Two New Watch Stores to Look Out For in Downtown New York City

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Can we call this a smartwatch backlash? As wearables continue to pick up steam heading into the new year (Apple Watch 2 is expected in April), two watch brands have set up shop in New York City to remind us of the beautiful simplicity of an accessory that merely tells time and nothing else.

First up is Larsson & Jennings, which took up residency at 26 Prince Street right around Thanksgiving, sandwiched between Goorin Bros' Nolita outpost and Sigerson Morrison . It's the Anglo-Swedish brand's first store in the United States, and just its second ever — a London store opened at this time last year.

It's certainly embraced the minimalist look, with its timepieces displayed on tall, thin rods above navy fixtures and against white brick walls. The brick-and-mortar-exclusive Automatic Series rings in at $1,595, but that's the most expensive thing you'll find here; prices start at $340.

And a few blocks west is Nixon, which popped into 122 Prince Street at about the same time as Larsson. It shares a block with Bare Minerals and Wolford, and has a bit more experience in brick-and-mortar, since it's represented in stores in 90 countries (stateside, they have their own stores in California). It's more wallet-friendly as well, with plenty of styles for men and women priced between $100 and $250. The highlight here is its customization bar (above), where you can create your own one-of-a-kind timepiece.