Good morning {{first_name|Reader}}. Happy Friday-Eve.

Sometimes, the most impressive thing about a watch (or person) is how little they try to impress.

Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward simpler designs. The kind that don’t shout, don’t blink, and don’t make you feel like you need a velvet-lined safe to own them. The Longines Spirit 37mm fits that bill perfectly. A quiet, balanced piece that doesn’t need to prove anything.

Pair that with a cold brew from Bald Head Coffee in Southport, North Carolina, and you’ve got the perfect combination of simplicity done right.

Let’s dive in.

— Ian

(see what watch I’m wearing today)

🐝 Start writing, build an audience, use beehiiv.

The Longines Spirit 37mm is what happens when a brand remembers that not every wrist wants a billboard. It’s compact, clean, and versatile—an automatic watch that slips under a cuff but still feels substantial when you glance at it.

The sunray ivory dial is the quiet star here. It gives off warmth without gloss, paired with applied Arabic numerals that strike a balance between field watch utility and everyday elegance. It’s the kind of dial that looks at home next to a coffee cup or a boarding pass.

At 37mm, it’s a return to human proportions. Not tiny, not flashy—just right. The L888.4 movement inside gives 72 hours of power reserve and COSC certification, which is more accuracy than most people will ever need but nice to know it’s there.

Longines bills the Spirit as a “bridge” between sport and dress, and for once, the marketing isn’t overselling it. On the bracelet, it looks crisp enough for an office. On leather, it’s relaxed enough for a weekend. It’s not a pilot’s watch, not a dress piece—just a good, solid watch for people who like things that work.

In a world obsessed with bezels and bragging rights, the Spirit 37mm feels like a reminder: refinement doesn’t have to be loud.

Love the size. Love the design. Hell, I love the simplicity. But I don’t love the price. It’s a beautiful piece, but a bit on the high end, for what it is. But with that price, you’re getting COSC certification and a 72 hour power reserve.

You’d expect a place called Bald Head Coffee to lean into the gimmick. Instead, it leans into craftsmanship. Nestled in Southport, North Carolina, it’s one of those small-town shops that gets everything right—from the warm wood tones of the café to the smell that hits you before you even reach the counter.

Their Highlander Grogg is the star. A smooth blend of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice that tastes like the comfort of a slow morning. It’s the kind of coffee that doesn’t need sugar, doesn’t need hype, and doesn’t need a 30-second Instagram reel to sell it.

I’ve been there myself, and yes—I’ll admit there’s a bit of bias here. As a bald man, I feel an unspoken kinship with the name. But that aside, it’s the quality that keeps me coming back. The cold brew is one of the best I’ve had, and it fits perfectly with the kind of mornings where time feels slower—in the best way.

If you ever find yourself near Southport, drop by. You’ll leave smelling like roasted beans and small-business pride.

Want your favorite coffee featured here? Reply and let’s share a cup together.

☕ OutIn keeps me fueled on the go. From the car to the Outback. (The actual outback, not the Subaru type)

Face it—you wear the same things all the time. Well, I know I do. (I have a favorite pair of sweatpants that I wear every weekend)

Maybe it’s the same jeans, the same jacket, the same two shirts that actually fit right. Yet your closet is packed tight, like you’re running an underground thrift store. Why? Guilt? Nostalgia? Some misplaced belief that you’ll suddenly start wearing those things again once you “get back into shape”?

It’s noise.

Every unnecessary item is another micro-decision waiting to steal your attention. Decluttering your closet isn’t about minimalism for the sake of it. Reclaim your mental space. The same way a well-proportioned 37mm watch feels right because it doesn’t overcomplicate things, a clean closet makes getting dressed easy again.

This week, open your closet. Pull out five things you haven’t worn in a year. Donate them. You’ll breathe easier tomorrow morning when you’re not elbow-deep in fabric trying to find the one shirt that still feels like you.

How are you living mindfully? If this pissed you off, you probably know that you have some work to do.

Hit reply and let me know how angry you are.

Sheffield Allsport

One of my favorite microbrands, of which I am lucky enough to own two. Love this blue piece shown off by timepeacelove. Check out his account and give him some “love!"

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Some weeks are about doing more. Others are about doing less—better.

The Longines Spirit 37mm is a quiet reminder that good design doesn’t need to shout. It’s the kind of watch you can wear to work, to dinner, or on a weekend trip and never feel out of place. If you’ve been thinking about finding a one-watch solution that feels timeless without trying too hard, start here.

And if you’re brewing up something to go with it, grab a bag of Highlander Grogg from Bald Head Coffee. It’s small-batch, smooth, and unapologetically local—the kind of roast that makes you slow down, take a sip, and appreciate what’s in front of you.

If this issue gave you something worth passing on, forward it to one person who might enjoy it.

Every referral helps Own The Watch grow and gets you closer to unlocking Off The Record—our hidden section for loyal readers (unlocked at 3 referrals).

Until next time, keep your coffee strong and your wrist interesting.

Thanks for reading, and if you know someone who loves watches but also values sleep, send this issue their way. Every referral helps this community grow.

Until next time, keep your time honest and your coffee real.

— Ian

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