Watch Size Trends?

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

It seems like the trend these days has been to go large, generally 40mm+. Has there ever been a trend to go smaller? For example, was 28mm pushing the envelope the same way a 45mm+ would be today? Do any guys here sport a 28mm or smaller?

At my age with my eyesight, I think that I would have trouble reading the watch face on a 28mm or smaller watch...

[exador]

The 'golden' size is 39mm. It's no accident that the very popular Black Bay Fifty-Eight is this size.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

Panerai went from the hottest watch brand in the world, to now having pretty much anything you want available, and much of it at heavy discounts.

Between being over hyped, over priced, and some scandals (if you can call them that), they have fallen hard.

BTW, I owned one that I got rid of, but I wish I still had it. I really enjoyed it.

That’s your perception not reality. Of course the hype is not the same 14 years later and they have far more production capability. They are making 60-70,000 watches annually. Back then it was more like 30-40,000 at most.

[Dirt]

After my Mickey Mouse watch died.
I think my first "real watch" I was given when I was a kid would've been a fair bit bigger than 28 mm. Perhaps >32mm?

[Jackumi]

Originally Posted by Dirt

After my Mickey Mouse watch died.
I think my first "real watch" I was given when I was a kid would've been a fair bit bigger than 28 mm. Perhaps >32mm?

When I was a kid my first watch was big, 48mm!! whish I still had it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNck1ECf2I

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by Jackumi

I have 6.5" wrists and my 40mm GMT and Sub (Super case's) look and feel perfect on me, I am not interested in anything larger. Also when I put on my DJ36 that to me is also perfect size for me for that style of watch.

Guy's on here tend to have a fixed ideas of the watch sizes that their wives and girlfriends should wear. I did, I suggested a DJ36 for my wife but no, she was adamant that it was too big for her and chose a DJ31, so hey guys let the girls choose their watch sizes they want! Rolex is very popular In Japan and I spot Rolex's watch wearers everywhere I go, but to-date I have never seen a woman here wearing a Rolex over 31mm, fashion watches yes, but so far not a Rolex.

My wife also has a 31mm and she isn't tiny, IMHO for MOST women the larger sizes just look like they're wearing a man's watch. FWIW other watchmakers have recently introduced smaller watches that sell very well, for instance Steinhart now has a 39mm dive watch, Christopher Ward has one that is 38mm.

[inadeje]

Size is deceptively easy on the wrist but, it is important that the diameter be in conjunction with a thin case. The blend of 45+ with an equally 14-16 thick case is where the problem occurs. For instance, my Panerai PAM00687 Is 47mm but, because its very thin, it just nestles on the top of the wrist and, is very comfortable and feels a lot smaller. On the other hand the slab sides 526 regatta is the same size bezel but, its almost twice as thick. Its looks massive in an optical illusion type of way. I think 40-44 is ideal for +7 inch wrist and 42-47 for 7.5 inch or larger.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by exador

The 'golden' size is 39mm. It's no accident that the very popular Black Bay Fifty-Eight is this size.

It is for most people. There are exceptions though. I was seated next to a Fijian guy on a flight last week. One of those "Big all over people". Had a watch that was about the size of a sundial. Looked fine on him. My sub would have looked silly.

On the other hand you have my GF who might have 5 inch wrists. At most. Practically any watch looks too large on her. My sub fits about right at her elbow.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by MSchott

That’s your perception not reality. Of course the hype is not the same 14 years later and they have far more production capability. They are making 60-70,000 watches annually. Back then it was more like 30-40,000 at most.

I agree mschott, Panerai is a very good brand but, in my view they strayed too far from their DNA over the past few years. DUE etc, made their lose their mojo and diehard fans. I have some classics like the fiddy, 111 and, the 687 (great summer watch), plus the 526 Regatta, which is a masterpiece complication and, beautifully executed.

[smym18]

I have a relatively small wrist and I wouldn’t wear below a 36mm. As it stands, my 39mm Explorer is my smallest. Briefly wore a 36mm Datejust.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by MSchott

That’s your perception not reality. Of course the hype is not the same 14 years later and they have far more production capability. They are making 60-70,000 watches annually. Back then it was more like 30-40,000 at most.

Reality is richemont buying back many million (possibly hundreds of millions) dollars worth of watches (including PAMs) and destroying them because nobody wanted to buy them.
The fact that their production capacity doesn’t match their demand isn’t a feather in anyone’s cap.

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by jb335

It's definitely trending smaller with fashionable people under 35. Not 28mm, but smaller than 40+. I work with a bunch of fashion kids and they all prefer 36-40. Most do not like the maxi cases, at all.

Let's say it together:

"Super Case"

"Maxi Dial"

Good work!

[gaeleus]

Horses for courses. While the giant clock size for the wrist may no longer be as fashionable, there will always be large watch alternatives. I do believe that the trend will be back toward smaller watches 36-40. I still sport my IWC BP and APROO but much prefer the size if my 36mm DJ. A few years back, i would not be caught dead wearing my DJ.

[Rock]

I can't help thinking that, fashion trends aside, most people will gravitate towards watches that they feel look in proportion to their wrist size and which don't feel big and heavy enough to be uncomfortable in daily wear.
So big people will tend towards a bigger watch and small people will choose smaller sizes.
I couldn't imagine even small folks wanting a watch much smaller than 36mm. Too hard to read. Maybe small women.

[SPMN]

I think everyone makes too big of a deal over watch sizes. If the watch feels comfortable on you then wear it. Don’t worry if it isn’t the exact measurement in mm that the watch press and blogs say it should be.

[nikesupremedunk]

I can see it being 39-42mm for men but I don’t see it going down to 36 even for men. And honestly, even with a 6.5” wrist, the only 36mm I’d buy is a DJ or DD. 39-41 for me.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Paul_I

Let's say it together:



"Super Case"



"Maxi Dial"



Good work!

Can't see many joining the chorus!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Mr. K]

36 for a DJ feels good to me. After all it is not a sports watch.

I think with a dress shirt 34 might be ok. It is really what you get used to.

[dmash]

I think it says a lot that one of the most traditional looking timepieces from one of the most reserved brands sits at 37mm (Patek 5196). Hard to think we’ll ever move past 36-37mm, just doesn’t really seem logical. Although I’ve seen a few guys with a 34mm that looked completely fine.

[007_Omega]

The huge watch craze has definitely toned down but that doesn't mean 36mm is going to be the norm again. 28mm is a joke, that's a small woman's size.

40-42mm is the sweet spot for men. 43-44mm is large but still sells. 45mm+ is out of style but you still see quite a lot of people wearing huge watches. I really hope Rolex comes out with a 38mm datejust. I don't like the proportions of the 40mm but the 36mm is on the small side though it wears bigger.

Don't get caught up in the watch community hype. We aren't the world. Huge watches are on the out but that doesn't mean small watches are making a huge comeback. We are just adjusting to a healthy middle ground. The new seamaster has been a huge success and that is 42mm. The Sub is a "40mm" watch but those lugs make it wear closer to a 42mm. Dress watches seem to be settling around 38-40mm, with my preference being 38mm for a nice elegant look while maintaining some presence. BB58 has been popular with enthusiasts and even that is a 39mm small/classically proportioned diver.

I don't understand why some people are obsessed with wanting very small watches to come back in style. I appreciate legible dials that provide some wrist presence. I don't need a 45mm watch but a 40mm watch is fine, even on my small wrist.

[Rolex Essex]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

It seems like the trend these days has been to go large, generally 40mm+. Has there ever been a trend to go smaller? For example, was 28mm pushing the envelope the same way a 45mm+ would be today? Do any guys here sport a 28mm or smaller?

28mm is good if you’re an old guy living in Hong Kong

[EDL7]

Big watches will go the way of Bell bottoms..Beanie babies..and Mood rings..
A trend of a specific generation..
But not for the future one..

[R G]

More posts from a load of experts as to what’s coming in and going out and what size watch a man should wear.

Yet, not one person has mentioned lug-to-lug length, which ultimately determines how big a watch wears, whether it’s 36mm or 42mm.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

It seems like the trend these days has been to go large, generally 40mm+. Has there ever been a trend to go smaller? For example, was 28mm pushing the envelope the same way a 45mm+ would be today? Do any guys here sport a 28mm or smaller?

In my opinion we have maxed out on the larger watches, just look at the Panerai market right now. Going the other way now. A lot of folks are maxing out at 40mm.

[G M Francis]

2 points. You get used to whatever you wear. My daily wearer is a Patek 5146 AC which is 39mm same as the Exp 1. When I put the Exp 1 on it looks big as it’s all dial, no sub counters. I also have a PAM00372 which is 47mm and after a day or so I’m used to that. I also wear my Father’s old watch which is 33mm and like the Panerai I get used to that too. IMHO it only takes a few days to get used to any size watch and if you wear it for longer than a month you forget about size altogether.
Second point, we are at a stage where you can go onto any High Street/ Mall and buy watches at all sizes and at all prices. I think the market always decides what is relevant/desirable/fashionable so wear what you feel happiest with.

[HogwldFLTR]

If the trend is smaller then why are so many recent releases from Rolex larger? I specifically refer to modern watches like the SkyD, SD43, DSSD, AK, OP, and YMII. OK I'll give in on the DJ41 (listed as 41mm on their site) and the DD40 but those are both on the dressier side of things and still significantly larger that their traditional 36mm counterparts. Their downsizing was more about proportions than actual size constriciton.

[Likestheshiny]

The "large watch trend" is here to stay. Remember, the current 39mm Royal Oak was nicknamed "jumbo" in the 70's because of its size. The 40mm sub was once a very large watch (and that was with the slimmer case). Those watches will never again be seen as huge, which shows pretty conclusively that the new normal is big watches relative to sizes even 20 years ago.

[Cru Jones]

This is a very “fashion magazine” discussion.... “trends”? I don’t wear trends. I don’t admire trends. I wear what I like and admire nice watches (not sizes).

[VintageWatchItaly]

I love 36 or also 34, but unfortunately the trend is 41+
An example for all: Datejust II :(

[GMT Aviator]

Love my DJ2’s. The modern day Rolex Wide Boy. Shame they stopped making them.