The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm just curious which is more popular the 42mm or 45mm? Is their some sort of unspoken guideline for sizing a watch to your wrist, so you don't get a watch that is way too big or vice versa? I believe my wrist is just shy of 7 inches, maybe like 6.8ish. I personally think a PO 45mm or the Breitling SF would look fine on my wrist. I just want to make sure I'm not fooling myself into thinking it looks fine just becuase I like the bigger size, when in reality on my wrist it looks ridiculous. For example, I think think it's the Super Ocean Avenger, it has a GIANT face, and is really thick, so it looks WAY too big for me.

Thanks in advance for all the advice fellas!

More popular? That will surely depend on who you ask.

My wrist is just a bit larger than 7.5" and I love the 45mm model, and think the 42mm is tiny.

I think the Steelfish is the perfect fit at 44mm.

If you can go to a dealer and try them both on and see which one you like better.
Cheers

I think the biggest determinant of whether or not a watch is to big is if the lugs hang over the edges of your wrist. If the lug ends don't overhang, you can almost get away with any diameter.

I prefer the 42 mm PO because I think it's better proportioned, but to each his own.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I own the 45.5 P.O. and have a 7 1/2 wrist. the watch is at the limit for me of how big i will go these day's. I also have watches that are 42mm and they fit just fine. i think big oversized watches are going out of style these day's and it does look silly when someone has to large of a watch for there size. Steve

It's easy enough to know for sure - just use a measuring tape. But assuming you're right, in my opinion you could go either way; I think both sizes would work for you. Really, though, size is a totally subjective call. If you like how it looks and fits, that's what matters. If I had to guess, I think most people would notice a watch that is too big more than one that is too small, simply because the bigger the watch, the more it draws attention. So if you're worried about what others think, err on the small side.

For me, another major factor to consider is thickness. A watch can be "too big" not because of its diameter, but because it sits up too high on my wrist. Given my 6.5-inch wrist, anything over 42mm runs the risk of being too big, but I'd probably go with a 44mm watch that was 12mm thick than a 42m watch that was 17mm thick. But, per your question, I don't know that there is any real "rule" about what is too big, small, thick or thin. It really boils down to what you like.

I have a 45.5mm PO and I love it. My wrist is around 7.5" and I think it is about as big as I'll go, anything bigger looks weird on me but that's just my opinion. All that being said I thought the 42mm PO looked good also, I mainly went with the 45.5 because I got a pretty good deal on it, thanks Serge. In the end it comes down to what you like and what you want.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

As unixshrk said, try them on. You wouldn't think it but the difference between the 2 is very big. I tried on the 42, after owning the 45.5, and and couldn't believe how small it felt.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

I have a 45.5mm PO and here's a pic (thread) I just started with the mesh bracelet I just bought.

I also just picked up a Rolex Sea Dweller that is 40mm.

IMO, at least for my wrist, I think a 42mm PO is a perfect size. I wouldn't get rid of my PO Big Size as I purposely bought an oversized watch - but for me, the 42 is a perfect size to wear up or down - meaning, it will go great with a suit or a t-shirt.

HOWEVER, I would say to someone who is not as much of a geek as we all are, it makes no difference. I really don't think someone sees me wearing my Rolex with a t-shirt or a suit and thinks to themselves "that watch is too big/too small for that outfit."

I've said it before, but it's not the watch that makes the man.....it's the man that makes the watch.

42 is just fine though.

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

I've been meaning to ask you, how is it going from the 45.5mm PO to the 40mm sea dweller. I've always loved that rolex in pictures and on other people, especially because it doesn't have the cyclops, but it always seemed too small. Once an AD had a 41mm smp next to the sea dweller and it looked tiny next to the omega.

Also how do you like the bracelet compared to the "heavy" solid center link omega bracelet and clasp?

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

My PO is 45.5. I used to think it was just right but now it looks a bit on the large side for me. It's fine with casual clothes, but I wouldn't wear it with a suit.

One thing to bear in mind is that it wears very differently on a strap compared to the bracelet, at least for those of us with smaller wrists (mine are about 6.75''). The end links of the bracelet are quite long and almost protrude past the edges of my wrist. For me the rubber straps are a better fit - they wrap around my wrist better.

RXPete - here's what my PO Big Size looks like with the mesh bracelet - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31696

As to your question, I love the Rolex Sea Dweller. My PAM is 44mm - large dial, small bezel. My Omega is 45.5mm - good size dial and bezel - and I just got rid of my 44mm Breitling BlackBird that had a beefy bezel and smallish dial.

Quite frankly, I think when you primarily own 44+ size watches, it's a mind thing. I've had the Rolex for about a week and at first, I thought I made a mistake. But the reality is that the 40mm is much more versatile - it's easier to wear with cufflinks and it does look great with a tshirt - it's just an all-around great "everyday" watch. The more I wear it, the more I like it and the more I realize that it's a "mind thing" when it comes to size. I don't regret the purchase at all.

My vintage Omega Seamaster is 34mm and looks terrific as well - it's just something you have to get past in your head if you are used to larger watches like I am (was).

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

Yeah I'm not sure which one is more popular as they're the same watch in different sizes. I would think it's purely the mechanics of wrist size. My wrist size is about 6.75" and I have the 42mm which is a perfect fit for me. As described earlier, if the lugs overhand your wrist, like when I had the Breitlingsource LE#1, the watch is too big and looks ridiculious IMO. I saw a couple of guys wearing the SA and B4B watches at a golf tournament on Monday and they looked really really big

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

i think if i were wearing it i would go 42. but my wrist size is only 7 inches.