Sheffield ’25 Steel City 1A — The Case for Quiet Design

Good morning {{first_name|Reader}} and happy Friday eve.

Last week’s deep-dive didn’t go as planned. So I’m trying something new. It would be really helpful to let me know what you want to see more of here. I won’t be offended. REPLY to this email and let me know!

Check out the watch of the week, along with some blogs I wrote.

— Ian

(see what watch I’m wearing today)

The ’25 Steel City 1A is a reminder that good design doesn’t shout—it holds its presence quietly. At 38 mm in diameter, this is a watch built for wear not display; its proportions feel balanced on the wrist, its brushed 316L stainless-steel case confirming that value and presence need not cost the earth.

Sheffield Watches traces its roots back to the 1960s in the U.S., and with the Steel City series the brand has returned with intention. On the product page they write: “This isn’t a tribute watch. It’s a statement.” That statement is subtle. Blue bezel, British-flag dial with Swiss lume, anti-glare sapphire crystal—details that matter, not because they flash, but because they endure. Sheffield

Inside the watch beats the reliable Seiko NH35 movement—an automatic calibre that’s trusted in the micro-brand space, offering robust everyday performance without pretense. The package includes both a steel bracelet and a red nylon strap—a departure from the norm and a nod to versatility. Sheffield

What this watch truly offers, however, is the quiet luxury of absence. No oversized case, no extravagantly flashy finishing. The red strap option is a wink rather than a roar. This is for someone who cares enough to recognize design and quality, but not enough to feel they must broadcast it.

Wear it with a well-cut blazer, a crisp Oxford, or even a simple grey crew-neck—anything that appreciates the presence of quiet. It fits the rhythm of a day measured, not dramatized.

Short Take: If you’re after a watch that supports your wrist and your composure rather than competing with your peer group, the Sheffield ‘25 Steel City 1A ticks that box. It offers mechanics and heritage at a price that doesn’t compromise the aesthetic of discretion.

A small act of handwriting in an age of shortcuts.

There was a time when gratitude required ink. The kind of ink that stained fingers, that required pause before the next line so it wouldn’t smudge. A handwritten thank-you letter was once ordinary. The standard. The expected punctuation to a moment of generosity or grace. Today, it feels almost rebellious.

There’s a particular kind of elegance that reveals itself only over time. It’s not in the gleam of something recently purchased, but in the wear of something long-owned. The frayed edge of a cuff, the softened shoulder of a jacket, the patina of a pair of oxfords that have been resoled twice but never replaced. These are marks of a man at ease with himself.

There is a particular sound in every meeting that no one names but everyone feels. It begins just after a question lands and before anyone answers. The air holds its breath. A clock ticks softly in the background. Someone glances at their notes. Someone else clears their throat. Then, almost without fail, the silence breaks. Someone speaks, not because they have something worth saying, but because they cannot tolerate the silence.

There’s a quiet confidence in the Steel City 1A that mirrors where Own The Watch is headed. It’s not about the loudest release or the flashiest dial. It’s about proportion, precision, and intention, the qualities that define not just great watches, but a certain way of living.

As this publication continues to evolve, it will focus more on that intersection of craftsmanship and composure — watches, yes, but also the habits and aesthetics that frame a thoughtful life.

Thank you for being here early. You’re part of something that’s just beginning to take shape.