The Watches I Wear When I Don’t Want to Think About Watches

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16

Reference CV2010

In 2004, TAG Heuer introduced the CV20XX Carrera generation as watch design was trending bigger and bolder. At 41mm across and roughly 16mm thick, its relatively long lug-to-lug makes it wear larger than the case diameter would suggest. It’s a chunky watch with the wrist presence of that era, but on my larger wrist it visually dials those proportions back.

My example features the see-through sapphire caseback. In moments of boredom, I’ll activate and reset the chronograph with a satisfying click from the pushers. Other times I take it off and just admire the movement running in the background.

With 50 meters of water resistance, it’s not a go-anywhere-do-anything piece but certainly fits wear-whatever-to-wherever criteria. The black dial works with any outfit, assuming it doesn’t need to tuck neatly under a dress cuff, while the silver subdial rings give it just enough visual interest to keep the pitch-black dial from being boring.

Being an automatic with a date does mean a little more effort if I pick it up after it has stopped running. But I’m so familiar with what works and doesn’t work with this watch that choosing it rarely feels like a decision.

Seiko Speedtimer

Reference SSC813

This Seiko has the charm of a vintage chronograph by way of its compact 39mm case with the convenience of a modern solar quartz movement.

Since picking it up a few years ago, I’ve put it on a Milanese bracelet, which leans into the retro vibes and has made it more wearable for me. It’s easy to grab, works in a lot of situations, and the 100m water resistance is perfect for daily life.

Like the Carrera, there’s enjoyment in engaging the chronograph. The sweep of the chronograph reset is especially satisfying. But if I’m running late or just don’t want to set a watch, I can grab this and go.

This watch is fun, easy, and just works. I understand why it’s become a darling of the watch community.

Casio “Royale”

Reference AE1200WH

The AE1200 is the quintessential utilitarian watch. In fact, this sub-hundred-dollar example of horological perfection makes a pretty convincing case that everything else in my watch box is unnecessary.

Its timekeeping is accurate, it’s legible, and it can quickly shift between 31 time zones covering 48 cities, all with an approximately ten-year battery life. No charging. No winding.

I originally bought this as a watch I could wear when working around the house. Its geek-chic aesthetic turned into something I grabbed more often, even more so now that I have it on an integrated leather strap from Vario.

It’s cheap and practical, but it’s also cool. It introduced me to a new corner of the hobby: modding. I’ve since replaced the original plastic case with a steel one and the gray plastic faceplate with a bronze insert. It has definitely elevated the fit and finish and has given me more reasons to reach for it, but it was certainly good enough in its original form.

Apparently, I couldn’t leave effortless alone.