Feature: 10 incredible watches you can actually wear
A common watch collecting woe is seeing a watch that you absolutely adore and that’s just the thing you’ve been looking for—you love the style, the price is right, it’s your favourite colour and everything — and then you find out the size, and it’s either too big or too small. Happens all the time.
Well today I’ll be looking at ten “fitting” watches that are just right. Models that cater for all wrist sizes, so nobody has to miss out, from entry-level pieces to high-end heavy hitters. Let’s dive right into it.
Review
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Let’s start with the immensely popular Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. Tissot has hit a home run into the back of the net with this redesign of a 70s model from the brand’s back catalogue, with aesthetic cues that strongly allude to other popular models from the 1970s. Namely the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet, with its boxy case and integrated bracelet, along with the waffle-texture dial. But unlike the Royal Oak, the PRX is affordable, available to buy immediately, and thanks to a number of size options, is highly wearable and accessible to all—hurrah!
The PRX comes in the standard 40mm case size but due to its integrated-ness it may wear too large for some. In which case, you can go for the 35mm case size, which is an identical watch but just 12.5 per cent smaller—the only difference is maths.
Both come with a slimline profile and a quality satin finish, contrasted poppingly against the polished edges and bezel. Inside is the mechanical Powermatic 80 calibre, with over three days of power reserve, or you can opt for the more affordable quartz models instead. Plus, there are heaps of dial colours and style variations to choose from, like full yellow gold PVD or two-tone steel and gold and there’s a larger chronograph version and … err … a digital version.
All really solid options for the money. As is the PRX overall — effortlessly stylish and a modern classic, perfect for any wrist.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer
Now we have a watch brand that is so awesome it was sued by Lewis Hamilton for being too good. Or it might have been a pathetic claim at trademark infringement, who knows. Anyway, if there’s any watch that’s in danger of litigation for being too cool then it’s this one—the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer. This is another reinterpretation of a 70s model, but this time of a vintage pilot’s watch produced for the British Royal Air Force—spiffing!
So, you’re getting a really rugged and reliable military watch with the Swiss mechanical H-50 calibre, all for under £1,000. Thanks to its vintage styling, its pleasing cushion-shaped case is only 36mm wide ,and its slightly smaller and historically faithful proportions will look great on any wrist. With its warmly accented dial pattern and casual NATO strap, this is a characterful and versatile piece that’ll look great on anyone.
Longines Legend Diver
Now some people say nostalgia is not what it used to be but here we have yet another tribute watch, this time from the 60s—enter the Longines Legend Diver.
Based upon an iconic watch from the brand’s long and rich history, this is a slightly unconventional approach to the ubiquitous dive watch. The unique look inspired by the compressor style of diver with the dual crowns and an internal rotating 60-minute bezel. There are also other handsome touches like the gradient lacquer dial with arrow hands and the smooth curves of the domed box crystal.
This watch has strong visual impact and unlike most other dive watches that only come in the one chunky size, the Legend Diver is available in a variety of case sizes: namely 42mm, 36mm and the recently added “just right” edition of 39mm.
Longines is excellently demonstrating how to cater to the watch-buying public’s wishes and this watch is a prime example. With colourways and strap options to fit all tastes, it’s easy for any enthusiast to experience this lovely heritage piece.
Tudor Black Bay
With Rolexes still cruising comfortably above the stratus, remaining out of reach for most wristwatch enjoyers, its sister brand, Tudor, despite also soaring in popularity, remains relatively attainable.
This watch here, the Tudor Black Bay, is a signature timepiece with universal appeal and a great alternative to the Rolex Submariner. With all the visual hallmarks of a classic dive watch, and great unity and balance to the design, a satin-finished rotating bezel and a softly textured dial—and those trademark Tudor cornflake hands. It’s an incredible value proposition, extremely well-built to the exacting standards required to attain chronometer certification—with the Regular Black Bay even being METAS-certified now.
The Black Bay family of watches is Tudor’s most recognisable property, with a broad range of offerings to satisfy anyone. The Tudor Black Bay 58 is so hot right now, coming in at a tidy 39mm case size. But if you need bigger there’s the regular 41mm, and then there’s the smaller 37mm Black Bay 54. With many newer models featuring the “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment system, Tudor is covering all your bases in style.
This is an iconic watch, made to a high standard and with great brand recognition.
Swiss luxury never felt so possible.
Grand Seiko SBGW231
Now here’s a Grand Seiko that is not limited, nor is it tied to any seasonal phenomenon. As such, it doesn’t feature an intricately patterned dial depicting a delicate spray of twigs or portraying the sound of fog. Instead, it gets a velvety smooth cream-coloured dial that, despite its simplicity, feels quite striking, yet it’s still a Grand Seiko through-and-through.
It boasts a quality of finish to rival even Patek Philippe, with diamond-cut hands and indexes and the coveted distortion free Zaratsu polishing across the case—that, my friends, is the unmistakeable gleam of quality.
Luckily, you’ll be pleased to hear it’s one of Grand Seiko’s more affordable mechanical watches, thanks to the slimline calibre 9S64 inside, the curving profile of the dial and hands, the sapphire crystal and the ergonomically shaped lugs. It’s also one the most comfortable Grand Seikos, too. It comes in a slightly smaller case size of 37.3mm but it wears a little larger and due to its dressy aesthetic, it wouldn’t look out of place on a larger wrist also.
So, by threading the needle between big and small, this watch comes out at a happy medium. But ultimately, it’s the purity and clarity of design of this watch that make it appear effortlessly cool on anyone who wears it.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
This is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with an appearance so timeless it’s as if it’s always been around. Just suddenly appearing at the dawn of man, like a tiny 904L steel monolith, startling a pack of apes. That’s to say it’s an iconic Rolex watch with a solid construction built for comfort and everyday use. The simple time-only dial is exquisitely finished with the signature “blocky” hour markers coupled with the perfect fit of the three-link Oyster bracelet.
Inside is a solid chronometer-rated movement and it’s available in a butt-ton of colours and sizes—enough to suit everyone. There’s 28mm, 41mm, 36mm, 34mm … I could go on. And the colours, too! Take your pick—"Tiffany blue”, “Russell red”, “Griselda green” … yellow … John. Or why not all of them at once, please, with the “Celebration” motif dial.
Whatever your thoughts on Rolex, it’s hard to deny the appeal of the Oyster Perpetual. Sporty, contemporary and uncomplicated, it’s just the optimal watch.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second
Next, we have a simple, straightforward-looking watch but it houses a unique movement with an uncommon feature. This is the Geophysic True Second from Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Often referred to as the watchmaker’s watchmaker, with its pioneering spirit, JLC consistently creates innovative and unique complications, each one even more unique than the next. You heard me. And this Geophysic True Second is a chronometer-rated watch, housing the calibre 770, which features JLC’s special Gyrolab balance, a tie-fighter-shaped balance wheel that’s lighter and reduces friction for increased precision.
But that’s not the watch’s only quirk, it also features a deadbeat seconds function. Now “deadbeat second” is not what pushy parents call their kids if they don’t place first in spelling bees. The deadbeat second is a mechanism that reduces the high beat of a mechanical second down to just one beat per second. Back in the olden days this was useful for accurate time setting. Frankly, it’s just a cool feature, and a guaranteed conversation starter, if that’s your thing.
Overall, this is a watch that’s very practical and wearable and when it comes to proportions, it’s just right. A lovely diameter of 39.6mm and a relatively slim 12mm. A gently sloping case and bezel with short tapering lugs make it a very comfortable watch. A classic-looking timepiece with an understated dial with wearable dimensions and a unique movement from a brand famous for their unique movements. What’s not to love?
Omega Globemaster
Now, what if you want something from Omega, that’s a little different, something outside the mainstream, something that’s great value and something that doesn’t sit at Omega’s usual, slightly unreasonable 42mm case sizing? Well, good news everyone, it’s the Constellation Globemaster!
This has charming vintage good looks and fastidious details, like the pie-pan dial with its interesting geometry resembling an upturned baking dish with a subtle lustre and non-stick texture. Plus, it’s got a fluted bezel—just like a Rolex.
Inside is a METAS-certified calibre featuring Omega’s very cool and clever Co-Axial escapement and, of course, you get all the glory of owning an Omega. But best of all is its size that makes it easily wearable by anyone, with the Globemaster Date sized at a sweet 39mm. Then for the folks who need something a bit larger there’s the 41mm Globemaster Annual Calendar, which, of course, uses that extra few millimetres to add an annual calendar, which takes into consideration the differing days in a month. Nice.
Both variations sit smaller than their famous cousins, the Moonwatch and Seamaster 300, both of which are 42mm. So, if you’d love an Omega but you’re put off by the measurements, give the Globemaster a little looksee.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Now, what if you want something that’s truly iconic, a sports watch from one of the Holy Trinity — the top three watchmakers in the world — and a watch that’s an instantly recognisable statement piece? Something that’s feasibly wearable without weighing down your wrist? What about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak? Yes, mate!
Now you might be thinking “Why not the Nautilus from Patek Phillippe, or better yet the Overseas from Vacheron Constantin?” Well, the Overseas is arguably the best-looking of the top three sports watches, sure. But when it comes to wearability, it’s a teeny bit too big at 41mm, and it even wears a little larger thanks to the integrated design.
The Nautilus, meanwhile, has been pushed up in price by extremely high demand and yes, that’s true of the Royal Oak also. But out of the three, the Royal Oak is more important to the watchmaking world. It’s one of the most iconic watches ever made, with Gerald Genta’s signature design essentially saving watchmaking. Since Audemars Piguet’s homogenisation of its catalogue with a quadrupling down on the Royal Oak model, it’s available in a huge range of sizes and styles, so you, too, can get a slice of history on your wrist in any flavour you choose.
Patek Philippe World Time 5131J Enamel
Finally, we have the Patek Philippe World Time 5131J. Now, this next watch might not be everyone’s cup of Swiss cheese but due to its sizing, it’s a universally wearable watch.
Universe is the key word here because, intricately enamelled onto the dial is the entire universe. Well, not the entire universe, but the entire world! Well not even the entire world, just some of the Eastern hemisphere, so … yeah.
A map of the entire world has been painstakingly hand-painted onto the dial with the contours of the continents outlined in shaped gold wire. All in support of the world timer complication that allows the wearer to read the time from any of the 24 major time zones at the push of a button.
It comes in solid yellow gold, resplendent with the elegant stylings you’ve come to expect from Patek Philippe. Now, given all that, it’s fair to expect this thing—with its complexity and detail—to be north of 40mm, and thus, unwearable for a lot of people, but, happily, it isn’t. At 39.5mm, and with a 10mm thickness, this is a svelte and slender watch—and it gives everyone a chance to wear a piece of high-art on their wrist. But rather unhappily, this thing will set you back around £90,000 pre-owned. So that’s your Christmas and birthday presents combined for the next few years.
Shop pre-owned Hamilton watches
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Shop pre-owned Grand Seiko watches
Shop pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre watches
