The Bigger, The Better?

Hello IWC Forum! This is my first post so I'll give myself a little introduction.

My name is Tarek and I have slowly been building a small collection of watches. I began with a TAG F1 Chrono, which I bought with the first pay-check I received after paying off my student loans. I followed that up with a design classic, the Henning Koppel 1317 Chrono in gold (Not automatic or by a watchmaker, but I am a big fan of Koppel and got a huge discount on it. Bought for the design rather than the movement - think what you will).

I am by no means an expert on watches and am slowly learning more and more everyday. I'm hoping this forum will help me learn even more!

For the last year I have been lusting over various IWC watches. Last week I finally took the plunge and bought the first model that led me to the brand - The IWC Pilot Mark XVI with steel strap. It was a long, hard decision, which almost went the way of the 5001, but at 28 years old I felt the XVI was the perfect fit.

In the process of buying the Mark XVI I regularly tried on the newer Mark XVII, as well as other watches in the Pilot collection such as the Big Pilot. It got me thinking about something that regularly comes to mind when I try to buy a watch - when did bigger become better? I'm talking about the case diameter, of course. The reason I picked the XVI is because I liked the smaller size and it reminded me of the smaller watches from the past.

So I'm wondering - is this a trend that has been happening for a while in the industry or is it a more recent development which is perhaps a passing fashion? It's noticeable especially when you compare current models to models from 20+ years ago (e.g. Rolex). Maybe it's because I have a small wrist but I sometimes find it hard to find a face that rests well and looks good.

Warm welcome to the Forum Tarek.
Nice topic you raise here. Until only recently I thought it was the Portuguese 2000 and the Big Pilot model watches that brought the current increased cases trend. But recently MF pointed out that it was another watch the Portuguese Jubilee responsible for this.
Anyway when it comes to military use or driven watches it is all about legibility so the bigger the better.
I am not in favor of the very big watch cases myself.
I would say that 42-44mm is the optimal size for, but this very subjective since I remember a very nice looking lady wearing a BP that did not look strange or vulgar, I have only noticed because that is what I do first when I meet people.
Again it is very subjective but I prefer big watches sitting on big wrists.

Tafel, welcome to the forum. I think THE XVI is a great watch, though I like my XV's better ;)

Supersizing watches is a trend that has been going on since the 1990's. Although some companies are downsizing, it's still diificult to find nice new models @ max. 40 mm. So, I stick to older models.

The MoD thought 36 mm was enough for the Mark XII :D

[/QUOTE]The MoD thought 36 mm was enough for the Mark XII :D[/QUOTE]

Agreed, but in a still pocket watch ruling world back then it would be like comparing ipads to iphones today Bas ;)))

I'm still trying to figure out how to do a mental reset on the size issue. Having the ME as the daily wear now and switching out every other day for the 5004 it makes even my 44s seem small. It seriously takes a few days to get back to appreciating that 44 is still a large watch.

Mmmmm, I should have written XI :(

But, even the IX and X before the Mark XI had a similar size, like the iPhone 1, 2, 3 and 4.

I don't think I would buy a iPad-size iPhone :)

I Disagree I think big is better. For me they look better.
BUT!!!!!!!!!!!
My IWC Aquatimer is just about right I love this watch but i have got to say that I continually catch it on thing when I walking past.
A couple of scratches have now occurred on the bezel on the steel notches.
Any idea what the cost would be to get these out?

Hi Tarek, welcome and congrats on the Mk Pilot!!!!!!!!! Please post the compulsory admission photos as soon as possible, LOL!!!!!!

Size???? Well, that's like a moving target these days, bigger, then smaller, then bigger, then smaller again!

I sold my White dialed Mk XV because I felt that it got too small once I started wearing 44m (PLUS a grown-guard, LOL!).

I feel very comfortable now wearing 42-47mm (actually wearing 47mm as I type).

There are a few 40mm models that I love but I am very concerned about the size and I am not yet convinced to pull the trigger, especially for a high-value watch.

38-39 classical size watches abound these days and will not/should not disappear.

Here are a few examples (IWC of course, as other brands are not welcome for posting):

39mm

42mm

42.3mm

46mm

Nad, do you mind if I ask the size of your wrist?

Measured it many time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seven (7") inches!!!!

Welcome to the forum Tarek and congratulations on your IWC Mark XVI. I have mine in a "Sons" leather strap which I love very much. It is one of ,y most comfy watches to wear.

Somewhere in the archives if memory serves me correctly a forum member made a graphical representation of the case diameter of the IWC watches in the annual catalogue versus year.

Welcome. Once I went big, I found that less than 40 mm was too small. I prefer 42-46 mm sizes.

big cars, big statement... big watches, big statements.

I agree with Ma Elko / Mae that it needs but one 'large' watch for one to get used to bigger sized watches, but my personal opinion is - regardless of size - you have to love it. I find watches of different sizes fit different moods of mine and situations - so the focus here is on my own subjective feel, interpretation and emotion. It concerns me very little how other people feel about what I am wearing.

Wow - So many replies! I was only expecting a couple. Thank you all for the warm welcome to the forum.

It very much is a case of what looks good on you - big watches for big wrists, as Argiris said. I happen to have a small wrist so I think that's why I notice the large cases all the time. A salesman once told me that a watch is only too big if the case extends beyond the sides of the wrist. I think he made that up but it has worked for me so far as a point of reference.

Vahalis - I've never been able to see a XV in the flesh, or any of the older models. I wish I had a local watch store that carried older models and vintage watches. ;)

Argiris - I remember seeing an old IWC Pilot in the Pilot guide I got from the IWC store that had a diameter in the high 40's. I'll verify when I get home.

Thoma SA8 - I love the look of the XVI on the black strap but really needed a watch with a metal strap as I already had rubber and leather. I think I may switch my XVI to the black leather in the future depending on what I buy next. Either that or go for the father/son pilots when i finally become a dad. :)

Martin Amethurst - I have my eye on the Aquatimer from the vintage collection. I hope I can find one.

Nad - What a great collection! I'll update my profile photo asap.

Hello,

I wanna buy a entry level IWC watch, budget is within US$5,000. Any recommendation?

Thank you.

My Pilot Chrono 3706 is 39 mm, so could be a consideration for smaller wrists.

Gigantism, in Nature has always ended in extinction, e.g. the dinosaurs. The rule also seems to apply to what today passes as design. "The bigger is better" concept seems to be an inevitable phase both in Nature and in fashion, until it crashes on its own weight.
Elegant proportionality should be the rule.

Greetings and welcome to the Forum. My personal suggestion is to view the "Families" and their respective models in the "Collection" located above in the black bar options. Posted pricing is M.S.R.P. and this will help you to narrow your search accordingly.

Please let us know if you have any questions about a specific model. Your AD/Boutique will also be happy to assist you in choosing your first, but not last, IWC.

Have fun deciding,

Andy