Langeholic
394
One size doesn't fit all, it's about proportion...
one needs to consider one's height and wrist circumference. Larger watches look more proportional on taller people or those with wider wrists. Personal preference plays a big role, some prefer heftier watches, others prefer a slim, refined timepiece. Occasion is another consideration, a small diameter timepiece works best with formal attire, whilst heftier pieces are more casual.
What may seem like a fad may actually be a trend that is here to stay. As wealth generation favours entrepreneurs and many entrepreneurs have ditched their suits for a more casual look, watch brands have jumped on this trend following the financial crisis. Furthermore wealth generation in Asia and MENA is growing faster than Europe and US, generally this demographic of buyer tends to prefer larger and perhaps more complicated timepieces.
I'm rather tall but have thin wrists, so I generally like anything between 38-42mm. I tend to wear >39mm with a suit, which I used to wear often, but rarely wear nowadays. Hence my collection has crept up in size over the last few years and I regularly wear 42mm. When purchasing a new timepiece, I consider what looks good with a pair of jeans and loafers rather than a suit, in conclusion it really depends on your personal circumstances, physique and occasion you'd most likely wear a timepiece.
Watch sizes....is it me, or has there been a really distinct shift in view?
About two years ago, the "bigger is better" fashion in watches was probably at its peak. I remember one guy on this forum basically calling people stupid if they wore a watch less than 40mm. Yep. Today, I seem to be reading more and more comments with the...
I wore a Panerai from early 2009 to 2011.
it was cool to have a big watch. Eventually my preference changed to the smaller size from 36 to 40mm. Shifting preference for me.
To me if its more than 40 mm its got to have complication.
Complicated models should be no more than 42mm in size. The simple watch should be no more than 40mm. Your right dress watches at 35 39mm and sporty watches 40 42mm , i agree with you Baron. All these my opinion. Cheers Baron Geross
All depending on wrist size IMO
(and personal taste of course). PS Was I that guy?? I can recall me claiming that a 36 mm Day Date is for girls nowadays đŹđđ
to be fair....
........i have also said that certain things on watches are things I see as more feminine....like diamonds for example. But that is my cultural upbringing. I probably still shouldn't express it....
Ach
I realize that Iâm Dutch and most likely a bit too boorish....but being too sensitive never helped anyone either. Having said that; this being such a diverse cultural place one has to tread lightly. Nevertheless should one be free to vent his opinion. Som...
I hear you.
Itâs a balance, I guess. Being able to express opinion without being offensive. And thatâs tricky given the multitude of cultures and social norms.
I just sold my grand Lange
Because at 40.9, it is to big for me. Thanks, Sham, for putting that thought into my head! From now on 40 is max. Even then, the bezel must be concave. 38.5 is the magic number Thomas
Hi Thomas!
I am sure you are giving me credit that I have not earned. Can't recall how big your wrist is but for me personally anything from 33m to 38mm is comfortable (Breguets excluded due to their uncompromising straight lugs!) Saying that, tonight I tried on a v...
Like you, my âwatch size comfort zoneâ is relatively wide between 35mm and 42mm even if I mainly prefer watches around 38/39mm
Nevertheless, I have been pleasantly surprised few months ago by the new GP Neo Bridges and its 45mm. I tried it and thanks to its lightness and short curved lugs, it fitted my wrist very well. I donât know if I would pull the trigger one day for this one...
Not sure fashion trends changing...
Still feels like watches are drifting larger but more carefully so. Patek with its 5168, 5974, 5905 are examples of larger updates due to apparent demand for size. Other manufacturers such as AP seem to be moving towards larger Royal Oaks and Rolex with i...
One size doesn't fit all, it's about proportion...
one needs to consider one's height and wrist circumference. Larger watches look more proportional on taller people or those with wider wrists. Personal preference plays a big role, some prefer heftier watches, others prefer a slim, refined timepiece. Occa...
I totally agree especially with your 2nd paragraph
and recongnize myself in the way of changing watches from a clothing style to another like mentionned in your 3rd paragraph. Best, Mark
I should also add that
most buyers at this level probably own two or more timepieces for different occasions. They are more likely to be global in nature, so what they wear in a city maybe different to what they wear on holiday or in a warmer climate. I can't wear rose gold eve...
but to get back to my basic point.....
.....do you think that there has been a generalised shift in fashion/tastes towards smaller watches?
Sorry, got distracted ;)
I guess it depends what you define as "smaller" or "bigger". Some brands feel comfortable at the higher end of the spectrum >44mm as their fan base or brand is more casual/sportier/younger etc. Production peaked in 2014/15 for many brands as they embraced...
yep....
.....it wasn't aimed as a criticism of any of teh manufacturer's current production lines...like you say its great to cater for all tastes. However, you make an interesting point regarding the fact that the current line-up is on average somewhat bigger th...
Quite possibly....
the industry overall is severely struggling, so I am guessing that most brands are retrenching to what definitely sells rather than speculating or taking a risk on what might sell. Certain sizes are tried and tested, so make more commercial sense. Patek i...
I second you on that Langeholic
My grand Lange 1 and my 5960 are both around 41mm, but the Lange wears 6 mm bigger. Thomas
I think so too for the brands linked to bigger cases
Anecdotally from reviewing the auction catalogues from all the big houses every season for the last 2 years, I have seen a shift away from large sizes from Panerai and Royal Oak Offshore. About 2+ years ago, one would have seen a higher percentage of Pane...
I agree with your view in general but, of course, it depends on the watch.
I have a small wrist but I can just about get away with 42mm depending on the lug length. My pet hate is when the lugs overhang the wrist. I also dislike the trend to increase the size of dress watches. For me, old stick in the mud that I am, a dress watc...
I don't think it has changed that much
Of course, as you say a few years back brands were providing much more models in the upper side of the sizes (let's say aorund 41mm+), with higher big sizes (43, 44, 45 and even more). 1. From the brand's catalogue and recent releases, I feel that they of...
Perhaps a step towards more moderation after the big crisis...?
I also see a trend to go at least 1-2mm smaller on most models. I think large watches still have there place if the overall design matches.
With my shift to Patek some time ago my preferences have changed as well.
I was wearing 44mm before (though not larger) but this is something I wouldn't do anymore. 42mm is the maximum but can still be too large for me depending on case shape and lugs. For example, 5524G is too big for me (this being one of the reasons why I so...
smaller than 38mm is ok....if in vintage...not sure why, but vintage makes it easier
Possibly because the size and era are more commensurate....but a plain vintage Calatrava just works at 35mm-36mm
LoL....i would be so happy to convert you to a vintage Calatrava....
.....disproportionately so!
Patek
has really caught the big watch bug as they bring out more 42mm. Most people cannot wear watches that big. On a wrist of 7 inches or less, the 42mm watch protrudes so that it takes every hit and really looks war torn in short order. There was a logic to t...
It's all about a watch being consistent in it's aesthetics...
Whilst 36-42mm seems to be the sweetspot for an average wrist size (in case that exists), some larger watches still work harmoniously when all elements fit, case dimensions, strap width, crystal shape, crown size, movement dimensions etcetera.... Many Pan...
Size is not really a problem for me. From 32 to 47 / 48 mm. It all depends on the watch, as you suggested.
For example, I would kill for a Longines, Big Indian ( 44 mm ) or a Longines Weems ( 47 mm ). Or a vintage Panerai ( 47 mm ). On the other side of the spectrum, I love to wear my vintage Lecoultre Weems ( 33 mm ) or my Longines Marine Nationale ( 34 mm )....
I definitely see a greater appreciation of smaller watches, particularly among Patek aficionados. For example:
On this Forum I see a renewed interest in 5110 (versus 5130) so much so that it now seems to be deemed a "classic". The same could be said for 3940 (versus 5140). Even the "tiny" (by today's standards) 31mm Ref 96 is getting a lot of play. Based on absolu...
Trends are hard to discern in a business this global....
.....yet, when we talk about sample size, this is a fairly global forum. i also think that people who post on this forum will be more aware and alert to shifts in tastes as collecting is a hobby and passion for them. I would also say that Patek collectors...
The older I get the smaller watches I like...
the younger I was the bigger I liked Not a rule but general trend I feel also I think that trend goes towards smaller watches nowadays. Having said that anything under 33 and above 50 is unacceptable Cheers D
i think i have been fairly static over time....
....at times my preferences seem quite out of step with the consensus...at other times, the consenus moves towards me again.
Looking at the recent new watches
There has definitely been a shift to smaller watches 1, Patek world timer - the 5130 used to be 39.5mm and the 5230 is now 38.5mm 2. Lange - the Saxonia thin is now offered in 37mm (a not insignificant reduction from the 40mm version). Also the basic Saxo...
I think we can call this the "'Sham'inization" of PuristSism.
If anyone can say that five times fast. I do think the Forum is either following fashion here or setting a trend-but we seem to be in lockstep with what is happening in the Major Houses. There is a definite movement to offer at least some smaller sizes, e...
You guys crack me up!! :-)
I graciously take all the blame (and credit! ) and yes Mike I have said it five times fast!! And now that I have retired, I seem to seldom be able to keep a straight face anyway as I am constantly smiling ...
to be fair..........
....i am ALWAYS suspicious of people with a smiley face. Looks fine on your wrist.
You are a hard man to please Joe! :-)
The Benu has been one of the biggest surprises for me for me this year. Thank goodness it is not unaffordable
One day
I shall surprise you Mike. I did tell the AD that he might have to wait until the end of 2018 That's the price of early retirement
Such a timely post joe
I have recently been wearing my ref 5235 ( 40mm) but have recently changed to vintage calatrava 3415 ( 35mm) The vintage piece feels so much more comfortable and does not look small at all I am not sure if there is a shift in collectors desires but I am c...
I actually love the 5235
until I tried one on a few years ago and much to my disappointment the 40.5mm case was too large and the lugs hanging out. I wear my 34.6mm 7200R London Edition often and it is hyper comfortable to the extent that when I purchased a 38.8mm Moser fume dial...
Proportions to own wrist and...
...and I find the size of the bezel in relation to the overall diameter.
I agreed with you psychotic...
the shape of the case and bezel make a difference on the overall watch size. a principle that I follow is that the lugs have to fall inside the wrist diameter. When the watch lugs float outside the wrist roundness it just doesnât look right. Best G.
Well
Ladies around here wear IWC and Panerai effortlessly Baron. Been a long time since I've worn a watch as small as the one I sold you and I haven't seen a wristshot from you on the forums wearing it in a while either, come to think of it. I'll stick to the ...
I am not sure i understand your point......
I haven't made any judgment about whether small or large is "good". In fact, I stated that I wore watches between 35-42mm. I have posted many watches on my wrist at 35mm in the last year...in fact a whole series. Equally, I have posted many in a 41-42mm r...
That's definitely good
that you are comfortable wearing watches of a wide size range. I don't feel as comfortable any more, but that means you have more choice when buying
still totally confused about your original post.....
......what exactly is the point that you are making from the first post...i need to understand in order to reply properly. My wife wears a Polaris 68....which is a very large watch. I appreciate fully that women can wear larger watches. I also know that m...
Dear TS1987
I think a watch you referring to is now with me...I love it...nevertheless I can't see what point you are trying to make and why?... Baron has some vintage Calatravas in that "radius"...also Baron is long time collector with extremely focused and well tho...
In terms of size
Round watches, I am not keen on the small size. But that Girard Perregaux with the square case I showed here on the appropriate forum, I should have kept, as it was NOS with box and papers. Alas, it didn't go to a collector here. Even if it was on the sma...
Umph...you got me confused as well....
You were referring strictly to watch you said you sold to Baron...and not seeing him wearing it...."come to think of it"...I found it kinda judgemental Cheers D
Hi Joe,
I think youâre right, it seems like the trend of âbigger is betterâthat ruled in these last few years (especially with some watch brands) is slowly but surely getting more on a balanced side. A bit like what happened with pants cuffing measurements over t...
at least.....
......it "seems" to feel that is happening. Also seems that most members here feel get the same feeling.
Tho must all oblige to "Shams law"
A leather strap watch must not exceed 40mm. A sports watch must not exceed 42mm. Under no circumstance must the lugs hang outside the wrist. Failure to comply will have consequences: you must leave puristpro and become an eternal reader of Hodinkee, and y...
For your reference
A picture of a non-confirming watch. This person is now on Hodinkee and had to buy a 60 000 dollar Laurent Ferrier last night. ...
Hey, that is my wrist!!!
and I can confirm that I have not been exiled to Hodinkee yet! I love that 5170P but those lugs do stick out as witnessed by others when I tried it on. In fact, my mate John who was with me at Basel when I tried it on agreed that the 5136G below was a muc...
Errr.....
This guy Sham sounds like a real cuckoo! I mean after all everyone knows that a watch, leather or bracelet should not exceed 39mm! but I agree that the lugs should not be outside the wrist. That Hodinkee sentence sounds a tad harsh though especially the '...
vacheron
has just released this watch in 36.5mm, a triumph if you ask me over the 40mm version. Vacheron, here I come (finally!!) ...