Your wristwatch says a lot about you.
Men looking to buy a minimalist watch crave simplicity. An elegant construction that emphasizes aesthetic style enclosing a functional timepiece can be a delicate line to walk.
You get exactly what you need in a sleek package without the fuss of additional features.
Minimalist watches provide time at a glance, no more and no less. Simplicity is the name of the game, as minimalism cuts away excess decor for a perfect, easy-to-read display. You won’t find oversized or bulky buttons, anti-shock bodies, or bulky straps here.
Check out these sweet looking watches that’ll make a statement:
1. Best Overall: Movado Calendoplan Men’s Minimalist Watch
Our overall pick for a simple, minimalist design is this gorgeous Movado Heritage Series Calendoplan. Featuring a 40 mm diameter stainless steel case set on a brown leather strap, this Movado watch features water resistance to a depth of 100 feet, printed white minute index, and a date display, all with a sleek, classic design.
Swiss quartz movement provides accurate timekeeping, and sapphire crystal glass makes the piece one of the best minimalist watches. It also comes along with a great two-year warranty, ensuring you get what you pay for.
Smack dab in the middle of our price range, the Movado Calendoplan features a clean, modern design without sacrificing the old-world style. You can be comfortable wearing this watch anywhere, for both casual and dressy events.
Not the watch to bring out on the trail, however.
Pros
- Stunning cognac leather band
- Fair price for a stunning dial and leather strap
- Swiss quartz movement for accurate time
Cons
- Would have liked to see other colors and varied size
- Stainless steel instead of silver or more precious metal
What You Need To Know
Truly a wear-to-everything watch, the Movado Heritage Series Calendoplan will elevate your style to the max while providing a modern, classic look. It’s a wonderful purchase you can wear to hit a cool bar this weekend and straight through to Monday at the office.
2. Best Under $500: Movado Museum Classic Minimalist Watch
The ultimate in minimalist watches, this Movado Museum Classic is a 40mm diameter case with a black face and no markers of any kind. The black leather strap, paired with a stainless steel case and black face, makes for a pleasing addition to any outfit.
The design and brand are really what you’re paying for here.
This watch is all about aesthetics, not function. It is only available in the 40mm size, so that may throw some off, but you can’t argue with the authentic Swiss quartz movement, stainless steel housing, and a sapphire crystal dial window. The watch is made from the highest quality material, but you may want to search for a watch that has a bit more bang for your buck, even on the minimalist scale.
Like many others, it offers water resistance up to 30 meters.
Pros
- Black dial and lack of markings is a clean look
- Stunning black leather strap and stainless steel housing for easy wear
- Max tier of minimalism
Cons
- The lack of any markers may throw some off
- Expensive, in the middle of the price range
What You Need To Know
Movado’s classic calfskin watch is the black minimalist watch to own if you want to go all the way. It can be pricey, but its strap and lack of markers make a quick, unadulterated statement when you walk in a room.
3. Best Under $200: Vincero The Kairos Mesh Watch
The Kairos Mesh Gunmetal Watch by Vincero makes for a great piece that also features a near blackout design. Stainless steel case and band make for an ideal day in and day out wear. Its matte black design and mesh band are both subtle and statement-worthy.
At only 10mm thick with a 42mm diameter face, the watch, with silver markers, is a nice addition to any outfit. It also features water resistance and a nice date window.
The hour, minute, and second hands are also silver, making for a nice pop from the black face.
Pros
- A bit more than the Citizen but still able to call it minimal
- Pure gunmetal with silver accents makes for nice readability
- Mesh band
Cons
- Milliseconds crowd the watch dial
- Could be a bit large for some
What You Need To Know
Vincero develops some gorgeous pieces and the Kairos Mesh is no different. The price is right as well, right in the bottom quarter of our range.
4. Best Under $100: Bulova Classic Men’s Minimalist Watch
The Bulova Classic Men’s Minimalist Watch offers a black calfskin band with a silver body, face, and hands – take note, it is made from stainless steel. The date window appears at the three hand.
Bulova is a well-regarded brand and the size of the watch will fit well for most men. At the bottom end of our range, the Bulova has great Japanese quartz movement and features a beautiful quality band material.
The markers are minimalist with no numbers. This piece also offers water resistance up to 30 meters and a mineral crystal dial window.
Pros
- Nice size for most men
- Attractive black leather band
Cons
- Thin hour, minute and second hands
- More difficult to tell time without numbers
What You Need To Know
The Bulova brand makes great watches and the classic silver dial is no different. The great minimalist appearance with stylish croc-textured calfskin band make for a great addition to your wardrobe, and the reliable Japanese quartz movements mean you won’t be disappointed with functionality.
5. Best Quartz Movement: Fossil Men’s Minimalist Watch
Minimalist men’s watches don’t have to conform to a certain formula and the Fossil Townsman takes the tack of adding more features. Highlighted with quartz movement and a beautiful black face, this watch focuses on quality material that produces a beautiful addition to your outfit. A clean brown leather band holds a polished stainless steel case with water resistance to 50 meters.
A mineral crystal dial window provides durability. Silver-tone stick markers keep the dial clean and quartz movement makes sure the dials stay right in time.
Pros
- Striking black face
- Gold tone markers
- Glow in the dark hands
Cons
- Single prong buckle closure can wear easily
What You Need To Know
A classic look, but with a striking black face, this watch offers great versatility along with reliable quartz movement.
6. Best Automatic Movement: Timex Marlin Minimalist Watch
When we think of Timex, we often think of stopwatches and those we’d take out on hikes. Get that out of your brain. The Timex brand also makes a number of great dress watches and the Marlin Minimalist is a great example.
A dark, brushed brown leather highlights a striking black watch face and silver dial. With water resistance down to 30 meters and a stainless steel case, the watch is enclosed by a mineral glass dial window.
Around the quarter mark of our price range, the Timex Marlin features quality material and automatic movement to keep you right on time.
Pros
- Soft, supple brown leather
- Date window is unobtrusive
- Black face is striking
Cons
- If not worn, automatic movement can be a pain
- Would’ve liked to see a brushed stainless steel, not polished
What You Need To Know
A simple but attractive watch, this Timex will suit your needs if you’re in the market for something automatic. Just be sure you plan to wear it often to ensure steady movement.
7. MVMT Classic Minimalist Watch
MVMT is another startup-style watch company that focuses on lowering the price to the consumer. The watch has a 45 mm diameter, meaning it’s quite a bit larger than some others in the market. It does, however, use Miyota quartz time to keep things ticking along efficiently.
The band material is genuine leather and is a bit lower quality than we like to see in men’s watches. There are a variety of color and style options, all with a stainless steel case with several choices of finish including silver, black, or brass.
Our favorite is the eye-catching all-black watch, which features a red accent logo and second hand. Affordable at the lower end of our price range.
Pros
- Affordable
- Black contrast option is nice
- Miyota quartz movement
Cons
- Face design and strap material leaves something to be desired
- Larger diameter
What You Need To Know
MVMT cuts out the unnecessary brand name and features to get you a great functioning minimalist watch. This is the best example of that.
8. Braun Men’s Classic Minimalist Watch
Braun is better known for making small electronics but its Men’s Japanese Quartz minimal analog watch is a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe. With a smooth brown synthetic band, stainless steel case, and two-tone black and gold hands, you won’t be disappointed.
The design does feel a bit cheap, but you can’t ask for much more at the very bottom of our price range. It tells time, and it does it well.
Pros
- Japanese Quartz movement
- Great brand name
- Stainless steel case
Cons
- Cheap-looking
- You can get a better bang for your buck elsewhere
What You Need To Know
If you need a nice-looking watch quickly and cheaply, this is the one for you.
9. Seiko Men’s Solar Essentials Leather Strap Watch
The Seiko men’s Solar Essentials watch uses the sun to power the timepiece. A blue face accented with gold bezel and hands and a stainless steel case make for an attractive look.
The brown leather alligator band is paired with buckle closure, and the day and date window pair with water resistance to 100m that will let you get this wet.
Powered by light, Seiko watches come with a three-year warranty.
Pros
- Great brand name
- Attractive strap
- Lower price
Cons
- Crocodile-embossed doesn’t work for everyone
- Two-tone is odd
What You Need To Know
This is a great timepiece that can be used in both casual and professional settings. Solar power is an added bonus as you won’t have to worry about batteries or movement as long as you spend a little time in the sun.