Horological Meandering

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 and the Sinn U1000 (I know they're not comparable timepieces, it's just a design example). Please, look at the posted pictures, taken from the internet.

I would like to hear your opinions and your experiences, also because... I've put a small bet on this debate

Thanks in advance!

Oh, I nearly forgot: I find that my watches with domed case back are more comfortable that those with flat one.

Ciao!

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 versus contoured curved surfaces that come into contact with skin (which is more comfortable depends on ones preferences; some like to sit on razor edges...    )

Given the weight of most watches, the second consideration is more significant, to me, than the first.

Cheers,

TM

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 tend to suspect that domed backs are more an aesthetic design feature that reduces the apparent height of the watch.

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.

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 personal considerations. All conditions being equal (first of all: weight and size), I usually find a watch with a flat case back as an unfriendly foreign body, a machine rigidly fasten to my wrist. On the contrary, I often find a watch with a domed case back to be a pleasant companion, a beautiful [and useful, of course] object smoothly worn on my wrist.

...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 thinner, 'boney-er' (how do you spell that anyhow?) wrist than on a more 'generous'/fleshier wrist. 

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 very bony wrist should look better with a flat-case-back-watch, while if I had a very fleshy wrist I’d avoid to wear this kind of timepieces, since my wrist could look a bit squeezed out.

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

 

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 square-style of the Solaris (with flat case back). Which of these cases do you feel uncomfortable, and why?

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 height matters too.

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 latter, and actually I’ve found it extremely comfortable.

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 single watch, need to consider the transition (big watch to small, material etc).

By and large, since I live on a tropical weather, I prefer doomed cases because they have less contact with the wrist and do not "glue".

Cheers,

Nilo

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 prefer domed-caseback-watches, thanks to their friendly feeling, something close to a silk glove, instead of a steel one.

Of course, the caseback’s shape is not the only characteristic that makes a watch comfortable and you have reported several thoughts, indeed very interesting: I totally agree with them. Please, let me add a pair of ideas on a timepiece’s comfort:

-              a good weight balancing (it’s unpleasant to wear a chunky watch with a thin strap and vice-versa);

-              position, size and shape of the crown (and the presence of a crown guard);

-              bracelet that doesn’t pulls out one’s hair;

-              straps made with not allergic materials;

-              easily washable bracelet (to avoid dirt accumulation);

-              etc. etc. etc. who wants to add something?

Ciao!