Oddly Shaped Watches - Your Thoughts?
While the vast majority of watches are round, watch brands can get creative too with oddly-shaped cases.
What are your thoughts on odd-shaped watches - fabulous or frightful?
I like them and I think the watch industry benefits from any type of thoughtful creativity. That's probably because I stare at watches all day, every day, so when an oddball shows up, I'm immediately intrigued.
My fave is (surprise, surprise) the Cartier Crash at the moment. But I certainly wouldn't refuse a Bulgari Serpenti! Oh, and I love anything MB&F does.
Thoughts? Do you have a favorite weirdly shaped timepiece or do you dislike them in general?
I've worked in different areas of the watch industry over the last 15 years. Now, I'm a freelance luxury watch writer. Instagram @luxwatchwriter. Champion of #ladieswhocrunch.
Love them! They go perfectly with my particular style!
Love them! They go perfectly with my particular style!
Good god! My eyes.
I think there is something fantastic about watch companies trying something new. Though, to me, brands like MB&F, Uwerk, and Gelfman border on mechanical art vs. anything I would actually wear.
Appreciate the effort by makers. I don't like these oddly shaped watches much. But I would keep MB&F for my outer space journey if it happens lol! also the omega looks fine
I think there is something fantastic about watch companies trying something new. Though, to me, brands like MB&F, Uwerk, and Gelfman border on mechanical art vs. anything I would actually wear.
100% agree on the mechanical art - those independents make stunning mechanical movements and striking designs - but wearability is often not even a consideration.
Appreciate the effort by makers. I don't like these oddly shaped watches much. But I would keep MB&F for my outer space journey if it happens lol! also the omega looks fine
No need to go on a journey, MB&F brings outer space to you! 😂
100% agree on the mechanical art - those independents make stunning mechanical movements and striking designs - but wearability is often not even a consideration.
Not going to lie, if I had a De Bethune Dream Watch 5 Tourbillon, I would have to at least try and wear it, or better yet it wear me, before promptly putting back on a display winder.
I am also loving the Gelfman Nixie release this year, and unlike many others, that one is kind of affordable.
Cartier Coussin 2022. Flexible diamond mesh. You can squish it like a little pillow. Yes, needless to say I am a big fan of weird.
I’m in the “I’m glad companies try different things, but GOOD LORD GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME WITH THAT NONSENSE!” crowd. That melts Cartier is about the worst thing I’ve seen. I’ve seen worse, but considering how beautiful some Cartiers are, it’s unforgivable. The exceptions for me are a few vintage watches that went for “space aged”. There’s something attractive about what people thought was futuristic in the 50-70s.
Cartier Coussin 2022. Flexible diamond mesh. You can squish it like a little pillow. Yes, needless to say I am a big fan of weird.
Sir, I’m going to have to ask you not to squish the watches, they are not actually tiny pillows.
You posted a few pieces I've never seen before. Generally not a fan for my collection . I do agree with @AllTheWatches that these watches are absolutely mechanical art. I think of all mechanical/ automatic watches as amazing machines. No power source needed beyond your body movement: be it winding with your finger tips or arm movement. Ability to keep time, date, day ,month etc without a computer is awesome. These pieces are very cool and take it to that next level into art
Not going to lie, if I had a De Bethune Dream Watch 5 Tourbillon, I would have to at least try and wear it, or better yet it wear me, before promptly putting back on a display winder.
I am also loving the Gelfman Nixie release this year, and unlike many others, that one is kind of affordable.
Looks like one of those Kamen Rider's or Power Ranger henshin gadgets.
Dugong wearing one of those after 5 minutes
"Hen...shin!" Insert the most manly poses
Cartier Coussin 2022. Flexible diamond mesh. You can squish it like a little pillow. Yes, needless to say I am a big fan of weird.
I can totally get on board with weird squishy pillow luxe watches!
Sir, I’m going to have to ask you not to squish the watches, they are not actually tiny pillows.
come on...a little squish never hurt anyone! 🤣
I’m in the “I’m glad companies try different things, but GOOD LORD GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME WITH THAT NONSENSE!” crowd. That melts Cartier is about the worst thing I’ve seen. I’ve seen worse, but considering how beautiful some Cartiers are, it’s unforgivable. The exceptions for me are a few vintage watches that went for “space aged”. There’s something attractive about what people thought was futuristic in the 50-70s.
Googie architecture!
I'm more of a traditional guy, but if they catch my eye, I don't mind them. It all depends on the watch. I always loved the Hamilton (Elvis) Watch and my wife and I are in love with the Jacob and Co Astronomia, but that is something the average guy could ever own anyway. I do like a dial that goes above and beyond the traditional design. I just bought the Timex Made Worn but very hard to read because the hands are black and half the dial is black. I do love the Ciga Design but from what I read, it's a chore to tell the time. Those are my thoughts, hope they help!
Below are the Ciga design and the Madeworn.
https://cigadesign.com/products/cigadesign-u-series-blue-planet?variant=42547368198366¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwg5uZBhATEiwAhhRLHl3qR88tvW5qxtOs5vUUiJMvh2RPlk93wULN4GLS1Kuayal-HywBWRoCRz8QAvD_BwE
Agree, the Astronomias are so insane! Jacob and Co. creations are on another level.
I've been recently discovering Tiki culture focused on the drinks and style inspired by the 1950s-60s South Seas lounge and bar trend. For some reason the Hamilton Venturas have become the style watch of that sub-culture. A concept to go with the watch really makes me want one now.
How fascinating; I love a good Tiki bar. I had no idea about the Ventura being the go-to timepiece in the sub-culture. I’m assuming Elvis influenced some of that.
I’m glad companies innovate. I think that’s essential to keeping the craft alive. And they’ll always find people who love whacked-out watches, but I’m not one of them. I don’t even like rectangular dress watches. When you stick two or three little rods on a fixed point they will go in circles. The very design of an analog watch begs for a circle. Nothing like a clean, round dial IMHO.
How fascinating; I love a good Tiki bar. I had no idea about the Ventura being the go-to timepiece in the sub-culture. I’m assuming Elvis influenced some of that.
I'm sure. It is the most obvious post-war American timepiece of the Jet Age after Hamilton began commercial production again. This YouTube show, Spike's Breezeway Cocktail Hour is the case in point for the Tiki Culture adoption of the Ventura. Modern Tiki culture has kind of blended the 1950s aesthetic with pin-ups, hotroads, post-swing, rockabilly-punk mergers to become kind of a post-modern free for all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iz5JofA0YA&t=49s
Hamilton makes loads of XL and XXL versions of the Ventura too
Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks, need somethin a bit dressy for my daughter's graduation, looks like I'm sorted now. 😃
I'm too much a traditionalist I suppose. It's all I can do to like a square watch.
What a killer shape! Amazing, thanks for sharing.
Hard no.
I don't know if these count as 'odd', but I had never seen watches like this before I stumbled across Minase.
Thanks for sharing. Didn't know about this brand.
Odd shaped watches don't bother me. They add more art to the horological realm. If I had one of those Bugatti watches from Jacob and Co. I would wear it until it needed an oil change. Yet some I don't think are made to wear but only when you are looking at them. Some are just plain outright "Why?" watches. Like this one. Why? 😁
Odd can be a good thing if it's inexpensive. An odd very expensive watch can be identified from a long way off as a target. They are good conversation starters
all of these were under $50.00 CDN
This watch is not exactly a strangely shaped watch but it is pretty odd, to me it's pretty awesome, I love the philosophy behind the watch... The fact that you can still tell time on it is a plus... i'd like it even if you couldn't 😜
Kristof explains his inspiration for the design:
"Ironically, it took time to change the way I look at time. A couple of years ago, I read a quote by a Chinese writer, translator, linguist and philosopher Lin Yutang that I’ve kept close to my heart ever since:
'If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learnt how to live'.
So when designing this watch, I took that quote as a starting point.
The quote by Lin Yutang taught me the value of doing nothing at all every once in a while.
One of the ways I love wasting time is by floating around, with my eyes closed, letting the water be my guide.
The perspective of my illustration lets you dive into time."
Some cheapos from Ali. Of course, one of them is from Moonbiffy.
This watch is not exactly a strangely shaped watch but it is pretty odd, to me it's pretty awesome, I love the philosophy behind the watch... The fact that you can still tell time on it is a plus... i'd like it even if you couldn't 😜
Kristof explains his inspiration for the design:
"Ironically, it took time to change the way I look at time. A couple of years ago, I read a quote by a Chinese writer, translator, linguist and philosopher Lin Yutang that I’ve kept close to my heart ever since:
'If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learnt how to live'.
So when designing this watch, I took that quote as a starting point.
The quote by Lin Yutang taught me the value of doing nothing at all every once in a while.
One of the ways I love wasting time is by floating around, with my eyes closed, letting the water be my guide.
The perspective of my illustration lets you dive into time."
Creative concept - I want to ditch all my responsibilities and head out to the pool now!
I have recently preordered the Moels 528 watch and i find it unique , eyecatching , groundbreaking and love the company website it is open and very informative. https://moelsandco.com/