-time favorite of our magazine also comes into its own when it comes to simplicity: a Bauhaus icon naturally endowed with purist lines, the Junghans Max Bill ladies’ watch is a master of symmetry and pleasing design. If mechanical fascination plays a subordinate role, we recommend the more affordable quartz version: 6.9 millimeters flat, the curved watch body with its dome-shaped Plexiglas elegantly nestles on the female wrist. One of our favorite variants is the Ref. 047/4250.48 with a white dial and fine Milanaise bracelet, which aesthetically deviates only in nuances from the original design from 1961 and appears particularly simple because the entire color scheme of the time display and bracelet is located in the silvery-white spectrum.

At the same time, other references prove that dresswatch ladies’ watches need not suffer from any color ban: From the gold-plated version (Ref. 047/7854.02) to the Max Bill with soft red accents in the dial (Ref. 047/4541.02), countless options exist that combine timeless elegance with attractive details. Do you often wear dark? Then we recommend a black dial as the perfect match.

MÜHLE Glashütte Lunova Lady

Keyword black: MÜHLE Glashütte’s answer to the question of what a simple wristwatch for ladies should look like is provided by the Lunova Lady (Ref. M1-43-36-LB-O). At 35 millimeters, the fully polished stainless steel case has a great universal diameter for different wrist sizes, but doesn’t stand out and draw the viewer’s attention to the dial. True to the motto “gray is the new black,” the sleek watch stands out from the crowd with a highly interesting color gradient that begins in the light center and flows into a dark shade of gray on the outer height ring.

The manufacturer calls the coloration slate gray. Ladies’ watches of the caliber of the MÜHLE Glashütte Lunova Lady do not call for attention, but play with details – first and foremost the applied numbers in the dial and the slightly playful decorative rings on the leather strap. The simple, elegant ladies’ watch deserves additional praise for its mechanics: Protected by 100-meter water resistance and admirable through a glass back, the industry-respected SW 200-1 automatic movement in the improved “Mühle” version performs precise work – with good care, even for a lifetime.

Rado True Quarz Diamonds

Is it possible to combine timelessly simple watches with an unmistakable wow factor? In the Rado True Quartz Diamonds (Ref. R27238722), the Swiss premium brand combines two elements that you wouldn’t associate with an understated appearance at first glance.

First, the high-gloss, jet-black case made of the specially developed “high-tech ceramic”: extremely scratch-resistant and skin-friendly, the prestige material from the house of Rado delights with its smooth feel and noticeably differentiates the True from the majority of classic watches.

Second, the diamonds in the dial: four little stones as indices, paired with gold-colored hands don’t sound like the essence that defines plain ladies’ watches. And yet, the 30-millimeter True Quartz Diamonds manages to bring all its components together into a subtle whole. Extraordinary, yet simple and timeless – if you’re looking for this rare symbiosis, you’ve come to the right place.

Omega Constellation Manhattan Quartz 28 mm

Even the glamorous, storied Omega Constellation is probably not the first timepiece that comes to mind when you think of “plain watches for ladies.” Rather, the majestic collection is famous for its solid gold top-of-the-line models set with an ocean of diamonds beyond the 30,000 euro mark. The secret to the luxury series lies in its entry-level watches, such as the Omega Constellation Manhattan Quartz 28mm: Made of stainless steel and fitted with understated dials in white, black or other tones, they express the essence of the Constellation much more purely than their glamorous sisters bathed in diamonds.

The unmistakable features of the ladies’ watches – an integrated bracelet with a flowing transition to the case and the four lobes on the bezel – are supplemented in the current models by Roman numeral engravings in the bezel. The overall picture: spectacular. Ladies who prefer traditional mechanics instead of the utilitarian quartz movement can choose from a whole universe of automatic models in the upper price range, ranging from simple to extravagant.

Der Beitrag Top 5 simple ladies watches erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Elegance meets understatement: what makes simple men’s watches so attractive

Whether at a business lunch with the boss, on a first date or at the next coffee round with the in-laws: Even if you love flashy wristwatches, such as a colorful Hublot or oversized U-Boat, neat restraint is the better choice in some situations. Let’s face it: wristwatches cause other people to draw conclusions about our character. In this visual “quick assessment,” the wearer of a gold Rolex Submariner is sometimes labeled a show-off, while a discreet watch speaks to likeable modesty, a sense of elegance and, in some eyes, even higher intelligence.

Thus, for strategic reasons alone, plain men’s watches can be a smart move. However, a large number of enthusiastic watch wearers prefer the noble understatement out of their own conviction: Harmonious shapes, noble details and timeless beauty independent of any fashion make the dress watch an evergreen on the male wrist. Legendary gentlemen like Sean Connery, Humphrey Bogart or Marlon Brando cannot be wrong.

Maurice Lacroix Eliros Date 25th Anniversary

For the 25th anniversary of its beautifully designed Eliros collection, Maurice Lacroix spices up the classic with refined details. Two versions of the 40-millimeter stainless steel watch are available, of which the white dial (Ref. EL1118-SS00E-120-C) has a greater understatement factor. Those looking for perfectly plain watches for men might already find the design too exciting: Modern, elongated numerals and an alternating green-blue minute track give the Eliros a high degree of independence, while the date display at three o’clock increases its utility value.

Alternatively, you can opt for the blue dial with green and white inscriptions (Ref. EL1118-SS00E-420-C). With a slim eight-millimeter height, the polished case of both versions shows how coherent and comfortable dress watches should sit on the wrist. A technical highlight of the Maurice Lacroix Eliros Date 25th Anniversary marks its “Easy Strap Exchange” system, which allows the wearer to change the strap in a flash. In addition to the fine stainless steel Milanaise bracelet, the simple men’s watch comes with a leather strap in blue, which ideally matches the blue dial or the blue hands of the white version.

Junghans Meister Gangreserve

It is iconic, mechanically sophisticated and proves how confidently they design simple watches for men in Schramberg: The Junghans Meister Gangreserve. At 40.4 millimeters in diameter, the minimalist editions for gentlemen may not dwarf the wrist, but they lay great against the skin with their curved shape. The dial in particular captivates our gaze: where razor-sharp dauphine hands meet gossamer indices, the power reserve holds its namesake complication. Instead of displaying the remaining power of the J810.2 automatic movement on an ordinary scale, as 99 percent of watch brands do, the Meister uses a simple bar with a level indicator. Turning the plain wristwatch for men upside down, the back allows deep insights into the mechanics. Various color variants, each limited to 160 pieces, are available: if you’re looking for a watch in night blue, the Ref. 027/4114.02 will delight you with its spectacular depth of color, while the gold-plated Ref. 027/7113.02 exudes a touch of glamour.

NOMOS Glashütte Tangente neomatik 39 Platingrau

If a brand from Glashütte stands for simple men’s watches with a modern touch, it is NOMOS: above all, the Tangente, a bestseller of the young company since its founding in 1992, is a prime example of its elegant design. The new NOMOS Glashütte Tangente neomatik 39 platinum gray (Ref. 144) is a special highlight: Not only the technical masterstroke of accommodating the in-house DUW 3001 automatic movement, including swing system, in a 6.9 millimeter flat stainless steel case, but also the platinum gray finished dial catches our attention.

Paired with rhodium-plated hands and its signature serif numerals, the Tangente exemplifies sleek men’s watches to perfection. The silver-gray color spectrum continues in the polished and cylindrical case, which is known for its steep flanks and, at 38.5 millimeters, has the optimal diameter to harmonize with any wrist circumference. The NOMOS Tangente is delivered on a leather strap in black, which perfects its distinguished appearance and makes the Tangente the ideal partner for elegant suits.

Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT WHITE

Bell & Ross proves with the BR 05 GMT WHITE (Ref. BR05G-SI-ST/SST) that interesting and at the same time simple watches are allowed to deviate from the mainstream. Held in the typical aviation-inspired square design of the masculine performance brand including four sighting screws and integrated bracelet, interprets the masculine but reserved men’s watches in a self-confident way. The opal white dial, in particular, prompted us to include the 41-millimeter exotic in our top list: Restrained in design, it scores with exemplary legibility and is given just as refreshing a contrast by the bright red GMT hand as by the two-tone altitude ring.

But even those who don’t travel benefit from the strong overall package of the BR 05: while many plain watches for men as dress watches are not particularly robust, the Bell & Ross can withstand 100 meters of water. Generous luminous indices make nighttime reading child’s play. Buyers can choose between an integrated stainless steel bracelet, which is our favorite due to its tremendous coherence, and a sturdy rubber strap for regular outdoor use.

MÜHLE Glashütte Teutonia II Chronometer

Is there a simple wristwatch for men that corresponds to the prototype of cultivated understatement and timeless beauty? MÜHLE Glashütte answers the question with the Teutonia II Chronometer (Ref. M1-30-45-MB): 39 millimeters slim, the round and 100-meter water-resistant masterpiece shines with its enormous attention to detail: in addition to the stepped bezel, which creates a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow, the intricately guilloché dial with its concentric relief catches the eye. Applied indices in the finest finish complete the noble overall picture.

Inside the stainless steel case, precise mechanics with a certificate await the gentleman: every MÜHLE Glashütte Teutonia II Chronometer is put through its paces for 15 days at the Glashütte Observatory before being awarded the coveted chronometer certificate. Built in is the automatic movement SW 200-1 in the version Mühle with speckle neck regulation, date quick correction and stop-seconds. If you’re looking for simple watches for men, you’ll come pretty close to the ideal with the Teutonia II, which comes with a free choice of stainless steel or leather strap.

Der Beitrag Top 5 simple watches for men erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.