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OK, hear me out. Sometimes, maybe, size does matter. Like in NYC closet space. Or pizza slices. But when it comes to wristwatches, it's perfectly acceptable to appreciate both the big and the small, as well as everything in between. It all depends on fit. Sometimes I think the watch world (more than anyone else) is obsessed with size. I’ve heard some enthusiasts claim they could never wear anything under 44mm and others claim their smaller wrists can’t handle anything over 36mm. Everyone seems to have their “perfect” size when it comes to fit and comfort. But I’d like you to consider, just for a moment, that size truly doesn’t matter when it comes to wristwatches. There are other factors, such as your wrist shape, the watch's lug-to-lug dimension as well as the lug drop that play a crucial role in fit. So if you’ve got time for a quickie article, let's dim the lights, put on some mood music, and dive into the idea that it's not about the numbers but rather about the comfort and personal preference that each individual finds in their timepiece. The Fallacy of One-Size-Fits-All: A lot of people tend to believe certain wristwatches are universally appealing, but that is far from the truth. For example, I think everyone can agree the Tudor BB58 is a beautiful watch. My skinny-arse 6" wrist jumped on the “I’ve gotta have it” bandwagon just like a lot of others. Don’t get me wrong, I adore this watch. But man, when I wear it, it feels like a lethal weapon. In theory, the case size of 40 should be a good fit for me - I wear other 40s (the Stella Felix and Breslin for example) quite comfortably. But what I didn’t take into consideration is the other dimensions and the shape of the case that make the BB58 feel like a cast iron frying pan at the end of my arm. With a lug-to-lug of 50mm with very little drop, and a height of 15mm, the watch wears me instead of visa-versa. My advise - don’t get sucked in by the allure of an “all-inclusive” watch. Every watch has unique proportions, and where one model may be a great fit, the same case dimensions on another might be a completely different story. Now let’s talk about what else you should consider when searching for your perfect fit. Understanding Lug-to-Lug Dimensions: Perhaps more crucial than case size is the lug-to-lug dimension, the measurement that represents the distance between the two lugs on the watch case. The lug-to-lug dimension will take up the most space on your wrist so if it exceeds the width of your wrist, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Ideally, you want a lug-to-lug that doesn’t create space between the watch and your wrist. Have you ever seen a child wearing a grown-up watch? That’s what I’m talking about. It may look adorable on them but trust me, this is not the secret to regaining your youth (and if you do know the secret, please lmk). On the flip side, you might feel a watch with a smaller lug-to-lug dimension appears too “understated”. I’ve even heard men say smaller watches are too feminine for them. I hate to break it to you guys, but that’s all in your mind. The truth is, a smaller lug-to-lug could actually be your perfect match and if you never give one a try, you might never find your one true watch. I don't like to think of watches as masculine or feminine. Rather, I say wear what you like, keeping comfort and personal style in mind. Embracing Lug Drop: Now I’m going to get really nuts and say I believe lug drop is even more important than lug-to-lug dimensions. I mean, let's talk about the curves. The lug drop refers to the case’s curvature of the lugs and I’ve always been a sucker for a sexy lug. A good curved lug will determine how well the case conforms to the natural shape of your wrist, like a nice friendly hug. Your perfect lug drop will create a harmonious blend between the watch and your skin. This not only enhances comfort but also makes the watch more aesthetically pleasing, as it becomes an extension of your wrist rather than an intrusive accessory. Unfortunately, we don’t have any “number” for lug drop that you could say, “Oh, a lug drop of xx is perfect for me” because case designs vary in so many different ways. The best thing to do when shopping online is to look at the case profile and if the lugs have a nice down curve, you will get more of that hug. If you can see the watch in person, even better! Try it on and see how well it conforms to your wrist. A nice pronounced lug drop will sit comfortably and securely, reducing the likelihood of slipping and sliding during everyday wear. So What’s the Right Fit for You? In the 25-plus years that I’ve been designing watches, I’ve seen trends go from micro-movements to Big Mac combo meals. My advice is, don’t follow the trends. While it may be tempting to jump on the hot new watch bandwagon it's essential to remember that personal comfort and preference should always take precedence. A large, attention-grabbing watch might be a statement piece for some, but for others, a subtle, well-fitted timepiece could hold much more appeal. Take the time to try on various watches and consider how each one feels on your wrist. A friend over at Farer advises his customers to borrow a buddy's watch and wear it for a few days. I love this advice if you have a good friend with a nice watch collection. For me that’s Stephen. He buys the watches and I “borrow” them! But if your friends are into, I don’t know, collecting beanie babies instead of watches (why??), I recommend getting to a watch fair near you and trying on as many as you can. Maybe we'll see you there! Let's wrap it up: In the world of wristwatches, there's no shortage of sizes, shapes, and styles to choose from. So how do you choose the right one for you? The most important thing is to let go of the idea that you can only wear certain sizes and keep an open mind. If you love the look, quality, color, dial, etc. of a watch, give it a try. Spend a little time with it if you can. Maybe even take it on a second and third date. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover your perfect match isn’t what your “type” was all along. Find a watch that speaks to you and it will become an inseparable part of your daily life. If you're into the numbers: BRESLIN Dimensions 40mm Case 48mm lug to lug 12.7mm thickness 20mm lug opening ELLIS Dimensions 41.5mm Case 49.5mm lug to lug 13.1mm thickness 20mm lug opening FELIX Dimensions 40mm Case 48mm lug to lug 13.6mm thickness 20mm lug opening I'll leave you with one final thought on size: "It doesn't matter how big a ranch you own or how many cows you brand, the size of your funeral is still gonna depend on the weather." - Harry S. Truman Best, Marcella

Jimmy Breslin (10.17.1930 – 03.19.2017) Stella Watch Company is a New York Brand. When we created our first model, the Felix, our inspiration was to create a quality timepiece with a cool, casual vibe that anyone, from the office worker to the bartender, could wear. We were inspired by the people around us, the melting pot of classes, races, accents, and colors. They say you know you’re from New York when your doorman is Russian, your grocer is Korean, your deli man is Israeli, your building super is Italian, your laundry guy is Chinese, your favorite bartender is Irish, your favorite diner owner is Greek, your cabbie was Pakistani, and your newsstand guy is Indian. You get the idea, all hard-working everyday people who came to New York to make a living and maybe enjoy a little bit of the good life. And no one understood them more than Jimmy Breslin. Breslin was a legendary New York City newspaper columnist who had a talent for finding and telling the stories of these everyday New Yorkers. He was known for his gritty, street-level reporting and his ability to connect with his readers on a personal level. In 1986 Breslin won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary, for “columns which consistently champion ordinary citizens”. He would famously say that he merely applied a sportswriter’s sensibility to his columns. Avoid the scrum of journalists gathered around the winner and go straight to the loser’s locker room. This is where you find your story. Below are some of Breslin’s most well-known columns that told the story from the common man’s perspective. “A Death in Emergency Room One” (New York Herald Tribune, 1963), famously conveys the despair of John F. Kennedy’s assassination through the lens of the doctors who hopelessly tried to save his life in the emergency room of Parkland Memorial Hospital. “It’s an Honor” (New York Herald Tribune, 1963), a second story about the death of John F. Kennedy, this time focusing on Clifton Pollard, the man who earned $3.01 an hour and dug Kennedy’s grave on his day off. “Part of a Cop’s Past Lies Dead” (New York Daily News, 1980) tells the story of the police officers who responded to John Lennon’s homicide. Breslin's writing style was deceptively simple with a rhythm that was direct and crunchy. He specialized in sparse, straightforward prose, that at times could be savagely funny: —"The first funeral for Andrew Goodman was at night and it was a lot of work. To begin with, they had to kill him." —"Football is a game designed to keep coal miners off the streets." —"The auditorium, named after a dead Queens politician, is windowless in honor of the secrecy in which he lived and, probably, the bank vaults he frequented." Breslin developed a larger-than-life persona with his hard-hitting, gut-punching journalism. He was the guy everyone wanted to share a beer with down at the pub, yet he was so consumed by life’s injustices, he barely had time for personal grooming let alone day drinking. When he wasn’t punching out the latest “rage against the machine” column, he was showing up at civil rights marches and rallies everywhere from New York to Alabama. Born in Jamaica, Queens in 1928, Breslin took his first gig as a copyboy for the Long Island Press and never looked back. He was quoted as saying “I’d never take a job in a place where you couldn't throw cigarette butts on the floor. I was hooked on this writing for newspapers and magazines”. He went on to work for several other papers throughout his career and from 1978 – 1988 he was a columnist at the New York Daily News. While Breslin was holding court over the newsroom at E 42nd street, one Jack Maselli (my dad) worked in the basement in the stereotype department. I don’t know if Jimmy and Jack were grabbing beers after work, but I like to think of my pop artfully converting Jimmy’s sharp wit into a times roman masterpiece with perfect kerning and spacing. I hope you’ll excuse me for making the connection. Jimmy famously once said, “A wise shoemaker sticks to his trade and maintains a mouthful of nails”. We launched Stella three years after Jimmy’s death but I like to think he would approve of us sticking to our trade. As for the mouthful of nails, I respectfully eschew the idea. Jimmy sells Beer The Stella Breslin is in honor of this "New Yorkiest" New Yorker. Its the everyday watch for the everyday man (or woman) who just steps out the door and tries to be the best he can be. Available in three distinct colorways; Raspberry, Silver, and Classic Blue. I think Jimmy would have gone for the pragmatic Silver version. What do you think? For Further reading: The Jimmy Breslin Website A List of Jimmy Breslin's Articles New York Times Obituary, Jimmy Breslin List of Jimmy Breslin's Pulitzer Prize Winning Articles Jimmy Breslin and The Son of Sam Breslin was also a prolific novelist Watch Deadline Artists on HBO Max I'll leave you with one final Breslin Quote: "Life never was long enough to provide time for enemies" Best, Marcella

By now you would have heard all about the life, death, and work of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. But if you didn't follow her career or haven't ever worn a WWRBGD t-shirt to a march or rally, you may be wondering "why did we love her so much?" I'd like to share my thoughts. From her childhood in Brooklyn, playing on garage roofs with the boys, to the second woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court, Ruth never let her sex determine her actions or get in the way of her dreams. In an interview with Makers, she said, "I think the simplest explanation [of feminism]... is a song that Marlo Thomas sang, 'Free to be You and Me.' Free to be, if you were a girl - doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. Anything you want to be. And if you're a boy, and you like teaching, you like nursing, you would like to have a doll, that's OK too. That notion that we should each be free to develop our own talents, whatever they may be, and not be held back by artificial barriers.." RGB's ability to inspire us to be who we want to be, goes beyond her relentless fight to change the views of the male-dominated Supreme Court, fighting for the acceptance of women as an equal gender. Ruth also epitomized the everyday struggles women face, managing family life and her own ambitions, long before the term "work-life balance" ever existed. Confronting discrimination early in her career but persisting, until she was judged for her talents and not her gender. She broke down sexist barriers one small step at a time by proving her abilities - despite being a woman, a mother, and a wife. In recent years she was given the moniker "Notorious R.G.B", beloved by a new generation of eager and passionate feminists. Although the 'tough guy' title was given with the greatest affection, the way she fought was the opposite of what this would imply. Yes, her dissents were fiery and passionate, but in truth, she was the most formidable women's legal advocate in modern history that never used a bullhorn on a podium, never burned a bra, never got herself arrested for political show, and never let her emotions alter her disposition. She acted always with a quiet grace, carefully and diligently studying the law, finding the injustices, and proving why they didn't work in a modern society with her intelligence and wit as her only props. Being a woman in the very male-dominated watch industry, I know about having to prove yourself. I understand having to work harder than my male counterparts for that prized corner office. And what a tricky balance it is to hold the respect once you finally have it. Having an icon like Ruth Bader Ginsberg - who forged a path for gender equality before I could even tell time - gave me, and countless other women like me, the inspiration to follow my passion and be who I wanted to be, despite the extra hurdles I would face. RGB, in a way, was the woman we all want to be. She is the role model we want for our daughters, nieces, and sisters. She was the mother we all loved and cherished, the grandmother we adored and protected. She was everyone's bubbeh, giving of herself as easily as candy from a jar. We wished she could live forever because as long as she did, we felt seen, heard, represented, loved, and inspired. I think it is very fitting that book critic Ruth Franklin, a finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, tweeted on Friday night after hearing of her passing, "According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah, which began tonight, is a tzaddik, a person of great righteousness". NPR reporter Nina Totenberg explained the tradition further: "A Jewish teaching says those who die just before the Jewish new year are the ones God has held back until the last moment bc they were needed most & were the most righteous." Traditionally when a Jewish person dies, you may say "May her memory be a blessing". But in Ruth Bader Ginsberg's passing, many are hoping for more, that her work will inspire others to pick up the torch and are saying: "May her memory be a revolution". And may she rest in the peace she so well deserves. To listen to more of Ruth Bader Ginsberg on Makers, click here For some favorite Ruth Bader Ginsberg quotes, click here For Ruth Bader Ginsberg fast facts and timeline, click here To learn more about the meaning of a tzaddick, click here