Suggestions needed for non fussy or needy watch…

[MamaBee]

If it helps mine is a 28. I like a smaller face. My wrist is about 6 inches. A 33 would be lovely too and not large at all.

The tank is the small size. The medium looked good too but I wanted it to be a little more bracelet-like.

Very pretty! I also love a smaller face. My wrist is 6.5..It gives me a good idea what the size would look like..

 

[Cerulean]

I’d definitely suggest going to try things on. Each time I’ve gone on to try on watches I’ve been shocked at what I actually like the best relative to size and shape.

 

[FL_runner]

With or without diamonds @FL_runner?

The Panthere? Without I think. But still need to do a final try on! I agree that it can really change what you like to see in person!

 

[Cerulean]

I say that because I thought I wanted a dainty, feminine watch with an MOP dial and my favorite watch the last time I went into a store was an IWC portugieser - which is truthfully the exact opposite of what I liked in images (and compared to my current quartz watches)…but the size and weight felt spectacular and luxurious to me!

 

[dk168]

Here are my 3 dressed watches, my hand is small however, chubby with fleshy fingers. I would wear 7.5in bracelets if I were to wear one on that hand.

First one is a Belmain, an impulse buy in Zurich when I was not having a good time on holiday with my then-hubby, and needed something to sweeten the stress (apologies for the fingerprints on the case), stainless steel Arabesque dial:



Next one I bought was a Ebel Beluga Manchette, MOP dial, 12 diamonds, this one I wear casually the most as it resembles a chunky bracelet:



Last one I bought was a full size Beluga, 27mm case, pink Starburst MOP dial, 12 diamonds, this one made it into the luxury watch thread that has a threshold of 2k USD and up:



All three together:



In case it is not apparently, I like shiny SS bracelets and not matt/satin ones, the same in other jewellery - got to be shiny and white metal.

One last photo, my day to day Fitbit Charge 2 with a chunky aftermarket SS bracelet (the bracelet is shiny/polished SS) for comparison!




DK

 

[MamaBee]

I may have to make a trip to the boutique..I don’t want to make a mistake..

Here are my 3 dressed watches, my hand is small however, chubby with fleshy fingers. I would wear 7.5in bracelets if I were to wear one on that hand.

First one is a Belmain, an impulse buy in Zurich when I was not having a good time on holiday with my then-hubby, and needed something to sweeten the stress (apologies for the fingerprints on the case), stainless steel Arabesque dial:



Next one I bought was a Ebel Beluga Manchette, MOP dial, 12 diamonds, this one I wear casually the most as it resembles a chunky bracelet:



Last one I bought was a full size Beluga, 27mm case, pink Starburst MOP dial, 12 diamonds, this one made it into the luxury watch thread that has a threshold of 2k USD and up:



All three together:



In case it is not apparently, I like shiny SS bracelets and not matt/satin ones, the same in other jewellery - got to be shiny and white metal.

One last photo, my day to day Fitbit Charge 2 with a chunky aftermarket SS bracelet (the bracelet is shiny/polished SS) for comparison!




DK

Thank you for the photos on your wrist! That really helps! You have a wonderful collection!

I also prefer shiny..but I do like the matt too..

 

[rainwood]

Definitely go and try things on. I love both rectangular and round watches. I have the Cartier Ronde Solo (30mm) with metal bracelet I love and find very comfortable to wear, but have always loved the Cartier Tank and have several. The classic is my favorite. This is the new solar version in the smaller of the 2 sizes (29mm lug to lug). My wrist size is 6.5 inches. I'm glad I didn't get the larger size. I too am of a 'seasoned' age.

 

[dk168]

I may have to make a trip to the boutique..I don’t want to make a mistake..

Thank you for the photos on your wrist! That really helps! You have a wonderful collection!

I also prefer shiny..but I do like the matt too..

Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your trip to the boutique, and please take photos of the watches you will be trying!

DK

 

[MamaBee]

I’m so hesitant to go to the boutique because in the winter my hands are so chapped. There’s no lotion available to make them smooth. I also have older looking hands than my age..and I’m not young!
If I have to have it adjusted I would rather do it there..ugh

 

[MamaBee]

Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your trip to the boutique, and please take photos of the watches you will be trying!

DK

Thank you @dk168!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

The Chopard Happy would make me crazy stressing out about the diamonds rattling in there chipping each other! Haha

My mom has worn once since 2005. She has changed the battery once. She bought hers new from Neiman Marcus. I have always admired it. I bought the same model she has from TRR in 2020 and I love it. Previously I had a Rolex (since 1979) and a Cartier Panthere YG no diamonds since 1987 and a WG no diamonds since 2002. I prefer the Chopard Happy Diamonds. The diamonds are in bezels and don’t chip.

 

[MamaBee]

My mom has worn once since 2005. She has changed the battery once. She bought hers new from Neiman Marcus. I have always admired it. I bought the same model she has from TRR in 2020 and I love it. Previously I had a Rolex (since 1979) and a Cartier Panthere YG no diamonds since 1987 and a WG no diamonds since 2002. I prefer the Chopard Happy Diamonds. The diamonds are in bezels and don’t chip.

Thank you! I can actually see the bezels in your photo!

 

[Tonks]

Ooohh, watches!

Ok, several things to think about.

—How do you want to use this watch? Will it need to serve as everyday timepiece as well as dressier watch/

—Do you plan to have it in or around water at all? If only hand washing and water splashes, any water resistance will do. If you plan to wear for plunging hands into a sink full of water or in the summer at the beach or pool, I would *strongly* encourage a screw down crown (and paying attention to the water resistance rating).

—When you say you want a watch that is “not big,” you may need to try on a few pieces to figure out what that means to you. Women’s watch faces have changed over the years and continue to do so. My first nice watch was a Rolex Datejust with a 26 mm face. They have discontinued that size and now their smallest women’s watch face is 28 mm. You will also see 31 mm, 34 mm, 36 mm, and then 40 mm.

What size you will prefer will depend on a couple of things—your wrist size (just like ring size), and (don’t laugh because I am totally serious here) your eyesight and age.

As you age and your near vision goes, do not underestimate how helpful it can be to have a slightly larger watch face. It is much easier to read.

I would encourage you to try on rather than relying only on measurements where possible, because it is entirely possible for watches with the same mm measurement to wear completely differently. For example, I wear a Submariner, which has a 40 mm dial. It is large and it wears large (which I like). However, I have also tried on a Daytona, and despite the fact that it has the exact same 40 mm measurement, it does not wear large. It looks much smaller.

—As far as the movement of the watch goes—quartz = battery and you not have to mess with it from day to day but will eventually have to replace it. Automatic = wound by the movement of your arm. If you don’t wear it for several days you will have to wind it. That is not hard to do and you might enjoy. However, they will need servicing every few years.

Whew, I think that’s it. Sorry for the novel! Hope it’s helpful.

 

[Tonks]

Very pretty! I also love a smaller face. My wrist is 6.5..It gives me a good idea what the size would look like..

Oh! Your wrist is my size!

I dug up some photos that might help, though I suspect most of mine are larger than you will want (but you never know).


Ok, this is a 40 mm Submariner on the left, and a 37 mm Yachtmaster on the right.


Range of sizes here, and you can see that shape really does factor in.
From left to right:
—XL Cartier Tank Francaise, 36.5 mm x 28 mm (note the square shape somehow makes this look much smaller than the 36 mm watch to its right)
—Vintage Rolex Date, 36 mm
—Rolex Submariner, 40mm
—Rolex Datejust, discontinued size 26 mm.



L: my Grand Seiko SBGA 413 Spring.
R: A Grand Seiko birch I was trying at the boutique.
These watches are both 40 mm. However, the one on the right faces up much smaller, because it has a bezel around the sapphire crystal. The one on the left does not, and that makes it wear larger (optically, anyway).


Rolex Submariner, 40 mm. Contrast this 40 mm with….


Rolex Daytona, also 40 mm, but wears much, much smaller. Something to do with the curvature of the lugs, I think.
Also, if you ask me about my misadventures in jewelry/watches? THIS RIGHT HERE. Passing on this piece. Ugh.

Oh, one other thing about all these—look at these varying combos of dial color and watch hands and think about legibility. I have found that if the hands and the face are too close in color the watch is very difficult to read. My small Datejust was awful for legibility.

 

[kenny]

My last watch was a Steel and 18K Rolex, bought new during the Ronnie RayGun years.
I sold it recently because I hadn't worn it for decades.

If I were to buy a watch today (I wouldn't as I no longer need one for time or status symbol) I'd just buy the cheapest Casio.

After all, time itself is free.

 

[Cerulean]

Oh! Your wrist is my size!

I dug up some photos that might help, though I suspect most of mine are larger than you will want (but you never know).


Ok, this is a 40 mm Submariner on the left, and a 37 mm Yachtmaster on the right.


Range of sizes here, and you can see that shape really does factor in.
From left to right:
—XL Cartier Tank Francaise, 36.5 mm x 28 mm (note the square shape somehow makes this look much smaller than the 36 mm watch to its right)
—Vintage Rolex Date, 36 mm
—Rolex Submariner, 40mm
—Rolex Datejust, discontinued size 26 mm.



L: my Grand Seiko SBGA 413 Spring.
R: A Grand Seiko birch I was trying at the boutique.
These watches are both 40 mm. However, the one on the right faces up much smaller, because it has a bezel around the sapphire crystal. The one on the left does not, and that makes it wear larger (optically, anyway).


Rolex Submariner, 40 mm. Contrast this 40 mm with….


Rolex Daytona, also 40 mm, but wears much, much smaller. Something to do with the curvature of the lugs, I think.
Also, if you ask me about my misadventures in jewelry/watches? THIS RIGHT HERE. Passing on this piece. Ugh.

Oh, one other thing about all these—look at these varying combos of dial color and watch hands and think about legibility. I have found that if the hands and the face are too close in color the watch is very difficult to read. My small Datejust was awful for legibility.

Drooling over this lineup! That vintage Rolex date 36mm in gold…yummmmmmy

 

[dk168]

If I were to buy a watch today (I wouldn't as I no longer need one for time or status symbol) I'd just buy the cheapest Casio.

I like to wear a dressy decorative watch on my left hand with just one of my nicer rings (or my wedding set when I was married) when I attend formal events.

It did not feel right not wearing a watch, only tried it once about 10y ago on a night out and never again.

I opted for aesthetics as in styles that I like instead of brand and status symbol. It makes me feel good wearing a nice watch the same way as wearing my nicer jewellery pieces.

Each to their own as per usual.

DK

 

[Sparkles88]

I’ve got scrawny wrists, but here’s my 36mm. I love that I can tell the time when I’m not wearing my glasses

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Haven't read all the way through but I'll echo on the Ebel. I have my mother's mini wave. It's at least 40+ years old. I do need to change the battery and had stopped wearing it once Covid started, but the times I do bring it in they remark on how well maintained it is. Thing is, neither she, nor I, ever did anything to maintain it apart from battery changes. I need to bring it in. I love it because it feels very sleek with it's low profile and you forget it's there. I realize it may be not be luxe enough by most standards but I find it perfect. It's worked reliably almost my entire life. I'll probably give it to my daughter someday.

 

[Ally T]

I have worn my Raymond Weil for 18 years now. I bought it when I turned 30 to replace the Tank my ex gave me. It’s had one battery replacement so far & looks as good as new despite daily wear.

My friend has a 33mm Ballon Bleu with a navy blue leather strap instead of SS. Not sure if it was a special order? It looks amazing & is definitely a watch I covet.

 

[OdetteOdile]

I’ve had a Raymond Weil for about 15 years and, even with daily wear, it’s in beautiful condition. I have replaced the battery once or twice and have needed no other service. I wanted a Cartier watch back then (and still do) but the Raymond Weil was beautiful, looked a bit similar, and cost a lot less. The other watch I was considering at the time was Longines. At some point I think I’d like to get a Cartier Tank Must (I love the clean design), but I also have a soft spot for the Chopard Happy. The diamonds spinning and moving inside the watch really make it unique and kind of fun.

 

[Beagles]

May I suggest a look at Tag Heuer watches?

I'm very pleased with the Tag Heuer Aquaracer that Santa brought this year (ahem). As a "yellow gold" person, I was searching for a more affordable but quality two-tone watch since Rolex/Omega/Tudor brands were out of my comfort range. The blue wavy dial in person is so pretty and the dial size is idea for my 7-inch wrist and declining eyesight. It;s quartz, which I find convenient.
Here's a link:

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Quartz Women 32 mm - WBD1325.BB0320

TAG Heuer Aquaracer WBD1325.BB0320 Quartz Femme 32 mm. Discover more on the TAG Heuer official website.

www.tagheuer.com

My best advice is to find the jeweler in your area who specializes in watches and try on many difference styles, brands, sizes, etc. Sometimes the least expected one turns out to be the OWTRTA!!

 

[MamaBee]

Thank you so much for all the info and photos! I have so much more information than I had when I first started thinking of getting a new watch!
The one thing I do know is I want quartz because it seems much easier. I don’t mind it having a battery.
I‘m leaning more towards a round face. I do also love the Tank Francaise..I love the diamonds on the face..but I think I'm a little more smitten with the Ballon Bleu..with and without diamonds..I will have to head in to the boutique and see them in person. I will have to make an appointment because they are low in stock..long wait times, etc..I will have to start my aggressive hand lotion routine now before I go. I’m pretty sick now with a horrible cold (?)..with coughing..so I have to get over this first.

I can’t tell you how much all this info has helped! Thank you! Big hugs to all..XO

 

[OdetteOdile]

The hand lotion that has worked better (by far!) than any other for me is Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream. It is thick, so I like to put it on before bed.

 

[MamaBee]

The hand lotion that has worked better (by far!) than any other for me is Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream. It is thick, so I like to put it on before bed.

Thank you! I will try it!

 

[dk168]

Get well soon @MamaBee !

DK

 

[MamaBee]

Get well soon @MamaBee !

DK

Thank you @dk168! I’ve been trying to fight this thing off since before Christmas.

 

[MamaBee]

I took off the Francaise..just to keep things accurate..I got it mixed up with the Tank Must with diamonds..It looks like it will be between a Tank and Ballon Bleu..

 

[dk168]

I took off the Francaise..just to keep things accurate..I got it mixed up with the Tank Must with diamonds..It looks like it will be between a Tank and Ballon Bleu..

Why choose? Get both if they suit!

DK

 

[MamaBee]

Why choose? Get both if they suit!

DK

I actually could..but I won’t. There was one thing I didn’t like about the Ballon Bleu..I didn’t like that cutout for the winder..Sorry…I don’t know the correct term..There’s the Ronde Must that I like even better..
There‘s a jeweler not too far from me that carries Cartier watches. I will book an appointment with them.