Size is the prize: 3 seriously big watches
James RobinsonWhile there are many watch enthusiasts out there who consider timepieces with a case size of between 36mm and 40mm to be sitting in the “Goldilocks” zone, there are watches in existence that most certainly do not conform to this notion.
These timepieces are made for enthusiasts who want something that has genuine presence on the wrist, something that may well struggle to fit under the cuff of a shirt but can be seen and noticed from a great distance.
We appreciate that sometimes a great wrist flex is all about the mass, so here are three watches that can best be described as “Large and in charge”:
Panerai Submersible Carbotech
The Panerai Submersible Carbotech is a gargantuan timepiece, with its case measuring in at a whopping 47mm. This is a substantial watch, no doubt about it, but thanks to its case construction being made from mostly carbon fibre, it’s actually a lot lighter than you may think. There’s nothing light about the price though, as the Submersible Carbotech will set you back $25,100 AUD.
IWC Big Pilot “Right-Hander”
It may well be the quintessential “Big” watch on the market, with a case size of 46.2mm, but IWC’s Big Pilot is also one of the Swiss marque’s most iconic timepieces. This particular example, the limited edition “Right-Hander” sees the fabled watch’s crown swapped from its traditional left-hand side to, as the name would suggest, its right-hand side. In doing so, IWC has given the Big Pilot a unique new aesthetic and also made the watch a lot more comfortable to wear, as there’s now no risk of the sizeable crown digging into the owner’s wrist. Like the Panerai, the Big Pilot commands a big price: $21,200 AUD.
Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M
Arguably the watch that carries with it the most on-wrist presence in this list, Omega’s Seamaster Ploprof is a bit of a leviathan, with a case size measuring 55 x 48mm. For those not familiar with the Ploprof, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the timepiece’s design is very contemporary. However, the Ploprof was actually first released in 1970, and designed as such so it could withstand the pressures of being submerged 600 metres below the sea. And while it probably garners the most attention on the wrist, the Ploprof commands the smallest price in this list, with a recommended retail price of $11,750 AUD.