The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've just returned from my AD here in Sweden where I've been trying out all the new(and old) wonderful models that I'm interested in.

Everyone of the watches I tried out, Chronomat B01, Chronomat 41, Avenger (formerly Skyland) were too small!

The only one that I found somewhat appropriate was the Navi World and the Super Avenger. It's all extremely strange since I've lost weight and went from a size 7,5/8'' wrist to a 7'' wrist. My Omega Seamaster (Bond) looks like a girlswatch on me at the moment.

Have somebody else felt the same way recently?

Just a couple of years ago I thought that the Seamaster was one of the biggest watches I've ever wore. Not anymore.

It can also be that I really really set my mind to a new purchase... Or is it?

All I can suggest is that's where your personal taste lies at this point. My wrist is 7 3/4". After years of wearing a GMT Master, a Seamaster Professional, and others in the 40-41mm range, I bought a 44mm Steelfish and a white-dialed Navi Heritage (44mm) last year. My Breguet XXI was 42mm and felt larger, my present Headwind is just under 44, and the JLC MC-GMT at 41 looked bigger on me than the Headwind. Over time I became a little self-conscious about the circumference and thickness of some of them, afraid I might bang them into something. The weight of a couple of them, the Steelfish and the Heritage in particular, became more noticeable than I wanted. Of those only the Headwind is left, but I needed to try something a little bigger to see what it was like, and I wouldn't rule out a slightly larger watch again. Right now, though, I'm on the way down. The effortless wear of the AP I have, so thin, and the Yacht before it, is what I like right now. If I got another Breitling, might well be the old 44mm Chronomatic because of how relatively thin it is.

Sounds to me like you've got a big model on the brain. I have no idea how anything would look on your wrist and some of the folks here have a recommended "lugs-to-wrist" ratio. I say try it on, and if you feel you still need a big watch, get it. The one thing you don't want when shelling out the money for a watch is regret that you didn't get something else.

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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

Panerai as some 47mm models that wear pretty big, although the SA is a pretty big piece as well.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

I did try on the Navitimer World, Super Avenger, Avenger, Chronomat B01 and Chronomat today. Oh also the Blackbird actually, totally forgot that one. I know it's out of the world stupid to try on those different sizes all at once since all watches feel like a 30mm watch after trying out the SA and Navi World.

My only problem is that I can't say for sure if the Chronomat B01 isn't the one for me, size-wise. I'm probably only disturbed because of the fact that I tried the SA in the middle. Not as a last watch to try.

I mean really 43,7mm isn't really small. 40,5mm is but not almost 44mm.

My only scare is that the SA won't fit under a dress shirt. I had a t-shirt on today so I didn't have the opportunity to try it on with a shirt. Will do though.

Yeah I'm sure but I'm a Breitlingguy all the way, except for that Seamaster, so other brands isn't really top priority at the moment.

well,there is a solution for this, have a look:


viewtopic.php?f=14&t=39034#p286235

Haha that's the best idea since the suitjamas!

I've said it before and will doubtless say it again, I really don't get the size thing. I agree with the sentiment that overhanging lugs are too big, but the difference between my largest and smallest is over 20mm and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Just do your due diligence, try them all on the way you would wear them. Dial color and size can completely change your impression of the size of the watch, more than case diameter IMO.

It's funny you mention the long/short sleeve shirts. Here in the desert, we get to wear polos to work in the summer at the office. Guess when I bought my bigger watches.

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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

I think it's basically about feeling. If you were to wear say the Super Avenger for a week and then switched to the Chronomat then you'd think that it looks and feels like a baby watch.

I think it's the same phenomenon as with big TV's. When I first switched from a 32'' CRT TV to a 42'' Plasma I was like "WWWOOOOOOOWW" after 2 days I found the 42'' small. Exactly the same thing happened when we later switched to a 60'' screen. It now feels like the old 42''. Bizarre.

I'm looking for an everyday watch basically. That's why I find the Navitimer World to be a difficult choice. I've had Navitimers before and the water resistance really bothers me. Especially now when I have a 2 1/2-year old which loves to "do the dishes", meaning splashing water all over the place. Same thing happens when he goes swimming in the shower...

I guess you bought them during the summer?

Nope, not me.

Wearing a behemoth today - close to 60mm wide and nearly 20mm high, wore a sub 40mm dress piece yesterday. Both feel fine (to me).

I guess I'm the odd one out then.

I used to think any watch under 44mm was too small. My taste have since changed. My 40mm sub is one of my favorite watches. My next watch will also probably be in the 40mm range. I think watch companies began playing into the bigger is better trend for a couple of years and now are beginning to gravitate back towards more tradtional size watches. Just my opinion.

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Jibba
Rolex DeepSea | Rolex Sub C-LV | Panerai PAM 111

My lings are 44 and 48 and I think both are fine. That is the extent of the range though as under 44 feels small and over 48 would start to look dumb to me, sort of the same feeling as wearing a big Invicta or very tacky fashion watch. Anything in the 50mm range I'll leave for the guys with the 8" (or bigger) wrists.