Large Watches - Style Trend or Here to Stay

[vesnyder]

Curious what the consensus is on the larger watches. Do you think the larger watch face is a fashion/style trend that is part of a cycle and the smaller face watches will eventually be back in vogue, or is it a functional thing that, because the larger watches are easier to see, they are here for good?

I ask because some of my older watches - 20-25 years old - are 31-35 mm and just curious if they will always look like they are from the 70's?

[superdog]

I don’t think it’s a trend.

Large watches have been around a long time. And I don’t think they are going anywhere

[Blansky]

The question has been asked here a lot and the answer is does it really matter.

People buy what they like. People are fatter and taller. Watches will probably hover around 39-44 and people will buy what they think they like.

And the 1970s was closer to 40-50 years ago. And 31-35mm probably ain't likely to come back.

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by Blansky

People are fatter and taller.

I resemble that statement!

[vesnyder]

I just was thinking when I wore Converse - probably around 40-50 years ago - they were the shoe to own. Now I look around and they are again the shoe to own again.

[Fredette]

Theres a place for both small and large watches. Rolex knows this, thats why they still havent gone crazy with the sizes.
Also, I feel like huge watches are a vanity thing with the younger generation. I can say that because im from the younger generation. People show off a little more today than before. An expensive watch is a statement. The exception would obviously be a big guy where a 47mm actually looks proportional.
Just my 2 cents. Not sure if im right or not

[ganagati]

I think the craze will continue to subside, but not go away completely.

It seems to have built up and peaked 2013-ish. Several new models from across all brands were attempting to mimic the success of Panerai and the Big Pilots. Everything was 42mm, 44mm, and beyond.

Over the last couple years, many of the brands that had been pushing the size envelope have been releasing more reasonable (for girly-wristed folks like me) sized offerings. The new Ingenieur from IWC, for example, is a great move back to normalcy.

[tyler1980]

large watches are only a tread for people who can't pull one off.


seriously.

[Brew]

Likely here to stay, since there appears to be a demand. But then, there's no accounting for taste.

[SPMN]

Think the trend of 45mm+ on normal sized people is pretty much over.

[JParm]

I think it depends on the size you're talking about.

Is 38-42mm large? Because I think that is the bread and butter for most people (I'm mostly a 38-40mm guy). If you equate that to the 60-70's though, it would seem to be so.

Now are the 44mm and up watches here to stay? I doubt it. I would say Panerai was the biggest proponent of that phase, and even they've gone done to 42mm with the Due.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by superdog

I don’t think it’s a trend.

Large watches have been around a long time. And I don’t think they are going anywhere

I concur, looking at an IWC BP as my next purchase. If you want big, get big, want small, get small, plenty of choices to satisfy everyone.

[brandrea]

Larger watches have been around a long time, and they are even more popular now with fashion watches. Now more than ever, I see folks wearing large watches and I don’t think that will subside. Lots of women and some men wear them more as fashion accessories (nothing wrong with that).

I my self wear everything from 40 mm Rolex to 47 mm Panerai and I could be described as having a svelte physique 6’2” 172 lbs

What I wonder more is of small watches will come back into vogue.

[FTX I]

Those who say that large watches are a fad have been saying the same thing for the last ten years.

[synequano]

Large watches has been around snce 1940s (Panerai’s 3646 is 47mm and worn from 1936ish)



However I think now the trend is shifting back towards smaller (38-44mm range),even the new anorexic luminor due is doing the 38mm models

Conversely though,it makes the 47mm back into becoming a non mainstream watch,like apple vs android in smartphone world

[Burlington]

Most likely is there will be more choice across the size ranges

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by synequano

Large watches has been around snce 1940s (Panerai’s 3646 is 47mm and worn from 1936ish)

However I think now the trend is shifting back towards smaller (38-44mm range),even the new anorexic luminor due is doing the 38mm models

Conversely though,it makes the 47mm back into becoming a non mainstream watch,like apple vs android in smartphone world

still think 40 is the floor as far as mass market size preference and that isn't changing, much to the dismay of Hodinkee

anything below that and its much more niche

40-44 is where i would put the market where as that may be down from say 40-46 a few years ago

[Rags]

36mm-42mm is my comfort zone. I won’t wear anything larger.

[nick c]

I am a fan of large watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[superdog]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Those who say that large watches are a fad have been saying the same thing for the last ten years.

Lmao.

Exactly.

[haven_seeker]

Everything ebbs and flows.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by haven_seeker

Everything ebbs and flows.

Agree.

[BNA/LION]

Large, big, bulky watches.. No Thanks!

[Chewbacca]

I think they'll have a place only because they're now an accessory and mostly unisex. Also, older people tend to have bad eyes...

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by superdog

I don’t think it’s a trend.

Large watches have been around a long time. And I don’t think they are going anywhere

Trends can last forever. Fads dont. OP had a poor choice of words.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by superdog

I don’t think it’s a trend.

Large watches have been around a long time. And I don’t think they are going anywhere

Originally Posted by Blansky

The question has been asked here a lot and the answer is does it really matter.

People buy what they like. People are fatter and taller. Watches will probably hover around 39-44 and people will buy what they think they like.

And the 1970s was closer to 40-50 years ago. And 31-35mm probably ain't likely to come back.

This

[Cru Jones]

What I think is that I don’t wear trends or fads or what’s in vogue.

I wear watches that I like.

YMMV.

[Totoro]

I think they're here to stay. Some style watches look better at a hefty size. Like dive watches. My 2 favorite watches are my Deepsea and PloProf, but I also wear a medium Santos and 36mm DJ. I think all size watches will be around for a while. Depends on the watch and the look you happen to be going for.

Sent from my CLT-L04 using Tapatalk

[RobJordan]

Correct

Originally Posted by superdog

I don’t think it’s a trend.

Large watches have been around a long time. And I don’t think they are going anywhere

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by synequano

Large watches has been around snce 1940s (Panerai’s 3646 is 47mm and worn from 1936ish)


However I think now the trend is shifting back towards smaller (38-44mm range),even the new anorexic luminor due is doing the 38mm models

Conversely though,it makes the 47mm back into becoming a non mainstream watch,like apple vs android in smartphone world

But weren't those large Panerais actually military tool watches worn over dive suits and not worn by the public.

And perhaps there were pocket watch conversions at the time but I don't remember pictures of anyone in the general public that wore watches that were actually more than about 36mm.