I have no problem with the 44 mm Panerai. I had some of them. All the Pre V ( included all the 42 mm Mare Nostrum ) and loved them. Especially the 201/A and 202/A. [nt]
47mm was not as prevalent when my watch world involved Panerai, only the 127, 217 (203 perhaps). And then the 232 came along. At that time 99% of what one saw, and what other collectors / enthusiasts wore was 44mm. For the same reason the newer 42mm just ...