How Do You Feel About Small Seconds?
Small seconds, usually located at the 6 o'clock under the centrally placed main hour and minute hands, were a popular design many decades ago, and can still be found on quite a few watches going for a vintage vibe even today. I believe the reason for the placement was both about aesthetics and practicality, as it mechanically was a simpler design than center seconds.
Anyway, what do you think about small seconds? Do you prefer it over center seconds, or is it a relic best left in the past?
(Please note that I am not talking about chronographs here, which usually comes with two or more subdials.)
Image: Longines.com
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Andreas
Swedish guy with a Master's degree in Japanese and an interest in traditional culture and aesthetics.
Stockholm
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
I don't mind it on vintage watches, but I think it is criminally stupid on modern watches, even ones old enough to get a pension at this point. Just omit the seconds hand altogether instead. The small seconds are only really useful as a sign of life, but it takes a long time to register with the teeny hand.
I'll make an exception for very thin watches, like that Bulgari Octo Finissimo, as the omission of extra gearing for central seconds serves a purpose there and is not just a sad regression.
I love small seconds! I might be in the minority here, but I believe a small second complication really adds a touch of class and vintage anesthetic.
I don't mind it on vintage watches, but I think it is criminally stupid on modern watches, even ones old enough to get a pension at this point. Just omit the seconds hand altogether instead. The small seconds are only really useful as a sign of life, but it takes a long time to register with the teeny hand.
I'll make an exception for very thin watches, like that Bulgari Octo Finissimo, as the omission of extra gearing for central seconds serves a purpose there and is not just a sad regression.
Well argued. The point about saving space in really thin watches makes sense. I had not thought about that.
I love small seconds! I might be in the minority here, but I believe a small second complication really adds a touch of class and vintage anesthetic.
Looking at the results so far, it seems you are in good company. 🙂
Love small seconds, especially if they make the dial asymmetric. Here are some of mine
There’s no option for “I don’t like it”
I have a watch with small seconds in my collection and it’s the only thing making me consider selling it.
I also love Nomos for their design and came close to buying a ahoi awhike back… but the small seconds put me off.
Love small seconds, especially if they make the dial asymmetric. Here are some of mine
True, those look better than the common 6 o'clock.
There’s no option for “I don’t like it”
I have a watch with small seconds in my collection and it’s the only thing making me consider selling it.
I also love Nomos for their design and came close to buying a ahoi awhike back… but the small seconds put me off.
I thought about naming the option that, but I wanted to spruce things up with "center seconds all the way". Being a bit fancy.
And yeah, I don't like small seconds myself. 😆
I only have one watch with a small seconds, my Longines Master Collection. I'd probably rather still have it as central, or no seconds, but it's a retrograde seconds, and as such I think it's super cool.
I love how my chronograph's small second dial always works as a chronograph dial, leaving the center second hand to tick as usual.
I love how my chronograph's small second dial always works as a chronograph dial, leaving the center second hand to tick as usual.
Very nice, that's one function I wish my Baltany chronograph had.
Would love one, none in my collection yet.
Really surprised to see the strong support towards small seconds, considering how few modern watches that have them. Personally I think they're an eyesore. 😅
small second hand looks great on vintage inspired watches. It's a must on any british military watch(Dirty dozen) and looks really neat on a dress watch. I do not curenty own one but in my top 5 next watch to buy there's always one with a small second hands.
If it makes sense for the aesthetics of the dial, then small seconds are ok