Small seconds: is it better?
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Henrik
Always had a watch, as far as I can remember. A full glow-in-the-dark Swatch Scuba was my gateway into clicky bezels as a 14 year old.
stuttgart
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
6.69” / 17.00 cm
I personally love small seconds. Not on every watch, obviously. But pieces with a high dial to bezel ratio, and a lot of open real estate (like most Nomos, or vintage-inspired watches) really benefit from some of the symmetrical interest a small seconds adds imho.
Hear, hear! What @GullibleAndroid said. Indeed not on every watch, but I have discovered I like ‘m a lot (although i have just one watch with small seconds :)
I love either a short secound hand or a very long one that comes close to the chapter ring!
I love the Aqua Terra with white dial
I personally love small seconds. Not on every watch, obviously. But pieces with a high dial to bezel ratio, and a lot of open real estate (like most Nomos, or vintage-inspired watches) really benefit from some of the symmetrical interest a small seconds adds imho.
Maybe I am hesitating as I am new to mechanical watches and the smooth sweeping is just mesmerising to me.
Hear, hear! What @GullibleAndroid said. Indeed not on every watch, but I have discovered I like ‘m a lot (although i have just one watch with small seconds :)
I still just own watches without small seconds. I should check them out in person to see the movement of the seconds hand.
Love a small seconds!
Maybe I am hesitating as I am new to mechanical watches and the smooth sweeping is just mesmerising to me.
A smooth sweep is one of the highlights of this hobby for sure! Fortunately, I don’t think it’s an either/or stance when it comes to small seconds. Some watches look fantastic with a tidy little seconds subdial, some have that beautiful full size mechanical sweep. So many shapes, sizes, movements, dials, etc… to explore in the world of watches! And all are awesome. 👏
I think it's funny that small seconds is seen almost as a complication these days when it used to just be how people made second's hands. Center seconds was the complicated part at one point.
I've been a big fan of the small seconds on my certina.
I go through phases where I think I like it, but it often compromises the dial in some way and, like date windows, I usually end up with a frown on my face and I don't buy them.
I think it's funny that small seconds is seen almost as a complication these days when it used to just be how people made second's hands. Center seconds was the complicated part at one point.
Good to know! Thanks!
They are inferior and used to be a simple way to show things by having the hand being directly gear driven.
Central seconds, a much more usable feature has been around for a while now, and there is really no excuse for a new watch to have them. Either the manufacturer or the customer is being twee and annoying, basically.
I like a central seconds hand because of the sweep but I also enjoy small seconds because it’s a complication that adds intrigue to a watch. Small register also offers a complex design element.
I don't like small seconds... I LOVE them!
But yours is a date complication, right? Or are you talking about the very nice central seconds?
Yes, i was just referring to the dial. Here is something to consider if you’re looking for a cheaper version of small seconds.
Thank you. Yes, it’s from the town of Tramelan in Switzerland. I like the mid-20th-Century design. It languished in my watch junk (replaced by the superior accuracy of quartz) until my wife recognized it as the watch I wore when we met, so I had it serviced and put back into regular wear.
Thats awesome. I'm dipping my toes into vintage watches this year.
I love small seconds hands, usually it’s adds a flair of elegance.
Central seconds is more practical though… I usually prefer it on divers/ pilot’s watches, or other sports watches.
With the exception of my Panerai Luminor
Nostalgic love of small seconds here. When I started school in 1969 I got my first watch, a Flora with small seconds and the mysterious text "Swiss Made" on the dial.
I've been a big fan of the small seconds on my certina.
That looks great. Integrating the small seconds and date window like that is very appealing
Love small seconds especially heritage pieces, total class - not on an aqua terra though
Really depends on what watch it is. For instance, there is no way that I would have bought my Nomos if it had a central seconds hand. The small seconds are a key part of the design.
On the other hand, I certainly wouldn't want small seconds on my Khaki FIeld for example.
A lot brands just take a generic watch design and slap small seconds on there, which looks awful. To look good, a watch needs a cohesive design and to do that, elements like the seconds need to be considered in the rest of the dial, as well.
My Grail. One day
I do like small seconds on some watches and have a couple with small seconds. Funny thing is although center seconds is pretty much standard now, it is a complication over small seconds.
When done right small seconds can make an ordinary dial look interesting. The Aqua Terra SS is an example of a design that nails it in my opinion.
Love small seconds especially heritage pieces, total class - not on an aqua terra though
The Aqua Terra seems to be a love or hate thing with ss
I generally find small second hand watches to be more elegant, so I’m all for it 👍
Really love the 35mm Nomos Orion with the Alpha movement years ago. Moved it on and it won’t be missed, but it was great while it lasted. Ah, the watch madness… 😂
It has a very appealing looks. At least for me. One of my favorite in my small collection.
Ah yes, the watch from an alternate world where a minute has 31 seconds...🤣
I love the look of a small seconds dial
I'm with you. One of the joys of an automatic watch is the sweeping second hand. I stay far away from any and all small seconds watches and only a few have peaked my interest in their design.