There is no such thing as an "ideal watch size"
It was recently asked what the "ideal watch size" on a post on here. Arbitrarily stating diameters like (36-38mm) as generally predetermined brackets.
It always bugs me people dismiss watches just based on diamater. There is so much more that effects the size of a watch such as lug to lug, male end links on bracelets, straps etc.
Above is a Panerai Luminor Equation of Time 47mm Titanio PAM00670. That's right 47mm, the vast majority of watches I wear are 39mm to 43mm but this still looked absolutely ace on the wrist! My wrist is 7.5 inches or 19cm for reference.
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I have to say I like the Panerai design a lot. The most disappointing thing for me is their movement finishing. If they improve in that category I will own one in the future.
While I would agree that the ideal way to try a watch is on the wrist, I believe having a general range is worthwhile. I know 42 mm diameter cases (with a lug to lug under 50mm generally but lug design depending) tend to fit perfectly and look to scale of my preference around that with plus/minus 2mm as a good reference. I know 44 mm diameter is about as large as I feel comfortable on my wrist. I know 36 mm is going to look rather small on my 7.75 wrist. I know this from having a collection and experience of metal on wrist.
Now, I’ll agree that case and watch style effect wrist presence. If I’m looking at a dive watch, I know how the bezel width is going to affect wrist presence versus say a pilot’s watch. So I can know and understand this factor while still seeing the value of the 40-44mm general range I know is the sweet spot on my wrist.
Arguing about the “ideal watch size” is like arguing about the “ideal shoe size”.
Size of watch depends on your wrist size. I have an 8.25 inch wrist, my smallest is a 39mm because anything smaller doesn't look good on me. My PAM doesn't look big on me. Now the one truth of watch collecting is "what do you think". No one is looking at your watch...
If I had a 7.5 inch wrist I’d wear much bigger watches. For me the sweet spot is between 36 and 39 millimeters. However my largest watch is 47mm and I think it wears great because of its short lug to lug.
Totally agree. Don't dismiss it until you try it.
I would agree about case diameter but I definitely feel there’s an ideal watch lug to lug range and weight. 45-49 L2L is perfect for me. But within that Ive had watches in the collection spanning from 37mm case to 44mm case
definetly try it on … if it won’t leave your wrist then you need to take it home .. never really listen to sizes and measurement …
Agreed - just stop worrying about size and get what you like. If someone thinks it’s too big or too small, it doesn’t matter and you likely will never know anyway - only other watch geeks would ever comment. I have watches between 32mm and 50mm diameter, and don’t let size deter me from testing a watch out in person.
Arguing about the “ideal watch size” is like arguing about the “ideal shoe size”.
Killing some time today decided to shop for a new pair of dress runners since life is returning to some form of normal. I walk into a menswear shop that I have been going to since the 70s but not during covid and recent months. The shop is quiet courteous sales guy offers an assist. I wish to try a pair of Prada runners size 10 which is a North American 11 according to their charts. In fact I am wearing a pair from a few years ago, Prada made in Italy size 10, a bit snug but I will not even need to try the shoe on before purchasing! The gent looks at my black runners and says it does not look like a Prada 10, smaller lol. They do not have a 10 in stock, would I like to try on a size 9? I am out the store but kept his business card.
That is a really interesting execution of the GMT. Awesome!