The Hartley Journal
Notes on watches worth keeping
Guides, stories and style notes from Hartley. How watches work, how to wear them, and how to look after one for a lifetime.
What Does Limited Edition Actually Mean on a Watch?
Not every limited edition is the same. Here is the difference between numbered editions, limited production and special editions, and the four questions to ask before you buy.
What Makes a Watch Worth Keeping?
Sapphire crystal, 316L steel, jewelled movements, honest water resistance, replaceable straps and a real warranty. The details that separate a watch you keep from one you replace.
10,000 Watches Later: The Story of the Heritage
More than 10,000 Heritage watches have been worn in over 50 countries since 2014. Here is the thinking behind the design, what changed, what never did, and why this production...
The Hartley Archive: Why We Never Remake a Retired Watch
Every watch Hartley has retired lives in the Hartley Archive, and none of them will ever be made again. Here is why we do it, and what it means for...
Automatic or Quartz: Which Watch Suits the Way You Live?
Forget the technical debate. How to choose between an automatic and a quartz watch based on how you actually live: accuracy, maintenance, cost, feel and what you value.
How to Choose Your Legacy Edition Number
Each Legacy colour is a numbered limited edition of 125 pieces, and you choose the number engraved on your case. Here is why numbered editions matter and the most popular...
One Watch, Five Looks: Building a Heritage Strap Wardrobe
You do not need five watches to have five looks. Here is how to build a strap wardrobe for your Heritage, which straps to buy first and how each one...
Gold, Silver, Black or Rose Gold: Choosing Your Watch Colour
Gold, silver, black or rose gold? How to choose a watch case colour that suits your skin tone, your wardrobe and the jewellery you already wear.
How to Look After an Automatic Watch
An automatic watch can run for decades with a little care. Winding, magnets, water, cleaning, storage and servicing, explained simply.
How to Style a Minimalist Watch for Work, Weekends and Weddings
A clean dial goes with everything, but the strap, the case colour and a few simple rules decide the occasion. How to wear a minimalist watch to work, at the...
The Watch Strap Guide: Which Strap for Which Occasion
Steel, mesh, Italian leather, croc embossed or silicone? A practical guide to choosing the right watch strap for work, weekends, the gym, black tie and summer.
How to Change Your Watch Strap in 30 Seconds
Every Hartley strap uses quick release pins, so you can swap straps at home without tools. A step by step guide, plus how to tell if your watch has quick...