Best Minimalist Watches for Men Under $500

If you’re a watch aficionado like myself, you’d be searching the internet for photos and reviews of watches until 3am. While this  addiction is both unfortunately and incurable,  it comes in handy when readers ask about what watches they should consider purchasing next. Of course, a watch is a very personal item and one should alway purchase a watch much like how he’d purchase any attire – with care and scrutiny.

Personally I’m a big fan of minimalist watches which don’t have complicated displays, nifty features or  so-called “cutting edge technology”. Watches should serve their sole purpose: to tell the time and date. So here are some of the best minimalist watches for men under $500. These are men’s watches which fit the following criteria:

  • The watch face must be clean and simple
  • It must be durable (no flimsy plastic, G-Shock watches here)
  • It be an analog watch – i.e., it must have a clock-face (no digital watches)
  • Must be under $500

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Best Minimalist Watches for Men #1: Grand Frank Aberdeen White Leather Watch

Swedish clothing brand Grand Frank is very active on Instagram, and the many people are enamored by their watch collection. Personally, their Aberdeen White Leather Watch stood out for all the right reasons; it features a polished stainless steel case, simple markers on a plain white watch face and brown leather strap. It doesn’t get more classic than that.

The fact that this Grand Frank watch is also 100m water resistant and has a scratch-resistance mineral glass makes it an affordable addition to any man’s watch collection. The company also offers complimentary international shipping.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #2: Rollo 42MM from Nixon

Nixon may not be traditional watchmaker, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to make good-looking minimalist watches for guys. The Rollo 42MM watch is a great example of this – it has a clean and simple watch face in a stainless steel case, making it suitable for swimming and outdoor activities.

The second hand comes in a bold yellow which adds a touch of colour. The Rollo has a handy Miyota Japanese quartz 3 hand movement with date function at 3 o’clock and comes in a large 42mm diameter watch face. It’s $320 affordable entry price point makes it a great addition to a minimalist watch collection. The Rollo comes in six different colours.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #3: Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield Watch

There’s a few good reason why Daniel Wellington watches have risen in popular in recent years: Black leather band? Check. Large and readable watch face? Check. Water resistant? Check. Of the many models the company makes, the minimalist Classic Sheffield is one of the most popular with its eggshell white watch face. Its 6mm thickness of the watch is also thin enough to wear under a shirt so the sleeves don’t hit it. The Classic Sheffield comes in both Rose Gold and Silver case colours.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #4: Uniform Wares M40 Watch

It’s no surprise there’s a cult following for Uniform Wares’ utilitarian timepieces. One look at their M40 watch line explains why; the company has focused on both the aesthetics and hardware of their products. Aside from an elegant 3-hand system with a date display, the company also uses scratch-resistant sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating for all their timepieces. The end result is a minimalist timepiece with Bauhaus influences.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #5: Kitmen Keung

Kitmen Keung’s Long Distance watch has a unique functionality: it shows two different time zones in one watch face. While other designers might over-complicate this functionality, Keung’s remains simple and elegant with its brushed stainless steel case and off-white watch face. There’ a time dial for each time zone which makes for an interesting yet minimalist design.

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Best Minimalist Watches for Men #6: Mondaine ‘Evo Big’

The generous 40mm diameter makes this minimalist watch from Mondaine simple to read

If you’ve ever been to Switzerland, this watch face will look much like all the clocks you see at the country’s train stations. That’s because they’re made by the same manufacturer. Mondaine has created the ‘Evo Big’ watch in a generous 40mm diameter, and with its clear and simple display there’s no way you’ll miss your train.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #7: Larsson & Jennings ‘Lugano’ Minimalist Watch for Men

The Swedes are known for their love of minimalism which is why the ‘Lugano’ watch from Larsson & Jennings makes it into our best minimalist watch list. With its clean, gloss-white dial, polished stainless steel case, the Lugano is a timeless everyday option.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #8: Skagen ‘Hald Steel Mesh’ Watch

Danish lifestyle brand Skagen are known for their exquisite design and their ‘Hald Steel Mesh’ watch is no exception. With a andblasted face containing two eye-catching sub-dials, the numeral hour markers are featured in a quietly contrasting color. The brand’s signature steel-mesh band completes the design at under $500.

Best Minimalist Watches for Men #9: Shore Projects ‘Newquay’

If you like to change up your watches without breaking the bank, Shore Projects‘ designs are just what you need. Aside from the minimalist watch faces, there is an endless selection of different straps that can be clipped on and off when you fancy a change.

Your Ultimate Guide to Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning seems straightforward enough – drop off all the pieces you need cleaning and pick them up, right? – but the truth is, there are some simple ways you can the most out of your dry cleaning and dry cleaners. Here’s your ultimate guide to dry cleaning.

Why is dry cleaning called dry cleaning?

Why is it termed ‘dry cleaning’? The reason is simple: the entire process doesn’t use water. Instead of your typical water and soap solution used in laundry machines, dry cleaning uses a solvent called perchloroethylene to eliminate odors, clear stains and keep garments looking fresh. Modern dry cleaning technology is a billion dollar industry and is increasingly an environmentally friendly business.

Should I dry clean this?

Most of us see dry cleaning as a means to an end. If a garment is dirty or stained, we hand it to the dry cleaners to do their magic. Most of the time though, hanging that wool jacket out to air will eliminate odors caused by cigarettes or food.  Or if you spill food or drinks on a garment, quick spot cleaning by gentling blotting the fabric with water usually does the trick. Of course, there are instances and certain fabrics – think cashmere and silk – that require special attention, and that’s where the expertise of dry cleaners come in.
On a side note: All those home remedies involving baking soda, white-wine-on-red-wine or salt almost never work. Worst, they’ll damage the fabric and leave tears on your garments.

When should I dry clean this?

The reality is most of us dry clean our delicate clothes too often. For suits and outwear, you’ll need to have it cleaned every four to six months, depending on how often you wear it.

Suits
In short: as infrequent as possible. The the cleaning chemical, perchloroethylene, is a great invention to stain and odor removal, when combined with the high drying temperatures in the dry cleaning process, the threads and fabric in your suit will deteriorate. So to lengthen the lifespan of your suit, dry clean them every four to six months.

If you get any obvious stains on your suit, gentle soap and warm water will do the trick. Wrinkles and creases should be treated with a clothes steamer. They’re a worthwhile investment if you wear a suit to work every day. They’re easy to use and gets rid of creases in the suits (especially elbow and knees) in minimal time.

Dress shirts
Most shirts won’t need to be dry cleaned. If you dry clean your dress shirts too often, the fabrics and threads will break. Machine-wash is sufficient for dress shirts, just make sure you hang dry them properly immediately after wash though. If you do take them to the dry cleaner, request it to be hand ironed and not machine-pressed since machines can sometimes cause imprints

Sweaters, Jumpers and Pullover
Dry cleaning does nothing for knitwear. If anything, the chemicals used will shorten the lifespan of knitwear, especially for expensive fabrics like cashmere and mohair. A general rule is to hand-wash your knitwear in mild soap and water, although clear and specific instructions will be explained in the garment’s cleaning tag.

Top Tips For Choosing A Dry Cleaner

If you plan to dry clean your clothes for a long time, it’s best to develop a relationship with your dry cleaner. That begins with choosing a helpful and experienced dry cleaner. So how do you know your clothes are in the hands of a reliable and trustworthy dry cleaner?

1. Their damage/lost garment policy is comprehensive
Will your dry cleaner give your money back for any lost or damaged clothing? And how much will they give you back? These may seem like trivial questions, but if you dry clean your work suits often – and if you suits cost a fair amount – and it gets damaged, you have to ask whether saving a few dollars was worth it. Always choose a cleaner with a good replacement policy.

2. They’ve been around town for a while
Dry cleaning is one of the easiest businesses to set up, meaning anyone could be handling your $1,500 suit, so it’s important to choose a cleaner with a good reputation. Don’t just go to the one closest to your home or work. It’s worthwhile asking your colleagues and neighbors their preferred supplier and whether they’d recommend them or not.

3. They’re experienced and knowledgeable
This follows on from the above. Reputation and experience don’t always go hand in hand – especially in the dry cleaning industry. Some cleaners don’t do dry cleaning in-house, instead they send clothes off to a central location to get cleaned. In this instance, they are a middle man and outsource the important process. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as they understand the differences in fabrics and how they should be cleaned. Don’t be afraid to test their knowledge of the cleaning process and ask whether they outsource their cleaning, or whether it’s done in-house.

4. They’re detail-oriented
Pay attention to the way the cleaner inspects clothes. They should be looking for stains and jotting down notes. If they’re unsure of what caused a strain, tell them straight up that you stained it with ketchup, mustard or [insert condiment of choice]. The chances are, dry cleaners have seen and heard it all, but give them all the information you can to make their life easier too.

If you notice any puckered seams, visible imprints or if the fabric is glossy/shiny on your returned clothes, these are signs that your dry cleaner isn’t thorough enough and it’s time to move on.

4. They’re friendly
Most dry cleaners are extremely friendly, but in the interest of your clothes and suits, it’s best to forge a long term relationship with your dry cleaner. Most companies are happy to bend over backwards for their customers, but margins in the dry cleaning industry are notoriously thin, and it’s in their best interest to keep you happy for a long time. To do your part, make an effort to remember their names and family. Remember, they’re handing your property – and if you lose that receipt or they lose the garment, you’ll at least improve your chances of an agreeable settlement.

If you’re really keen about the whole dry cleaning process, the below image shows you the entire process. Click to enlarge.

How to Say “I Love You” Or “I Fucking Love You”

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How to Say “I Love You” Or “I Fucking Love You”

The act of “fucking around” has its roots in the English language. From the times of Shakespeare, “fucking around” has been used to describe sexual contact between two people. This act was then used in a way to indicate sexual tension between married couples.

In the modern world, the act of “fucking around” has become a more common term. It is commonly used in casual conversations as well as in internet forums and blogs. In a conversation, a person can either “fucking around” or engage in an act of normal conversation with another person. “Fucking around” can mean doing nothing or getting lazy. A person can even use this term to describe his or her lack of interest in someone. For example, a friend might tell you that he doesn’t think he and his girlfriend are meant to be together anymore, but this friend clearly has no idea what he’s talking about since he just started dating again.

On a forum or blog, this act can usually be characterized by a comical situation. For instance, if two people are dating, the boyfriend of the girl might say something like, “Hey, how was your day?” and then follow up with, “You know, I’ve been feeling a bit unfulfilled lately. I just wanted to spend some time with my girlfriend and take care of business.” This usually gets a good laugh from the listener because it’s clear that the boyfriend wants to spend more time with his girlfriend, but the listener is still skeptical about it.

Another common scenario is when two people are sitting on a beach, or in a park. A person can occasionally say something like, “I think we’re just really bored…” which usually catches the attention of the people sitting around him. However, when this same person goes on to say, “Heck, I don’t even want to be here!” he is clearly attempting to find a partner in his life. This is common for people who have been together for a long period of time, people who have gone through a tough breakup, and also people who have been together for a while and have not succeeded in finding a life partner.

There is also a subcategory that I would like to mention here: When two people are in love and have decided to stay together no matter what. This usually goes hand-in-hand with the previous scenario where people are dating. People who want to stick together and love each other regardless of the circumstances will often say things like, “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” and “We should try not to leave the house.”

The point of this little essay is to simply show that there are different types of relationships. You should always take care of yourself. No matter who you are, who your partner is, or what you are trying to accomplish, treat yourself well. Treat your partner well. Your relationship will be much better for it. Happy dating!