IWC watches are too big

I understand that there are models for which the big size is an essential part of their DNA - BPs and Portugiesers, for example. I am, however, somewhat disappointed that there are very few models left for those of us who generally prefer watches to be more discreet and of more classical proportions. And for those of us who would prefer to have a reasonably sized IWC watch with an in-house caliber, going vintage seems to be the only solution nowadays.

For what it's worth, I think that as long as there are men that come in different sizes, then there should be different size watches. Some things look good on one man and ridiculous on another...some of us have small wrists, some big. If you don't like big watches, don't wear them.

My IWC YachtClub at 45.4mm diameter is the largest watch in my collection. I have a 6.75" wrist. Is it too big? Me think not.

Others may disagree :D However, one should have enough self confidence when wearing your favorite watch not to be bothered with how others perceived or think about your watch. Wear and buy what you like. As another poster here already mentioned, if you think IWC watches are too big, then just don't buy them.

"If you think they're too big then just don't buy them" seems like a pretty silly response: the whole point of the complaint is the hope that they'd start making them smaller so that you can buy them.

It's no different from a complaint like, "I wish they made x watch in a black dial. Why are they so stuck on silver dials?" Does "If you don't like silver dials, don't buy them," sound like a decent answer to that?

It is one thing to wish for something, like a smaller watch. It is another thing to be "disappointed" with a brand, and stating that a brand is losing its roots, going down to some unsuccessful future. The former is completely OK by me, maybe somebody listens to you, maybe not. The latter is a kind of statement that seems to make the writer overly self important and insightful, while it is very contrary to the visible world, maybe even truth. The disadvantage of being here for some years is that these latter remarks become a bit boring. Then a response like don't buy what you don't like is easily made, and OK by me, certainly if before that remark is explained what the possible truth may be, and the response to that is the lamenting going on, maybe made by people posting about the first time. Then that disappointment becomes a bit dishonnest to me.

Kind regards,
Paul

To IBLAU :

I don't see what is so silly. Different people have different taste. That is precisely why there are so many watch brands out there to cater to different taste and different requirements. You can always buy another brand instead. Do you really think IWC will be swayed to make smaller watches just become of your complaint? So if you don't like it, just don't buy it. Complaining on a forum is pointless. If sufficient people stop buying IWC watches because of the size being too big, surely it will influence them to change their strategy.

I have an issue...

IWC WATCHES ARE SO EXPENSIVE

(especially the ones i want)

=P

What better place to try to sway IWC with your complaints than the official forum hosted on their own site?

Paul,

Fair enough. Especially in regards to the, "by making watches bigger they're losing their roots" kind of complaint, which is definitely adequately answered by pointing out the history of the Portuguese, Portofino, and Big Pilot lines.

That being said, I wish IWC would make some of their watches a bit smaller. On the other hand, I own 3 IWCs as it is, so maybe it's best for my bank account that they don't.

Ian

This issue about big watches pops up every few months, usually by someone posting for the first time.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I get it. You might not like a big watch. But this Forum is about the IWC experience. And right now, based on IWC's own marketing, the bigger watch is still the focus.
Want a smaller watch? There are plenty of Rolex and Pateks out there to choose from, not to mention many IWC vintage pieces.

for those arguing large watches are part of IWC's roots, yeah, they are... when "large" was 40mm.

Ultimately, human wrists are of a certain size. At one point, a watch simply doesn't look good anymore and IWC has reached and crossed that point.

Of course everybody on this forum's opinions to be against mine. But outside the IWC bastion, it's a different story. People's distain for Hublot and Panerai is already rubbing off on IWC.

Look at this: IWC compared to Zenith and losing (by quite a margin) although the answer (dictated by price point) is quite obvious.
forums.watchuseek.com/f381/what-more-high-end-zenith-iwc-832049.html

Lastly, for those wearing 46mm+ watches, are you wearing the watch or is the watch wearing you?

Now for everybody asking "why is this man coming in here and disturbing our wonderful, unanimous peace"? Because a forum with no discussion outside of "I love you, you love me and we all love IWC" isn't really a discussion forum.

There's no need to get all worked up.

We can definitely respect your opinion if you feel that IWC watches are too big. It's just a simple fact that some people can accept larger watches while others like yourself prefer the normal 38-42mm size watches.

I think it's perfectly fine to agree to disagree, wouldn't you think so?

Though I've resisted other brands mentioned here like Hublot or Penerai, I've meet some loyal fans of these brands and they seems to be really nice folks with some really good taste in other things. I wouldn't be so quick to judge.

I don't think one can depend on statistic on other forums. The number of forum members or their opinions surely can't represents the global customers.

If you look at the history of topics in this forum, there's more than just buttering each other up. This is the place I've learnt a great deal in history and technical knowledge about brand from many other senior forum members, that gives a lot more depth in appreciating the product.

Perhaps if you stick around a bit more, you'll probably find out that there's more to talk about here than just size/diameter.

I respect your opinion, but please don't overestimate your impact on the thoughtful men (and women) who participate in this forum. As Vincent pointed out, a little more familiarity with the discussions here might lead you to a more informed opinion.

[QUOTE="salemyang" a forum with no discussion outside of "I love you, you love me and we all love IWC" isn't really a discussion forum. [/QUOTE]

So you have established that you don't love us or IWC. And I am sure that most of us don't love you. But if you took the time to do a little research you'd find that there is a wealth of good, solid information here about IWC.
And while people who gravitate to this Forum will generally be of like minds with respect to the brand, there are certainly differences of opinion.
For example, Clepsydra and I rarely agree on anything and he has been highly critical of many IWC trends and decisions. Look a little deeper and you will find many examples of disagreement between active Forum members.
I do like this Forum, hope others will like me, and most of us like IWC even when we disagree with the powers to be.

To Salemyang, I don't like watches that are too large myself, but that doesn't make the people who feel otherwise wrong. To express a personal opinion and lament about new IWCs being too large for you and you alone is fine, but repeatedly insisting it's too big for everyone? That's bigotry mate.

You're entitled to an opinion, but so's everybody else.

Dear Salemyang,

At the risk of repeating what other people have said, permit me to say that different opinions,respectfully stated, are welcome here. Troll-like accusations are not.

If you searched our archives, you'd see lots of divergent opinions on many topics, including size.

When you talk about 40mm being IWC's DNA, you are, with respect, ill-informed. The original Portuguese was 42mm, the 1982 originsl Portofino was 46mm, and the original Big Pilot's Watch was 55mm.

When you talk about other brands,you are --again with respect-- making hasty generalizations without actual numbers. These other brands sell a small percentage of IWC. IWC's growth, double digit each year, is possibly the largest in the Richemont group and also in the high-end industry. And that increase has occurred as size continues or increases.

Personally, I like classic watches and 38 to 42mm are sweet spots for me. But IWC makes over 60 basic models and I only will buy one or perhaps two each year. To me the other 58 or whatever watches are nice but I don't need to generalize about them, nor to insult other people's tastes.

Thank you also for your opinion on the forum. We've run it successfully for a dozen years.

Wow, this is so quickly moving away from IWCs are big to we should all stay away from IWCs. This is my 45mm Portofino on the right wrist, standing to the left, from the tweeter feed of another attendee at a recent IWC event. Do you think the watch is wearing me?

Take care,
Ray

I don't think the watch is wearing you, but I think a smaller watch would look better.