For me, other than on my Speedmasters, it's baton style hands. I just find them . . . boring.

 

Pretty much any watch with a subdial

 

Dunno if this is design or construction, but anything less than a full stainless steel case is usually enough for me to toss a watch from consideration.

 

California dials

 

I find baton hands boring on Speedmasters, too.

Luckily, there are options.

 

I still have 4/5 gold/capped/plated watches - acquired early on in my addiction - but I now, like you, only consider full stainless steel.

 

I’m not a big fan of date windows unless they are discrete or don’t bugger up the symmetry of the dials … and don’t get me started on Cyclopes … the more apt nomenclature here would be browneye

 

Completely agree on the cyclops. I'm not a Rolex fan generally, but that particular feature ruins the dial for me.

 

+1 I just dont get it...

 

I could compile a (vintage only) list, so let's get started...

1) mixing Roman and Arabic numerals on a dial
2) recessed crowns that are difficult to manipulate (most)
3) embossed indices (though a few, e.g. IWC, were very well executed)
4) lugs that feature no demarcation between them and the top of the case
5) high-polished case backs (they scratch much too easily), e.g. Longines Silver Arrow

 

Dynamic's funky case. I just can't. Which is a shame because I think these have very cool dials.

 

Yeah, awful

 

Out of balance crowns, which can be too large but are generally too small. Not only do they look frail and appear to be an afterthought, they can feel tinny and be difficult to use for winding or adjusting the watch.

 

Front loader, the watches without case backs that require removal of crystal, split stem to access the movements

 

- date
- hidden crown

P.S. what’s a California dial?!?

 

Many more details through this link:

https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2012/09/the-history-of-california-dial.html

 

This +1

 

Never cared for Torneu barrel shaped cases. Reminds me of what I did not like about the 1970s.

-j

 

I'm not sure I understand. Let's see some illuminating examples of this feature.

 

Date features, especially if in combination with day features. A few live here, but they are not my favorites. A date feature causes an otherwise appealing dial to appear as if it has an ulcerated sore.



Besides which, I never consult the day date features, but feel compelled to set the silly things if I don a watch having them. They're just fiddly and pointless for my purposes.





Round watches look honest, open, and happy. All other watch shapes look a bit devious or sinister somehow.



Only two on hand that aren't round.