OMEGA: Constellation in steel and yellow gold with diamonds
Cindy Crawford’s favorite watch gives Kaia vibes in the 25mm size.
In an era of oversized everything, the mini watch is making an elegant comeback.
With diameters shrinking to the petite realms of 23mm to 29mm, today’s mini watches are more than a nod to vintage styles—they’re a declaration of refined taste and “less is more” appeal. These downsized designs cater to a growing appreciation for subtlety and craftsmanship, offering a counterpoint to the maximalist trends of recent years. And they aren’t just for ladies—trendsetters like Timothée Chalamet and Bad Bunny have shown that men can go small too, embracing these scaled- down styles with confidence. From Chanel’s Première to Cartier’s Tank, each piece whispers sophistication rather than shouting opulence.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS: Perlée 23mm in yellow gold with onyx
Timeless elegance in 23mm: The Perlée could be the mini watch of the quiet luxury movement.
CARTIER: Tank Américaine in yellow gold
When I first saw the mini Tanks in Geneva, the room full of watch journalists (myself very much included) started cooing like we’d seen a litter of puppies.
AUDEMARS PIGUET: Mini Royal Oak in frosted rose gold
Carolina Bucci’s Florentine finish revolution- ized the Royal Oak and I believe created, or at the very least invigorated, the new demand for ladies’ watches.
HUBLOT: Classic Fusion 29mm in King gold
Hublot’s most iconic style downsized to a dem- ure 29mm: The result is sporty and fresh.
DIOR: La Mini D My Dior in yellow gold with diamonds
Dior’s tiny watch packs a big punch of style, inheriting its cannage pattern from the Dior archives.
ROLEX: Lady-Datejust 28mm in Everose gold with diamonds
The Lady-Datejust, delightfully little since 1957, and the gold standard by which all other minis are measured.
BVLGARI: Bvlgari Bvlgari in rose gold with opaline
The Bvlgari Bvlgari, or BB for short, resur- rected from a 1977 style in a cool 26mm.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE: Calibre 101 Secrets in platinum with diamonds
Jaeger-LeCoultre technically originated the mini watch, engineering the smallest mech- anical caliber in 1929 and still using this mechanism today.
CHANEL: Première Gourmette chain in steel with diamonds and lacquer
Chanel’s Place Vendôme-shaped Première is small and elegant, like Coco herself.
Collage Artist IMAN DABBOUS
Watches Editor and Text WILL KAHN
Taken from 10 Magazine USA Issue 04 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
