Bigger or Smaller???
(Scenario 1) So I'll be 30 next year, but i have noticed a pattern in my taste for watches as the years go by, and in some of my acquaintances tastes too. I went from being attracted to big, flashy watches (50mm+) in my early 20's, to now being attacted to most watches under 42mm, and even getting into vintage (36-38mm) watches.
(Scenario 2) However, I have also noticed that same behavior, but reversed. I've talked to older males (40+ years old), my dad included. And I've noticed most went from not wearing a watch, or wearing small vintage watches, to exclusively liking bigger and flashier pieces.
Question - In the past decade, have you found yourself in one of these 2 scenarios (#1 going from big to small or #2 small to big)?
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KairosChrono
Time is: beautiful, precious, short, relative, cruel, and waits for no one.
Newport Beach, CA, USA
Member since
Last active: 18 min ago
8.50” / 21.59 cm
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Age 54. 38mm is best
My SBGX261 is 37 and is as small as I want to go. I just got the Baltic MR01 and it's nice but too small fr me. I also like my divers around 42mm... seems my sweet spot lately is 38-39 though.
Anecdotal evidence, but I was having a discussion with my local watch repair person about various things and the colossal sized Invictas came up. When I stated I imagined they were for the gym bros in their 20s, she responded the majority of people that brought them in were men 50-70. But that could be because 20 somethings wouldn't go to a local shop to have batteries changed, they go to the mall.
No vote for me, I've always liked smaller watches, never owned anything bigger than 42.
In my mid 40s and have a fairly wide wrist. As my eyes get worse (with age) larger simpler dials are becoming more appealing. 40-42 is my sweet spot with an easy to read dial.
I think personally it depends on how big of a bloke you may be... I am 6ft 3in with 8" wrists a 38mm watch isn't out of the question but 42~45mm is more my comfort zone. If I was 9in shorter with 6in wrists that answer might well change? out tonight for dinner with my wife wearing this 44mm SPB105J1
I'm 34 years old and I kind of love both. Not super tiny or super huge though.
I really don't like 35mm.
Or anything larger than my wrist.
So far I've not found a watch that is that big and also is comfy, not too heavy, with swappable straps and all the features I want.
So I'm on 38mm for now which I love but this is the smallest I'd go unless it was a square maybe.
6.5" wrist.
I started with 42 and 43mm 2 years ago.
So I'm going down but not by choice. I really love 43mm, maybe even 45mm, but I need one with a lug to lug under 47mm or so with a comfy back side and titanium and digital timers and not too ugly etc.
It's a lot to ask for.
I noticed my preference is for 38/40 now but love up to a 43 ( so am looking forward to the new Bulova Luna pilot which I believe is about to be released) but I have some smaller 32 and 34 piece's and am really looking at a 36 explorer style ( Islander Manhasset) as an everyday GADA watch.
I encourage the switch to vintage, but I would say that wouldn’t I…
I think personally it depends on how big of a bloke you may be... I am 6ft 3in with 8" wrists a 38mm watch isn't out of the question but 42~45mm is more my comfort zone. If I was 9in shorter with 6in wrists that answer might well change? out tonight for dinner with my wife wearing this 44mm SPB105J1
It’s all preference. I wear 28-45mm on 7 1/2” wrist, it’s all comfortable because I’ve been blessed with a wrist for watches. I tend to focus on smaller vintage because I like to pretend I’m refined, but I’m just an educated delinquent and would equally be at home with a monster of a dive watch. Of course, no divers with a suit (blue or otherwise), I’m not a philistine.
I agree, you can get “vintage” via modern-retro, and it’s definitely a safer way to go… but you miss out on some beautiful pieces that you just cannot replicate.
There is a knack to spotting a pin-pallet before popping the back, but that’s after many years of trial and error 😂
Agree with you here. Influencers try to make you believe a small watch is the way to go and that every watch over 40mm is a wall clock on your wrist. But you are allowed to have your own opinion and if you like a 45mm radio controlled Citizen or a 46mm Oris Pilot, just do what you like! Don't let yourself influence. I wear my Casio MTG-B2000 today and I really enjoy it!
I think we are on the same page sir 👍. Just to give an example: I attached a foto of a 42mm Certina Chrono next to a "huge" 45mm Casio AWM-500. Which one looks bigger and is one really actually look so large that you wanted it to be a 38mm?
36 to 39mm watches have been my focus for the last year or so. Plenty of options over 40mm though in the watch box.