Neo – blue

A deep blue dial in a 36 mm case, and nothing on it that isn't needed. The Neo is the smallest argument MeisterSinger makes, and one of the most convincing.

Drawn as a revival of a 1960s dress watch, the Neo keeps its case rim narrow and its crystal domed so the dial sits front and center. MeisterSinger, founded in Münster in 2001 and Swiss made throughout, calls it tidy, minimalist and self-confident. The current generation is the sapphire relaunch: the original hard plexiglass gave way to scratch-resistant domed sapphire on an entirely new case, raising water resistance from 3 to 5 bar.

Blue suits the model's restraint. Continuous double-digit numerals run 01 to 12 with a fine five-minute track between them, and a single needle hand shows both the hour and how far through it you are, close enough to the minute for any ordinary day. The 36 mm stainless steel case takes 18 mm lugs, ships on an off-white strap, has a closed back and runs a Sellita SW200 automatic. No date, no seconds.

Small-wrist friendly, shirt-cuff friendly, and refreshingly unbothered by trends.

Perfect for: 36 mm dress watch buyers, blue dial minimalists, first-time single-hand watch owners.