hoseachandra
1229
Ideal size is a very variable factor that involves many aspects,
Not just wrist size, but also wrist shape (flat wrist accommodates larger watch better), height of the person, fat/skinny, and of course, the occasion and suits when the watch being worn, as mentioned in the survey.
The best thing for watch brands if they can provide many sizes to cater as many people as they can, but it also requires risk-taking and huge volume to compensate the "unexpected" sales volume. Rolex and Omega are the best known to provide many sizes of each line. The datejust has 5 sizes, oyster perpetual 4 sizes. Unexpectedly, Rolex bucks the trend of smaller watches with 42 mm Yatchmaster. Omega even have at least 2 sizes of each type of watch.
Other brands are taking risk although they may not sure how good the sales will be, for example GP release new Laureate in 3 sizes, and 2 size of chronograph, for a new type it is very brave and I applaud them.
With small and micro brands, they have to choose which size that they target the most audience. Interesting thing is Seiko which seems produce larger watches, maybe it has to do with their focus on North America market. I have yet to see new models Grand seiko in my country. Seems here the vintage Grand seiko is preferred.
More posts:
FPJ, Grand Seiko & Mark Cho’s Ideal Watch Size Survey
Mark Cho, whom I do not know but whom I’ve happened upon in his store in HK on a couple of occasions and was very welcoming and gracious despite my not being anywhere near “Armory styled”, recently published results of his “Ideal Watch Size Survey”. (Mark...
One would hope that watch companies have a pretty good handle on the aggregate demand of their customers
And there are a lot of watches out there in the market that are over 39mm in diameter. The watch industry is for-profit, so if the average world-wide sweet spot was genuinely 38mm-40mm I’d expect to see much less offerings in sizes north of that. The most...
I would hope so too.
However, it’s debatable whether or not the average watch buyer is a good judge of appropriate size. I see a lot of watches on wrists that are just too big. And, I own myself some watches that are too big, and in the past have owned even more. Definitely, ...
Interesting, since I have said my ideal is between 37-40 For modern watches
For vintage, I am comfortable down to 34 mm. To me, it makes a huge difference if we are talking vintage or modern. my wrist is appr 21cm - so definitely above average. I have had several watches of 42,44,46 mm but that was ten years ago. Today, the upper...
Well, the survey went out to a pretty broad (in terms of numbers) distribution.
But perhaps it was still somewhat biased as if I recall Mark used his stores’ mailing list, social media accounts and some social media accounts of other watch related folks (SJX and one Hodinkee editor I believe). Arguably “watch people” will provide a d...
Watch designers for the most part
are out of tune with their consumers. Calatrava’s should be offered in max and mid sizes, especially since the movements aren’t resized....
I’ve thought this too, but millions of dollars in development and production seem to suggest you and I are wrong.
But this is why I thought the survey offered and interesting discussion point. It says smaller is more desirable. I wonder if, as a follow up question, we could find out if the respondents actually followed their answer in their purchases. Did they really...
I’d buy the new 5212 in heart beat
Had they retained the traditional 37mm calatrava dimensions. At 40mm it is less desirable, anything>39mm is better reserved for sports watches
Yes!!!
...designers/manufacturers want us all to buy 40mm ‘dress’ watches but are too lazy or too cheap to design an appropriately-sized movement. A perfect example is the PP 5327. They placed a too-small (but great/aging) 240 movement that was designed to fit a...
What surprises me is with what accuracy he gives case sizes, instead of answering 38 and 40 mm. As for sizes, there are brands which are considering smaller sizes.
It depends on the segment. If we are considering a classic /elegant / dressy watch, it should be around 38 mm. A sporty watch could be larger, around 42 mm. Size is a bet, based on some market tendencies, not to say trends. It is a complex thing, as you a...
No doubt we all agree that classic and sporty should have some differentiation in size, a coupe of mm or so.
But, taking the two brands I mentioned, both with classical style (although maybe GS is moving away from this) I thought it interesting that they are clearly moving in a different direction to the survey results.
Ideal size is a very variable factor that involves many aspects,
Not just wrist size, but also wrist shape (flat wrist accommodates larger watch better), height of the person, fat/skinny, and of course, the occasion and suits when the watch being worn, as mentioned in the survey. The best thing for watch brands if they...
Survey of "collectors"
Histogram looks odd, possibly because some respondents rounded to the nearest half-inch, while others rounded to the nearest quarter inch. The people who filled out the survey skew purist, for sure. The survey is not representative of the luxury watch wea...
At the risk of being hounded off the forum, the issue you've raised . . .
. . . bears a marked similarity to the discrepancy between 2016 American election polling and results on election day. All the major polls save for USC Dornsife/LA Times predicted a Democrat landslide. When the dust settled . . . well, we know what happen...
In the words of the immortal Lorde.....
The hounds will stay in chains. You make a good point, Art, so we will let you stay on the Team (see what I did there?). NickO
I’m pretty inescapable, Art, that’s the truth 😀
Hounds of the Baskerdevilles indeed, LOL!
Same thing happened when I was selling Schwinn bicycles, 40+ years ago
People (mostly men) would come in and against my advice, say "I can get a 23" frame for the same price as a 21" frame so I'll get the bigger one" - thinking it looks more impressive (even if the seat is down a bit) and it's more tubing for the money. Now ...
Excellent point
Like veggie offerings at McDonalds. Everyone clamoring for them but no one buying. Best Andreas
The average wrist size seems small
Perhaps an Asian heavy sample? Watch sizes to me are absolutely proportional to the wrist. I prefer 38-40 for dress even though my wrist is 7.25“. Best Andreas
