The Trend of Shrinking Watch Sizes: A Shift in the Watch Industry
In early December, Nicolò Villa, a jeweler from Milan, made a surprising purchase while in Manhattan for a trunk show. He spotted a pre-owned Rolex Lady-Datejust with a blue-green opal dial in a shop on West 47th Street. The watch, at 26 millimeters in diameter, was only slightly larger than a 25-cent piece.
Initially bought for his mother, Mr. Villa had a change of heart and decided to keep the watch for himself. “I felt comfortable wearing it,” he said at a gem show in Tucson, Ariz. “I’m liking more the very flat styles, and I’m going smaller. It feels more elegant. I’m not such a big guy. Proportions for me are very important.”
This shift towards smaller watch sizes is not new to watch lovers, who have been obsessing over the trend for shrinking cases. While larger watches were popular in the early 2000s, the current trend is undeniably dainty and surprisingly feminine.
Celebrities like rapper Bad Bunny and actor Timothée Chalamet have been seen sporting teeny tiny dress watches, contributing to the social media-fueled ubiquity of smaller case sizes.
John Reardon, founder of Collectability.com, noted that men are now asking for 32-millimeter watches, a size that was previously considered too small for men. This shift in preference has been attributed to the comfort and elegance that smaller watches provide.
The idea of a “girl’s watch” is also evolving, with women questioning traditional labels and marketing tactics in the watch industry. Brynn Wallner, founder of Dimepiece, highlighted the importance of smaller watches and hopes that watchmakers will pay more attention to ergonomics in their designs.
As collectors embrace smaller models, the watch market is moving away from the hype of larger, more common watches. People are now seeking unique, individualistic pieces, which often happen to be smaller in size.
Los Angeles photographer Melanie Pullen recently shifted her collecting approach towards more feminine watches, stating, “I’m drawn to smaller and more wearable pieces.” This change reflects a broader trend in the watch industry towards smaller, more unique timepieces.
Overall, the trend of shrinking watch sizes represents a shift in the watch industry towards individuality, comfort, and elegance, challenging traditional norms and embracing diversity in watch styles.
