Head turner: Why are watches displayed sideways?

[Datejust10019]

Consider the image here.

If you're in the online market for a watch, do you want to have to cock your head 90 degrees to the left to see the watch's design for a first impression? It's curious that watches are photographed and displayed laid sideways for marketing purposes. Look at 50 of these and one gets a sensation of vertigo.

[wach16]

Unless its the vacheron historique 1921 I agree!

[tyler1980]

IMO it looks better. A side shot give the photo better depth where as a shot from the top straight down generally doesn't look as good.

Im sure there is a practical reason too. Its easier to position a watch that way.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by Datejust10019

Consider the image here.

If you're in the online market for a watch, do you want to have to cock your head 90 degrees to the left to see the watch's design for a first impression? It's curious that watches are photographed and displayed laid sideways for marketing purposes. Look at 50 of these and one gets a sensation of vertigo.

It's not u, it's that watch!!

Given a design spec of 2 subdials, that's about maximum unbalanced as you can possibly layout... gee sorry, even the work experience summer design intern couldn't stuff up that bad

If that spent a day on my wrist, I'd be seasick by teatime

As for looking at watches online or IRL, I prefer to inspect them sideways or upsidedown - I find more defects that way! but if anyone asked "what's the time?" after I've been inspecting that piece for 10-15mins, I wouldn't know as I've not read the hands