Dainty & slim: Vintage watches are back in style

Vintage is the new trend, and watches are leading the charge. There is a reason your grandfather’s watch feels more special. It has lived, and that shows in its patina, its weight, and the quiet tick that you feel on the wrist. Vintage watches are not just accessories; they are rare timepieces that actually get better with age.

Why vintage watches

“The blend of retro appeal and modern relevance is making vintage watches popular, especially among Gen Z,” shares Takuto Kimura, managing director, Casio India. Mahendra Chauhan, head of design, watches & wearables, Titan Company, adds, “Vintage watches provide a respite from constant digital noise. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, which the Gen Z experiences through cinema, design history, and storytelling.”

A recent example would be the announcement by popular auction house Sotheby’s about over 300 vintage Cartier watches going under the hammer. This drew massive attention and sparked curiosity about vintage watches.

In an interesting take, Aakash Anand, founder, Rotoris Watches, explains why Gen Z is inclined towards vintage pieces today: “Three things: story, scarcity, and soul. Every vintage timepiece carries history that resonates deeply with a generation raised on content. Scarcity matters too. In a world of fast fashion and mass production, owning something limited feels genuinely special. Then there is soul — the imperfections, the patina, the mechanical heartbeat of a movement you can sometimes feel or hear.

Rise in demand and revival of vintage watches

Horology experts have noticed a clear uptick in demand for vintage watches. Kimura tells us, “Younger consumers in India are gravitating towards vintage-inspired watches with smaller dials and slimmer straps. This preference reflects a broader shift towards refined proportions and thoughtful design details.” The rise in demand happened in phases, shares Anand. “First came awareness. Gen Z discovered mechanical timepieces through screens, which is ironic. Then came curiosity, and then the desire to own the timepieces. Now we are in the expression phase, where wearing a mechanical or vintage-inspired timepiece is a deliberate statement about who you are and what you value.”

Figures also point to the rise in demand. A recent study titled Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry Study 2025, finds that pre-owned watches are gaining traction, especially among younger buyers: 40% of Millennials and Gen Z say they are likely to purchase one in 2026.

Familial influence also driving the choice

Growing up watching members of the family wear understated pieces and preserving them through decades has also influenced Gen Z to invest in vintage watches. “Since childhood, I’ve closely observed my father and elder brother wearing classic watches,” shares Shantanu Pednekar (24). “That’s where my interest began. As I grew older, I experimented with digital watches as well, but I always found myself going back to analogue, vintage-style pieces. There’s a certain elegance in their simplicity — the clean dials, subtle detailing, and the quiet confidence they carry. They have character, they age beautifully, and feel far more personal.

Aesthetics: First hook for Gen Z

It’s the visual elements of the watch that capture interest first. Kimura says, “What we are seeing is a layered journey. Initial interest gradually evolved into a deeper curiosity about the watch itself. As consumers spend more time with the category, they begin to explore aspects such as design heritage, the evolution of iconic models, and the broader context behind them.”
Rightly so, Shreya Waghule (24) believes, vintage watches are learned visually before they’re learned technically. “I usually fall for how a piece looks first; it has to feel like it fits seamlessly into my personal style. I’m drawn to interesting case shapes, unusual bracelets — pieces that look almost like jewellery, interesting dials, and smaller proportions. I’m constantly researching, browsing resellers, and keeping up with what’s out there.”

Styling tips

• Make your vintage watch your statement piece by keeping everything else subtle
• Wear it with evergreen fashion staples like a white shirt and blue jeans, or a good statement dress
• You can also pair it with edgy silhouettes to show contrast in style
• A vintage watch needs a polished outfit. Keep it away from overly casual looks(By Madhuri Singh, celebrity fashion stylist)