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Horological Meandering

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In praise of smaller watches

 
 By: jml_watches : January 6th, 2014-13:57
Hi All

I know we've been here before and the tide is slowing turning against ever larger watches - but I thought it would be good to look at a smaller watch can give you.

I've had a riffle through my photo library of what I think are some of my more interesting smaller watches - that said - I don't really stray above 40mm as for me some watches feel a tad too large.  For the most part the watches here are 34 - 36 mm.


So all the culprits in a row from Left to right LancoFon. Vulcain Cricket, Memovox, Nomos Tangent, Oris wrist alarm and Seiko 5



A small selection

A small selection


For me the above show the range thats available if you go small - yes some are vintage and that brings its own joys and challeneges, but it also allows you to get hold of some very intersting watches and very interesting prices smile



Close up of Nomos Tangent

Close up of Nomos Tangent


For me the Nomos really hits well above its weight - great clear design, even with a date, sub second and power reserve included.  It may only be 35mm - but it wears a lot bigger.  Think the thin bezel helps.  Though I am aware that you can go large with this - all of 38mm!!!


Fab vintage Lancofon

Fab vintage Lancofon


Just love my Lanco - yes I know it can be a bit frgile and there are concerns over some which do't have a tned inner bellcase.  But the simple elegance of a single winder to control everything is a great draw.  The Indicator a 12 is just the cherry on top in my opinion.



Gratuitous Memovox shot

Gratuitous Memovox shot


JLC Memovox with the black dial & glass back - don't really need to say more - just that I know I'm lucky to have one smile


Oris alarm

Oris alarm

The Oris is probably the smallest of the bunch - but certainly packs a punch - the alarm is loud enough to wake the dead.  Well get me out of bed of a morning & thats almost the same!



Dusty Seiko

Dusty Seiko

Can't talk about interesting smaller watches without including a Seiko 5 - great little watch and the blue dial is ace.


Inevitable Swatch

Inevitable Swatch

What to say about the Swatch - well yoi can't really consider a smaller watch with considering a Swatch.. Just the variety of the standard mens watch takes your breath away.  Great little thing - everyone should have at least one.



Not a watch!

Not a watch!

And finally - if that's all too small for you - why not consider something old school and get a railway or school clock, just try strapping it to your wrist.


So what do you think of smaller watches, what would be your choice and why - or even why you wouldn't want a smaler watch.

For one sure I know that I still hanker after a 34mm JLC Ultra Thin.


Cheers


JML

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:34:35 This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2014-01-08 07:41:13

Hear, hear!

 
 By: mkvc : January 6th, 2014-17:39
My preference also. They're comfortable.

Preaching to the choir...

 
 By: Tony C. : January 6th, 2014-19:56
while I do have a small wrist, which makes it easier for me to love the 34-36mm vintage models. Your Lanco is superb!

Here's a 33mm Mido that I acquired recently...


Veeery nice, Tony. Some of these Mido are so lovely.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2014-23:05

Under rated brand, modest size, nice dial=connoisseur Watch!

Bravo.

Nicolas, a tad envious...

Fab watch

 
 By: jml_watches : January 6th, 2014-23:54
Hi

Looks fab & really puts case for going vintage. Patina on dial and hands is fab. 

Thanks for sharing. 

Cheers

JML


Another one, Tony?!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : January 7th, 2014-13:42

Your are killing me with your great "under the radar" finds!

smile


Best

Blomman

Very interesting topic, jml watches. Some thoughts:

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2014-20:31


My thoughts are turning around two or three ideas:

1/ I don't care about the size if it is coherent with the purpose of the Watch. A toolwatch, a sports Watch, a diving Watch, well, you got the idea, a Watch for which legibility is important, can be big, which means 40 mm and more, this is not a problem for me.

The limit is the size of my wrist, as I wouldn't like to look like a swiss cow with a bell stuck on the neck, would I?

2/ WHAT IS SMALL, by the way? 38? 36? 34? 32mm?

I realized that I had in my collection watches from 30 mm ( just one, the JLC Master Mariner Dolfin ), to 39 mm ( JLC Deep Sea Alarm )

I wouldn't say that 38 / 39 mm is small. My beloved Rolex GMT 6542 is 38 mm , it is perfect for me.

Here on a friendly wrist:



As well as my Tudor Submariner Big Crown Ref 7924.

So, small could be somewhere below 38mm?

Not sure!

Do you feel this Memovox Parking 35mm case is small? I see sensuality, here, with a touch of class and a lot of humour, but I don't see it small!



I have a JLC 159 so called SHOM, which is deliciously sized, " despite " its 34 mm case.

Even my Lecoultre Mark 7 Weems is not that small, with its 33 mm case.



But the MM Dolfin, mentionned above, is really a bit too small, for my wrist. On my daughter's wrist, it is impeccable, though!


3/ Is Small PEJORATIVE?


Certainly not!

To me, Small is synonym of Elegance, Class, Distinction. This is the size of the elegant man, sure of himself, who doesn't have to show his distinction off ( which is a sign of good education and excellent style ).

Personally, I don't get so called elegant or dressy watches which are ABOVE 39, 40 mm... Which, once on the wrist, look like an egg on the plate.

Conclusion: Do small watches have a future?

I totally dislke trends and speaking about trends, trendy tendances, but... I am pretty sure that once a certain market will be mature, small watches will become more and more popular.

Some brands did getb that, already. JLC downsized a bit their watches, for 3 years, now.

Is people shocked? No, I don't have this feeling at all.

Of course, all this rambling is just the reflect of my opinion!

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:32:15 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:33:54 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:39:00 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:48:52

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 22:40:29 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-07 07:06:01

PS: Problem with uploading pictures... Will solve that later. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2014-20:39
No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-01-06 20:39:56

Solved. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2014-22:41
No message body

That (sweet) Weems wears big!

 
 By: Tony C. : January 7th, 2014-08:20
Thanks for sharing those beauties, Nico.

Best,

TC

My pleasure, among Vintage lovers. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-11:31
No message body

Small or perhaps smaller

 
 By: jml_watches : January 7th, 2014-11:23
Hi Nicolas


Thanks for your ramblings - I'm sure they're a lot more coherent than mine.


I can certainly see where you're coming from.  It is very true to say a smaller watch say 35mm like your Parking or my Tangent can wear a lot bigger than they actually are - but I think in the case of these two they have a lot of presence, which I think many small or smaller watches have which helps them belie their physical size.

I don't have an issue with larger watches - I just tend to find them rather dominating when attached to my wrist- or as you said akin to an egg on a plate.  I'm a big fan of Reversos and feel that the GT is probably the best size for a number of reasons, though it is now one of the smaller versions of the case size - I have tried various versions of the Reverso I can't seem to get passed one thats bigger than GT - for me they just lose a certain something. But this might me being biased as thats the case size I have - love the current calendar and would have probably bought it in a GT sized case.


And small is most definitely not pejorative, but neither then is large, larger or whatever size you of watch you wear.

just want to celebrate the diversity out there.


Thanks for commentary


Cheers


JML

The pleasure of Diversity.

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-11:36

" Small " wathes make me appreciate " big " watches, and vice versa... As long as they are coherent with my wrist, and  their purpose.

As for the GT case of the Reverso, it is certainly one of the most elegant, but I must confess that I also love a lot the UT case of the Tribute To Reverso 1931. Coooler than elegant, but classy, yet.

Thanks for this great post, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

What a timely post!

 
 By: ling5hk : January 7th, 2014-02:33

At least for the past 6 months, except with my hiking watch, I have been wearing watches with size not more than 38mm.

I prefer smaller watches - 36-38mm.

Regards

Ling

 

I've already made my choice, JML.

 
 By: marcelo : January 7th, 2014-02:58

Back in 2007:



37 mm, and I really think it is much nicer than the new, enlarged 39 mm. wink

THE Classic, by Marcelo. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-03:01
No message body

Thank you, my friend. ;)

 
 By: marcelo : January 7th, 2014-03:27
The desire to have another JLC classic, like the Perpetual Ultra Thin, is so strong that it almost hurts, but the look and feel of the RDM on my wrist makes it tolerable. LOL! smile

Best!
Marcelo

Let the lust invade you. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-03:53
No message body

But you (often) have to pay for lust... ;) [nt]

 
 By: marcelo : January 7th, 2014-04:05
No message body

Not necessarily, not always. :))) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-05:56
No message body

Right, Nicolas. Often, as I said. ;) [nt]

 
 By: marcelo : January 7th, 2014-08:15
No message body

RDM is great

 
 By: jml_watches : January 7th, 2014-10:56
Hi

You're right your RDM is great - I hesitated far too long over one of these.  Think it was the last of the Master Control series to get updated, yes I know things have to change - but its always good to appreciate what came before.


Cheers

JML

And another...

 
 By: Tony C. : January 7th, 2014-08:19
18k Movado Sport from 1950; 32mm



don't think i have anything above 34mm

 
 By: eterna-fan : January 7th, 2014-09:58

 

 

 

 

and the smallest at 26mm:

 

Very nice array...

 
 By: Tony C. : January 7th, 2014-10:13
and I particularly like the fourth one (both dial and lugs).

Cheers,

Tony C.
This message has been edited by Tony C. on 2014-01-07 11:39:59

thank you

 
 By: eterna-fan : January 7th, 2014-10:35

it's a difficult watch to photograph. the outer track has a faded mirror finish and the numbers are an applied leaf, i believe.

 

 

Wonderful Vintage watches [nt]

 
 By: jml_watches : January 7th, 2014-10:58
No message body

Another superb series of fine examples. Thanks, Eterna Fan. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2014-11:38
No message body

I really like the chronometre! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : January 7th, 2014-13:45
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Exceptional - both the watch and the photos! [nt]

 
 By: jml_watches : January 7th, 2014-11:00
No message body
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