It’s well known that the current trend for watch brands is to downsize to more compact dimensions, often 40mm or smaller. This shift is a natural part of the industry’s evolution, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen it. However, the push towards smaller sizes seems stronger this time. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, watch sizes boomed to 43mm and above, sometimes well above.
Despite this trend towards smaller watches, some models need a large case to function and look their best. So, these are our recommendations for a large timepiece.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph
Case size: 43 mm
The Royal Oak Offshore has always been a large, hefty watch in Audemars Piguet’s collection. It’s big, bold, and minimalist, yet brilliant. The colours of the rubber-coated bezel match the gradient tones of the dial perfectly, drawing you in with its simple “AP” logo, Méga Tapisserie pattern, and large date window. At 43mm, it’s not enormous, but it’s a substantial presence on any wrist. This watch also highlights that the Royal Oak remains an icon in the industry.
Case size: 43 mm
The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 is a faithful interpretation of this original design without any additional elements on the dial, and in a 43-millimetre stainless steel case that combines an amazing presence on the wrist with maximum wearing comfort. This model features a black dial, rhodium-plated hands and a brown calfskin strap. Visible through the sapphire glass case back is the IWC-manufactured 82100 calibre. The Pellaton winding system has been reinforced with ceramic components and has built up a power reserve of 60 hours.
Case size: 43 mm
Hublot is known for its big, bold designs and often uses a polarising mix of colours, materials, and mechanics. While we could have chosen the 42mm Big Bang Unico, the brand’s striking chronograph, the Big Bang MP-11 stands out as something entirely different. At 45mm wide and 14.4mm thick, it’s a substantial watch. This size is necessary to house the seven serially coupled, vertically stacked barrels, providing a massive 14-day power reserve.
Case size: 44
The high-frequency El Primero 21 1/100th chronograph is an impressive timepiece housed in a robust 44mm titanium DEFY case, paired with a sophisticated blue alligator leather strap lined with rubber for added elegance and durability. Its standout feature is the blue automatic movement, showcasing Zenith’s cutting-edge engineering with two independent high-frequency escapements: one beating at 50Hz for the chronograph function, allowing 1/100th of a second precision, and the other at 5Hz for accurate timekeeping. This combination of high-frequency technology and intricate design elements makes the El Primero 21 1/100th chronograph a remarkable fusion of style and performance, perfect for those who appreciate precision and innovation in their wristwatches.
Those big-size watches offer exceptional style, functionality, and presence. So, if you’re in the market for a watch that makes a bold statement, consider these recommendations that you can find only at The Time Place boutique.
