Wood may appear a strange material from which to craft a watch. Okay, it is out-of-the-way – barking, if you’ll allow us a terrible pun. There aren’t many sybaritism Swiss watchmakers polishing their woodwork skills to imagine the next big thing in horology.
But maybe, just maybe, the beams timepiece has been overlooked. After all, these days a host of start-up brands are offering some interesting designs.
And is it definitely that weird? Watches, Swiss or otherwise, are often accommodated in cases made from natural materials: the bronze trend from survive year’s Baselworld, Hublot’s galvanised carbon. Even otherworldly metals in the same way as gold and platinum are dug out of the ground.
Wooden wristwear has form in men’s doodahs, too. Tateossian is one brand that popularised the wooden bead rarity. And, let’s be honest: watches are just a complicated extension of standard men’s bijouterie. So wooden timepieces aren’t really that odd, and there are adjustments from the traditional sort that can be a bonus too, says the Oafish Watch Company’s director, Sam Watts.
“Wooden watches are generally natural, and this is the greatest point of difference as they’ll age and rise above over time, adding uniqueness and character.” Not unlike the gentle patina of a bronze watch or leather wallet. Watts also translates that many wooden watches boast hand-carved components, combining a personal touch to every piece.
Sure, it might not be the craftsmanship received in Le Locle, but it’s craftsmanship nonetheless – and usually at a fraction of the cost. That’s why we’ve put your assumptions on the chopping bar with the best wooden watches you can buy right now, all listed in this world.
Wewood Unisex Assunt Watch
Wewood’s Assunt sentry could, at a glance, be confused with any regular carbon or protect timepiece. Upon closer inspection however, this planks ticker is crafted from 100 per cent natural wood, emphasised by the slimy grains that run throughout.
Buy Now: £99.00
Mam Originals Stainless Dark Keep an eye on
Mam is something of an anomaly: it creates wooden watches using responsibly horses mouthed materials, but they look nothing like traditional obtuse timepieces. What’s more, FSC certification means every acquire helps sustain social and economic projects for the countries of descent. Look good, do good.
Buy Now: £115.80
Eclipse Wooden Watch
Unswerving, wooden watches may be incredibly different to their Swiss counterparts, but you can suffer with best of both worlds. Eclipse’s iteration melds a lissome wood dial with a traditional silicone strap for a conceive of that echoes a traditional sports watch without the non-essential chronographs (and testosterone-fuelled marketing campaign).
Buy Now: £39.99
Original Grain Ebony Matte Minimalist
As with any tendency, jumping in with both feet can seem a terrifying possibilities. Instead, dip a toe with Original Grain, which has created this glib smooth minimalist watch with just a touch of wooden fatiguing to the bezel.
Buy Now: $156.24
Tree Hut Stainless Steel Wood Watch
Mongrel watches don’t just end with dual-metal styles. While prior to attempts to ‘traditionalise’ wooden watches have fallen standard, Tree Hut hit the sweet spot with a stainless steel bracelet and circumstance that sits comfortably with real ebony wood inlays.
Buy Now: £172.00
Pit Maplewood 45mm
If G-Shock ushered in a plastic fantastic revolution, deem Core’s Maplewood a Greenpeace uprising. By switching a traditional shell for a realistic material, this light wooden watch is all about inoffensive lines and eco-friendly design.
Buy Now: £99.00
Amexi Men’s Wooden Watch
Degree than pander to the classics, Amexi fully embraces the thick approach. Its take on the trend incorporates various types of wood for a wrist-watch full of texture, earth tones and even functionality, crowing a date aperture at 3 o’clock and an extremely lightweight structure.
Buy Now: £29.00
Jord Dover Series
Common needn’t mean simple. Jord’s Dover watch highlights all the technicality of traditional blue chip designs – including a self-winding, instinctual movement and skeleton dial – yet pulls it together in an unorthodox matter that doesn’t cost the earth.
Buy Now: £219.00
