Watches are a statement beyond telling the time. For every individual, it takes on a different meaning, such as reflecting your personality or style. For some, it’s an everyday inspiration that resonates with our memories or experiences.
And for others, it’s a unique connection with hardware and admiration of details that go into a timepiece to appreciate. As part of the timepiece collection of distinctive aesthetics, I’ve handpicked a selected of crafted watches that are unique in execution, inspiration and materials that offer something functional in a special way.
Read: Inside Marloe Watch’s Passion for Hand Wound
MARLOE WATCH COMPANY
Origin: Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Est: 2015
Coniston Vulcan Mechanical
Marloe Watch Company have a select range of distinct hand-wound timepieces that embrace tradition into the heart of design and inspiration from timelines of British landscapes. The Coniston, from the waters of the Lake District, exemplifies contemporary sophistication, and a bold lume in the night, like the flow of time. The exhibition caseback offers a full window into intricate mechanical movements you can appreciate.
Their characterisation of timepieces and inspiration of British landscapes transpire into something that pays homage to heritage, tradition and simplicity.
CLOAK
Origin: London, United Kingdom
Est: 2017
Cloak Watch Quartz
Cloak approaches the traditional wearable with visual, contemporary experiences. Unique materials of stone, wood and metal across an ever-increasing combination of colours offer personality, character and emotions that embody a unique connection between us and timepieces.
With the world of exotic materials to explore, Cloak offer an exciting alternative that strays from conventional minimal design for a collection that is curious, design-conscious and innovating at the frontier of timepiece aesthetics.
NORDGREEN
Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark
Est: 2017
Philosopher Quartz
Scandinavian simplicity re-imagines what minimal design should be with Nordgreen timepieces. Born out of Denmark that embraces the heart of Copenhagen, The Philosopher is just one of several models in their range that balances modern, angles, elevation, industrial design and consistency. Working with renowned Danish designer Jakob Designer – who works with Scandinavian brands like Bang & Olufsen – quality, precision and detail come together with Nordgreen timepieces that retain the uncomplications telling time should be.
CORNICHE
Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Est: 2016
Heritage 40 Quartz
A nod to the scenic coastline from Nice to Menton – the Grande Corniche, the Moyenne Corniche and the Corniche Inférieure – their focus on quality and versatility with a flair of Côte d’Azur transpires into a Heritage collection of elegance. The Heritage and Historique present a classy accessory that exudes sophistication and a modern take on classic, vintage pieces. Corniche Bracelets add an extra layer of polish to compliment Corniche Historique and Heritage timepieces for that refined, paired look.
NOMOS Glashütte
Origin: Glashütte, Germany
Est: 1990
Autobahn Automatic
NOMOS Glashutte is renowned in Germany for their fine craftsmanship of timepieces, based in the hometown of exquisite timepiece, Glashutte. Protected for the hometown’s stringent quality standards of mechanical timepieces and reputation, NOMOS Glashutte offer distinctive, characterised watches with polished movements and complications. NOMOS Glashutte’s creation of their own caliber (escapement) allows them to produce independently and away from sourcing third-party suppliers to keep the quality consistent throughout the process.
All of that wrapped in a mix of contemporary, functional design. The Autobahn automatic watch is a pedestal example of the exemplary array of series and models that are beauties in the eye of the beholder.
WARLD
Origin: California, USA
Est: 2018
The World Watch Quartz
California, USA born WARLD takes significant inspiration from the world of travelling. They breakaway from contemporary tradition with a raised profiling of the world adorning the watchable with pride. The World Watch is a quartz timepiece with standout detailing, luminous hands and easy interchangeable straps to mix and match between four models. 38mm and 40mm unisex sizes with gold and gun-metal grey cases to glance at on your next adventure.
FARER
Origin: London, United Kingdom
Est: 2015
GMT 24H Automatic
Seafarer, travelfarer and farfarer. Farer combines British design with Swiss manufacturing standards to offer top grade watches with bold, functional and vintage experiences. The GMT automatic watch is the crème of what Farer is about. Functional Super-LumiNova hands that aid visualisation in the day and night.
Micro-printing craftsmanship that accent numerals, hands and logo perimeter. Dual time reading for true worldwide explorers that live in different GMT time zones. And a vintage curved dial that takes Farer timepieces back to casemaking heritage.
STERNGLAS
Origin: Hamburg, Germany
Est: 2017
Topograph Automatic
German industrious design that spans the STERNGLAS collection, angles and sharpness feature prominently on the exterior of their timepieces. Intricate hour, minute and second repeaters border the perimeter in consistent fashion, as seen in the Topograph timepiece.
That consistency ripples down to the sleek two-tone hands, which result in an aesthetic that is super-crisp, minimal, yet distinctive among minimal watches. A range of large and small cases using hard or softer colours make these accessible in style for everyone.
AGGREGATE WATCHES
Origin: California, USA
Est: 2017
The Masonic Quartz
The Masonic from Aggregate Watch uses real concrete dial and bezel structured with 316L stainless steel offer an industrious look as a result of the naturally textured material. The alluring range of colour combinations that either contrast or compliment the steel and concrete for a bold, meticulous look. I’m intrigued by the hardware built using concrete as an eccentric aesthetic in this handpicked collection.
KOPPO
Origin: Auvergne Rhone-Alpes, France
Est: 2016
Metiers D’Art Oak Quartz
Born in the Jura Mountains between France and Switzerland, it prides itself as a timekeeper above all, embodying nature in mantra, design and materials. Oak and Walnut of different tints, stains and patterns grace the dial watch face, paired with nature inspired colours for that immersed nature, outdoor feeling. The original, artworks and Metiers d’Art models showcase a mix of minimal or abstract designs that signify Koppo timepieces.
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For disclosure, this article features affiliated links which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. They in no way influence or dictate my thoughts towards a brand, product or service. As the sole creator of One Tech Traveller, this helps support my work and platforms.
