Considering big face watches? Read this first

big face watches

Do you dislike all large faced watches?

  • I do have some exceptions regarding big watches: flieger watches or, putting in English, pilot watches.
    Flieger watches are inspired of the watches the German bombers wore during WWII.
  • These watches were big. Around 55mm, which was the size of the pocket watch movements they ended up using. Only the most accurate movements were chosen for these watches, as they were often used during recognition missions, or even in attacks where time – as usual – was key. So in the comparison below you’ll also find some German (and non-German) flingers, which despite of the size, I’d be very happy to wear. Having said all this, I’ll put my personal opinion on the side and talk about big watches generally.

Why talk about big watches?

  • Large faced watches are now a trend. A few years ago the average size of wristwatch would be around 30 to 35mm. Nowadays the typical men’s wristwatch is about 40 0 42mm.
  • Then you have the big watches. 50mm, 55mm and even more than 60mm…
    You see celebrities wearing them. You see people on the street wearing them. You even see celebrities sponsoring them. Some do have quality, some are basically the brand they represent.
  • This article will help you choosing a big watch (assuming that’s what you want) by pointing some of the perspectives a big watch (and in most of the cases a smaller one as well) must be looked from.
  • While discussing about big watches some models will be highlighted, as an example of a type, brand or style, but I’m sure you’ll find some other models that can suit the analysis.
  • At the end the decision will always be yours, but at least you’ll add some concrete details to it.

Strap Size and material

  • While a watch may last forever, a strap most likely won’t. That’s because it stretches everytime you move your wrist, it bends every time something gets stuck on your watch, and one day you’ll need to replace it.
  •  You just want to change your watch style and user a different strap type, such as a leather strap instead of a metal one, or even a NATO nylon strap.
  • Some designer watches do use special strap sizes and formats, so you won’t be able to easily replace them.
  • This Nixon ($) uses 25mm straps. While you can still find some diversity of replacement straps, some styles will only be available up to 24mm. You’ll end up with a 1mm gap in case you really want to use one of those straps.

Nixon men’s 51-30 Chronograph

Do you like all the large faced watches?

  • I do have some exceptions regarding big watches: Flieger watches or, putting in English, pilot watches.
    Flieger watches are inspired of the watches the German bombers wore during WWII.
  • These watches were big. Around 55mm, which was the size of the pocket watch movements they ended up using. Only the most accurate movements were chosen for these watches, as they were often used during recognition missions, or even in attacks where time – as usual – was key.
  • So in the comparison below you’ll also find some German (and non-German) fliegers, which despite of the size, I’d be very happy to wear.
  • Having said all this, I’ll put my personal opinion on the side and talk about big watches generally.

Why talk about big watches?

  • Large faced watches are now a trend. A few years ago the average size of wristwatch would be around 30 to 35mm. Nowadays the typical men’s wristwatch is about 40 0 42mm. Then you have the big watches. 50mm, 55mm and even more than 60mm…
  • You see celebrities wearing them. You see people on the street wearing them.
  • You even see celebrities sponsoring them. Some do have quality, some are basically the brand they represent.
  • This article will help you choosing a big watch (assuming that’s what you want) by pointing some of the perspectives a big watch (and in most of the cases a smaller one as well) must be looked from.
  • While discussing about big watches some models will be highlighted, as an example of a type, brand or style, but I’m sure you’ll find some other models that can suit the analysis.

Dial Window material

  • One of the worst enemies of watch lovers are scratches on the watch glass.As the dial grows bigger, the probability of scratching it grows alongside.
  • Some watches are made of mineral glass, which is cheap but prone to scratching, as other watches are made with Sapphire Crystal which is known for its hardness, and resistance to scratches, despite of being more expensive.

Movement

  • As with smaller watches, you’ll be able to find quartz watches – a quartz crystal, fed by a battery – sends a discharge every second that will keep the clock running.
  • And you can also find mechanical or automatic watches. A mechanical watch converts the energy you spend while rewinding it, stores energy on a spring, that will slowly release it, keeping the clock ticking.
  • An automatic watch has the ability to “rewind” itself, as the wrist moves. Mechanical watches are usually more expensive, because movements are much more complex, and sometimes, even handmade.
    While some of these big watches will be using standard movements, some will use bigger movements, that may be harder to tune, maintain and find parts.

 

pads

  • With a 25 jewels mechanical movement and a power reserve that will last up to 10 days, this Panerai use the Caliber P.2003 which is widely used by the brand.
  • It also features a second-time zone, shall you need one.
  • The crystal is obviously sapphire, and it will be waterproof down to 100 meters (who would want to go swimming with such a wonderful watch anyway ?!?!)

Police men’s Hammerhead Rectangular Black

Some amazing capabilities

  • Diver watches can also be big. The reason is that to ensure a watch is waterproof at 200m deep the case must be reinforced. The glass, the metal, the buttons. All need to handle 20 bar of pressure without letting a single drop of water in.
  • Dive watches are big no only considering the dial width, but also its thickness.
  • This 54mm automatic Seiko can go down to 200m (600ft) deep and has a rotating bezel that will allow drivers to control how many oxygens there’s left.

         Seiko Diver SRP653K1

  • This 53mm titanium U-Boat is almost like a piece of art on its own.
  • Simple yet complex, with details everywhere.
  • The bezel rotates in both directions, but it can also be locked to avoid accidents, even when diving down to 300m (1000ft) deep.

U-Boat Men’s 6475

And some not so amazing ones

  • Let’s say you are a very busy person. You work with people from 3 different time zones, and you’re too dumb.. Wait, did I say dumb.., I meant busy. And you’re too busy to perform some simple calculations on those time zones. Then what you’ll need is this 66mm beast from Diesel. I hope you’re brave because it is written on the dial “Only the brave”.

  • Apart from that, the 4 nonstandard batteries (good luck replacing them) will give you 4 different time zones.
  • That’s right, one battery per time zone. Good luck adjusting the daylight savings also. It may take a while.

Context and history

  • Some watches like the Flieger are bigger for historical reasons. They’re just keeping a style that was born 70 years ago.
    That’s there a reason they’re still big today.
  • Despite this 43mm automatic Fortis being created for the sky (fliegers – flyers), it is waterproof down to 200m (660ft). It is not one of the simplest fliegers, as it features a tachymeter, a chronometer and date functions, but it is one of the most versatile ones.
  • Use it as a dress watch and it will suit, use it as a sports watch, and it will be OK as well.