Small watches have well and truly made a comeback. Just a couple of years back, a dainty watch measuring anything below 40mm was deemed “feminine”, and was often separated into the ladies category. Fast forward to the present day, and more men have been seen sporting diminutive designs, ranging from 37mm to anything smaller. As observed at Watches and Wonders earlier this year, more brands have released smaller versions of their best-selling designs developed for both men and ladies.
The “Quiet Luxury” trend could well probably be credited for the resurgence of these subtler, low-key designs. Then there’s also the practical reason for choosing a smaller case size, especially for those with slender wrists. Whether you’re looking for watches that complement your wrist size or you just find compact designs appealing, we’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best small watches in the market.
Hublot Classic Fusion Original Titanium
The combination of the satin-finished polished titanium case and the matte black dial make for a discreetly elegant piece. The Hublot Classic Fusion in a diminutive 33mm comes in a variety of styles, movements and designs, but we think the original titanium would make an ideal everyday watch and looks great peeking out from under a shirt cuff.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
Audemars Piguet recently unveiled five new designs in 37mm this year, but don’t let the small case fool you. This 18-carat pink gold case and bezel set with baguette-cut blue sapphires is nothing short of a statement piece.
Panerai Luminor Duo Luna Tuttooro
Great things come in small packages, like the Panerai Luminor Duo Luna in 38mm which features the brand’s first full gold bracelet. Crafted with the in-house Goldtech material, the deep red gold sheen beautifully complements the blue sun-brushed dial.
Cartier Baignoire
The Baignoire may not be one of Cartier’s more famed designs, but it certainly is a style that’s worth paying attention to, especially if you fancy a dainty watch. This mini Baignoire de Cartier model in 18K yellow gold may be marketed towards women in general, but similar renditions of the Baignoire have been spotted on the wrists of many stylish men through the years, including George Harrison and actor James Garner.
Zenith Defy Revival A3642
It may look tiny compared to its predecessors, but the DEFY Revival is a robust timepiece that punches above its weight. The Zenith Defy Revival is a reproduction of the brand’s first-ever DEFY model from 1969 but in a smaller 37mm case. The 14-sided octagonal bezel adds a touch of toughness to the otherwise diminutive design. The subtle gradient brown dial looks just as good with a casual outfit or with a suit.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Four
For obvious reasons, dive watches usually come in larger case sizes but Tudor has decided to release a smaller version of its popular Black Bay. Despite the 37mm case, the functions are exactly what you’d require from a serious dive watch with an impressive water resistance of 200 metres and a 60-minute unidirectional bezel. There’s also the option of a steel or rubber bracelet.
