Winding your watch manually is one of the best tactile experiences you can have as a watch owner. If you want to "bond" with your watch, here are some of our best manual-wound watches.
1. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm Nato
A traditional field watch in its design and engineering—the Hamilton Khaki is a timeless piece that can be appreciated by any watch enthusiast, young or old.
A Nato strap, a practical and legible dial, 24-hour sub-numerals, rugged stainless steel construction, and a large crown that's oh-so-satisfying to wind—are all part of this package. At 38mm, the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is also comfortable to wear and isn't so heavy on your wrist.
You won't need to worry about winding so often anyway since it has an 80-hour power reserve. Go hiking, biking, or even take a dip and this will make it through it all.
2. Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Steffany Blue
This Studio Underd0g 02 Series watch offers a careful balance between practicality and classic design versus playfulness and contemporary aesthetics.
Studio Underd0g is a niche brand focused on challenging how traditional watches are designed in the modern world. This 02SERIES in the custom colour that Studio Underd0g calls "Steffany Blue" is a field watch that doesn't take itself too seriously despite being a seriously good watch.
It's a timepiece with personality, and you can enjoy it further with its manual wind movement. Its 37mm case size with its floating dial design is like a perfectly tailored suit in fun summer colours. Despite its joyful looks, it still manages to have 100m water resistance, and a lumed base dial instead of the numerals so the whole watch glows in the dark.
3. Baltic Bicompax 002 Gold PVD
Baltic is a pretty modern brand, but it is one that captures the true essence of the watches of old.
This Bicompax 002 in gold and black is full of vintage charm. Leaf hands, minimalistic chronograph sub-dials, sans-serif retro numerals, concentric circles around the numerals; everything about this watch is so classy. It's also perfectly dressy with its black leather strap, but its big chronograph buttons give it a flair of sportiness.
It is powered by the Seagull ST1901, an impressively accurate manual-wind movement, making this a practical and artful piece on your wrist.
4. Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Broad Arrow
If you're nostalgic for vintage chronograph aesthetics with a tactile manual-wind experience, this is one that can give you that experience and more.
This chronograph has a few tricks up its sleeve with the seconds chronograph sub-dial sectioning off a red portion as a 5-second countdown—perfect to pair with the tachymeter on your spirited driving sessions.
This manual wind is perfect for the motorheads that are mechanically inclined as you'll enjoy winding this watch. Not too often, thankfully, as it has a 63-hour power reserve. It can also handle some water with its 100m water resistance.
5. Furlan Marri Disco Volante - Disco Verde
Furlan Marri, like Baltic, really know how to do vintage designs you won't find from most mainstream brands nowadays.
This Disco Volante is funky and sophisticated. During the day, it's a sexy dark jade green and beige with accents of silver that's so hard to take your eyes off of. It is only 2.5mm thick, as it does away with a rotor for a more traditional manual-wind experience just like its more traditionally sized 38mm case.
As darkness falls, the delicate rings around the hour and minute tracks, along with the encircling the small seconds indicator, come to life with a radiant green glow.
6. echo/neutra Rivanera
If you're drawn to striking designs, the echo/neutra Rivanera is a must-have. Understated yet striking, this watch embodies effortless elegance. Its 27mm angular titanium case, weighing a mere 21g, makes it feel as light as a feather on the wrist—will be a great match for those who value both form and function.
Echoing the glamour of the Art Deco era, this watch features a meticulously designed dial with applied indices that uniquely catches and reflects the light in a striking fashion. Beneath the surface, the Swiss ETA 7001 manual-winding movement, adorned with 17 jewels, ensures 42 hours of uninterrupted precision.
Our best manual-wound watches are available on display at our Discovery Watch Studio, located on Collins Street, Melbourne. Come down and see them for yourself before you make a decision regarding which watch is worth the investment.
