Why Aren't Watches Thinner?
I was wondering what is the challenge with making automatic watches thinner. I have a Baume & Mercier Riviera that I purchased in the 90's that is only 6mm thick. I do not know what the power reserve is but why could they make an automatic dress watch with a date window at 6mm thick back in the 90's and I have not seen anything even close for a while! It is just a standard ETA 2892 movement - so nothing special - but I see wathches promoting thickness of 10-11 mm as "thin". Note that is is only 34mm in diameter, but I do not think that has an effect?
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Cleveland, OH
Member since
Last active: 23 hrs ago
I suspect the reason is that the consumers don't support thinner watches.
There was a race for thinness, for both quartz and mechanical, in the 80s (and possibly till the 90s). It then stopped. Don’t know why.
Perhaps cause at 6mm it may feel like you can snap it. I own a JLC ultra thin that is 9mm thick and it feels super fragile. I could never use it the same way I use my sports watches.
Here you go. https://herbelin.com/categorie-produit/newport/newport-slim/