Wristwatches to Choose Like Accessories

A wristwatch that marks the passing of every second.

From pieces with carefully considered design details
to minimal ones that pursue pure simplicity.
What we'd like to introduce this time are watches that, while of course practical,
are also the kind you'll want to wear like an accessory—
as one more fashion item to complete your look.

They may come with a bit of a price tag, but
why not consider giving a truly special watch—
as a gift to someone dear to you, or as a reward to yourself for a year of hard work?

Two elements determine the impression a wristwatch gives.
These are the "dial" and the "strap."
Even with the same brand, the design and combination of these two elements
can dramatically change the overall image.

In this photo,
both watches share the same combination of a white strap and white face.
Even though MONDAINE and BRAUN are different brands,
just sharing the same color scheme makes them look quite similar.
Conversely, when comparing pieces with similar color schemes, the characteristics you notice
could be said to represent the unique design sensibility of each brand.

The size and material of the dial, the color and texture of the strap—
these small differences shape the overall impression of a wristwatch.
Here, we'd like to pick out and introduce a few wristwatch brands
that we recommend for gift-giving.

With their delicate forms and gentle colors reminiscent of wagashi (Japanese confectionery),
hanamokko's wristwatches are a lineup we especially recommend for women.

hanamokko is a wristwatch brand developed by C-Brain,
an atelier located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture.
These watches feature dials adorned with iwaenogu (mineral pigments used in Japanese-style painting),
and each one is assembled by hand by artisans, starting with coloring the hand-made washi paper dial one piece at a time.
A wristwatch is a practical item for measuring the time of our daily lives, but beyond its function of telling time accurately,
it can also be seen as something that grants its wearer a sense of relaxed, unhurried peace of mind.
Layering the regular, steady passage of everyday time with another kind of time—
the Japanese tradition of caring for everyday tools and adding color to daily life—
and feeling the leisurely flow of time that results: that is hanamokko's concept.

This is the "Konairo" series, whose dial is colored
with a single shade of iwaenogu.

The women's model has a case and hands unified in gold,
giving it a feminine impression,
with an index accented by individually applied gold leaf.
The small, charming dial and the double-wrapped leather strap—dyed carefully, one at a time, by artisans—
give the wrist a bracelet-like styling.

The "Kasane" series was born from "kasane no irome,"
the layered color combinations seen at the sleeve openings of Heian-period court dress.
In those days, people wore garments in which the outer fabric and lining were different colors,
enjoying the color combinations that changed with the seasons.
In hanamokko's "Kasane," too, that ancient Japanese spirit of enjoying color
seems to live on.
It's remarkable how the gentle texture, so reminiscent of wagashi,
is expressed within such a tiny dial.

hanamokko also offers a "unisex" size that men can wear as well.
On the left is the unisex-sized "Konairo" series.
Wearing matching his-and-hers pairs is also a stylish choice.

While using highly decorative materials such as gold leaf and iwaenogu,
the design is finished in a distinctly simple way,
making it a perfect match for both casual outfits and slightly more formal attire.

When it comes to "a design that has long been beloved,"
MONDAINE is still the name that comes to mind.

The Swiss railway, renowned for its punctuality, commissioned Hans Hilfiker,
an engineer with the national railway, to design a railway clock in the 1940s.
In 1944, Hilfiker created a masterpiece in the history of railway clocks,
and that idea became the foundation of the MONDAINE company.
Swiss railways are said to run 4,600 trains a day, carrying as many as 830,000 passengers.
The clock tower at Zurich's central train station
remains beloved today as a symbol of meeting places,
and is said to be used as the official Swiss railway clock at more than 3,000 stations across the country.

The colors used are limited to white, black, and red,
and by combining them in different ways, the dial and strap
give rise to a range of variations.

The color palette is minimal, but when you line them up like this,
each one has its own distinct impression, giving them real individuality.

The combination of dial size and strap material
is another major factor that shapes the character of a wristwatch.
On the left is a white leather strap; on the right, a metal mesh strap.
The white leather strap strikes a wonderful balance,
suggesting a touch of casualness within its neat, refined look.
This white-toned styling, reminiscent of snow,
also suits the mood of a winter gift beautifully.

For a gift for men, "Libenham" is a classic choice.
"Libenham Watch" was born in Basel, Switzerland,
created by two brothers.
The brand's name combines "Lieben Natur," meaning "to love nature" in German,
with "Hammer," the surname of the brothers who produce it,
and its theme is the connection between "nature and people," "people and time," and "time and nature."
The gears rotate from the vibration of the wearer's arm
winding the mainspring—this mechanical watch is the standard series,
and not needing to replace the battery is also a nice point.

The photo shows a face named "Deep Blue-Lake."
Lakes are a landscape that represents Switzerland.
In the many lakes that exist, old castles and the green of trees are reflected. Deep Blue-Lake
must be the color of just such a deep lake shining in azure blue.
The band is an elegant mesh belt with a smooth texture matching that of the face case.

There are also other refined colors typical of Swiss design, such as Grass-Green,
Snow-White, and Night-Black.

Since all of them suit a suit well,
they would make a pleasing gift for a businessman.

The last one we'd like to introduce is a new face that appeared this year,
GS/TP.

Antique watches, which carry a deeply flavorful texture no matter the era,
are highly popular,
but it seems that not a few people hesitate when it comes to maintenance.
GS/TP
is an original watch collection born from a collaboration between
William Kroll, designer of the British menswear brand TENDER,
known for its deep trust in craftsmanship, and the skilled hands of Japanese artisans
who bring antique watches back to life.

The small 28mm face, rare in modern times, is a shape seen in the 1930s to 1940s,
and from the engraving on the crown to the screwed case back known as the frog,
everything is produced at a single factory using old vintage machinery.
The dial is even designed with the deepening of its color over the years in mind,
and the frog back—the case back with a plump, flavorful thickness—
is full of points that will delight watch lovers.

GS/TP is a menswear brand, but it looks very charming when worn by women, too.
Since it uses an extension belt that requires no special tools,
you can freely adjust the size at any time, making it suitable for both men and women.