PP Watch is a typeface rooted in precision. And is all the more playful for it. Inspired by the typographic quirks of vintage watch dials and the industrial elegance of pad printing, it strikes a rare balance between sharp functionality and handcrafted, analogue charm. Designed by Niklas Herrmann, PP Watch carries a wide stance and a confident rhythm, bringing sculptural sophistication to whatever it’s applied to, be it digital or printed. But as with any great timepiece, the perfect pairing makes all the difference.
To give you a headstart, we’ve explored five of the best typefaces that complement Watch’s tone, structure, and personality – whether through contrast or cohesion. These pairings are just a starting point, so mix, match and, importantly, experiment. Your time starts now!
A Pangram Pangram staple and a modern classic, Neue Montreal offers a neutral, utilitarian foundation that lets PP Watch shine. Where Watch is expressive and full of typographic personality, Neue Montreal keeps things grounded with its straightforward, grotesque logic and generous language support. The combination feels editorial, considered, and quietly authoritative. Structure meets storytelling.
For projects that require a touch more personality, Right Grotesk is the one. With its subtly quirky proportions and gentle warmth, it pairs beautifully with PP Watch’s engineered elegance. The result is a dialogue between two fonts that both play with the boundaries of tradition. One, with wide-set serifs and mechanical detailing. The other, with soft geometric decisions and unexpected eccentricities.
From our Off Type sister foundry, Jubilee is a natural match for Watch’s vintage undertones. Designed by Valerio Monopoli, Jubilee reinterprets British institutional type through the lens of Gill Sans and Windsor, offering weighty proportions and a thoroughly royal flair. While Watch nods to engineering, Jubilee feels regal and slightly eccentric. Together, they feel especially fashion-y and editorial – conjuring a sense of legacy, craftsmanship, and graphic wit.
Sharing its conceptual DNA with PP Watch, Editorial New brings classic 70s and 80s-inspired curves into a sharp, editorial context. When used together, Watch and Editorial New feel like two members of the same family—one serif, one sans, both ultra classy. They share rhythm, proportion, and a sense of typographic storytelling, making them ideal for anything that requires nuance, voice, and style in equal measure.
Sometimes, the best pairing is from within the family. PP Watch has been rigorously crafted with versatility as its northern star, making it an ideal candidate to pair with itself. With eight weights – each with matching italics – you can create dynamic, multi-layered typography simply by playing with contrast. Use the lighter weights for long-form text or fine detail, and let the Black or Extra Bold weights take centre stage for headlines or punchy calls to action.
Better still, use the contextual alternates feature to switch between the cleaner, more modern forms and the serifed alternates inspired by traditional watch dials. This opens up a surprising range of expression, allowing you to toggle between utilitarian and ornamental moods within the same layout. Engineered for elegance, precision and creative depth.
All of these fonts are free-to-try, with licensing starting at only $40.
