Is there a trend toward smaller watches in 2018?

[Green Arrow]

I finally got a "grail" watch, being a 36mm Day Date. But I'm a Baby Boomer. So my 45.5mm diver's watch is way more readable. But I'm drawn in the direction of smaller watches suddenly. Is this a trend in 2018? Or are we still in the times of 40mm and up watches for everyone?

[Alexdig]

Considering the fact that by petit wife is wearing my 40 mm Explorer 2 and rocking it ... I don’t think that’s the case. No pun intended !


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[Chewbacca]

For standard and complication watches I think 40 is the new 44.

Unless it’s like a dssd where the case must be a certain size for function, I can’t see it being like 2008 again.

Even Panerai is downsizing.

[Explorer1nyc]

The "trend" is in the eye of the beholder.

Many people are going toward smaller watches.

Still, many continue to wear Panerai's and SD43's.

The only trend is watches come in many sizes, wrists come in many sizes, etc

Don't believe the hype - Hodinkee writers have small wrists. I've met them - Little people.

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by Explorer1nyc

Don't believe the hype - Hodinkee writers have small wrists. I've met them - Little people.

LOL

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Explorer1nyc

Don't believe the hype - Hodinkee writers have small wrists. I've met them - Little people.

That and they've bought a significant stock of vintage watches that they're now trying to unload on the public at inflated prices.

Don't be manipulated. Wear what you like.

[MinMay]

There is no trend. Our wrist doesn't grow any bigger or smaller. 50 years from now, I'll still be wearing a 40mm still because that's the right size for me.

I'm not going to wear a 45mm just because some famous JoeBlow wears a bigger watch than he can handle. (I call it the Thuggish look...someone who wears bigger size than they should be) haha.

[roosvelt]

When it comes to big watch vs smaller watch, age of the wearer come into play. The older a person is man or woman smaller always look better.

[MattPegler]

Not sure, more smaller watches are being released I think - and it is good that us smaller-wristed watch guys get better choices

[Cru Jones]

I don't wear trends.

I wear watches that I like.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I don't wear trends.

I wear watches that I like.

Exactly this

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I don't wear trends.

I wear watches that I like.

Exactly, trends are for followers not leaders

[superdog]

No. Because you are gravitating towards smaller watches, based on getting a new smaller watch, it does not indicate a trend.

[Green Arrow]

Originally Posted by superdog

No. Because you are gravitating towards smaller watches, based on getting a new smaller watch, it does not indicate a trend.

My chances of being a trend setter aren't very good?

I have been noticing a decline in Panerai prices used, and more 36-40 mm watches showing up in forum photos. I have always been a dinner plate on a small wrist buyer, although I am titrating toward 40mm with legible dial for aging eyes. I blame buying a 36 mm on a guy named Red Adair, but I am curious as to whether there is a change in popular sizing for Rolex wearers. Not saying "follow a trend". Just wondering if there is one.

[tyler1980]

Nothing below 40mm will ever be a trend. Moving down from 46mm maybe but IMO 40mm is the floor for a modern watch excluding maybe dress watches but a DD isn’t that and dress watches are not trending either


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[fastfreddie]

Most people are going to the correct sizing formula of 5x wrist dia. Because they are fed up of folks pulling the piss out of large watches.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

Nothing below 40mm will ever be a trend. Moving down from 46mm maybe but IMO 40mm is the floor for a modern watch excluding maybe dress watches but a DD isn’t that and dress watches are not trending either


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Except perhaps for the DJ41 which is 39.5mm.

[Atlantic]

Without question, for the last few years we have been trending away from the larger sizes, 44mm and above. The current sweet spot is now between 38mm and 42mm. Even Panerai, the king of big, has come out with a Luminor at 38mm.

[jagwap]

Other manufacturers have peaked and are pulling back in size. "What?!? There are other manufactures?" I hear you say?

IWC went up to 41mm on the Mark XVII, then pulled back to 40mm on the Mark XVIII, and brought out a 36mm pilot. Their ceramic peices were up to 48mm, and now they are all 2mm smaller.

Omega are trying to slim their 9300 speedies a bit, but the big movements seem to be a limitation.

Even Rolex went a little smaller in a few dimentions from the DJII to the DJ41.

I think big watches have their place (SD43) but there appears to be a correction for some excesses.

[Mystro]

No, there is no trend. Watch sizes are what they are now. 40-45mm is the norm.

[ezinhk]

New PP Aquanaut increased to 42mm...go figure.

[Enoch]

I recently checked out the new 41mm DJ and the 36mm DJ. Both looked great, but to my eyes something about the 36mm just seemed to be “right”.

I was surprised as I’d generally go for the larger choice, but on this occasion I didn’t...

[Finslayer83]

Tudor needs to put the BB58 movement in one of the following:

Pelagos that is 12mm thin

or

40mm Pelagos that is 12mm thin

[Shakini]

'Trends' are sometimes based on numerous factors including popular culture, economic benefits, precious metal availability etc...

Taking economy scales as an example:

1) Companies will identify where (in the world) the money is...
2) Identify the requirements for those markets...
3) Gear the offerings for that market...

For e.g. A dominant world market for growth and GDP is China. The bell curve for wrist size in far east tends to peak around 5.5 to 6 inches (without prejudice) => push for smaller sized models.

[BT1985]

Originally Posted by Shakini

'Trends' are sometimes based on numerous factors including popular culture, economic benefits, precious metal availability etc...

Taking economy scales as an example:

1) Companies will identify where (in the world) the money is...
2) Identify the requirements for those markets...
3) Gear the offerings for that market...

For e.g. A dominant world market for growth and GDP is China. The bell curve for wrist size in far east tends to peak around 5.5 to 6 inches (without prejudice) => push for smaller sized models.

This is spot on.


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[Chadridv]

I think there are micro trends here and there (within the span of a few years). These trends shift and sway depending on which models are super hot at the time. The daytona is one of the hottest watches on the planet and comes in technically under 40mm.

However when you step back and look at the big picture, watches are only getting bigger. There’s a reason why a 39mm AP or 40mm Patek are called jumbos. Obviously by today’s standards those sizes don’t seem “jumbo” at all, but at one point a 39mm watch would be ridiculous. The same way today a 49-50mm watch would be insane.

[17noir]

Time of the large Panerai watches had passed, however I think we are settling in the 40-44mm area for men's sports watches. Just my observation and .02

[Headshrinker]

I did not buy my Day-Date in 36mm to save money, I bought it because I believe that it looks better on my 7.25 wrist. I like 40mm for Subs and GMTs.

[Nikrnic]

I think 39 to 42mm is here to stay but really thinking that 36mm is the most common among the masses.

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[marc2828]

Size is a matter of perspective and time (no pun intended). When I first saw the "new" 4 door Jeep Wrangler, I thought it looked silly compared to the historic 2 door Jeep. Now I think it looks right, and the 2 door Jeeps look small.

I see guys with 6.5" wrists wearing 47mm Panerai, and I think it looks silly. However, guys with 7" wrists wearing 36mm looks feminine to me. And then I see muscular guys wearing huge thick shiny Breitlings with diamonds, and I think that looks completely ridiculous, like they are compensating.

40 to 44mm is the sweet spot for a man's watch in my opinion.