Watch Out

The hands of time may keep ticking, but that doesn't mean you can't look stylish as the decades wear on.

WHAT WATCH
Fusing minimalist elegance with a modern edge, What Watch is the brainchild of renowned Japanese artist and creative director Masashi Kawamura. At both times tech and fashion forward, What Watch offers a simpler more affordable alternative for those playing a "wait and see" game with Apple's new smartwatch.

A smartphone app links to your What Watch via Bluetooth. This special feature allows users to capture prized moments by pressing the red button on the side of watch. "Timestamping" creates a unique e-ink mark on the watch face that represents the captured memory. Bluetooth technology is then used to send each captured moment to What's signature app. The wearer can go back to each moment on his or her smartphone, adding photos, videos, and text details. The app creates a visual timeline of captured moments, mirroring the e-ink timestamps on the What Watch's face.

Prices start at $169.

DETROIT WATCH COMPANY

Once a world leader in automotive manufacturing, Detroit more than any American city has felt the shifting sands of time. It is a city of invention and reinvention. The birth of the Detroit Watch Company in 2013 exemplifies the growing number of small businesses that are committed to invigorating the local economy while paying homage to the city's rich history of innovation.

Husband-and-wife team Patrick and Amy Ayoub meticulously oversee every detail, with assembly, casing and testing done locally in Detroit. The limited production ensures a collectible for generations to come, while the Japanese Miyota automatic movements (Swiss Sellita movements will be implemented this year) provide durability for everyday wear.

The latest designs include the 39mm Pontchartrain, named after Fort Pontchartrain du D�troit, the city's first permanent French settlement in 1701, as well as L'Horloge, French for "clock," named after the city's original clock tower dedicated in 1871.

Prices start at $795.

GARWOOD

Co-founders Michael Garwood and Morten Sorensen conceived of this all-wood watch company after a Las Vegas all-nighter, when all good ideas are born. Each design has its inspiration, including the original "35 Black," a tribute to a lucky spin on the roulette table. Japanese movement is housed in the American-designed casing with materials that include light maple sourced from New York as well as dark Indonesian sandalwood.

Affordably priced at $159 each, the collection is an accessible way to add an unconventional material to your look and provides a stylish accessory whether paired with jeans and a T-shirt or a well-tailored suit.

MEISTER

Want to be "master" of your own destiny? Do it in style with these innovative designs by Kingson Tse and Ryan Pietersz. The Los Angeles-based brand has been crafting stylish timepieces since 2009, combining premium materials like carbon fiber and stainless steel with rare leathers.

New and updated designs include the Ambassador Mark-II, which boasts a luxury sport-inspired design that's perfect for the active guy ready to take off on a road trip; the Aviator, which now features a luxe leather crocodile band in black or brown; and the Ambassador, reimagined in four new color combinations, including a sleek royal blue and silver that offers a pop of color.

Prices start at $225.

MODIFY

Does your fashion sense have a short attention span? Modify Watches offer bold and colorful interchangeable timepieces with removable faces and mix-and-match straps, presenting a dizzying combination of custom combinations to match your ever-changing style.

New this year, Modify has launched custom "Mod" watchfaces, where you can create the ultimate customizable watch by uploading an image of a loved one, pet, logo, graphic or anything else that might make a statement. The proprietary molds ensure a secure fit with interchangeable bands, and don't be afraid to get a little wet, as the design is splash proof. If you're a watch-a-holic, consider Mod of the Month Club, where you purchase a subscription for as little as $21 per month and receive a new classic or sporty style each month.

Prices vary, with custom watches starting at $74.99.

STAUER

For luxury watches at below-market prices, Stauer is the go-to for fine craftsmanship. The retailer has sold more than a million watches in the past decade, developing a dedicated consumer base that recognizes the reputable brand purveyor of classic timepieces.

Recent finds include the Brava, inspired by midcentury design and featuring a rose gold-finished case and textured ivory dial; the Stratos, which offers aviator details, including the classic cockpit color scheme of white on black with red accent hands; and the Swiss Bienne, developed in collaboration with a fourth-generation Swiss watchmaker and featuring a brass and Super-LumiNova dial.

Prices vary.