Gen Z Embraces 18-26mm 'Grandma Watches' as Summer 2026's Anti-Tracking Accessory
Updated
Updated · Grazia USA · Aug 21
Gen Z Embraces 18-26mm 'Grandma Watches' as Summer 2026's Anti-Tracking Accessory
2 articles · Updated · Grazia USA · Aug 21
Summary
Tiny analog watches measuring 18 to 26 millimeters have become Gen Z’s standout accessory for summer 2026, prized less as tech than as jewelry-like fashion pieces.
Their appeal centers on what they lack: no sleep scores, step counts or buzzing alerts, turning a simple timepiece into a quiet rejection of constant digital tracking.
Luxury and celebrity backing has accelerated the shift, with Cartier’s Mini Baignoire, Bulova’s Goddess of Time, and wearers such as Olivia Rodrigo and Lily-Rose Depp helping push the look mainstream.
Vintage shops and lower prices add to the draw, while related retro items — ring watches, pocket watches, film cameras and wired headphones — fit the same broader move toward low-tech objects chosen for beauty.