?Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.? So said Thoreau. The sentiment applies equally well to watchmakers as writers. But designing and making a simple watch is actually very difficult indeed. It?s partly because simplicity gives nowhere to hide mistakes or failings of proportion (?Ew – why are those hands *that* shape"?). It?s also because every single visual point matters, from the angle of the indices to the profile of the case. Step one way and you get naff all over your shoes, step the other and you get desiccated by austerity. Simple ain?t easy.

That said, Pforzheim-based watchmaker Archimede?s new 1950-3 watches are a fine example of how to do it. If you?re after bling, busy dials, fuss and flounce, these are not the watches for you. Instead, you get a case, an almost plain dial, a crystal, a strap and a matching pair of hands. That?s it.  Everything works in harmony, but think Bach rather than Prokofiev. 
Choosing your 1950-3 needs only two decisions: which dial and which strap.  Archimede are offering a matte lapaz blue or a matte black dial. Both curve down at their edges where they meet the rehaut, echoing the domed sapphire (with a plexi option) crystal.  And apart from a closed minute track – shades of old 1016 gilt-dial Explorers – the only features are the two words ?Archimede? and ?Germany? either side of the 6.  The three leather straps come in black, dark brown and light brown, all with contrasting...