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 potential conflict with the wrist. That’s the reason why I’m extremely interested in a timepiece comfort. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I also think that who wears his wristwatch before the head of the ulna, should have less comfort issues and consequently should be less sensitive to the case back shape.

On the aesthetical point of view I think that a flat case back could look more sporty, strong or even rough, while a domed one could inspire a certain refinement. A flat case back could be associated to modern lines, while on the contrary a domed one is frequently associated to traditional design. At last, I agree that domed backs reduces the apparent height of the watch, since they can be chosen to accommodate a higher movement in a given case.

Most comfortable case backs: flat Vs. domed

By: heartbreaker : September 8th, 2012-00:22

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...

By: ThomasM : September 8th, 2012-00:28

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?

By: nickd : September 8th, 2012-02:48

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

By: heartbreaker : September 8th, 2012-04:46

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

By: heartbreaker : September 8th, 2012-04:45

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...

By: RobCH : September 8th, 2012-07:19

...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

By: heartbreaker : September 8th, 2012-10:41

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...

Love

By: flamenco : September 11th, 2012-19:21

Ikepod for its design philosphy .... not so much love when I strap one on ....

To which Ikepod are you referring?

By: heartbreaker : September 13th, 2012-13:36

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

By: PoyFR : September 15th, 2012-03:05

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

By: heartbreaker : September 16th, 2012-13:11

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 ...

By: nilomis : September 16th, 2012-14:08

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”

By: heartbreaker : September 18th, 2012-15:33

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...