Zombie watches. Angular shapes rise from the dead.
Often times our perception and reality don't always align. So I'll begin by admitting this could be just my perception. But it seems to me that watches that are not round seem to be gaining in popularity.
I am admittedly newer to the wonderful world of watches. But during the time that I have been worshipping at the altar of Kronos, the round, or roundish watch reigned supreme. Or at least that's how I felt. There were, of course, several non round watches that had "classic" status but most quadrilateral time pieces didn't seem to move the needle.
As humans we are also always craving something different and new. But there are only so many ways to shape a watch. And all things being cyclical we were bound to head back to more angular watches. Are we there?
I've noticed more attention and praise being heaped on models like Cartier's Tank and Santos as well as JLC's Reverso. Nomos has a popular square model (forgive me I don't know the model). Recently Hamilton has made a stab at a rectangular watch. The Mido TV is about to become the next big phenomenon. The micro brand Brew has been stirring that pot for a minute now. I've even heard people say nice things about the Monaco, and No one seems to like Tag Heuer (I'm taking dramatic license. I know they have their fans). My Oris Miles Tonneau easily gets The most attention of the watches I post to WRUW. AliX is begining to have Seiko Santos "homages" and Nomos forgeries. The forgers follow the money and the popularity .The angular watch is suddenly everywhere.
But I hear LL Cool J singing in the background "Don't call it a come back, I've been here for years".
Perhaps they were never out of favor. Perhaps my appreciation for them is growing so I'm noticing them more. Perhaps marketing is shifting. Perhaps I'm just a dumihed!! (That later is nearly certain)
What do you think?
Are angular watches making a push?
If they are how do you feel about it?
Have I just missed the forest for the trees?
What is your favorite watch that's not round?
Just a watch dumi hoping to learn stuff
It might be my perception or bias, but I don't think they are really rising that much in the overall landscape.
That said, maybe they are having a resurgence even though they will likely never overtake the standard round dials.
Favorite watch not round is the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80s. Maybe favorite watch period!
When I was first drawn to watches, I was immediately captivated by rectangular shaped watches. I thought they were clean and stood out from the sea of round dials.
My first mechanical watch was a Louis Erard.
Not sure if they are making a push as I always seem to remember them sticking out, at least in my mind (in a good way). If a Tonneau shaped case counts, I have 3, not counting Casios or G-Shock.
I'm unfamiliar with Louis Erard, but not for long. I'll be googling it in a second. That's a beautiful piece.
Thanks! I think they have new ownership or they decided to go in a totally different way in terms of their designs. I bought this watch like almost 15 years ago and now all their designs are more modern and have a more artistic aesthetic. I’m all for new ideas but I’m kind of sad they don’t produce what I consider classic watches anymore.
squaring the circle, square watch case and round face, you can have everything in this life🤣🤣🤣
I see what you mean. They have some nice pieces, but a lot more "artistic" ones. But whatever, at least they made a good one for you.
That model and it’s Chronograph version can still be purchased on sites like chrono24
Squared circle makes me think of boxing lol. That a great watch. I like black watches. Is that PVD? Does it scratch easily?
In fact, it is not PVD, it is black ceramic, it does not scratch but a very strong blow can shatter it.
It depends on what you are looking for in a non-round watch because there are plenty of G-Shock around.
My interest lies mainly in dress, sport, and vintage watches giving little regard to divers which are almost universally round with minimal differentiation. I think more unique designs are beginning to make a comeback.
Great questions.. my take on your questions
Are angular watches making a push? I had a similar epiphany however I came to the conclusion that no they are not making a push instead my awareness of them had grown. I have started to appreciate different watches and discovered different brands. Brands that have angular watches. Cartier has always famously had angular watches; Santos and tank. Then you have "iconic" watches such JLC Reverso and Heuer Monaco.
How do I feel about it? what's my favorite? I love them I recently got a Reverso Tribute Duoface for my 40th. I will get a tank or Santos in the future and possibly a Monaco. I also love the Oris rectangular especially the red one!!
Thanks for asking 😂
Favorite watch not round is the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80s. Maybe favorite watch period!
All hail the triangular watch.
I fell in and out of love with square watches. Tank style/shape are classic and here to stand the test of time! So I’ll focus my comment on the square style only.
I rocked a Fortis square for 8 years and it was awesome for a while but I felt ackward wearing it as it stood out too much ( my perception of course)
It might be the time for a square watch again as I agree with you and also feel they’re making a comeback.
Here is the brick I wore for 8 years.
Thanks for this post👍
Wow! It's a nice looking, but it's not square. It's a block! I don't think I could have managed that for 8 years.
Ya you should see the door knobs at my old house 🤕🤣
I hope they become more available. My interest in vintage watches is fueled by this but I want watches that are new, I don't want scuffed up watches with a patina.
I kinda have a thing for these....
It's a little thick...it's actually called a petite sonnerie although it behaves like more of an alarm
Last year the New York Times thought that they were having a moment. This kind of moment comes and goes. Rectangular watches were the majority of case shapes sold until about 1950. Since 1960 they have been less then 10% of the market, usually much less.
They are about a quarter of my collection.
I like square watches. Bell and Ross, Brew, Cartier, Tag Monaco.
I don't have a subscription to the Times so I can't read the article. 🤬😕 But while thinking about this post I read a couple of bits on the Internet about how, as people moved away from pocket watches, the rectangle was king. Then it shifted to round in the 50s. So what your saying falls right in line with that.
I really did think that they were at the beginning of a resurgence. But after reading most of the comments and having a think, I'm beginning to believe I was reading more into it than was there. I'm thinking that my interests and tastes are expanding just enough that I am more aware of square and rectangle watches.
"Me" does not equal "We"
We can thank Cartier for rectangle watches in the first half of the 20th Century.
I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion....but I'm really digging that Nixon in the photo. Anyone know the ref#?
Let's not take sides, we are not boxes!
What a great collection, he is mine!
Oh I am having problems with my worms today, meant to say here is mine!
The Mido Multifort big date has a very interesting tv case . Also the Manta cased Doxa is a notable….
When I was first drawn to watches, I was immediately captivated by rectangular shaped watches. I thought they were clean and stood out from the sea of round dials.
My first mechanical watch was a Louis Erard.
Don’t put yer eye out laddie !
I'm unfamiliar with Louis Erard, but not for long. I'll be googling it in a second. That's a beautiful piece.
It’s like a picture frame
When I was first drawn to watches, I was immediately captivated by rectangular shaped watches. I thought they were clean and stood out from the sea of round dials.
My first mechanical watch was a Louis Erard.
Love #louiserard especially the #alainsilberstein collaborations (although I know they are not square or rectangular)
Here are my favorite "angular" watches
#cartier Santos
#hamiltonboulton
#tagheuer Monaco
When I was first drawn to watches, I was immediately captivated by rectangular shaped watches. I thought they were clean and stood out from the sea of round dials.
My first mechanical watch was a Louis Erard.
That’s a big watch
That’s a big watch
Yah, it’s not for the faint of heart! The lugs barely fit within my wrist.