When it comes to fashion and accessories, sometimes less is more. That’s where minimalist watches come in – they are an effortless way to ensure your look stays sophisticated without becoming too overwhelming. With their simple designs, minimalist watches can help you make a strong statement through subtle details, helping you to stand out but still remain classic and timeless. Whether you’re headed for a business meeting or hitting the beach on the weekend, we have rounded up the best minimalist watches for men.
1. Nixon Porter Minimilist Watch
The combination of the leather strap and gunmetal dial of the Nixon Porter Leather watch makes it a standout piece. However, what makes this watch a real crowd-pleaser is the functionality, and it uses Miyota Japanese Quartz. The dial is easy to read, with clearly visible hour markers and second trackers, and the simplicity makes it perfect for everyday wear.
2. Mondaine Classic Minimilist Watch
Mondaine has created a minimalist watch; its Classic model is certainly eye-catching with its distinctively bold hands. The Swedish brand describes this timepiece as “straightforward”, with an unadorned case shape and sapphire crystal. The color combinations of the Classic model are also incredibly versatile, making pairing this watch with different pieces very easy. Black, white with touches of cherry red, the timepiece is an ode to the nineties style. The aesthetic is also fun and boyish, making it perfect for casual wear.
3. Junghans Max Bill Quartz Minimilist Watch
German brand Junghans has kept things simplistic and stylish with the sleek Max Bill Quartz. The model is water-resistant and boasts a calfskin strap with a stainless steel buckle. Not only splash-proof, but the Max Bill Quartz also features convex hard Plexiglass with Sicralan coating. The watch face also has sunray brush dark grey, minute track and hands with environmentally friendly luminous substance. The date function is also handy and fits in with the minimal aesthetic of the timepiece. One of our more modern picks, this Junghans model is great for corporate wear and casual days alike.
4. Daniel Wellington Classic St Mawes Watch
The Daniel Wellington Classic St Mawes 36mm is a slim model, with a simple round dial and refined casing. The brown strap is the perfect color for different tonal combinations, and it complements the rose gold hands and the edge of the watch dial perfectly. Is rose gold not your thing? Luckily, this watch also comes in a version with silver finishes. The dial is also simple and won’t date, with minimalist numerals, and eggshell white coloring is true to the identifiable aesthetic of the recognizable Daniel Wellington brand.
5. Braun Minimilist Watch
This minimalist watch by Braun features a sleek, brushed stainless steel case and stylish metal mesh band. While the band undoubtedly adds a unique textural appearance, which isn’t often found in minimal watches, the overall look is kept clean and clear with its light silver-tone and the addition of the face. The face, which sits inside a 40mm case, is light, bright and clear with a white background and black numbers. The addition of a yellow second hand and small, red-topped date display add just the right amount of fun to this timepiece, making it ideal for both the office and the weekend.
6. Timex Easy Reader Grande Watch
The Timex Easy Reader Grande is the epitome of minimal style. A gentlemanly watch with a classic aesthetic that features a 35mm brass case with a protective mineral crystal dial window and Quartz movement with an analog display makes for a timeless watch that works for men of all ages. This model is also 30m water resistant, has a genuine leather strap, and comes with the Timex Originals 2-year guarantee.
7. Shinola Watch
Green and tan, this Shinola model is perfect for layering and complementing classic colors and prints. The battery runs on EOL technology, and it also features a double curve sapphire crystal. Three hands and a 41mm case size also make this a great option for practicality. We would recommend this pick for the gentleman who prefers a minimalistic design with a twist.
8. Nordgreen Philosopher Watch
For a highly sophisticated look, the Nordgreen Philosopher, designed by Jakob Wagner and CSR program is a great minimalist dress watch. The stainless steel timepiece with a silver dial and black leather strap harnesses a Quartz movement and is water resistant to 3ATM. Its conically shaped case has a wider base than the face, creating a sharp two-piece dial that draws the eye to the center of the watch. The elevated case and tugging lugs provide the finishing touches to the watch’s unique design. Its interchangeable straps allow you to customize your Philosopher to suit every style.
9. BUREI Men’s Fashion Minimalist Wrist Watch
Burei has taken a classic approach, and the brand’s minimalist wristwatch is timeless. It can be worn in a variety of different settings and looks sleek and elegant. The combination of the stainless steel mesh band and the dark gray brass dial is simple yet effective. The analog display is easy to read, and the watch is water-resistant; although it’s not suitable for swimming, it can withstand sweat and splashes.
10. Fossil Men’s The Minimalist Watch
There is something extraordinarily striking about a blue dial and brown leather band combination, and Fossil has done this to perfection with their minimalist design. The dial features gold-tone hands, which indicate the time. This timepiece is also interchangeable with other Fossil bands, so if you tire of the color or it starts to look worn, there are many different options. Lastly, it’s important to note that the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, which is useful if you forget to take it off in the shower, or for short dips in the pool!
11. Skagen Men’s Jorn Minimalistic Stainless Steel Quartz Watch
The Danish watch manufacturer, Skagen, is celebrated for its sleek timepieces and modern, playful designs. The men’s Jorn watch seems to fit right into their inspiration and is minimalistic yet chic. Band size is 22mm and crafted from genuine leather; it is also interchangeable with Skagen’s other 22mm products. The combination of the white dial and black hands, indicating the hour, and minute markers, makes it easy to read.
12. Casio Men’s MQ24-1E Black Resin Watch
Casio Men’s MQ24-1E Black Resin Watch ticks many boxes; it’s stylish, has a battery life that will last approximately two years, and it comes with a reasonable price tag. Other standout features include the design, which is minimalistic and classic, lending itself well to a variety of different settings and occasions. The casual black and gold combination is timeless yet relaxed and perfect for everyday wear.
13. Casio Men’s Quartz Resin Casual Watch
Casio is a company that has been around for decades and is trusted and well-respected. Buyers know that when they purchase a Casio product, they can expect a certain quality, even with the most simple and reasonably priced designs. The Men’s Quartz Resin Casual Watch is as the name suggests. It’s comfortable to wear, and constructed with a black resin bezel and matching black resin link bracelet, complete with an adjustable clasp. The white dial face with black watch hands shows off the Arabic numeral hour indexes and minute markers, making it easy to tell the time while on the go.
14. Lacoste Men’s Stainless Steel Quartz Watch
Lacoste is a brand that is made easily recognizable thanks to its green crocodile logo, which also features on its watch designs at the 3 o’clock location. The Stainless Steel Quartz Watch has a simple dial, and the durable mineral crystal protects the watch from scratches. The combination of the dial and a leather strap gives the timepiece a sporty feel, and there is no stress if you wear this while playing tennis, for example, because the watch is water-resistant to 30 meters.&
Minimalist Watches FAQs
What are minimalist watches?
Minimalist watches have stripped back and simple designs. Featuring a monochromatic color scheme, they will usually have clear, easy-to-read numbers or hour-marker bars, and won’t have extra functions such as a rotating bezel. Usually, minimalist watches are slimmer and have a smaller face than dive watches and come with a classic leather strap or stainless steel bracelet.
What are the best minimalist watches?
The best minimalist watches have a simple, classy feel. Their major selling point is their versatility – you can pair a minimalist watch with every outfit. To make a stronger style statement, choose a minimalist watch with a graphic feel, such as Mondaine. For a more classic dress watch, Scandinavian brands like Skagen are a failsafe choice.
What are the most affordable minimalist watch brands?
There are many affordable minimalist watch brands on the market, with most priced at between $150 and $250. However, Casio is one of the best value for money, as you can often find models for under $50.
Roger Grinstead is a senior apparel designer for X2U with over 25 years of expertise in the fashion industry. He has expertise in menswear and womenswear trends and product development. When Roger is not designing the latest fashion garments, he enjoys writing about men's fashion, hairstyles, and grooming.
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