Best Winter Watches: What to Look for?

The day is getting colder. And, a couple of your favorite jeans won’t cut it. The grim reality is, denim fabric isn’t good at repelling the cold wind or dampness. That is not the optimal material for a freezing cold day. The same goes for timepieces. Whether the watch is a luxury piece or not, it’s advisable to wear one that suits the coldness of winter. Here come the winter watches.

Is there such a thing as seasonal – spring, summer, fall, and winter watches? Maybe not, since timepieces are timeless and serve a similar function. However, wearing a nylon or leather strap watch in summer might not be the best move, especially so with all the sweat. Also, wearing a watch with an integrated bracelet in winter doesn’t really suit the situation at hand; metal gets cold. I remember last winter. In the morning, I could stand the little cold coming from my metal bracelet watch. Yet, the evening wasn’t so kind. It got colder by the time and phew… it’s chilly. I have no desire to repeat the same mistake. Hence, a piece with a leather strap is my go-to watch during winter.

What are winter watches?

Now, are winter watches just resting on their strap? Nope. Leather straps over stainless steel is an excellent choice for shivery winter. Also, there are other considerations. Given that we wear double to triple layers of clothes, watches with thin cases are preferable. It doesn’t add the stuffy feel. But, of course! If you’re still the adventurous guy no matter the weather, you need fine watches that withstand the harsh temperature and environment. It’s better to get one with the easy-grip operation.

A diver watch from Squale can be the correct pick, the 30 ATMOS Tono-Argento (Gnomon Exclusive). It has all the previous points above. The size of 12mm thickness (including the domed sapphire), 39mm in stainless steel case diameter, and 48.5mm lug to lug make the watch thin enough and versatile for your winter wardrobe. Along with the vintage touches, it has a clear smokey-grey sunburst dial and 300m water resistance. That is a good one to withstand the harsh environment of wintertime.

After the need for outstanding practicality, does color matter in winter watches? For the most part, yes, it does. The utility of color plays in style. Your all-black outfits are indeed versatile to most watches. But, you can consider the choices for the winter color palette if you have the desire to try a variety of stylish sets of clothes. I suggest the one(s) that highlights a cool and clear contrast, or the previous one as dark neutral.

Seiko Prospex “Save The Ocean Antarctica” Baby Tuna is one that has a clear contrast of a frosty color scheme. Nothing beats the snowy white and frosty blue as the representative of winter color. Naturally, it is also suitable for winter as the watch isn’t a robust one with the sizes of 43.2mm in case diameter, 44mm lug to lug, and 12.6mm thickness. In addition, the white silicone strap stands firm against high and low temperatures. It is comfortable on the wrist and sustainable for the environment.

Watch materials from the lower to the higher end of the luxury watch spectrum are sturdy with the hardlex, sapphire, stainless steel, gold, and so on. Yet, silicon, the chemical element (Si) of atomic number 14 has been on the rise for the 21st-century watchmaking industry. The reasons? The use of silicon hairspring in mechanical timepieces proves to have greater resistance to magnetic and temperature fluctuations. It is lightweight but strong. Winter watches with silicon components are a good choice for explorations. 

Silicon for watch material components was first introduced by Ulysse Nardin in 2001; the Freak DIAMonSIL watches with silicon balance spring. Although it has a greater performance of stability, accuracy, resistance to magnetic fields, and thermal fluctuations, this exotic material stirs a lot of criticism since its first release. Yet, it doesn’t stop the watch technicians to inquire more details on silicon. Now, there are several watches with silicon hairsprings, escapements, and regulators.

One example is the Baroncelli Chronometer from Mido watch. The dark Anthracite color appears glossy metallic on the watch with an old-school look yet has a modern calibre of 80 Si. The silicon hairspring as part of the movement brings better longevity of 80-hours power reserve and better resistance to magnetic fields and thermal fluctuations. Even as a dress watch, it is elegant and reliable.

So, what are winter watches in brief? They are the ones that have all the crucial points above: leather straps, thin cases, silicon hairspring, and clear color schemes. They are great as a dress or tool watch since they are compatible with harsh temperatures or terrains.