Most comfortable case backs: flat Vs. domed
Dear Purists, me and a friend of mine have had a discussion on how comfortable a wristwatch can be, depending on the shape of its case back. We've focused our attention especially on flat and domed case backs, such the ones of - respectively - the AP ROO ...
There is no simple, universal answer, but as a general rule...
something that has its weight spread out over a larger area, tends to be more "comfortable" This for a given overall diameter, a flat back will feel "lighter" than a domed one. That said, there are other haptic considerations, as well, such as edges versu...
How tight do you wear it?
I've found that the tightness of the bracelet/strap is one of the biggest factors in the comfort of a watch. Size and weight are also crucial for me. I'm never convinced that there's a significant difference in comfort between bubble/domed and flat, and I...
Tightness and aesthetics
Thank you, Nick, for your reply. You have introduced other two interesting point of view: tightness and aesthetics. I use to wear my watches not so tight and close to the back of the hand (in any case after the head of the ulna). This habit leads to a pot...
Haptic considerations
Thank you, Thomas, for your reply. I’ve appreciated your reasoning, based upon the difference between “theory” and “practice”, and I share your opinion. As I’ve already written, I prefer a watch to have a domed case back and now I’d like to add some perso...
What about curved the other way...
...a la Richard Mille... ;-) I've worn plenty of APs, and the RM I have on now is much more comfortable than flat-backed watches, for me personally. I reckon it depends a lot on the type of wrist one has. Obviously, a watch will wear differently on a thin...
Bony and fleshy wrists
Thank you, Rob, for your reply. Of course, the physiognomy of our wrist will contribute towards how comfortable a watch will be felt. In the same way, it will affect how the timepiece will look once worn. There isn’t a general rule, but I think that a ver...
To which Ikepod are you referring?
Thank you, Flamenco, for your reply. Me too I love Ikepod for their design, even if I’ve never seen one of their timepieces in the real life. Ikepod uses two kind of cases: the monocoque-style of the Hemipodes and Horizons (with domed case back) and the s...
Within are my 4 most comfortable watches
Below are my 4 memorable watches for their comfort (on and for my wrist) 1. AP Concept 1. Girard Perregaux EVO 3 1. AP Scuba 1. Rolex Yacht-Master I am not sure whereas domed is better than flat and visa-versa, I believe that the watchcase curves and heig...
The Rolex comfort
Thank you for your reply, Poy. You’re right, the caseback’s shape is not the only characteristic that makes a watch comfortable. AFAIK, both of the AP you mentioned have a flat case back, while the GP and the Rolex have a domed one. I’ve tried only the la...
There are many other factors to consider ...
Some are related to the user wrist (Size, skinny/chubby etc.). Some are related to the strap/bracelet. A bad adjusted bracelet or a stiff strap can kill the pleasure of a watch. Some are external temperature (winter/summer). We also, as not owners of a si...
Watches that don’t “glue”
Thank you, Nilo, for your reply. I live in the biggest Mediterranean island and it seems that our climate is slowly turning tropical, so I fully understand your view, because in the hot season my experience is exactly like yours. Also during winter time I...