frankpower88 Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 i guess i am wrong my smallest watch is a pam217, i have a breit SA, an oris Prodiver, and just purchased a gen u-boat flight deck 55mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 You contradict yourself and prove the very point I was about to make: Rules about case diameters are silly because they ignore CONTEXT. They is a very wide range in the circumference of the male wrist and what looks large on one may look small on another. About the only generalization that can be made is that conservative or "classic" styles tend to reject extremes (whereas trends embrace them) - but what is extreme on one wrist may be just right on another. A 39mm case on my wrist looks classic but on another it could look small. Dragging a post out from the dead, but looks like GQ got this one wrong. Big watches are here to stay for a while to come - 42/44mm is the new 38. Size matters....but they can get too big (50mm and larger watches/Clocks are just way too large to be desireable in 99 out of 100 cases) same goes for organs.... http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9SlYS77Pdxg/SYvVoChZdGI/AAAAAAAABtU/sbzvsGCunZk/s1600/size.matters.jpg I definitely think context is the most crucial factor. Touching back onto the subject I raised the other day about what to wear to a friend's wedding reception being a prime example. For day to day wear, the 42mm Heritage is an absolutely awesome watch. It's clear and easy to read at a glance, the case is very rugged and durable, it goes with just about any clothing, and of course, being a stopwatch (with timing bezel as well) it is very practical (I would consider it a "Diver's Stopwatch" rather than a 'Racing Chronograph') If I was going out for the evening to a bar, I would probably keep it on with a nice shirt, but for a more formal occasion, it's just too big, and a 36mm DateJust is much more subtle and suitable. To be honest, a DJ is a great watch for most occasions, but of course, I wouldn't consider it as useful as the Heritage... The context and circumstances of use/wear, definitely play a major part in what is or is not 'too big'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 The context and circumstances of use/wear, definitely play a major part in what is or is not 'too big'... Yes I agree but I am just almost never in a context that will allow me to wear a 50+mm watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 i guess i am wrong my smallest watch is a pam217, i have a breit SA, an oris Prodiver, and just purchased a gen u-boat flight deck 55mm. Sorry .....obviously 55 will look fine on you You have the correct context and circumstances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Yes I agree but I am just almost never in a context that will allow me for me a 50+ watch Situations calling for such a watch don't often come up in day to day life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingkaiser Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Yes I agree but I am just almost never in a context that will allow me to wear a 50+mm watch Apart from upstaging Flava Flav, what is the right contect for a 50mm watch? (kidding - I'm slowly starting to like 47mms, so gimme another yr and I might find 52mm to be too small) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Dragging a post out from the dead, but looks like GQ got this one wrong. Big watches are here to stay for a while to come - 42/44mm is the new 38. Yes and No. The designs you speak of, especially Rolex, were on the drawing board pre-recession/pre-GQ/Esquire/WSJ articles regarding the fasion sense to downsize. What is in the market supply chain right now is not necessarily proof positive. A local AD/Watchsmith whom I befriended was at Basel this year. The TREND he saw was to go small again. This largely comes from the Swiss looking at the Chinese/Asian markets as their new bread and butter. (The US/Western Market does not seem to be their priority). The fact is, most Chinese do not have 8" or even 7+" wrists to pull off the larger designs. There will still be larger watches, and larger watches still make sense to those with larger wrists. I think the crux of the downsize tread means the days of wearing 44mm+ bling on your 6.5" to 7" wrist, or with a suit, may "not be fashionable". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuDro Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Whatevs...I have a 6.75" wrist and I've rocked a 50mm U-BOAT for about a year. I say go with whatever you like the best. Hey Ronin...I'm still loving the modded BS that I bought from you! I'm taking it with me on vacation next week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Nothing is more frustrating that wanting to wear a specific watch and you can’t because it doesn’t fit under your shirt cuff. Here are some simple how to instructions to modify the button to give some room for larger watches. It is not difficult and like everything else gets easier with practice. Tools: 1. Needle, thread and something to cut the thread with. Step 2. Remove the existing button. Pretty simple. Step 3. OK, this is where it gets difficult. Basically we are going to reattach the button, but instead of putting it right against the shirt, we are going to extend the length of thread connecting the button to the cuff. Use something to act as a spacer. Here I am using a marker pen that will give 2-3 cm in length between the button and the cuff. First poke the needle through the underside of the cuff and pull all the way through. You can use the same holes from the original button setting. Then thread the needle through one of the button holes. Place your spacer against the cuff over the intended location of the button. Slide the button all the way down to the spacer. Poke the needle through the opposite button hole, put it around the spacer and then poke through the cuff to the underside. Pull tight to help secure. Now push the needle again through the underside of the cuff, go around the outside of the spacer and put through a new button hole. Cross over to the opposite button hole and then go around the spacer again and then push through the shirt cuff. Repeat this process a whole bunch of times. I would guess 10-15 times. Continue until there is a mass of thread similar to what is on the original button. With each pass it will get easier because things will be more secure. Step 4 When you decide that you have done enough you want to end with the thread through the button, but not pushed through the cuff. You want the needle and thread on the same side as the button. Pull the spacer out and it will look like this. Repeat this process a whole bunch of times. I would guess 10-15 times. Continue until there is a mass of thread similar to what is on the original button. With each pass it will get easier because things will be more secure. Step 4 When you decide that you have done enough you want to end with the thread through the button, but not pushed through the cuff. You want the needle and thread on the same side as the button. Pull the spacer out and it will look like this. And here is a demonstration with the largest watch I have. The case is 15 mm thick and fits easily under this cuff. So I did this to a couple of shirts several months ago as pilots. My shirts are laundered and pressed at the cleaners and the buttons have held up fine. I think when it is buttoned, the extra thread is hardly noticeable, especially if you use a matching color to the shirt. One trade off is that when you are not wearing something thick like a quartz, the cuff will slip down farther on your hand than the other cuff. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuDro Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Wow...that's quite a bit effort. Commendable...I typically wear shirts with French cuffs to alleviate this problem...Thanks for posting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheaton26 Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Wow...that's quite a bit effort. Commendable...I typically wear shirts with French cuffs to alleviate this problem...Thanks for posting this. or just leave it unbuttoned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcollector Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 the smallest watch I wear is the SD at 40mm (it took a while to get used to it). I draw the line at 47mm though. I could get to the U-Boat at 50mm but just for diving, not for regular use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave123 Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 After a few years of wearing my bling SA i picked up a gen GMT IIc a couple months ago and been wearing it since,just put my SA on today for the first time,darn big isn't it,never noticed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 To paraphrase the old saw, sometimes, YOU wear the watch &, sometimes, the watch WEARS you. Big watches (44mm+), like 20" subwoofers coupled to 2,000 watt amps in a car, are much too loud. And, while there is something to be said for knowing how/when to break (fashion) rules, most of the established purveyors of modern men's style declared the end of the big watch years ago. And for the same reason - big watches are too loud. In addition to my original post, I offer this & this. Of course, to each his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodgerdodger Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 It has been said that you can tell the most about a man by the kind of watch he wears, so think about that when you go into a job interview or client meeting. You want to exude confidence and class, not look like you just got off the train from Jersey. I like that line. For some reason, I have always associated big watches with the guido fashions, like ed hardy and fake tans. I think it's because the trends started around the same time, and they both are very 'in your face'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolikat Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I have been wearing large watches for many years. I could care less what the fashionista's tell me I should be wearing. That said I have found my interests in big Panerai's and Brietlings start to shift more towards vintage Rolex models. This is due in large part because of the very active and informative Rolex section of this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolikat Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Big watches (44mm+), like 20" subwoofers coupled to 2,000 watt amps in a car, are much too loud. This quote is subjective and purely based on individual opinion. I would say a quote like that would apply to your "Ice Bangs" and Blinged out Brietlings NOT to a Subzilla or a Fiddy even less so to a clean PAM 111. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utheman Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 All I know is that as my eyes get older, my watches get bigger. And that's all I have to say about that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Oddly enough... The last 3 watches that I built were (2) 36mm pieces and a 37mm. ...But I do have a 44mm in the works... And I do have a number of 42mm pieces in th watch box (along with 40mm and some 44mm). Some days, going big is okay. And some days, I like to fly under the radar. I think it's nice to have something for most any occassion. Variety (and versatility) is always a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 This quote is subjective and purely based on individual opinion. Correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I go from 43mm-48,I just dont feel comfortable with anything bigger. The guys that I find silly are the 50mm-60mm Invicta or tv brand watch guys,most of those things are just big for bigs sake,no substance Imo. One of my favorite watches Is my Breitling SA,a classy piece of rea estate. The size of a person also comes Into play. I saw this guy while shopping a few months back,he was about 5ft6/150lbs with a 50mm plus Invicta or something along those lines. I was bitting my lip to keep from laughing. The case of the dam watch was almost as big as his hand. Im around 6ft/185lbs,so 48mm is on the cusp of what I feel looks In propportion with my size. The man should make the watch Imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polynomial Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I find it is fairly funny to talk about watch trends in respect to "oversized" watches such as 127 or U-boats -- specially as these draw on designs from some 70-80 years ago. If they haven't gone out of fashion so far, why expect this to happen next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbjoer Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 I find it is fairly funny to talk about watch trends in respect to "oversized" watches such as 127 or U-boats -- specially as these draw on designs from some 70-80 years ago. If they haven't gone out of fashion so far, why expect this to happen next year? The difference is that they were work instruments then and would never be worn as daily wear. Next fashion item, a drill??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted May 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 The difference is that they were work instruments then and would never be worn as daily wear. Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chum_2000_uk Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Wear whatever makes you happy, don't be a sheep or a slave to fashion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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