2014 - the year of the bigger watch

[RXAPPP]

With 2014 now behind us I was just looking back at my purchases and sales of the last year and got to realise how my purchasing habits had changed in 12months .

I had flirted with a larger watch in the past ( 43mm Omega AT ) my mainstay collection however was 40-41mm ( DD, AP, SD )

I started going large again in January trading my 41mm AP for a 42mm SKYDWELLER. Having sold the SD in late 2013 I also aimed for a bigger diver in an 45mm Omega PO XL. The love affair with the latter didn't last however and I snapped up a 42mm 216570, alas that stayed with me a whole 5 months before I traded it for a 43mm SDDS. Struggling to find THE watch I traded that for a 42mm Pelagos and put a bit of money towards an AP 44mm Novelty.

Having for the most part sold them on I sit today with a 41mm 15400 and DD2. The SKYDWELLER is boxed and ready to trade with a smaller 40.5 ?? and I stand in the verge of having my ultimate trio.

In owning numerous watches from a 36mm DJ to a 44mm Novelty it's finally sunk in that I don't need bigger size watches anymore. I have defended bigger watches against the traditionalists and dismissed the trend as something that is here to stay. I'm less sure about that now. i still respect anyone's choices but for those lusting after a big watch I would suggest they take a step back and ask if 40mm is so small after all. My journey has only been a year long but I reckon the end is now here and I have found the perfect size for me.

[Jason71]

Welcome to enlightenment

[padi56]

Have to agree with the novelty factor bigger heavier is better, which in the real world is not always the case,unless you are one of those stereo typed.

[Blubaru]

There's nothing nicer than a reasonably sized watch.

[bayerische]

36-40mm, with a reasonable weight is king.

[Racerdj]

I actually downsized slightly from the 44mm Breitlings to my 40-42mm current collection.

[wdin]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Welcome to enlightenment

this

[watchwatcher]

OK...so what is the ultimate trio?

[Cru Jones]

good for you for finding what works for you.

[Mezz72]

40-42 is the best.

[dexvd]

It drives me nuts when I look into a good tool/dive watch and find out its 44 or worse. I find 42mm too big in some thicker cases, would much rather have 36mm (my 1625) than a 42mm although I find 38-40 (my 1625) is just right. I'm glad there has been less of the huge movement in dress watches, I find my 34mm Connie looks bigger than the 36mm Turn-O-Graph when they are on the wrist (due to the flatness of the Connie I guess).

[rc51matt]

After owning some of the bigger sizeed Omega's, Breitling's, & kobold. I have also come back to the 36-42mm range. Only reason I include 42mm is the Exp. II which I do like but it's as big as I'll go in the future. Also thickness was something I used to like, but now don't want anything thicker than my 16600. I have one 44mm watch left & I think it's going to partially fund a white dial datejust in the next few months for a good daily that goes with anything.

[brandrea]

Thank you for sharing. I suppose the ideal watch size depends largely on wrist size, and what you are wearing the watch for: dress, casual etc.

For me 40 mm is the perfect size for my 7.25" wrist.

[mike]

I went a bit bigger this year.

[WWC]

40mm is definitely the best size. With the new case design of the sub ceramic it's the biggest I'd want to go. Perfect larger case due to the lugs but still at 40.

For me anywhere between the Daytona 40 and sub c 40 is perfect.

Just my own two cents.

[Mystro]

I am 40-44mm fan. Love em.

[Annan]

With my 36mm DJ and 40mm GMTII I feel I have what's best for me. As with all watch issues/concerns, it comes down to what pleases you.

[kilyung]

It's never been about size for me. Rather what looks nice.

[thomaspp]

My go to references are getting smaller and smaller. As much as I loved the YMII, it's 44 mm size was a bit too large to be honest.

[Hi-roller]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thank you for sharing. I suppose the ideal watch size depends largely on wrist size, and what you are wearing the watch for: dress, casual etc.

For me 40 mm is the perfect size for my 7.25" wrist.

Same for me, having downsized from Panerais and Breitlings. 40mm is the perfect size - legible but not too bulky on the wrist.

[elkaholic]

I've got to agree with what others have said-the larger watches (above 40mm) are not for me. Given my size, anything above 40 looks cartoonish on me, in my opinion.

It's strange how much bigger a 40mm Sub seems after I've worn one of my 36mm DJ for a week or two straight, but I still like the combo of my 36 and 40mm pieces. Different styles/sizes for the circumstances.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Racerdj

I actually downsized slightly from the 44mm Breitlings to my 40-42mm current collection.

Same here, 44mm Breitlings and AP ROOs feel a but too much on my wrist nowadays and I find 40-2mm a nice sweet spot now and Rolex serves these dishes the best.

[bigwatchman]

It all depends on what you like. If you like big, wear them. If you prefer smaller, wear them. Doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks or what is trending. As long as you are happy and confident about what's on your wrist, that's all that matters.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by mike

I went a bit bigger this year.

Beautiful pieces (and photos) Mike

[travisb]

39-42mm I've learned is my sweet spot.

[wrxsti]

Originally Posted by travisb

39-42mm I've learned is my sweet spot.

damn right travis especially for rolex and Ap those are my fav sizes

[adamlea]

There is no universal optimal size - it's a matter of personal preference. It's a you-say-poh-tato-I-say-pah-tato type of thing.

[nick c]

36-47

[dchernikoff]

I stopped in the local AD over the weekend, and since the Rolex counter was too crowded (two people putting down orders for DeepSea blue's!) I was looking at Omegas. The Speedmasters were nice. Then the guy showed me their diving watch (Seamaster??) -- it was ginormous! Seemed like an inch thick. Who could wear a watch like that? Next to my lovely GMT it just looked silly.

I know, to each their own and some people like big watches. Just not my cup of tea...

-Dan

[DCgator]

My daily wear vary from 40-43mm in size. I wear 44mm watches when/where I like and appropriate. For me, it's how it looks nice on me and not about the size of the watch.

I continue to wonder when someone says the big size watches are a novelty. If not mistaken, IWC, Breitling, Panerai, to mention a few companies that have been in business a while, have been making big size watches for more than a bit. So, I don't see where novelty applies. Just my opinion, however.