Dress Watches for Men: Why Smaller Cases are Making a Return
For some time now, larger watches have dominated the conversation of watch-wearing with their greater presence and visual impact. However, people are realising again that smaller watch cases can feel every bit as distinctive while bringing a different kind of confidence to those who sport them: they can be considered, and yet they can also be understated and easy to wear.
The return of the men’s dress watch is particularly interesting. Rather than being reserved only for formal occasions, the modern dress watch is becoming part of everyday city style. It works with tailoring, naturally, but it can sit just as comfortably beneath the cuff of a knit or a relaxed jacket during a morning brunch.
The new Bremont Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour collection belongs firmly in that world. Introduced in a compact 35mm case, it takes the distinctive Jumping Hour design in a more refined direction, with a silhouette that feels elegant without relying on being conventional.
Why smaller dress watches are back
A smaller watch changes the relationship between a timepiece and the rest of what you are wearing. Instead of dominating the wrist like larger watches do, slimline watches with smaller cases become a part of the overall look.
That makes a 35mm case especially compelling for a contemporary men’s dress watch. The proportions have a certain vintage appeal, but the effect is anything but nostalgic. On the wrist, a compact case can look sharper, cleaner, and more intentional, particularly with tailoring and refined city wear.
These smaller proportions also give the Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour genuine unisex appeal. They open the design to anyone who prefers a more compact profile, making it a slimline watch that’s as suitable for women as it is for men.
Read our blog: Dress Watches for Women: The Rise of Quiet Luxury on the Wrist
The Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour: a slimline watch with character
A watch being compact does not have to mean it is less recognisable. The Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour retains the geometric cushion-shaped case that gives the design its identity, while its shortened lugs and low profile help to create the impression of a slimline watch on the wrist. The result is neat and composed, but it is still clearly recognisable as a Bremont watch.
Its display does much of the talking. Rather than relying on a conventional arrangement of hands, the watch uses a montre à guichet layout, with hours and minutes shown through apertures. It gives the dial a graphic, architectural quality, and the Jumping Hour complication makes telling the time feel satisfyingly different.
At its centre is the Bremont Wayfinder logo, while the brushed steel face creates a restrained backdrop for the dual apertures. The watch is available on either a polished and brushed steel bracelet or an elegant grey nubuck leather strap.
Curious about the mechanism behind the display? Read our blog “What is a Jumping Hour Watch?” for a closer look at how the complication works.
Burgundy brings a richer side to the men’s dress watch
For those who prefer their watches with a little more colour and vibrancy, the Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour Burgundy takes the same compact proportions in a warmer, more expressive direction.
Its sunray-lacquered burgundy dial is paired with applied silver star and dot hour markers, creating a more decorative composition without losing clarity. The hour and minute windows sit vertically, accompanied by a central seconds hand, giving the watch a particularly clean, dress-focused appearance.
Available with a steel bracelet or coordinating burgundy leather strap, it can add depth to navy, charcoal, black, or earth-toned tailoring without feeling overly formal.
A men’s dress watch designed for modern city wear
The thinking behind Bremont’s new city-focused campaign comes to life through its Urban Mavericks: London-based creatives whose work balances discipline with individuality.
Photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce, better known as Garçon Jon, is a particularly natural fit for the Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour. His work sits at the intersection of street photography, contemporary menswear, and portraiture, capturing people with an eye for both spontaneity and detail. That balance between an instinctive street-level perspective and the precision of considered tailoring mirrors the watch itself: unconventional in presentation, but meticulously resolved.
Texture, proportion, and personal style are central to Jonathan’s photography, making him an apt figure for a more design-conscious men’s dress watch. Much like a well-cut jacket or carefully chosen pair of shoes, the Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour is designed to complement a look rather than overpower it. Its compact proportions and low-profile case also give it the refined feel you would expect from a modern slimline watch.
Jonathan’s approach reflects how men’s style has evolved beyond rigid ideas of formal and casual dressing. A dress watch can now move easily between tailoring, knitwear, and more relaxed city looks, while still bringing a sense of precision and individuality to what you wear.
Read our interview with Jonathan Daniel Pryce to discover more about his work, his approach to menswear, and the way he finds inspiration in the city around him.
For another perspective on Bremont’s Maverick spirit, read our interview with Mimi Shodeinde, where the interior architect and designer discusses her own approach to precision, creativity, and progressive design.
A smaller watch can make a bigger statement
The return of the smaller men’s dress watch is less about turning back the clock than reconsidering what presence actually means. A 35mm watch does not need to shout to make itself known. Its proportions can feel more deliberate, its details more noticeable, and its place within an outfit more natural. For anyone drawn to a slimline watch with personality, that restraint is part of the appeal.
The Bremont Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour brings that idea into a distinctly modern British setting. Compact, unconventional, and subtly confident, it is made for people who see the city not simply as somewhere to be, but somewhere to look closer, think differently, and take things further.
Men’s dress watch FAQs
What size should a men’s dress watch be?
There is no single correct size, but smaller cases are well suited to dress watches because they sit discreetly beneath a cuff. A 35mm men’s dress watch can offer an elegant, more restrained presence on the wrist.
Can men wear a 35mm dress watch?
Absolutely. Historically, many men’s watches were considerably smaller than today’s larger sports models. A 35mm case offers classic proportions while fitting naturally into contemporary city style.
What makes a good slimline watch?
A good slimline watch combines a low-profile case with balanced proportions and a design that sits comfortably against the wrist. The aim is elegance and ease of wear rather than simply making the case as thin as possible.
Can a dress watch be worn every day?
Yes. Modern dress watches no longer need to be saved for formal occasions. A refined watch can work with business tailoring, smart-casual clothing, and more relaxed everyday wardrobes.
Are smaller dress watches unisex?
They can be. Compact proportions are increasingly less defined by traditional men's and women's sizing. The 35mm Terra Nova Jumping Hour is designed with unisex appeal, making it suitable for anyone who prefers a smaller, more considered watch.
