Can You Tell the Time with Single-Hand or No Index Watches?
Watches are not only devices that tell the time, but also accessories that express our personality and style. Some people prefer watches that are simple and minimalist, while others like watches that are complex and sophisticated. But what about watches that are so minimalist that they only have one hand or no index at all?
Single-hand watches are watches that only have one hand, usually the hour hand, to indicate the time. They rely on a detailed dial with markers to show the minutes and sometimes the seconds. The idea behind this design is to simplify the timekeeping and focus on the bigger picture of the day. Some people find this design relaxing and elegant, while others find it impractical and inaccurate.
No index watches are watches that have no numbers or markers on the dial, only the hands. They rely on the position of the hands relative to the shape of the dial or the case to show the time. The idea behind this design is to abstract the timekeeping and focus on the aesthetic of the watch. Some people find this design artistic and creative, while others find it confusing and frustrating.
What do you think of these watches? Do you love or hate this design?
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Love H Moser. Tried a few on in Harrods and thought they were great. Was told that the watch maker that assembles the individual watch will be the same one that services it. That’s quite cool
A no marker watch is not difficult though many have an issue with it. I own this but not going to keep it.
I can tell time within about plus or minus sixty three minutes. I guess I'd get better with years of practice.
Watches tell time? I thought that was what my phone is for, I’ll have to try it sometime! ;-)
A two handed watch doesn't need any markers for me. Oddly I find my one-hander (even with markers) slightly more difficult, I think the lack of minute hand puts me off. I mean, it's less than a couple of seconds to figure it out, and I only wear it on relaxed weekend days when time doesn't matter.
Most of mine are batton or dot markers, I prefer no numbers on the dial (though I have plenty with them).
H Moser designs are amazing!
I admire innovative design from an engineering and artistic perspective, but in my job I have to have something very precise and legible. Plus I just prefer watches that are more specific to the minute and don't require guessing.
Love H. Moser - but don't dig no index watches. Will refrain from buying one even if I love the watch.
My Benzilla Aikon had no indexes and it bugged me enough that I painted in some indices on the bezel myself! (Well. 50% of the indices)
I love the minimalistic style of watches with no idex markers. Before I became interested in watches, I used to wear a Movado Museum Watch because I loved the minimalistic design.
I had stopped wearing that watch when I bought my "Slow Jo" watch, a one hander with a 24 hour dial, which was my last watch (other than a smart watch) that I wore before becoming consumed by the hobby.
I prefer a plain old 2 hander centre seconds or 3 hander to be honest :)
courtesy of @jaebust :)
I used to love this style and it's great as a change up on days where I would just need to know the approximate time.
While indices are nice, they are not really needed for telling time. It is a different story when trying to do so without a second hand, then setting the time is +/- 59 seconds since it is really challenging to tell. For many, that is good enough. Heck there is a small contingency of folks here that I would bet do not bother setting their watch at all.
Both are very stylish, each in their own way. I'd like to try one of each, but not Meistersinger, because I don't like their numerals. However, for fashionable events, I'd gravitate to indexless ones (or with indexes that are hardly visible) to show a big beautiful canvas on my wrist.
I reserve judgement on the onehander - I haven't experienced one in the metal, but it is probably a no from me.
The no-index watches only work for timetelling if external clues tell you what the positioning of the hands mean. In particular, the lugs effectively act like markers in that respect. Another example is this WWOOR: it has markers, but all minute markers are the same, so that does barely help. In this case, the (non-round) shape of the watch acts as markers, because left top is 10:30 etc. TBH I do not wear this when I need precise timetelling. Generally: fine as an occasional wear, but not as my daily watch.
I have no trouble telling the time without indices, or with a single hand.
Im a bit of an accuracy fanatic so really shouldn't like the no indices look, but I do.
I don't generally like Bauhaus as they're too minimalist, but love the Vanta black Moser.
Don't do chronographs because too cluttered, my sweet spot is no date 3 handers.
Had an Airman 24 hour dial, couldn't adjust to reading it at a glance, so I'm sure I'd be the same with a single handed timepiece.
Let's be real, very very few people actually need to know the exact time. If they do, they shouldn't be using a mechanical watch, indicies or none.
With aesthetics, it's impossible to say. I like my Mr Jones that has no indicies, but I don't like the WWOOR that Uhrensohn posted. That's got nothing to do with the lack of hour markers and more to do with the case shape, the colours, the hand style.
I love my indexless Cartier. Besides the awesome design, you don’t stress yourself about accuracy.
With my Tank I have an estimate of time ;)