No More Watches > 40mm For Me.......

[Jason71]

My New Year's resolution was to sell any watch that I owned that was larger than 40mm. In the last 2 weeks, I have completed the sales of these 3 watches. I could 'wear' them, and IMHO they didn't look ridiculously large. However, I just didn't find them to be as comfortable as my smaller diameter watches. Therefore, it was a good time to be on the chopping block. Unless my wrist grows significantly in the next several years, I have vowed to not buy anything that is larger than 40mm. Anyone else feel this way??





borrowed pic (because evidently I even deleted all pics of this watch)

[Old Expat Beast]

I find that the flat-back comfort of the BB outweighs its slightly larger dimensions. Still, it's good to shift watches that don't work for you

[Wing-Co]

Just got rid of the DSSD and YM II for a 40mm DD for the same reasons.

[leftnose]

To me, 40-42 is the sweet spot depending on the design of the watch. I have a big wrist and can wear larger watches without issue and I own a few as well but they don't look "right" to me.

[ltmgeller]

The exact opposite for me. I feel 40mm is just on the cusp of being too small. I'm ok with the ceramics but find myself all but ignoring my 5 digit 40mm pieces. I'm also a big guy so that makes a difference as well. To each their own.

[fmc000]

I absolutely agree with the OP. In the past few years I sold all my Breitling watches and all my Seiko divers because of the size. I really don't see myself wearing anything bigger than my Daytona in the foreseeable future.

[kilyung]

My favorite watch is 39mm so I understand but not sure I'd have done this.

[busytimmy]

Yep, I'm 100% with you, Mr H. I do have one exception (hesalite speedy pro), however all of my other watches are 40mm or smaller.


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[slorollin]

42 is my number. I feel the same way. I'm a big guy, but I can't get used to the big watches. It feels like I have a lunch box on my wrist. That's why they make different sizes I guess.
No watches over 42mm, no cigars over 50 ring ga.

[rollerballer]

I use to like big watches, but after awhile, it feels a little flashy.

[AK797]

I liked big, then I liked small, now I like big and small as I need some variation in my collection to stop me from buying and selling in eternity.

[Cru Jones]

nope. i wear watches that i like, not millimeters. if it happens to be 36, 40 or 44, so be it.

[peterskinner]

Doesn't it depend on the watch? For instance the 40mm Submariner 'wears' quite a lot larger than a Day-Date 40. A 44mm Portugeiser can be slim enough to get away with it. The overall design seems to be key.
Having said all that, 38-40mm is probably optimum for me. It's not just about the size of wrist, big watches can all too easily look very 'showy.' Perhaps that is the intention.
For instance, a Panerei tends to look slightly comic to me....but obviously not to a lot of fans.

[Sublovin]

I have found that simply looking at case size doesn't tell the whole story. Many watches wear larger or smaller depending on thickness, lug length etc.
I have watches from the low 30's up to 48mm...I like the variety

[Vinyasa]

In principle, I agree. My only exception was the Omega Speedy (42mm), which I did flip, but because I no longer valued a chonograph function. That watch felt very comfortable.

I rediscovered my love for the 5-digit models... a little smaller and svelte compared to many current 6-digits. I think my sweet spot is 38-40mm.

[captain_NEMO]

Originally Posted by Jason71

My New Year's resolution was to sell any watch that I owned that was larger than 40mm. In the last 2 weeks, I have completed the sales of these 3 watches. I could 'wear' them, and IMHO they didn't look ridiculously large. However, I just didn't find them to be as comfortable as my smaller diameter watches. Therefore, it was a good time to be on the chopping block. Unless my wrist grows significantly in the next several years, I have vowed to not buy anything that is larger than 40mm. Anyone else feel this way??

I, too, don't see the fascination with larger watches. Unfortunately, the trend is getting bigger and bigger. I think big, hulking watches look silly in smaller/shorter people, not to mention ostentatious. I get avant-garde and panache, but it's lost when watches are worn so that the people on the other side of the bar can tell both the brand and the time.

I do, however, weep for the loss of your Tudor BB. I would've kept that in the barn no matter what.

Originally Posted by busytimmy

Yep, I'm 100% with you, Mr H. I do have one exception (hesalite speedy pro), however all of my other watches are 40mm or smaller.


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With you all the way, Tim. Mmmmm...Speedy pro. That is my grail at the moment, and is probably my next buy real soon. It's so g-damn gorgeous, I just want to eat it!! Not sure if I should chase my birth-year or just spring for a new one. Decisions, decisions.

[landroverking]

SMP is the only over 40 watch I care for.

[Trailblazer]

sobering moments aye? I also went through that and sold my Pam 372 and dssd, now keeping to 40mm and below, I got no regrets.

[chloebear]

To me there are so many variables in addition to the diameter that it's hard to say. Generally speaking I think 40-42mm is the sweet spot for sports watches. In addition to the watch I think the size of the wearer is important to consider too. At 6' 185 pounds my 42mm Explorer 2 fits nicely, but it is about as big as I would go.

[Jason71]

Do you know how to tell if it is time to sell a watch?? Not only do I NOT weep the sale of these 3 watches, but I am glad to see them go, and I am relieved to have them off my back. I don't miss any of the 3 of them AT ALL.

Do you know how it is NOT the time to sell a watch?? I pulled my BLNR out of the safe yesterday.....thinking of taking some pics of it to place it up for sale......I just couldn't do it. I started having heart palpitations, and only felt relief when it went back in the safe.

Originally Posted by kilyung

My favorite watch is 39mm so I understand but not sure I'd have done this.

Mike, there is a method to my madness, and I do have a plan

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by Jason71

I have vowed to not buy anything that is larger than 40mm. Anyone else feel this way??

Yup, 40mm is the biggest I'll go... well, maybe there's an exception for Tudor Black Bay since it's 41mm.

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Do you know how to tell if it is time to sell a watch?? Not only do I NOT weep the sale of these 3 watches, but I am glad to see them go, and I am relieved to have them off my back. I don't miss any of the 3 of them AT ALL.

Do you know how it is NOT the time to sell a watch?? I pulled my BLNR out of the safe yesterday.....thinking of taking some pics of it to place it up for sale......I just couldn't do it. I started having heart palpitations, and only felt relief when it went back in the safe.




Mike, there is a method to my madness, and I do have a plan

I owned Panerai and IWC which are larger than 40mm and sold them all after few months. I find them too thick and heavy. Glad that now I even enjoy the 34mm vintage Rolex or Tudor.

[GoingPlaces]

Not sure about an "absolute" limit, but I feel similar. 44 would never work for me as it might on others. I've seen some watches that had no place on certain wrists, looked really out of proportion. Depends on the piece.

[Tamzi]

Well, having a small wrist means I really can't pull off anything larger than 40mm. Also, anything >40mm at my age (20) kind of shouts out 'look at me', which I am not really into.

[Spartacus]

I'm on the other side of 40mm. 40mm is the lowest I'll go.

I think it all depends on your point of reference. If you are a true old school submariner guy (Jason71), then yes, it makes sense. For others, their point of reference may be at 41, 42, and maybe even 44mm with watches like a Speedmaster ,Panerai XXX, IWC Pilot, etc.

[tkc324]

I am feeling the same way. I have barely worn my AP ROO or Panerai this year. The rolex president, GMT, and Daytona get the most wrist time now a days. Not sure if i would sell the bigger watches though.

[Boaters]

I understand EXACTLY what you are saying. My journey started with 45 to 50mm watches and sometimes even larger. I would not even look to buy anything under 45mm. I had Doxa's,Omega's and a few Oris's loved them so I thought. My wife said I looked like a clown wearing those big watches what does she know I thought then I started going a little smaller bought a 44mm IWC Aquatimer loved it for a while then it stated feeling to big. So here I am now with the 40mm Rolexes and love them BLNR and Sub-C can't get enough. I tried the DSSD love the look but just to big for me IMPO. I have an 8+ inch wrist and a 40mm Rolex is all I need to scratch my watch itch.

[Daytona88]

40 is about as big as I can go on Rolex but I still can wear my 42mm speedy and my 41mm Tudor Ranger.

[Annan]

My only larger Rolex was the 42mm EXPII that I ultimately flipped for a 40mm GMTII-C. That's now my upper size limit for my 6.5" wrist.

[Steve36Efc]

I have a 44mm Seamaster regatta that is just uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. I just can't get the bracelet adjusted right, I think it could do with something like a glide lock. I'm sure I wouldn't have an issue with a DSSD.