Editor’s Note
This article explores a key trend in watch design, where heritage influences are driving a shift toward smaller, more angular forms. While traditional gender-based preferences persist, the lines are blurring, creating space for innovative hybrid shapes that challenge classic definitions.
Inspired by the heritage trend, new designs are also featuring smaller diameters and more angular shapes. While square and rectangular models are particularly popular in women’s watches, the round shape continues to dominate in men’s watches, but is reliably complemented by angular variants. The increasingly blurred boundaries are striking: the clear definitions of round and angular are dissolving, making room for intermediate forms. Multi-sided models and cases with rounded edges and round dials create new, less strict looks.
Numbers, indices, sub-dials? The new dials appear as tidy and minimalist as after a Marie Kondo session. Not overloaded with information, but the reduction to the essentials, sometimes with a complete renunciation of numbers and indices, defines the look. The result: plenty of space, a calm aura, and a new, decorative character. However, the dials are not boring. Noble colors, fine finishes and textures, diamond settings, and the emphasis on hands and brand logos are used as eye-catchers. If functions are required, they are discreetly and almost monochromatically integrated, with strong contrasts being avoided in favor of harmony.
After the color flash of 2023, the aesthetics are shifting towards neutrals – from cream through champagne and sand colors to smoky quartz – and gray tones up to matte, broken colors with smoky accents and less radiance. Blue and green remain popular, but appear in different shades:
Those who like it dark will find alternatives to classic black in black-blue and brown dials. The increased combination of green dials with brown leather straps is striking – a look that evokes thoughts of forest walks. The neutral and subdued colors appear calm and settled, complementing the cheerful color diversity of the past season. Those who stocked up on color last year will now find a counterpart.
As a result, the dark gray gains a new elegance, goes beyond sporty and masculine looks, and also becomes a visually attractive alternative to stainless steel. Those who like it light but equally distinctive and robust should keep an eye on carbon models. Whether mechanical timepiece, digital watch, or smartwatch: the lightweight and yet very robust carbon fiber is still a niche phenomenon, but with potential.
They are sparkling and glamorous, extravagant and eye-catching – and yet in their own way a sign of serenity and a relaxed approach to time: jewelry watches are increasingly replacing the functional representatives of their kind on women’s wrists. Reading the time is secondary, but something one does not want to completely forgo. While the majority of models merely let a bezel of diamonds sparkle, others rely on full pavé settings or hide the dial and thus become more and more of a piece of jewelry – but one with a time display. Special designs attract attention, but especially the luxury variants do not rely solely on external glamour, but also on high-quality inner workings including decorative complications.