In five years, expect the term "Project The Classic" to enter the horological lexicon as the standard descriptor for any watch under 39mm with a dome crystal and a clean dial. For now, it remains a secret handshake among those who know that true elegance never goes out of style—it just waits for the right project to bring it back. Are you ready to join the project? Check your wrist. If you see a notification, you’re not there yet. If you see a reflection of light dancing off a dome of glass, welcome to the classic.
Then came the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s, followed by the "Ugly Watch" era of the 2000s (think oversized plastic chronographs and bulky divers). By 2015, the market was saturated with 45mm monsters that resembled spacecraft. Project The Classic
However, the heart of the movement remains independent. For every corporate homage, there are 20 new Kickstarters launching a 36mm diver with no helium escape valve and a glossy gilt dial. In five years, expect the term "Project The