A range of frosted gold Royal Oak Mini watches
Source: Audemars PiguetGen Z Can’t Get Enough of Teensy ‘Grandma Watches’
In recent years, watch lovers have witnessed a slimming down of timepieces in thickness and diameter, with mini watches — often referred to by younger collectors as “grandma” watches — taking wrists by storm.
After more than two decades of oversize cases dominating wrists, watchmakers are pivoting to smaller diameters as younger consumers — particularly women in their 20s and early 30s — embrace so-called grandma watches for their versatility, vintage appeal and ability to be styled alongside jewelry. It’s one of the fastest-growing watch segments on the market.
Pop culture and social media platforms reveal both male and female celebrities donning tiny watches once dismissed as outdated: Actor Timothée Chalamet is often seen wearing a slim Cartier Panthère or a wee 34-millimeter Jaeger-LeCoultre. Bad Bunny has been spotted in a diminutive Patek Philippe Ellipse. Serena Williams chose a miniature Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for the Met Gala last year, and Hailey Bieber opted for a little jeweled bauble from the same brand.