The SUV-ification of watches

[sfrolex]

Ok, today I was walking around Union Square in SF, and saw a young man wearing a HUGE watch.

At Shreve, a thin woman was trying on a gi-normous Panerai. I'm guessing the watch face was bigger than her knee.

I don't get the big watch thing at all.

Here's a really bad pic taken with my phone camera.

[Wolfgang427]

I'm a big guy and I don't get it. Anything over 40MM is too big IMO. Unless I wanted a hockey-puck or tuna-can on my wrist.

[n9zez]

The new large faced watch trend is beyond me.

And I am only 26.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by n9zez

The new large faced watch trend is beyond me.

And I am only 26.

If you look at history, I wouldn't call this a new concept or trend. The 50's, 60's & 70's had many examples from numerous watch makers that routinely saw cases being made 44mm and beyond. I don't get it when people state this is a 'new trend'. Check out some vintage watch sellers and you'll see what I'm talking about. I will say that 50mm+ watches are ridiculous IMO and those do seem to be on the rise, but all too often I see people clumping 42mm, 44mm & 46mm designs into the "New Trend, Too Big" category which I don't think is fair.

I do believe this mentality is more prevalent on the Rolex forums because 40mm has been the largest case Rolex ever made for the last 50+ years and only recently decided to go beyond that size...it stands to reason the majority of Rolex owners will in turn believe 40mm is the perfect size. Personally, I love many 44-47mm designs that look amazing in the flesh.

[Fred2]

I think that in 10 years or so, the really big watches will look as stupid as really wide neck ties.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Fred2

I think that in 10 years or so, the really big watches will look as stupid as really wide neck ties.

Yes, it's about current fashion trends rather than timeless design. I have a young girl works for me, wears jeans with rear pockets so low they are literally behind her knees! IMO look ridiculous, in her opinion they are the ants pants. Ask her again in 5 years, and I don't think she will be wearing them.

Most of the really big watches are relatively cheap, won't be running in 10 years.

[BigHat]

Who here can really say what will prevail as "fashion" and what will pass. Wonder what the pocket watch owners said at the advent of wrist models.

The reality is these makers do market research and are opting to go at least a bit bigger. Would you buy a 36mm DD today? Not me. Maybe that's why the DD-II is 41mm.

[kcmo]

I also think it looks ridiculous

[Road Warrior]

Originally Posted by kcmo

i also think it looks ridiculous

x2!!!

[explodingtaco]

I am 6'4" 200lbs and have 8.5 inch wrists. I wear a 44mm watch most days and it only looks big on other people.

[Avs Fan]

Both large and small are good. The design is what makes the difference. I love my 40mm SD - perfect proportions! I also love my 47mm and 44mm Panerai, not because they are large, but because the design calls for a watch of this size. Large for the sake of large is not good.
cheers
greg in denver

[ratae1950]

Well as the American obesity epidemic increases diabetes increases, with attendant eyesight problems, so the BIG watch fashion may be evolutionary. They look better on bigger wrists and the bigger dial is easier to see.......

[scottschoe]

Live and let live...people wear worse things than oversized watches.

[BigHat]

I draw the " personal" line at 44MM, but 40 is fine. It's about a lot more than just gross dimensions too, shape and thickness impact the "look" too. A slim Panny at 44 isn't that strange.

[superdelsol]

Maybe we can blame this guy:

[frostie]

Originally Posted by superdelsol

Maybe we can blame this guy:

[ashu2289]

Originally Posted by superdelsol

Maybe we can blame this guy:

:lol :

[marshallr47]

I think it's a fad but who knows. Rolex has increased the size of their watches. Maybe it's here to stay. All the other watch companies are doing it. I'm happy with my 40MM Rollies.

[JJ Irani]

Nothing wrong with the PERFECT 40 mm, I say, guys!!!

[moby33]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Nothing wrong with the PERFECT 40 mm, I say, guys!!!

...nothing wrong as long as you add about 2-4mm to that figure. Maybe I'll split that figure and add only 3mm as a happy compromise. 43mm case...interesting...I wonder where I could find the true PERFECT size in a watch?

[SlowKarter]

40 seems perfect now because you haven't found a 44 you like.

Once you find a 44 you love, then your 36 and 40 will look too small.

[Letsgodiving]

SUV-ification of watches. Good one.

[sfrolex]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

SUV-ification of watches. Good one.

Thanks.

[johnsonwj]

I think this trend of larger watches was popularized by Jacob. This 47mm case watch was the rage a couple of years back.

[Jedi]

In this world of increasing dependence on IT, more and more people are spending much of their working and recreational time (TRF members take note!) staring at a monitor. Eyesight is deteriorating in the mass population and larger watches are becoming more popular.

I for one am spending more time outdoors doing stuff, and I find that with my active lifestyle, my Explorer II with it's puny minuscule dial more than suits my needs, even though I'm a four-eyed monster.

[gmh1013]

Im not small at 6'3 and 275 with 7.5 inch wrist....I wear a DJ and look fine...
I have never banged it into anything like I do with Breitlings, 44mm and up
to me 40mm is perfect size

[uscmex]

40mm is just too small and after you wear something 42, 43, 44, 47mm and get used to it, it makes 40 mm seem like 30mm... 40 mm is the standard, but like it has been said, all brands are making bigger watches, from Patek to Swatch. I think 40mm will be a thing of the past for many watch brands, and I think Rolex is starting to realize that too. When I see a 40mm on some bigger guys, it just looks funny

[mfer]

I like having various choices, but I think some people go overboard on picking a watch that is too big for them. I love the 44mm Lum's from Panerai, but I can't pull them off. Just looks goofy on me. Somehow, the 45mm Rad's look fine. They sit much thinner.

[DSJ]

40mm is max for me. Even the 42mm PO seems too large for my wrists.

[vegaseddie]

Quite the debate here. I have been a Rolex person for over 20 years and I guess I am also a traditionalist. Although there is a place in the market for high end big watches, I hope Rolex does not jump into that market. In my opinion Rolex is about tradition and slow evolution of their watches. I wonder if generally this is a younger vs older person issue meaning younger wants watches that are larger and currently more fashionable and older likes traditional models and sizes.