Expressive Purity, With Six Surprising Two-Handed Masterpieces

Sometimes in life, as in watchmaking, less is very much more. Boiling things down to the essence can be a very rewarding thing. Who needs tourbillons, chronographs or minute repeaters, when sometimes all you need is a simple two-handed display? But does that mean you also have to take away all creativity? Not at all, as these six watches showcase that purity can indeed equal expressiveness.

Daniel Roth Extra-Plat

If we’re talking about expressiveness with just two hands, the Daniel Roth Extra-Plat, a recreation of the Ref. C107 launched in 1990, is a sure-fire winner on all fronts. From the classy ellipsocurvex-shaped rose gold case to the two-tone guilloché dial and a marvelously finished movement, it hits all the marks. Time is indicated with just two blued arrow-tipped hands that revolve over a gorgeous dial finished with guilloché patterns and Roman hour numerals. Not limited by number but rather annual production capacity, it retails for CHF 49,000.

For more information, please visit DanielRoth.com.

Quick Facts – 38.6mm x 35.5mm x 7.7mm – 18k rose gold Ellipsocurvex case, polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water resistant – two-tone guilloché dial – Roman hour numerals – blued arrow-tipped hour & minute hands – Calibre DR002, in-house (La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton) – manual winding – 28,800vph – 65h power reserve – Haute Horlogerie finishing – beige calfskin leather strap with pin buckle – not limited by number but by annual capacity – CHF 49,000

De Bethune DB25XS Starry Varius burgundy

Presented during Geneva Watch Days this year, the DB25XS Starry Varius Burgundy is a culmination of all things we love about De Bethune. One that surprisingly uses only two hands to register the passing of time, but wraps it in a surprisingly elegant package. Being an ‘XS’ model means the case is rather compact and slim, at just 40.6mm by 8.8mm. The star-studded burgundy dial is an absolute delight, as is the manually wound movement around the back. It’s worn on a burgundy alligator leather strap and has a price upon request.

For more information, please visit DeBethune.ch.

Quick Facts – 40.6mm x 8.8mm – titanium or rose gold case, polished – openworked lugs – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – burgundy “Starry Varius” dial – silver-toned hour/minute ring – rose gold hands – Calibre DB2005, in-house – manual winding – 28,800vph – 6-day power reserve (144 hours) – burgundy leather strap with titanium or rose gold pin buckle – price upon request

Cartier Tank Americaine Salmon

When it comes down to time-only watches with a creative or elegant twist, Cartier is not to be overlooked. We’ve opted for the Tank Americaine Salmon, for its elongated platinum case and lovely salmon-coloured Art Deco ‘sector’ dial. Time is indicated with two blued steel sword-shaped hands, and the crown is fitted with a ruby cabochon that pairs well with the burgundy leather strap. Inside, the automatic Calibre 1899 MC will keep ticking for up to 40 hours. As part of the permanent collection, this platinum beauty retails for EUR 25,600.

For more information, please visit Cartier.com.

Quick Facts – 24.4mm x 44.4mm x 8.6mm – curved elongated platinum case, polished – curved sapphire crystal – curved solid caseback – crown with red ruby cabochon – 30m water-resistant – salmon Art Deco sector dial – blued steel hands – Calibre 1899 MC, in-house – automatic winding – 21,600vph – 40h power reserve – burgundy alligator leather strap with 18k white gold folding clasp – permanent collection – EUR 25,600

Ressence Type 9 x the Armoury “scattering sun”

Technically speaking, no Ressence watch has hands. Not in the conventional sense at least, as they always rely on a set of revolving satellites. Even when there are just two of them, the display is uniquely intriguing. Case in point is the recent Ressence Type 9 x The Armoury “Scattering Sun”, which not only adds a finely grained salmon-toned dial to the mix, but also a fluted bezel with luminous markers! Just 20 will be made, for a price of USD 19,000 / HKD 148,200 and exclusively sold through The Armoury in Hong Kong and New York.

For more information, please visit RessenceWatches.com or TheArmoury.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 11mm – titanium case, polished – fluted titanium bezel – domed sapphire crystal – winding/setting caseback – 10m splash-resistant – domed salmon PVD-coated dial – ROCS 9 display (hours & minutes only) – luminous markings & ‘hands’ – heavily modified ETA 2894 with in-house ROCS module – 28,800vph – 36h power reserve – chocolate brown suede leather strap with ardillon buckle – 20 pieces – USD 19,000 / HKD 148,200 – exclusively available at The Armoury

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No date

If you’re looking for a more sporty two-handed watch, look no further. The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date is the perfect blend of sophistication and sporty elegance. The steel case is topped with a knurled bezel in platinum, and a neatly integrated steel bracelet. The star of the show is the Golden Sienna, or salmon-coloured dial with fine grain d’orge guilloché decoration. Around the back, the Calirbe PF703 shows its detailed finishing, as well as the platinum micro-rotor. It retails for EUR 23,500.

For more information, please visit Parmigiani.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 7.8mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – platinum knurled bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – Golden Sienna (salmon) dial – grain d’orge guilloché pattern – 18k gold applied markers & hands – Calibre PF703, in-house – micro-rotor automatic – 21,600vph – 48h power reserve – integrated steel bracelet with folding clasp – CHF 23,500

Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris

Whenever you reduce things to the bare minimum, other details become more visible and more essential. Take a look at the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris by Piaget, for instance. It has only two hands to tell time, but it is riddled with character throughout. The soft cushion-shaped case, the Clou de Paris bezel, the blued meteorite dial… It’s all very lovely! It’s powered by the in-house Calibre 501P1, which delivers 40h of power. Worn on a deep blue leather strap, it will set you back EUR 56,000.

For more information, please visit Piaget.com.

Quick Facts – 45mm diameter – white gold case – Clou de Paris bezel – sapphire crystal – solid caseback – recessed crown – 30m water-resistant – blue meteorite dial – applied indices & Dauphine-style hands – silver Piaget logo – calibre 501P1, automatic – 20.8mm x 3.63mm – 23 jewels – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes – dark blue alligator leather strap with white gold ardillon buckle – customisation options upon request – starting price of EUR 56,000