Unisex vintage too small?
So, I saw this thing online and immediately fell in love with it. I've always wanted a Hamilton and a watch from the 1940s--why not combine both of those into one watch?
I asked a lot of questions to the seller before getting it but must admit that none of the questions were meaningful. No questions on movements, service history, and the like. Instead, I came up with "Can you put it next to a coin so I can see how small it is?" and "Can you do better with the price?"
When it did arrive I was surprised by how small it was. I knew it was going to be small but was not prepared for how small it actually wore on the wrist. At 28mm, I think it wears more like a ladies' watch than unisex.
I love the idea of owning an 80+ year old watch that's still ticking. I love the "dream" that this watch--being a Hamilton and being produced between 1937-1948--probably saw action during World War 2. So, overall, I'm happy with the purchase. I plan to change the brown leather strap to black and "baptize" this as my official black tie/business suit dress watch.
I'm getting used to the size but, well, you tell me. How small is too small?
I've got a god-shaped hole in my life that I'm trying to fill in futility with watches.
Looks great. If you can read the time, it’s not too small.
If it was a modern watch, in steel and no patina, maybe I would say it's a little bit too small.
But being a vintage, and knowing that this is your "suit and tie" watch, I'm totally (like totally totally) fine with the size. The lugs are just a little long and de curved glass gives it more presence on the wrist. It's subjective but for me it's a keeper by far !
It looks great! Before I started collecting vintage watches, I felt that anything under 40mm was too small for my wrist. When I added my first vintage watch to my collection, it looked far too small for me to wear, but as I have added more vintage watches, my tastes regarding size have shifted, and I now prefer smaller watches in the range of 30mm-39mm.
From my perspective it's not too small if it is historically accurate, and that it undoubtedly is.
That is a man's watch for a normal sized man. If you wear it a while the shock will dissipate and it will not seem so small. We have been conditioned to wear large watches for thirty years. It is a beautiful old Hamilton and can be dressed up as you intend and dressed down. Put it on a distressed brown leather strap and wear it with jeans and a t-shirt. It will look sharp either way.
It's a beautiful watch,not too small IMO.
I was gifted a pobeda on a leather strap (18mm lugs) which I found very small to wear. I have put it on a bund and I feel that works. Bund straps were obviously around in the 1940s so the time period is OK but not sure whether your type of Hamilton ever appeared on a bund? Just an idea.
People er.........worry about size, its perfect. I have never had any problems with a small watch, in fact back in the day most men's watches were considerably smaller that they are now. I would rather go small than too big.
I also have the mechanical khaki field on a bund....
Cyma ATPs were 28-29mm and were issued to serving soldiers in WWII. That is a gentleman’s watch from the 1940s. If you can’t stomach wearing anything sub-34mm get out of the vintage market, period.
I think we've just got so used to larger sizes. Certainly anything over 40mm is a lot bigger than watches used to be. I picked up this lovely Oris, I think from the 70s. It's has a field watch sort of vibe, with the lumed numerals and cross hair symbol, but it's really small compared to anything modern. Especially with the bronze, almost gold case, it could be a ladies watch for sure. I'm going to put a chunkier strap on it, see if that makes it look better on wrist.
Thanks for all the wonderful encouragement. The size is growing on me. Though I may not wear it often, just because I'd like to be careful with it given how old it is. It's not an everyday watch, definitely. But it won't be a safe queen either, I can promise you that.
I definitely will need to change the strap for something else, just not sure what. I like the idea of brown distressed leather. Wondering if that still makes it a "proper" dress watch. Though I've heard that vintage--especially this many decades vintage--trumps conventional sartorial guidelines. I've read or watch somewhere on YouTube maybe that an old watch transcends all levels of formality and can be worn even in a black tie event. Can't remember where I picked that information up from.
Thanks for all the wonderful encouragement. The size is growing on me. Though I may not wear it often, just because I'd like to be careful with it given how old it is. It's not an everyday watch, definitely. But it won't be a safe queen either, I can promise you that.
I definitely will need to change the strap for something else, just not sure what. I like the idea of brown distressed leather. Wondering if that still makes it a "proper" dress watch. Though I've heard that vintage--especially this many decades vintage--trumps conventional sartorial guidelines. I've read or watch somewhere on YouTube maybe that an old watch transcends all levels of formality and can be worn even in a black tie event. Can't remember where I picked that information up from.
I think that my first comment on WC was about just this. There was some post or other about "dress" watches and I opined that a 1940's Gruen on a black band was as dressy as any modern dress watch. I feel the same for most Bulova and Hamilton. Match the strap to the shoes and belt and have the most notable watch at any affair.
I’m not sure how to quantify “optimised for looks” or “wear them differently”… I mean that is a 1936 Vertex gents watch. It is what it is. I’m not wearing it to make a deliberate statement, but for less than the price of a Bambino I have a quality Swiss watch from a respected brand. That makes more sense to me. I have a large wrist, a classic watch, and a robust sense of masculinity, and all these things are not mutually exclusive.
Got you.
I agree, if you seek validation then your motives are quite transparent. Then again, I have x amount of $$$ recommend me a watch posts equal instant muting. I’m happy to help if you ask me personally for a recommendation, but en mass the answer is always the same ( (D) Seiko ), and the question is never filled with the appropriate information to end with an informed opinion. Opinions, like watches, are a***holes - we all have them and some are older and smaller than others.
The answer is (D) Seiko.
To @brunofrankelli - if you are uncomfortable wearing it, don’t. There are plenty who will take it off your hands.
That looks amazing!
I’m not ashamed to admit that I asked the question around size because I do care about what others think of my “fashion” choices. But not exactly to fit in but rather not to stand out.
Got you.
I agree, if you seek validation then your motives are quite transparent. Then again, I have x amount of $$$ recommend me a watch posts equal instant muting. I’m happy to help if you ask me personally for a recommendation, but en mass the answer is always the same ( (D) Seiko ), and the question is never filled with the appropriate information to end with an informed opinion. Opinions, like watches, are a***holes - we all have them and some are older and smaller than others.
The answer is (D) Seiko.
To @brunofrankelli - if you are uncomfortable wearing it, don’t. There are plenty who will take it off your hands.
Thanks for the feedback.
There’s this holier-than-thou notion that we should all do whatever we want and wear whatever we like, damn everyone else. I don’t subscribe to that and caring about what other people think does not automatically make a person weak. We don’t live in a vacuum.
As I pointed out in another comment, I’m asking about sizes not necessarily to fit in but rather not to stand out. Unfortunately, “we live in a society”. I always always always would rather wear running shorts and round neck shirts and flipflops everywhere, no matter the occasion or place. But I don’t.
I HAVE to wear a suit for work. I don’t like it. Someone will say, don’t wear a suit. Do whatever you like. But what if what I like does not meet the requirements of the world?
@MegaBob You’re right about the attempt to optimize for looks and wearing it different. The watch and its history is too good that I believe it trumps conventions. I can’t imagine myself being 100% comfortable wearing a 28mm watch but it’s not like I’ve ever been comfortable wearing a suit either.
Thanks for the feedback.
There’s this holier-than-thou notion that we should all do whatever we want and wear whatever we like, damn everyone else. I don’t subscribe to that and caring about what other people think does not automatically make a person weak. We don’t live in a vacuum.
As I pointed out in another comment, I’m asking about sizes not necessarily to fit in but rather not to stand out. Unfortunately, “we live in a society”. I always always always would rather wear running shorts and round neck shirts and flipflops everywhere, no matter the occasion or place. But I don’t.
I HAVE to wear a suit for work. I don’t like it. Someone will say, don’t wear a suit. Do whatever you like. But what if what I like does not meet the requirements of the world?
@MegaBob You’re right about the attempt to optimize for looks and wearing it different. The watch and its history is too good that I believe it trumps conventions. I can’t imagine myself being 100% comfortable wearing a 28mm watch but it’s not like I’ve ever been comfortable wearing a suit either.
I don’t think making a personal choice or having the courage to wear what you want is holier-than-thou… confidence does not automatically equal arrogance. If there is little that will encourage you that you are ok to wear such a size, move it along, and stay away from this era of vintage in future as it’s 28-32mm for the majority. It’s not for you, and that’s ok, you tried and you didn’t like it. Hopefully this little escapade didn’t cost you too much.
I don’t think making a personal choice or having the courage to wear what you want is holier-than-thou… confidence does not automatically equal arrogance. If there is little that will encourage you that you are ok to wear such a size, move it along, and stay away from this era of vintage in future as it’s 28-32mm for the majority. It’s not for you, and that’s ok, you tried and you didn’t like it. Hopefully this little escapade didn’t cost you too much.
No, I like it. Works quite well in a suit, even a non-formal one