Whatever happened to thin watches?
- Wis
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Whatever happened to thin watches?
During the 50's and 60's it seems to me that quality watches were thin. Also the cases were thinner at the edge, giving them an even slimmer outline. This thinness makes them extremely comfortable to wear, as well as stylish and understated. Not to mention marvels of micro technology.
Now, it seems to me it is rare to find a new watch slimmer than 10mm. Even a very expensive model called "ultra thin" is 9,9mm thick (Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39)! Not by any strech of the imagination is 9,9mm ultra thin.
Now, I love the C5, but its 10,8mm thick case sits like a brick on the wrist compared to my beloved Polerouter. Of course, the micro rotor movement of the Polerouter allows it to be thinner than a model with a conventional rotor, but why has thin gone out of style? Has elegance somehow been redefined to mean big and clumsy?
Diver's watches need a bit of bulk. Chronographs also. But why this dearth of thin, elegant dress watches?
Ok, rant over. Thanks for reading.
Now, it seems to me it is rare to find a new watch slimmer than 10mm. Even a very expensive model called "ultra thin" is 9,9mm thick (Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39)! Not by any strech of the imagination is 9,9mm ultra thin.
Now, I love the C5, but its 10,8mm thick case sits like a brick on the wrist compared to my beloved Polerouter. Of course, the micro rotor movement of the Polerouter allows it to be thinner than a model with a conventional rotor, but why has thin gone out of style? Has elegance somehow been redefined to mean big and clumsy?
Diver's watches need a bit of bulk. Chronographs also. But why this dearth of thin, elegant dress watches?
Ok, rant over. Thanks for reading.
Bjørn
- Kip
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
I too would like to see some thinner watches. The C20 and C8 are the only watches under 10mm from CWL.
It looked like the trend in the industry might head toward thinner last year but that seems to be fading away. Perhaps having to do with a lessened demand for dress watches. The other problem seems to be the availability of thin movements.
It looked like the trend in the industry might head toward thinner last year but that seems to be fading away. Perhaps having to do with a lessened demand for dress watches. The other problem seems to be the availability of thin movements.
Kip
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"Asylum Administrator"
Visit the CWArchives for everything CW. Historical, specs, manuals and resale. It is all there.
Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
http://www.piaget.com/watches/altiplano
only 5.25mm thick.. the movement itself isonly 2.35mm thick and its an auto!
only 5.25mm thick.. the movement itself isonly 2.35mm thick and its an auto!
Who watches the watch-men
- xtriple
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
I've got a Longines dress watch which is 6mm thick (according to my inacurate tape measure) and looks superb on the wrist. Of course, it's QUARTZ
CW C3 CWS, C13 GWT, 2012 FLE. Tag Heuer. Citizen. Tissot Tudor. Breitling Colt + SuperOcean. Orient SK. Deep Blue. Seiko X2. Steinhart Ocean 1. Timex X3. MuDu. Longines. Yema. Omega Speedmaster +Seamaster SMP. Roamer. Sully. Bulova. Ingersol.
- Wis
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Come on, you got to be kidding. What is the point of having electronics inside a watch case? Might as well use your mobile to tell the time.xtriple wrote:I've got a Longines dress watch which is 6mm thick (according to my inacurate tape measure) and looks superb on the wrist. Of course, it's QUARTZ
Bjørn
- xtriple
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
HeathenWis wrote:Come on, you got to be kidding. What is the point of having electronics inside a watch case? Might as well use your mobile to tell the time.xtriple wrote:I've got a Longines dress watch which is 6mm thick (according to my inacurate tape measure) and looks superb on the wrist. Of course, it's QUARTZ
CW C3 CWS, C13 GWT, 2012 FLE. Tag Heuer. Citizen. Tissot Tudor. Breitling Colt + SuperOcean. Orient SK. Deep Blue. Seiko X2. Steinhart Ocean 1. Timex X3. MuDu. Longines. Yema. Omega Speedmaster +Seamaster SMP. Roamer. Sully. Bulova. Ingersol.
- Wis
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
I believe there is a market for thin, classic dress watches, but nobody fills that niche it seems. Probably the availability, or lack thereof, of thin movements is part of the answer.Kip wrote:
It looked like the trend in the industry might head toward thinner last year but that seems to be fading away. Perhaps having to do with a lessened demand for dress watches. The other problem seems to be the availability of thin movements.
Bjørn
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Let's hope Mr. W is listening!Wis wrote:I believe there is a market for thin, classic dress watches, but nobody fills that niche it seems. Probably the availability, or lack thereof, of thin movements is part of the answer.
Bjorn, the Tangente is only 6.6mm and it costs many times less than the Altiplano!
Steve
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Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
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- ianblyth
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Zenith have the Captain range at 8.1mm and the Ultra Thin at 7.6mm. Both automatics.
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/4/15
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/7/16
I thought thin watches were cool years ago. Now they look passe. If I see someone wearing a really thin watch it looks like it was painted on rather than be a real watch.
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/4/15
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/7/16
I thought thin watches were cool years ago. Now they look passe. If I see someone wearing a really thin watch it looks like it was painted on rather than be a real watch.
"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." Anais Nin
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Whilst I totally respect your opinion and your superb taste and collection, Ian, I can't agree with you there. My thinnest watches (Nomos and vintage Enicar) are among my very favourites.ianblyth wrote: I thought thin watches were cool years ago. Now they look passe. If I see someone wearing a really thin watch it looks like it was painted on rather than be a real watch.
Good job we don't all think the same!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- Wis
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Yes, but it doesn't quite tick all my boxes - for the moment. Perhaps later it will. That's been known to happen!Amor Vincit Omnia wrote:Let's hope Mr. W is listening!Wis wrote:I believe there is a market for thin, classic dress watches, but nobody fills that niche it seems. Probably the availability, or lack thereof, of thin movements is part of the answer.
Bjorn, the Tangente is only 6.6mm and it costs many times less than the Altiplano!
Bjørn
- Wis
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
These Zeniths certainly are the business. Thanks for reminding me. For me they are the perfect height, depth, what ever you call it. Thinner than that and in some cases I can understand you point, but it depends on the overall design. Some very thin watches simply look gorgeous.ianblyth wrote:Zenith have the Captain range at 8.1mm and the Ultra Thin at 7.6mm. Both automatics.
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/4/15
http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/collection/flow/7/16
I thought thin watches were cool years ago. Now they look passe. If I see someone wearing a really thin watch it looks like it was painted on rather than be a real watch.
I like chunky watches also. I just don't think all watches need be chunky.
Bjørn
- Loddonite
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
I imagine thin watches are a casualty of the fashion for larger watches - a 43mm watch 6mm thick would just bend (maybe not ) and look wrong.
Dom
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- Wis
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
I think you're absolutely right. Of course, no dress watch should ever be more than at most 39mm.Loddonite wrote:I imagine thin watches are a casualty of the fashion for larger watches - a 43mm watch 6mm thick would just bend (maybe not ) and look wrong.
Bjørn
- Dancematt
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Re: Whatever happened to thin watches?
Ryan Gosling wore a thin watch in Drive therefore thin =
I miss all the great things that may never be.
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