Watches of 35 mm or less for those who prefer them in small doses

Text by Ana Franco.

Although a watch is not a pair of trousers from Zara, with miraculously short production times, it is also subject to prevailing fashions. And these dictate that the average size of men’s watches should be dwarfed. Some brands such as Cartier are even proposing a return to decades when 35 mm in diameter (which we now consider to be rare) was the norm. Welcome for those with a discreet wrist who for years have had to make do with seeing giants like paellas of even 50 mm in shop windows. Variety is the spice of life, and it is now easier to find smaller formats that sometimes result in glorious retro models. However, you can’t expect them to be able to fit movements with a lot of complications. Most of them are three-hand, like these:

Rivé by Festina

Timeless and in steel, this version of the Rivé by Festina features a decorative concentric pattern on the blue dial, a fluted bezel and integrated bracelet. Measuring 35 mm in diameter and 8.6 mm thick, it is perfectly unisex. It is powered by a Swiss quartz (battery-operated) movement and provides the date, as well as the hour, minute and seconds.
RRP: €245.

Multifort TV 35 by Mido

Despite its small dimensions of 34.2 x 35 mm, the Multifort TV 35 in steel, with its charismatic TV shape, does not lose its appeal. Its thickness is reduced to a minimum thanks to its automatic movement, the Calibre 72, which offers a 72-hour power reserve and adds the date to the basic functions.
RRP: CHF 1,100 (€1,170).

PR 100 Quartz 34 MM by Tissot

Tissot’s catalogue includes quartz watches as simple and attractive as this steel watch with three hands plus date. It is even smaller than the previous ones: 34 mm in steel, but it attracts attention with its green dial and hands with luminescent material for when it gets dark. The bracelet is interchangeable.
RRP: €295.

Quartz Classic by Orient

You find this 33.8 mm steel model in the women’s watch section and you’re a man? Who cares if it fits your wrist? The gender divide has already disappeared from the labels of such admired watch brands as Zenith. And this quartz watch with a white dial and leather strap can survive decades with its classic design and workmanship.
RRP: not available.

Seiko Presage Porter Classic by Seiko

To design this limited edition of 500 pieces with a 35 mm diameter and a retro feel, Japan’s Seiko has teamed up with a prestigious Japanese fashion brand, Porter Classic. The black enamelled dial of the steel timepiece replicates that of Seiko’s Laurel, the first wristwatch made in Japan in 1913. The power reserve of the Calibre 6R5H it carries, with an accuracy of +25/-15 seconds per day, is about 72 hours.
RRP: €2,500.