The Sensei Ten · Try a shaped case
Top 10 shaped-case watches
Cushions, triangles and curves with a mind of their own. These watches start the conversation before you even reach the dial.
Start with these three
Find your starting point.
Make the outline the point
Anoma A1 Core CollectionA1 Core is the clearest break from a round watch in this list: a triangle framing a familiar time display. It leads when you want to notice the case every time you look down.
A rectangular case with a moving presentation
VARIOeveryday Vario Versa Reversible Single Time White Tuxedo Automatic WatchVersa Single Time puts an automatic watch in a reversible rectangular form. It belongs here for someone who wants the case to do something as well as look different.
A shaped shell around a quiet centre
Direnzo Watches DRZ 02R Black No DateBlack no-date DRZ 02R lets its broad shell carry most of the visual interest. It is a strong choice when you want a different outline while retaining a restrained main dial.
CHF 780.00Jump to a watch All ten picks, in order
- 01Anoma A1 Core CollectionMake the outline the point
- 02VARIOeveryday Vario Versa Reversible Single Time White Tuxedo Automatic WatchA rectangular case with a moving presentation
- 03Direnzo Watches DRZ 02R Black No DateA shaped shell around a quiet centre
- 04Second Hour Memoir Ice BlueTry a narrow rectangle first
- 05Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads S Core 40 - BlueA softened square with manual winding
- 06Fears Brunswick 38 'Charcoal Rose'Keep the corners soft
- 07Brew Retrograph - Cobalt Chronograph WatchA chronograph drawn across a rectangle
- 08MAEN Manhattan 37 - Midnight Blue G100Let the bracelet complete the outline
- 09UNDONE Terra Daybreak AutomaticA field display inside a shaped body
- 10Daniel Gorman® Gravity Series-Airship.DG0133Let the case cover move
The ten, side by side. Open comparison table ↓
| Watch / role | Price | What makes it interesting | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Anoma A1 Core CollectionMake the outline the point | 39mm wide · 9.45mm thick | Sellita SW100 | |
| 2. VARIOeveryday Vario Versa Reversible Single Time White Tuxedo Automatic WatchA rectangular case with a moving presentation | 28mm wide · 10.5mm thick | Miyota 6T28 | |
| 3. Direnzo Watches DRZ 02R Black No DateA shaped shell around a quiet centre | CHF 780.00 | 39mm diameter · 10.8mm thick · 44mm lug span | Sellita SW200-1 |
| 4. Second Hour Memoir Ice BlueTry a narrow rectangle first | AUD 615.00 | 28mm wide · 7.3mm thick | Ronda Slimtech 1069 |
| 5. Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads S Core 40 - BlueA softened square with manual winding | USD 899.00 | 35mm wide · 9mm thick · 46mm lug span | Sellita SW210 |
| 6. Fears Brunswick 38 'Charcoal Rose'Keep the corners soft | 38mm wide · 42mm lug span | La Joux-Perret D100 | |
| 7. Brew Retrograph - Cobalt Chronograph WatchA chronograph drawn across a rectangle | USD 375.00 | 38mm wide · 10.4mm thick | Hybrid meca-quartz chronograph |
| 8. MAEN Manhattan 37 - Midnight Blue G100Let the bracelet complete the outline | USD 914.00 | 37mm diameter · 9.3mm thick · 47mm lug span | La Joux-Perret G100 Standard Grade |
| 9. UNDONE Terra Daybreak AutomaticA field display inside a shaped body | USD 295.00 | 37mm diameter | TMI NH35A |
| 10. Daniel Gorman® Gravity Series-Airship.DG0133Let the case cover move | PHP 9,100.00 | 14.5mm thick | VX32E |
Ten watches. Plenty of temptation.
Find your favourite ↓- 01
Make the outline the point
More angles · 3 maker photos
Blue A1 Core worn on the wrist in Anoma’s photograph. 
The blue A1 Core case and dial held in the hand. 
A closer view of the blue A1 Core dial and curved case. Anoma
Anoma A1 Core Collection
A1 Core is the clearest break from a round watch in this list: a triangle framing a familiar time display. It leads when you want to notice the case every time you look down.
- Case
- 39 × 39 mm
- Thickness
- 9.45 mm
- Maker rating
- 50 m
- Movement
- Sellita SW100
Check Anoma A1 Core Collection listing ↗ · About Anoma · Get the Sensei take
- 02
A rectangular case with a moving presentation
VARIOeveryday
VARIOeveryday Vario Versa Reversible Single Time White Tuxedo Automatic Watch
Versa Single Time puts an automatic watch in a reversible rectangular form. It belongs here for someone who wants the case to do something as well as look different.
- Case
- 28 × 41.5 mm
- Thickness
- 10.5 mm
- Maker rating
- 50 m
- Movement
- Miyota 6T28
Check VARIOeveryday Vario Versa Reversible Single Time White Tuxedo Automatic Watch listing ↗ · About VARIOeveryday · Get the Sensei take
- 03
A shaped shell around a quiet centre
CHF 780.00
Direnzo Watches
Direnzo Watches DRZ 02R Black No Date
Black no-date DRZ 02R lets its broad shell carry most of the visual interest. It is a strong choice when you want a different outline while retaining a restrained main dial.
- Diameter
- 39 mm
- Lug span
- 44 mm
- Thickness
- 10.8 mm
- Maker rating
- 100 m
- Movement
- Sellita SW200-1
Check Direnzo Watches DRZ 02R Black No Date listing ↗ · About Direnzo Watches · Get the Sensei take
- 04
Try a narrow rectangle first
AUD 615.00
Second Hour
Second Hour Memoir Ice Blue
Memoir is the accessible shape experiment for someone whose current collection is entirely round. Its 28mm width and quartz operation let the rectangle be the main new decision.
- Case
- 28 × 39.5 mm
- Thickness
- 7.3 mm
- Maker rating
- 50 m
- Movement
- Ronda Slimtech 1069
Check Second Hour Memoir Ice Blue listing ↗ · About Second Hour · Get the Sensei take
- 05
A softened square with manual winding
USD 899.00
Trafford Watch Co.
Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads S Core 40 - Blue
Crossroads S brings a 35 by 36mm shaped case to the comparison. It is a useful next step when a strict rectangle feels too formal but a round case no longer interests you.
- Case
- 35 × 36 mm
- Lug span
- 46 mm
- Thickness
- 9 mm
- Maker rating
- 100 m
- Movement
- Sellita SW210
Check Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads S Core 40 - Blue listing ↗ · About Trafford Watch Co. · Get the Sensei take
- 06
Keep the corners soft
More angles · 4 maker photos
Charcoal Rose dial and cushion-shaped case on the leather strap. 
Bracelet configuration of the Brunswick 38 Charcoal Rose; check the selected strap option. 
The Charcoal Rose photographed on a wrist by Fears. 
A close view of the dial texture, numerals and hands. Fears
Fears Brunswick 38 'Charcoal Rose'
Brunswick Charcoal Rose wraps its expressive numerals in a 38 by 38mm cushion. It suits a collector who wants a noticeable outline without the hard corners of a rectangular case.
- Case
- 38 × 38 mm
- Lug span
- 42 mm
- Maker rating
- 100 m
- Movement
- La Joux-Perret D100
Check Fears Brunswick 38 'Charcoal Rose' listing ↗ · About Fears · Get the Sensei take
- 07
A chronograph drawn across a rectangle
USD 375.00
More angles · 4 maker photos
Retrograph Cobalt worn on the wrist in Brew’s photograph. 
A closer angled view of the cobalt dial. 
Case and strap shown at an angle. 
Retrograph Cobalt caseback and strap. Brew
Brew Retrograph - Cobalt Chronograph Watch
Retrograph Cobalt distributes its registers across a rounded rectangular body. It is the shaped-case choice when you also want timing controls and a dial with more information.
- Case
- 38 × 41.5 mm
- Thickness
- 10.4 mm
- Maker rating
- 50 m
- Movement
- Hybrid meca-quartz chronograph
Check Brew Retrograph - Cobalt Chronograph Watch listing ↗ · About Brew · Get the Sensei take
- 08
Let the bracelet complete the outline
USD 914.00
MAEN
MAEN Manhattan 37 - Midnight Blue G100
Manhattan 37 extends its angular case into the bracelet. It is worth considering when the uninterrupted line is the attraction, rather than simply replacing a circular bezel with corners.
- Diameter
- 37 mm
- Lug span
- 47 mm
- Thickness
- 9.3 mm
- Maker rating
- 100 m
- Movement
- La Joux-Perret G100 Standard Grade
Check MAEN Manhattan 37 - Midnight Blue G100 listing ↗ · About MAEN · Get the Sensei take
- 09
A field display inside a shaped body
USD 295.00
UNDONE
UNDONE Terra Daybreak Automatic
Terra Daybreak gives ordinary hour references a less ordinary 37mm boundary. It is the casual direction for a collector who wants a case experiment without adopting a formal dress-watch mood.
- Diameter
- 37 mm
- Maker rating
- 50 m
- Movement
- TMI NH35A
Check UNDONE Terra Daybreak Automatic listing ↗ · About UNDONE · Get the Sensei take
- 10
Let the case cover move
PHP 9,100.00
Daniel Gorman®
Daniel Gorman® Gravity Series-Airship.DG0133
Airship changes the silhouette as its cover slides across the face. It is a more literal exercise in moving casework than another faceted bezel, but the thick copper-alloy construction deserves a careful look before the novelty wins.
- Case material
- Copper alloy
- Thickness
- 14.5 mm
- Maker rating
- 30 m
- Movement
- VX32E
Check Daniel Gorman® Gravity Series-Airship.DG0133 listing ↗ · About Daniel Gorman® · Get the Sensei take
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