Bigger isn’t always better, at least not as far as watch trends go. In push back against super-sized cases and chunky straps, skinny and almost dainty watches are currently dominating men’s wrists across the world. Sported by the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Ryan Gosling and Rami Malek, these watches are said to evoke a sense of timeless sophistication. The meticulous attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship — which is far more refined with such styles — also speak to the definition of understated luxury. “The popularity of smaller watches is also closely tied to the renewed interest in vintage watches. Many iconic designs feature smaller case sizes, and leading watchmakers have been dipping into their archives for inspiration for their newer collections. In many ways, these watch designs are emblematic of the boundaries of what was considered conventionally masculine style shifting to a more refined and inclusive interpretation,” explains men’s grooming expert Riaan George.

(Left) Timothée Chalamet stacks a sleek golden watch with a bracelet at the 97th Academy Awards