The Breitling Watch Source Forums

hi guys, have you all ever felt weird after wearing big watches like SA or Panerai and going back to smaller watches like Rolex sub?
i am very used to my SA with its size and weight and i tried on a few watches at the AD and they really looked puny and felt light.

it seems that it is easier to embrace bigger watches from smaller ones but not vice versa.
any comments.

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Rolex Submariner 14060
Breitling Super Avenger A13370
Oris Aquis Staghorn Restoration

I wear watches well over 50mm, I wear watches in the mid 30s and have absolutely no problem at all. I hear a lot about how people find some watches 'too small' and I personally don't get it.

In terms of taste there seems to be a trend of moving firstly to larger watches when you begin collecting and then navigating back to smaller. I've got watches between 36-44 and wear them all.

33 to 47

I have an old speedmaster and at around 37mm it looks small on my 8 inch wrist now. Can't imagine me wearing it. For me it's the bigger the better, so I love wearing my SA.

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Breitling Avenger Seawolf Yellow SS
Breitling Super Avenger (2009) Black SS
Omega Speedmaster Schumacher (Yellow) Steel
Tissot T Navigator 3000 Blue Steel
Fortis Flieger Cockpit L.E. (No. 788)
Seiko Black Monster Rubber Strap
Tissot PRS516 (2004)

I generally wear from about 36mm to 44mm. Usually use the smaller watches for more formal occasions where I don't want to be seen with a hubcap on my wrist.

small is too feminine looking in my taste, to big makes me look like I have a woman's wrist....44ish seems just right IMO

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You'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take

I think it really depends on your wrist size. I have watches from 35 to 44mm. As I got fatter (lol)...my wrist size went up to 7.5", so my smaller watches look too small to me on my wrist now. 40mm is the minimum I wear now. I think the trend, however, is still leaning to larger size watches. My wife, although still thin, is starting to ask me if she can wear my 38mm watches cause she sees other women wearing larger watches too.

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

I think you mean "healthier" ha! Good point and I agree, wrist size will dictate and with me 44 is the current limit. Although it is a matter of taste there is something to be said about fit and finish.

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You'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take

I was just talking about this yesterday with a friend (the topic was labeling watches "large" vs "oversize." Example was Graham calling its Chronofighter over-sized. I think it's just normal 44mm). I enjoy wearing 36mm to 46mm watches (vintage and newer models). I don't have a problem moving back and forth between the different sizes. Although you would think most vintage watches would wear smaller because of their size, they actually look larger on the wrist. The opposite can be said for some larger watches. It really depends on the design. Then it comes down to style over substance and personal taste. Like R.L. mention, wearing larger watches feels comfortable (I agree my larger watches get more wrist time.) I see a smaller classic to be much more interesting to wear like the older Speedmaster (R.L. great watch). There is a time and place and how suitable it is. The advantage of having a wide variety of models (and sizes) it that they open conversations with another watch enthusiast. Depending on the watch you are wearing, you get someone who shares your passion.

My wrists are 7 3/4 but I have difficulty imagining wearing anything larger than a blackbird or my Headwind. My "major award" Tissot is actually 45, but of course the Breitling is thicker. I owned a Panerai but it was a 40mm. When I try on the 44 it just doesn't wear right. Thought once or twice that maybe it would make sense for me as a classic German aviator style piece, but any time I tried on a SA or even the new Seadweller, it seemed like the watch was wearing me. My Navi Heritage was a white dial and due to the movement was a little thicker than the standard Navitimer. Only 43.5mm but it wore large, and I always worried about hitting something with it. I still think its gorgeous and I tried on a navy blue version which looked smaller, but when I sold it I almost felt a little relieved. About 40-42mm is my sweet spot. That sub doesn't necessarily wear that large at 40mm. My Yachtmaster wore significantly larger. It may be a matter of too dramatic a drop in size for the OP.

My wife told me earlier this year, as I tried on a 36mm Datejust, that she thought most of my watches were too large, and why didn't anybody wear a "proper" sized watch anymore, like the Datejust.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Please also consider;

I always think my Speedy pro looks small on my 7.75 wrist however, a mate of mine recently worn his new one. Same wrist size and the watch looked a good size.

My thought is that watches always look smaller on our own wrists.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Well I'm one of the guys Roff doesn't get!

I personally just don't like the look of too small or too large watches on my wrist. To me it's exactly the same as maybe not liking straps, or not liking blue dials or something : it's just a personal preference.

To be honest a lot depends on the shape of the case and how it wears on my wrist but generally I'm most comfortable with watches in the 43 to 46mm range - not too small, not too big. To me, a too small or too large watch can look ridiculous on my wrist. Ultimately you have to be comfortable with what works for you.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I don't have any trouble going from my SuperAvengers or Panerai down to my SubC or GMTIIc or SMP. When I wear the smaller watches I don't feel they are too small, but I DO appreciate the comfort and balance they provide me.

I feel pretty comfortable in watches of all sizes from 40mm up to, say, 48 on my 7.5" wrist, I guess because I rotate through them so often. Sometimes I really like the feel of a large, heavy watch and sometimes I just want a smaller, lighter watch. To me, that's all part of the point of owning different watches and enjoying them all.

Cheers

Ross

My smallest is 38mm. My biggest one is 42. I don't mind smaller watches as I used to have a few that were 34, 36... I think it's all relative for me. If it's vintage, then I don't mind the size as long as I like the design. If it's a contemporary piece, I'd like to have it at least 40.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z