The Best Small Watches

From thin and dressy to serious tools for the diver and explorer.

View in Browser  Wednesday, May 14, 2025 I like a small watch. Anything bigger than 40mm, and I'm not interested. Thankfully, we're living in a Golden Age of small watches. You can find them in multiple styles and a variety of price points. Oren Hartov, a frequent Esquire contributor and watch expert, curated seven of his favorite small watches. They're all on trend, and even better, they're also timeless. – Michael Sebastian, editor-in-chief   Plus: HBO rebrands as HBO Max... again! Check out the best golf clothing brands There is a growing separatist movement in Alberta, Canada The Best Small Watches for the Discerning Collector From thin and dressy to serious tools for the diver and explorer. Rejoice, ye normal wristed—the era of Big Watch is at an end!   And not a moment too soon. While the early 2000s saw 47mm Panerais and gargantuan Big Pilots, nobody seemed to be asking the pertinent question: Who are all these huge watches for? The Schwarzeneggers and Stallones of the world are few and far between — most of us are an average of 5'9" and prefer a timepiece that doesn't hang off the edge of our wrists like a dinner plate balanced on a stick. Thankfully, watch companies seem to finally be getting the message: Over the past two or three years, we've seen sizes shrink back down by several millimeters. And worry not—we're not talking about 31mm World War II-era field watches or 32mm Calatravas. We're talking 36mm, 37mm, 38mm. In other words: the sweet spot of comfort, legibility, and robustness. READ THE STORY House Republicans are about to deal a massive blow to the working-class folks Trump swore to protect. No matter what Josh Hawley says, poor people stand to lose from the "big, beautiful" budget bill. Charles P. Pierce dives into the senator's plan to drastically cut Medicaid. >> 1923 duo Taylor Sheridan and Brandon Sklenar will reunite for an action film titled F.A.S.T. When we talked to Sklenar earlier this year, the actor told Esquire that he would jump at any chance to work with Sheridan again. Josh Rosenberg reports on the upcoming action-flick. >> The 21 Best Books of 2025 (So Far) When I first looked at this year's slate of new books, I had a feeling 2025 would be a special year for fiction. Four months later, writers like Stephen Graham Jones, Katie Kitamura, and Kevin Nguyen have proven me correct. Fun fact: Two years after Esquire declared "the year of the slim novel," seven books on this list are less than 300 pages. Whether you're looking for a compelling nonfiction mystery, a charming fantasy escape, or a suspenseful science fiction thriller, our best books of 2025 so far have something for everyone. By Adam Morgan  This Camera Is My Secret Weapon for Summer We're living in an age where nostalgia is king. Your favorite clothes are vintage, your prized possession is your vinyl record collection, and a film camera is much more desirable than your iPhone photography. It's all about going retro—but 35mm Co's Reloader Reusable Film Camera is bringing retro vibes into the future.   Kiss your disposable cameras goodbye. Your stuffy film cameras, too. The perfect in-between is here, and it's about time you make it your most trustworthy summer companion. For your vacations, for your barbecues, for your beach days and your formal events, this reusable film camera is a happy medium between a disposable and a point-and-shoot. It's how you're going to get high-quality, 35mm film photos with ease and affordability. Say hello to the best thing you'll buy this summer. By Trishna Rikhy Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Esquire is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779