I just thought I'd write a post about watch sizes as there always seems to be persistent debate around the subject, and not a day goes by when I don't see something somewhere on the net talking about 'the current large watch trend'...... Basically I feel the need to get on my soapbox!
The fact of the matter is, there is no such thing as a 'normal' watch size. There is probably an average (or should that be 'most common') watch size - which I would suggest is somewhere around the 42mm mark nowadays - and watches that aren't exactly that size are either smaller or larger. That's it.
I personally have a real issue when people start saying that the larger sized watches are a passing trend and the quicker we return to "normal" sized watches the better. What is that really supposed to mean? Are there honestly people out there who have a whole drawer full of 38mm watches and they are just waiting for someone 'in the know' to come up to them and say, "Hey, it's OK to start wearing your 38mm watch again. The large watch trend has passed!"
I don't think so somehow......
You just need to look back in history to see that larger watches are nothing new. Back in the 70's Breitling were making a Chronomatic that was around 50mm in diameter. The original IWC Big Pilot watch from the 1940's (i.e. almost 70 years ago) was 55mm in diameter. Sure there weren't too many around, but it goes to show that larger watches are nothing new...... and not just some 'passing trend'.
The average watch size is (by definition) defined as the most common size, and over time the average size has indeed increased. 10 years ago an average size gents watch would be around the 38mm mark - now, it's probably 4mm larger........ so what? Does that mean that 38mm watches are now obsolete? Of course not. It just means than a 38mm watch is now slightly smaller than the average. Big deal.
Which brings me to my final point - does anyone out there really care if their watch is perceived as being at the peak of the 'fashion-o-meter'?
The single most important thing to remember is to buy the watch that you believe suits you the best! Not what someone else says is cool and fashionable. As long as it looks good on your wrist, who honestly cares?
In my case, my watches are all currently between 44mm and 48mm (and if I sell my Steelfish, they'll all be between 46 and 48mm), and the SINGLE reason for that is because I truly believe that watches of that size just looksbetter on my wrist. No other reason than that.
Some guys prefer the smaller watches - maybe they have smaller wrists, or maybe they just like smaller watches..... who knows. Some guys, like Roff, find both larger and smaller watches equally appealing. No-one is right and no-one is wrong. Whenever watch size discussions come up I usually say it's either just right or too big/small FOR ME. Not that it's too big/small full stop ; just too big/small for me. I never seek to make judgements on other people's choices.
So there - the 'average' or 'most common' size may vary slightly over time, but there will always be smaller watches, and there will always be larger watches, and there will always be fans of both. Just buy what you like and forget about these daft notions that in a couple of years we'll all be wearing 38mm watches and nothing else. Sure, some people will be, but they'll either be in the minority or the majority depending on what the fashionistas claim is cool at the time
, but I guarantee you that if you could buy a 55mm watch in 1940, you sure as hell will be able to buy a 48mm watch in 2010!
Enjoy your watches whatever size they may be!
