Why do I think 42 mm is too big?
Discussion
That was my view for a long time, but as greg says above, sometimes it's the lug-to-lug that makes the difference. For example, I have a Moser Endeavour perpetual and that is more or less 42mm, but it has short lugs and is beautifully profiled (caseback sapphire and lugs), and those features make it much more wearable than many 40mm dial with integrated bracelets, at least IMO. It probably comes down to the individual watch - were there any watches you were thinking of specifically?
Generally though, I agree - I have ALS and GS watches that are less than 40mm and they wear very nicely.
Generally though, I agree - I have ALS and GS watches that are less than 40mm and they wear very nicely.
As said there are more factors than just the face diameter to whether a watch looks/feels bigger or smaller, and different styles suit different looks.
There is also significant variation in wrist size so don't assume what suits you is the same for everyone else, my wrists are on the chunkier side and most watches below 40mm look a bit lost on me while 41-44mm is generally good.
There is also significant variation in wrist size so don't assume what suits you is the same for everyone else, my wrists are on the chunkier side and most watches below 40mm look a bit lost on me while 41-44mm is generally good.
jpf said:
Being an average sized kind of guy, I find the 42mm too big and the 39mm a better fit. I'm not sure why there is such a push for bigger watches.
I know it's a matter of taste but 42mm seems too big.
Thoughts?
Quite the opposite. Over the last 10 years or so the fashion for large watches has declined significantly. As for size it really depends on the style of watch. For an average wrist a 42 is pretty good for a sports watch but smaller than that for something dressier. Many 42 sport watches have large bezels so need to be a decent size to house a reasonably sized dial. It’s all a matter of preference of course and if you like smaller watches they tend to be a little cheaper on the used market.I know it's a matter of taste but 42mm seems too big.
Thoughts?
jpf said:
Being an average sized kind of guy, I find the 42mm too big and the 39mm a better fit. I'm not sure why there is such a push for bigger watches.
I know it's a matter of taste but 42mm seems too big.
Thoughts?
The push and trend for bigger watches was at its peak between 2005-2015. It plateaud between 2015-2020 and since then the trend point has been around 40mm +/- 2mm. During the big watch trend it was 45mm+. I'm guilty myself of buying many 43mm+ during that period but luckily have off loaded most to just have one left, which I love and most hate. (see if you can work it out!)I know it's a matter of taste but 42mm seems too big.
Thoughts?
For me as I've gotten older and closer to 60 than 50, I find thickness is my concern now, prefering watches under 11mm thick. I have 4 tudors which I barely wear now for this reason. I can and do wear watches above 11mm but the case sides must be round rather than slab sided (tudors and Rolex GMT) and the feel smaller for this reason (Rolex OP41, Daytona etc).
Lug length comes into play also and a 42mm from one manufacturer can wear totally different from another. Example would be the Omega SMP300, its 42mm but due to short lugs, wears more like 40/41.
As someone said above, the wearer’s physical size makes a significant difference to any discussion/comparison.
I bought a second Planet Ocean recently which was 42mm vs my existing 45mm, but returned it because it just looked too small to me. However, my wrists are 8 1/4”, so the larger watch doesn’t look out of place (IMO, and that’s all that matters!).
I bought a second Planet Ocean recently which was 42mm vs my existing 45mm, but returned it because it just looked too small to me. However, my wrists are 8 1/4”, so the larger watch doesn’t look out of place (IMO, and that’s all that matters!).
Your own perception has a part to play. When I tried on a Pelagos 39 vs the full fat 42mm in the shop, the assistant told me the 39 was far more suited (6.5 inch wrist).
She was right of course, but the heart wants what the heart wants. I got the 42mm and it's a proper chunky watch. I don't care. I love it and I'm used to the size now. I know I would have regretted the 39 - the 42's vibe is more masculine and toolish, and that's what I was after.
For those with skinny wrists, it helps if they're flat so the lugs stay within the edge of the wrist surface. I can just about get away with the big Pelagos.
I own all sizes down to a 34mm vintage Omega. No need to feel constrained to one size all the time.
She was right of course, but the heart wants what the heart wants. I got the 42mm and it's a proper chunky watch. I don't care. I love it and I'm used to the size now. I know I would have regretted the 39 - the 42's vibe is more masculine and toolish, and that's what I was after.
For those with skinny wrists, it helps if they're flat so the lugs stay within the edge of the wrist surface. I can just about get away with the big Pelagos.
I own all sizes down to a 34mm vintage Omega. No need to feel constrained to one size all the time.
39mm is my size too... I do have very skinny wrists! I wanted a Longines and tried on the Legend Diver & Spirit Zulu Time. Found the SZT to have a much bigger lug-to-lug and therefore didn't suit me nearly as much. Went with the LD and am well happy, perfect size for me. I would be tempted to try a 40mm though, as there's so many nice watches in this size.
Richard-390a0 said:
I love my 46mm Planet Ocean, it's easy to read for my old tired eyes, at some point I expect to go full Flavor Flav & wear a wall clock around my neck to be able to read it!
Always thought he should have the watch upside down like nurses do in order to actually read it!
I've got dinky hands and wrists in proportion and 42mm looks like a ladies watch to me. I've a Breitling Aerospace, which is 42 mm, and I never wear it because it looks so small.
The two I wear the most are a Bulova Precisionist (46mm) and a Citizen Promaster Navihawk (48mm). To me, neither of those look stupidity big.
The two I wear the most are a Bulova Precisionist (46mm) and a Citizen Promaster Navihawk (48mm). To me, neither of those look stupidity big.
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