SIZE DOESN'T MATTER! Sort of...
TLDR: it's not the size that matters, it's the personality.
INTRO:
Just recently my friend Brian, omeganut, hotwatchchick @Mr.Dee.Bater (can't keep up with the names these days) and I went to a nice shopping center to look at watches as you do when you're addicted to this hobby. There were a few brands and models I wanted to check out, a specific IWC in particular ( I recently made a 180 on the brand but that's a separate post), tried it on and did nothing for me, in fact none of the watches I saw had any effect, except a few, a brand I never considered and in fact thought it was fugly and too big to wear, you know who I'm talking about.
My watch "journey" began like many others, buying some oversized fashion watches and not knowing what I was doing or what I liked, the first one was in fact a 45mm Armani, followed by a 42mm fossil. Then I did the next sensible thing; go on YouTube, where all these people talked about the "right" size for your wrist, lug to lug etc, and honestly I fell for it, my wrist is 7inches (18cm) for reference. So I sold all my "fashion" watches and soon after I found myself in the 38-40mm range and was happy with it, that is until I tried on the Panerai.
THE WATCH:
Panerai quaranta 1272
So admittedly this is the "smaller" 40mm, but the 42 fit just as good, this is my favorite because of the dial layout since it doesn't have the 9 next to the small seconds.
I couldn't get it out of my head, so I found one in perfect condition for a fair price and pulled the trigger.
PLOT TWIST:
See, but I had already bought another watch before the Panerai, I wanted a robust travel watch to take to Spain on a work trip two weeks ago so I bought this 45 x 52mm monstrosity off a seller on the watchEx subreddit;
Seiko Sumo solar GMT.
In a way this watch gave me the confidence to wear the Panerai and lose my fear of big watches, it's huge ngl, and wears huge, but that's okay, doesn't look out of place and it's not that top-heavy (excluding the bracelet). The watch was a decent price, $300 Buckaroos because it has a fleabite on the case and crown, no big deal. It was affordable enough and if it didn't work I could get my money back with some patience and a couple nice photographs, so I got it, took it to Spain, had so much fun and enjoyed the presence it had on wrist.
CONCLUSION:
I'm not telling anyone to get a big watch, just give them a chance (looking at you @ckim4watches ). Some watches are meant to be big and wear big, and maybe this is all part of growing up and not listening to the crowd and wearing what you like, I still like small watches, sometimes I wear my wife's 25? mm Hamilton Ventura (it wasn't a Homer simpson bowling ball situation I swear), and all my other watches range from 36-40. Now this is isn't to say all big watches are for me, I still have that Armani and looks like a hockey puck on wrist, it's almost all dial, so there's other factors than just dimensions that will dictate how a watch looks and wears, case construction, thickness, curvature of lugs, dial size, etc. So you might never know until you try one.
I should end this by saying that this is my opinion, not trying to tell people what to do just share my experience etc. you do you, I'm just some nobody on the Internet, it's fine to disagree but remember these are luxury vanity items, it doesn't matter. Also not dunking on YouTubers or people who talk about the ideal size those are great guidelines to find out what works for you, but the bottom line should always be trying on the watch.
Wristwatch addict.
Just recently a Panerai boutique opened in the Capital. Prior to my first visit I had never tried a Panerai on. Figuring that with it’s somewhat squared case the 38mm was the way to go with my 17cm wrist. I was surprised that I could manage even a 42mm without looking weird. Actually it looked better.
Just recently a Panerai boutique opened in the Capital. Prior to my first visit I had never tried a Panerai on. Figuring that with it’s somewhat squared case the 38mm was the way to go with my 17cm wrist. I was surprised that I could manage even a 42mm without looking weird. Actually it looked better.
They do! It's like they have experience making big watches, same with Seiko.
They do! It's like they have experience making big watches, same with Seiko.
True, it took a while before I realised that a 42mm Seiko was OK, even for me. Knowing that I could have got myself an SKX009/007 instead of the SKX013 I ended up with.
I have a big watch purchase coming for my birthday next week. Can't wait and your Panerai is beautiful!!
I have a big watch purchase coming for my birthday next week. Can't wait and your Panerai is beautiful!!
Thanks! Congratulations on your purchase amd happy birthday!
Go big or go home is my motto 😜
I only got to try the Deep sea challenge on at the AD
My key take-away from all of this is that small watches suck and big watches are awesome, as I’ve been saying all along!!!
The next Panerai, or Breitling that my adorable wife or sneaky daughters tax from my personal stash, I am blaming Watch Crunch. I was going to retire my passion for slightly bigger cases but am feeling robust again, my next two purchases will be a 46mm Breitling and a Panerai Radiomir if I can save enough nickels and dimes. I did hear a podcast from Fratello on air about a trend with either Panerai or just bigger cases gaining popularity again. Pams were never right or wrong just a certain watch designed for a certain enthusiast. I knew a guy who would only wear watches from church sales, did not believe in God and was known as the guy who buys and wears watches from church sales until he was caught buying from an ad.
Haha now I want 45mm case with lug to lug 46mm.
I also tried on the 40mm panarai and had a similar experience. It's looked good!
Haha now I want 45mm case with lug to lug 46mm.
I also tried on the 40mm panarai and had a similar experience. It's looked good!
Yes!
I love both my 42mm BR-92 Bell & Ross and my Citizen Diver in 43mm, and my wrist is a very regular 17cm.
I hope I could pull off a Navitimer🤞
Agreed! I love my 45×52mm Sumo too. Your wrist, your watch. 👊
Nobody of consequence cares nor matters other than yourself. If you like big or small watches, wear big or small watches.
If they’re too big, it hurts.. at least that’s what my gf says!
Agreed! I love my 45×52mm Sumo too. Your wrist, your watch. 👊
Awesome watch👌and great bracelet!
Bracelet by Strapcode, Angus Jubilee. 😉
I wish I could get one, this sumo is a bit smaller than the mechanical counterparts and doesn't fit any of the aftermarket straps or bracelets, I learnt the hard way with a crafter blue rubber strap.
There must be something in the air. I recently acquired the itch for Panerai as well. I haven't tried one on in person though.
I personally don't mind wearing an oversized watch per se. What I am personally trying to avoid is oversized expensive watches. I have no issues wearing a huge fitness tracker or G-Shock when the situation calls for it.
But I'm not sure I can agree with that part of the conclusion
In fact, I'd say the exact opposite is the case. If you ask me, only functional watches are meant to wear big. An expensive watch that wears big in my opinion serves only one purpose and that is to stand out. They are not tools but jewellery, the purpose has changed. Part of growing up is accepting that some things just aren't going to happen and that includes the dream of wearing big watches on small wrists with "style and proportion" just as much as the dream becoming an astronaut and flying off to a different galaxy. It doesn't matter how bad you want it 😉
But that's of course just my opinion. I don't judge and I am happy for anyone who is happy with their watch. I bought myself some watches I really like. Some 41mm or 42mm. I've given it a chance but on me they looked just as stupid on day 487 as it did on day 1. I like them, but I don't like them on me 🍻
I personally don't mind wearing an oversized watch per se. What I am personally trying to avoid is oversized expensive watches. I have no issues wearing a huge fitness tracker or G-Shock when the situation calls for it.
But I'm not sure I can agree with that part of the conclusion
In fact, I'd say the exact opposite is the case. If you ask me, only functional watches are meant to wear big. An expensive watch that wears big in my opinion serves only one purpose and that is to stand out. They are not tools but jewellery, the purpose has changed. Part of growing up is accepting that some things just aren't going to happen and that includes the dream of wearing big watches on small wrists with "style and proportion" just as much as the dream becoming an astronaut and flying off to a different galaxy. It doesn't matter how bad you want it 😉
But that's of course just my opinion. I don't judge and I am happy for anyone who is happy with their watch. I bought myself some watches I really like. Some 41mm or 42mm. I've given it a chance but on me they looked just as stupid on day 487 as it did on day 1. I like them, but I don't like them on me 🍻
Idk, to me they're both tools and jewelry, one does not exclude the other.
Like @Mr.Dee.Bater Brian-San, who brought this up in a post the other day, I too dig big.
My watches run from 36 to 43 .. weighted to the 43 side. And I want a GS diver, which I think is even bigger. Sub 6 wrist 😂
A watch’s coolness trumps my reason every time 😎
Agree with above comment. A watches coolness and interesting factor are what appeal to me. Absolutely nothing wrong with a big watch.
I totally agree with you. And also, it's all about design not just size. How watches are dimensioned and how they visually look are two separate things.
I started with big watches like the SKX, Turtle, Duro and eventually made my way down as well. But I can honestly say I like both.
The size of the watch that we choose to wear should be a thesis for some PHD candidate, it would be a decent best seller non fiction hard cover also eventually. I have collected worn many different sizes during my decades in the hobby, including some Gruen extreme Curvex watches that looked just like a lady’s bracelet, try walking into a meeting room full of charcoal grey pinstripe suits with that on your wrist! My point is that I am most content with watches north of 39mm as large as 48mm. I am a regular well adjusted guy with 20 bucks in my black Prada wallet gifted to me by my wife who thinks that I am a bit boring but still a good husband. You can wear the smallest watch made for a newborn if it makes you happy, you can call my personal watch choices a tool or foolish if it makes your life better or just ignore the watch on my wrist,it means you no offence!
I have a 34mm Jules Jurgensen. Looks great. Also a good looking Alba 36mm field watch. Then I have a 45mm Seiko SE-SSB089 Chronograph and it looks great. I have a Tissot Everytime 42mm that is all dial, no bezel, that some call a "dinner plate". I like this watch so much I wrote a whole story about it on Watch Crunch.
I leave the size up to the watchmaker, and if I like the way the watch looks, I'll buy it and wear it on my 7-inch wrist.
Thanks! Congratulations on your purchase amd happy birthday!
🙏
I recently picked up the Radiomir Quaranta and couldn’t be happier. Love that Luminor… will likely be my next Panerai!
I recently picked up the Radiomir Quaranta and couldn’t be happier. Love that Luminor… will likely be my next Panerai!
Thanks! This is a quaranta as well, I have to say I'm hooked on Panerai!!
The size of the watch that we choose to wear should be a thesis for some PHD candidate, it would be a decent best seller non fiction hard cover also eventually. I have collected worn many different sizes during my decades in the hobby, including some Gruen extreme Curvex watches that looked just like a lady’s bracelet, try walking into a meeting room full of charcoal grey pinstripe suits with that on your wrist! My point is that I am most content with watches north of 39mm as large as 48mm. I am a regular well adjusted guy with 20 bucks in my black Prada wallet gifted to me by my wife who thinks that I am a bit boring but still a good husband. You can wear the smallest watch made for a newborn if it makes you happy, you can call my personal watch choices a tool or foolish if it makes your life better or just ignore the watch on my wrist,it means you no offence!
Put a Gruen Curvex on my wrist and I would go anywhere with it.
Put a Gruen Curvex on my wrist and I would go anywhere with it.
I did, enjoyed every minute wearing the beautiful watches. Over time I was fatigued repairing the time keeping function which should not be a primary concern but it was ages before everybody carried a smartphone. Best!
J