“Watches without hands” can mean very different things: a digital screen, jumping time discs, wandering hours, a projected display or orbiting markers. Time+Tide’s 2018 shortlist, published on 23 July 2019, brought together eight watches that replace conventional hands with one of those alternatives. It is a historical editorial selection, not a current buying guide or an objectively ranked test.
Eight ways to show time without conventional hands
The models below are grouped by how their displays communicate time. Specifications and historical prices are those reported by Time+Tide’s 2018 shortlist. Prices are not current retail or resale quotes.
Casio G-Shock GMWB5000D-1: a digital screen
The shortlist describes the GMWB5000D-1 as the first all-stainless-steel model in the 5000-series G-Shock line. Its screen presents the time digitally rather than through mechanical indicators; Tough Solar charging and Bluetooth connectivity are also listed. The article gives the reference as GMWB5000D-1, a 49.3 mm steel case and a historical price of $949.
IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”: jumping hours and minutes
Numerals appear in apertures rather than on hands: the hours and minutes change in jumps. Time+Tide links the display to Josef Pallweber, saying it was patented in 1883 and licensed to IWC, and notes that the design had appeared in pocket watches before this wristwatch. The listed reference is IW505003, with a 45 mm steel case, movement 94200 and a historical price of $33,000.
#1 Best Overall
- The watch machine adopts stainless steel spring, single metal light balance wheel, nickel base alloy hairspring and kelleg vertical mechanism.
- One button function, starts, stops and returns to zero by consecutive crown depressions.Durable, dust, water, shock and corrosion resistant.
- Useful for rest in exercise; Metronome funcion, Grasp all the rhythms in the sports, useful for Fitness gymnastics.
- The movement is equipped with 13 gems ,The watch machine can be used at -10°C~+40°C
- Durable, dust, water, shock. Resolution ratio(1/10s), Size about 50 x 68 x 16mm.
Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs: two times through apertures
This watch shows two time zones through apertures and uses a retrograde minute display. The shortlist names reference VCARO8T800, a 42 mm pink-gold case and an Agenhor-developed movement; its price is listed as “on application,” not as a figure.
H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Flying Hours: wandering hours
A central rotating sapphire disc indicates minutes, while cut-out hour discs rotate around it; the current hour is highlighted as it moves across the minute scale. This wandering-hours display is not a jump-hour window: the hours travel across the dial. The listed model is reference 1806-200, with a 42 mm 18k white-gold case, movement C806 and a historical price of $50,650.
Rank #2
- Mechanical Pocket Watch.Built-in mechanical hand-wound movement,12 hour/60 minute dial with Arabic numeralsand.Hand wind Mechanical Mechanical,(The dial is normal, it is a special sense of design)No need to use battery. Twisting the top button on the spin, tightening a walk for 24 hours,shows Luxury vintage and fashionable!
- 100% brand new with exquisite workmanship and delicate design.luminous Arabic numerals(need to take the light close to shine for about 1 minute to have luminous effect),24-hour dial,With a removable chain, you can put it in your pocket.Very convenient and flexible.Add undeniable style and class to your daily life and fashion, An "Eye-catcher" at the suit, pants!
- Diameter:approx.1.85IN; Thickness:approx.0.59 IN; Chain Length:approx.14.56 IN; The pocket watch sizes and chain length is very convenient to wear.
- How to use mechanical watch? 1.When you first wear it, please wind the watch by turning the button on the side of the watch, until it is full.2.By taking the button out slightly, you can adjust the time, then push back the button.3.If you leave it still for a long time, please swing it lightly for a few minutes and wind-up by several laps. At this time, it will work normally.
- Package included: 1 x Pocket watch with chain;1 x Gift Box;Come in with good quality gift box. Perfect gift for your love and family or yourself.
MB&F MoonMachine 2 with Stepan Sarpaneva: projected time
A specially cut prism projects the time vertically, making this display unusual even among the other hand-free designs. The MoonMachine 2 also has a moon-phase display. Time+Tide lists reference 81.TL.B, a 49 × 51.5 mm titanium case, a Girard-Perregaux base movement and a historical price of $130,700.
Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision: the mechanism becomes the display
Rather than a conventional dial-and-hands layout, the Freak family uses its moving mechanism to convey time. Time+Tide highlights an anchor escapement made with silicon components and describes the Freak Vision as the collection’s first automatic watch, powered by the brand’s Grinder winding system. Its listed details are reference 2505-250, a 45 mm platinum case, movement UN-250 and a historical price of $153,100.
Rank #3
- Stainless steel 49 mm case with scratch resistant mineral crystal
- White railroad style dial design with military time
- 17 jewel mechanical hand wind movement
- 30M Water resistant
- Includes deluxe stainless steel curb chain, lifetime warranty and gift box
Blancpain Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde: three complications in view
This model combines jumping hours, retrograde minutes and a flying tourbillon. The article describes the tourbillon as having its lower bridge replaced by a sapphire disc, giving the impression that the mechanism is suspended. It lists reference 66260-3633-55B, a 42 mm 18k red-gold case, movement 260MR and a historical price of $186,000.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium: astronomical cycles
Here, polished beads representing Mercury, Venus and Earth orbit across an aventurine dial. A diamond indicates the moon and completes a lunar cycle in 29.5 days, according to Time+Tide. The shortlist lists reference VCARO8R500, a 38 mm white-gold case, movement ValFleurier Q020 and a price “on application.”
Rank #4
- [Luxurious Mechanical Watch] High quality hollow mechanical watch appearance retro gorgeous, exquisite carving and design of the golden appearance of the European nobility more highlight your noble identity extraordinary taste, to bring you a pleasant luxury experience
How the display concepts differ
| Watch | Display approach | Movement approach noted by Time+Tide | Case size and material | Price printed in the 2018 roundup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casio G-Shock GMWB5000D-1 | Digital screen | Tough Solar; Bluetooth connectivity also listed | 49.3 mm; steel | $949 (historical) |
| IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years” | Jumping-hour and jumping-minute apertures | Movement 94200 | 45 mm; steel | $33,000 (historical) |
| Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs | Two time zones through apertures; retrograde minutes | Agenhor-developed movement | 42 mm; pink gold | On application |
| H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Flying Hours | Wandering hours; rotating sapphire minute disc | Movement C806 | 42 mm; 18k white gold | $50,650 (historical) |
| MB&F MoonMachine 2 with Stepan Sarpaneva | Time projected vertically through a prism; moon phase | Girard-Perregaux base movement | 49 × 51.5 mm; titanium | $130,700 (historical) |
| Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision | Moving mechanism conveys time | UN-250; silicon-component anchor escapement and Grinder winding system | 45 mm; platinum | $153,100 (historical) |
| Blancpain Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde | Jumping hours, retrograde minutes and flying tourbillon | Movement 260MR | 42 mm; 18k red gold | $186,000 (historical) |
| Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium | Orbiting planetary markers and lunar indicator | ValFleurier Q020 | 38 mm; white gold | On application |
What “best” means in this 2018 list
Time+Tide presented an editorial shortlist, not a scored competition. The selection’s appeal is its range of solutions: the Casio is the clearly identified digital watch; the Pallweber and Blancpain use jumping indications; Moser’s hours wander across the dial; MB&F projects the time; and Van Cleef & Arpels turns celestial motion into a display. These are different design priorities, not directly comparable levels of legibility.
The article does not report standardized legibility, wrist-fit or durability tests, nor does it establish present-day availability or pricing. Case dimensions and materials help describe the watches, but do not by themselves predict how any model will wear. Anyone comparing them as potential purchases needs current listings for the exact reference and variant.
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Best Value
- Material: Mechanical movement, mineral strengthened glass mirror, the case is made of stainless steel and the strap is made of High grade leathe.
- Measuare: Band length: 18.5cm/7.39inch, dial diameter: 41mm/1.6inch, dial thickness: 15mm/0.6inch.
- 30M waterproof, Daily waterproofing to prevent water splashing. But not suitable for bathing and swimming.
- Classic and fashionable desgin, PU leather strap, suitable for any occasion.
- It will be a wonderful gift for your father, husband, friends, son or brother on some special days.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
