Watch Size Trends?

[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?

[DLRIDES]

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?

Male watch size norms will never return to 35-36mm as some claim. There will be watches added in some brand line ups in the 38-39mm range, and many watches above 43mm dropped from line ups. The new norm will be 38-42mm pending taste and wrist/body sizes.

Ladies watches will be 36-39mm as a norm, and many 38-39mm considered gender neutral.

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Male watch size norms will never return to 35-36mm as some claim. There will be watches added in some brand line ups in the 38-39mm range, and many watches above 43mm dropped from line ups. The new norm will be 38-42mm pending taste and wrist/body sizes.

Ladies watches will be 36-39mm as a norm, and many 38-39mm considered gender neutral.

Rolex discontinued the Pepsi and coke gmt in 2006 because they didn’t sell. They were dogs. AD’s could not give them away. Look at things now. I would “ never” say never when it comes to the watch buying game.

[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.

[RTG]

Today there is a greater variation of watch sizes available than in the past. This is great because human beings come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I doubt you will see a return to a one-size-fits-all trend in the future.

[Dlong]

40 to 42 mm is the sweet spot for guys

36 to 40mm is sweet spot for gals

[dkg1616]

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.

I am 26 and tend to completely disagree with this. I love my 6 digit SubC date.

I also have a lot of friends who prefer 40mm+ watches. Honestly none of my friends wear anything smaller

[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!

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Paul_I

Let's say it together:



"Super Case"



"Maxi Dial"



Good work!

Can't see many joining the chorus!


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[blufinz52]

28mm or smaller? Are you serious?

[blown5.0]

But i'm sure people found 45mm+ equally questionable when they were first introduced.

Originally Posted by blufinz52

28mm or smaller? Are you serious?

[mobster600]

I think we are at the tail end of the large watch cycle.

Remember late 2000’s big watches began? Breitlings, Panerai, 41mm DD, Ed Hardy clothing, True Religion jeans

That was 10-15 years ago.... there has to be a new cycle coming. AND we’re not going bigger lol

[jb335]

Originally Posted by mobster600

I think we are at the tail end of the large watch cycle.

Remember around mid 2000’s big watches began? Breitlings, Ed Hardy, True Religion???

That was 15 years ago.... there has to be a new cycle coming. AND we’re not going bigger lol

This.

[blufinz52]

Originally Posted by mobster600

I think we are at the tail end of the large watch cycle.

Remember late 2000’s big watches began? Breitlings, Panerai, 41mm DD, Ed Hardy clothing, True Religion jeans

That was 10-15 years ago.... there has to be a new cycle coming. AND we’re not going bigger lol

Agree that we're not going bigger (that's not what she said), but 28mm or smaller? I doubt it.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by mobster600

I think we are at the tail end of the large watch cycle.

Remember late 2000’s big watches began? Breitlings, Panerai, 41mm DD, Ed Hardy clothing, True Religion jeans

That was 10-15 years ago.... there has to be a new cycle coming. AND we’re not going bigger lol

I remember similar predictions 15 years ago. I see no evidence of this trend ending. Panerai is still going strong, IWC sells a large number of Big Pilots, B & R instrument watches are very popular, etc. To be fair, it feels like introductions of larger cases has slowed.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by MSchott

Panera is still going strong, IWC sells a large number of Big Pilots...

Panera is a shadow of their circa 2005 selves. IWC has released more and more new small watches (down to 36mm).

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

Panera is a shadow of their circa 2005 selves. IWC has released more and more new small watches (down to 36mm).

In what way is Panerai a shadow of their 2005 selves? In your perception? I was commenting that the 46+mm Big Pilot is still very much in demand. And the Heritage Pilot is an homage to the Mark ll which was 36mm.

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by MSchott

In what way is Panerai a shadow of their 2005 selves? In your perception? I was commenting that the 46+mm Big Pilot is still very much in demand. And the Heritage Pilot is an homage to the Mark ll which was 36mm.

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.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

Panera is a shadow of their circa 2005 selves. IWC has released more and more new small watches (down to 36mm).

I was going to say going strong I think not.

I’m thinking that 38-42 is ideal for most male wrists but I also keep in mind the Apple watches. They are becoming many people’s basis for what to expect with regards to a watches size imho. And as such, I think people are going to remain comfortable with larger watches in the 40-44 range. Just a theory of mine.

[jrs146]

I think the sweet spot for most is 36-40. But pushing up or down a bit works just fine. People really get stuck on the 40mm being ideal but I say wear whatever feels good!


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[Nadster]

You never know with marketeers. Look at clothing they keep recycling the same crap after a generation or two. Looking forward to hot pants and big hair making a comeback.

[904VT]

The downsize trend across the industry has been going on 5+ years now. It's never across the line though the changes we're talking about. The DSSD was released during the days of the Super Avenger. But with Rolex, they never really went with a trend for trend's sake outside of the Day Date 2 and Date Just 2 watches. Perhaps both the Explorers too were upsized to be trendier. The SD43 I have a feeling has more to do with the cyclops and the shape/size of the crystal vs the 40mm. I'm not an engineer though.

[watchmavan]

The sweet spot is 40. If small watches are in then 40 is the max. If bigger watches are in then 40 is the minimum.

I said a couple of years ago that the tide was starting to turn and while some agreed, others were quite dismissive. Wonder what they're doing now!

The tide has turned. 3-4 years ago no one would betting out a new watch under 40. Now there are many. I don't think you'll see anything at 36 and under for a man though. The other aspect of large watches is profile design. This is also coming down. As much as people say Rolex do their own thing, they did respond to the ever increasing watch size by creating the maxi case. It will be interesting to see if they bring this back in a bit.


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[nick c]

I wear from 36mm to 47mm.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

The sweet spot is 40. If small watches are in then 40 is the max. If bigger watches are in then 40 is the minimum.

I said a couple of years ago that the tide was starting to turn and while some agreed, others were quite dismissive. Wonder what they're doing now!

The tide has turned. 3-4 years ago no one would betting out a new watch under 40. Now there are many. I don't think you'll see anything at 36 and under for a man though. The other aspect of large watches is profile design. This is also coming down. As much as people say Rolex do their own thing, they did respond to the ever increasing watch size by creating the maxi case. It will be interesting to see if they bring this back in a bit.


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I don't think we will se a severe reversal back to the big upsizing trend. But I do wonder how Asian market slowed demand may influence that trend where we don't see anything more in the 36 or so range you mention with move back to American and European market trends. If that's the case i think that 40-44mm will be the long-run sweet spot. Interesting times

[ras47]

When Rolex went to the Maxi cases they kept the dial sizes the same. I thought this was an odd but interesting choice. My own personal tastes have changed over the years. I got used to larger and larger watches, culminating with a 45.5mm Seamaster. I've gone back to a 41.5mm Seamaster, and a 40mm Rolex GMT Master. The exception is my 44.25mm co-axial Speedmaster. 42mm is really my sweet spot, but the right watch can wear larger or smaller than it's actual measurements.

[abozz]

I love my 43mm SD43 and my 40mm Subc. 28mm NEVER.

[RJRJRJ]

40-42 seems to be what I see these days. Although certain watches, particularly dressier ones, can go 36-38. Then again you can have a 42mm ROO that wears much larger than it's 42mm dimension would suggest.

The days of 45mm+ watches seem to be fading imo.

[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.

[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.