Do you see large watches going out of style?

[Lis_Sailor]

I must confess that some of the motivation behind unloading my PAM320 is that I am not sure of the longevity of my panerai. I do love its style and simplicity. But I do find it to be clunky. I did add a custom ammo strap that my be exacerbating the issue along with the 1950 case, but I digress. I do love it for many reasons including the inhouse movement, italian naval history, etc.

Anyway, I was going to trade it in for something like a vintage rolex which I see myself growing old with.

Do you think that large watches will eventually become out of taste and in turn, diminish the value of these pieces? Perhaps from an investment perspective.

[roadcarver]

So long there are fans of Panerai, I doubt that it will go out of style.

[airchitect]

At some point.....everything but the basics goes out of style. White tees, 501's, GMT's/Sub/DJ, blue blazer, cowboy boots, wingtips, etc.....always legit.

[texex91]

Simple answer. No.

[HL65]

No

[Silvio Mosiello]

Actually at this point in time they are more in style than ever.

[HL65]

Also--just to put it into perspective Panerai has been making 47mm watches for over 8 decades!

[Carlos98326194]

I guess it depends on your definition of large watches.
Remember those days when we all felt that a 40mm Submariner is too large for us?

Now after wearing my 44mm and 45mm pams, sometimes I felt my Rollies a bit small but nonetheless it felt right at the end of the day ;-p

[andrew79]

uhm... no...

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Also--just to put it into perspective Panerai has been making 47mm watches for over 8 decades!

Exactly!


@OP - if you are not getting on with the 1950 case (which others also find a bit top-heavy) perhaps try a regular Luminor case, as these sit much flatter on the wrist. Alternatively, the 233's 1950 case is slimmer and wears more comfortably than the 312/320/etc

[gregvisser]

I actually think larger cases are only becoming mainstream now. They still have a bit to go before they fall out of favour if at all.

Interestingly, my AD tells me older folks prefer smaller cases generally (from the sales he sees). Might be because these guys grew up with 36-40 mm watches. Younger folks go for the large cased watches. Once these younger folks become older folks (with more disposible income) we might even see large cases become more popular than they are now as demand increases.

Who know what the next generation of younger folks will chase? Maybe no watch at all - it might become a smartphone world!

The simple answer is that you NEED one of each. There is no or. There is only and.

Greg

[nick c]

no way

[B. Doggy]

There will always be a market for them. They're not for everyone, even now. I like 39mm-47mm watches and feel there is a place in the collection for each.

[htc8p]

i think tastes of people have changed. it started with 36mm datejust

then the subdate at 40mm it stayed there for a while.

but here comes panerai with 44mm watches.

im a small guy, my wrist is best suited for 40mm watches but i carry the 42mm PO nicely.

but i have a slot for my 112 panerai is just good looking big. but i dont see wearing anything larger like 47

[InTime]

i wont wear anything smaller than a 38.5... thats just me though

42-45.5 PO are very nice watches, i love the look of the 45.5 PO from 15 inches away but it looks weird on me from say 3 feet when imlooking in the mirror or 5 inches away...

but i need a nice DIVER thats LARGE when im underwater so i go 45.5 > 42.


i do wish the SUB was made in 41.5 or 42 ( i doubt it will happen within the next 4 years but u never know)

ive seen 5'4'' females pull off 42 PAM w. ease... so i dont see why a guy shouldnt be lugging around a 45 PAM

[InTime]

eye of the beholder... for me i'll love me a 45 PAM forever...

[Wristmaster]

No. Oversize has its own appeal.

[Monte Cristo]

For Panerai no as it's in their DNA.

[nauticajoe]

Simply put - no.

[Psmith]

Next time around (which could be 20 years from now) I think we'll see the Sub and GMT II go to 42 mm. The Explorer II was most in need of beefing-up, so I guess it is also testing the waters... not that a 42 mm watch is anything remarkable these days

As for Panerai, they have gone the other way recently and introduce smaller models e.g. 42 mm Rads and Luminors (although they already have some 40 mm models)

[p_mcgee]

Some people think Panerai went out of style a few years ago. There still seems to be a healthy community to me, at least on the forums.

I predict that watch manufacturers who oversized their offerings to follow the trend (IWC cough cough) will eventually have issues with sales and offer more styles in the 40-42mm range. No expert, though.

[kilyung]

My fascination with large watches (44mm +) ended years ago but I enjoy Panerai for the straps. I'm squarely in the 39mm-42mm camp.

[psv]

Originally Posted by kilyung

My fascination with large watches (44mm +) ended years ago but I enjoy Panerai for the straps. I'm squarely in the 39mm-42mm camp.

+1

And all the ADs I've talked to in Europe and USA lately are saying the same thing - things are definitely returning to normal, but for a certain segment and watch buyers the bigger watches are here to stay.

[mfer]

If this goes out of style, I guess I'll never want to be in style.

Pic from a friend

[B. Doggy]

Originally Posted by mfer

If this goes out of style, I guess I'll never want to be in style.

Pic from a friend

[jvo300]

Yes, I believe they will eventually fall out of style. Such is the nature of trends (though Id bet the style will resurface again even after going out). I think Panerai has a cult following that should make certain models retain value well despite overall watch trends. Vintage Panerai and specific LEs will probably do well in the long term because they've captured the imagination of the following. Is the 320 one of those models that will keep value in the long term? I would bet not. I also think the flood of boutique editions (and rapid increase in boutiques overall) may be the sign of a bubble. Just my humble opinion -- still a Panerai owner and lover.

[nauticajoe]

Originally Posted by mfer

If this goes out of style, I guess I'll never want to be in style.

Pic from a friend

BINGO!

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by gregvisser

Who know what the next generation of younger folks will chase? Maybe no watch at all - it might become a smartphone world!
Greg

I have read about that trend and seen a lot of it. It seems strange to me to see them fish in their pockets, looking for their smartphone, to see what time it is. I ask them why they do not wear a watch. They tell me they have a smartphone and do not need it. I have a smartphone, but, I would rather spend a second and a half to look at my wrist, then go diving into my pocket.

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by mfer

If this goes out of style, I guess I'll never want to be in style.

Pic from a friend

sweet lordy!

[InTime]

^ that pam is lovely! huge n bold!