I can't go back. Can you?

[advocatia]

This is an observation, not a knock. I have been wearing Panerai for about 3-4years. First the 88, now the 422. Before that, Rolex only for a long time. Mostly sport models in SS.

Long story short, the Rolex I miss the most and still admire greatly is the GMTIIC in SS. Mine kept crazy accurate time and I think it's the most striking and beautiful piece in the current Rolex SS line-up. A real gem.

I have been wrestling with re-acquiring the GMTIIC. I visited my local AD yesterday, took off my 422 and tried it on. It is still beautiful, the craftsmanship remains world class, the bezel shines and the hint of green is perfect. But, it looked soooo small. I could not believe it. I'm 6' tall with nearly an 8" wrist. I had never before felt that a Rolex looked small on me but this damn thing looked puny. I left the AD feeling kind of down like one who left home never to return.

Again, not a knock nor a commentary on craftsmanship, value, trendiness, etc., and I remain one who loves and respects the Rolex brand. I just don't think I can ever again wear a 40mm watch. Do any of you Panerai owners have similar thoughts? Thanks for the rant.

[c.rod]

It's not just rolex....almost same as you. 8" flat wrist. 6'3" workout nut. So I tend to make watches look small. The only watches I can get myself to wear are the ym2 and DSSD. I will probate buy the dssd one day. As a "smaller" dress type watch in my collection. It is really comfortable because its not very big.

And yes, 40mm looks stupid on an 8" wrist imo

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by c.rod

It's not just rolex....almost same as you. 8" flat wrist. 6'3" workout nut. So I tend to make watches look small. The only watches I can get myself to wear are the ym2 and DSSD. I will probate buy the dssd one day. As a "smaller" dress type watch in my collection. It is really comfortable because its not very big.

And yes, 40mm looks stupid on an 8" wrist imo

I also tried on the DSSD. What a cool watch but IMHO the bracelet is too narrow for the case. This has been mentioned before. Even the salesman agreed.

40mm never felt small until you wear a 44 or 47. Kind of like once you drive in the comfort of a nice SUV, going back to a two door sedan is tough.

[mborkow]

I'm wearing my GMTIIC right now...but it does get significantly less wrist time since I got my PAMs. That being said, there are still some times where the GMT (or any Rolex) feels right; it was on my wrist all yesterday.

[sctp39]

I feel the same way! I bought a GMTIIc in 2006. I wore it almost everyday for 5 years before selling it. My first Pam was a 162. Now I have a 422. There are times I wish I had kept the GMTIIc so whenever I visit a watch store, I try on Rolex sport models but I just don't feel the magic with Rolexes as I did before...

[kilyung]

I love them all. I wore my GMTIIc all day yesterday. The day before was the 372. I always thought I was cursed with small wrists but maybe I'm blessed to be able to wear small to large size watches?

I'm just as happy driving a huge SUV as a small sports car. My next watch is likely the YM2... Just have to decide if it'll be SS or YG.

[Survivor]

DSSD is my daily wearer...........the best!!!!!!

[advocatia]

I wish the gmt2c did look ok to my eye based on my large wrist. I would get it in a heartbeat. The yellow gold green dial is stunning. The dssd is a piece I really admire and might pull off on a thicker leather or rubber strap. Seemed top heavy on the current bracelet.

[Vincent65]

No, I doubt I'll ever buy a Panerai. Rolex make bigger than 40mm too!

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

No, I doubt I'll ever buy a Panerai. Rolex make bigger than 40mm too!

I would like to see Rolex make the sub and gmt in 42. Some say larger is a contemporary blip on the radar but I see it more as an historical trend which will last.

[travisb]

I'm really locked in with Panerai right now, so my Rolex sports models are seeing much less wrist time than normal.
I could never be without them though. Love em too much.
But I can understand where you're coming from.

[TAKUYA]

i think from that problem, you should consider about exp 2 42mm or new SS YM2.....if you wanna go back

[Cru Jones]

For me, there's too much to like with 40mm Rolex sports models to dismiss them because of size. Being able to change things up is a good thing in my book.

But, I'm basing this off of a Luminor 44mm..... Maybe I NEED a 47 to be able to judge?

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by takuya

i think from that problem, you should consider about exp 2 42mm or new SS YM2.....if you wanna go back

The exp2 screams 1982 to me.
The ym2 is vey cool but the function is useless to me and I suspect most.

[kilyung]

Andy, try some other brands. The 45mm Blancpain FiftyFathoms is a great match for a 47mm PAM.

[Travelller]

I understand where you're coming from. I've been wearing 45mm watches for over 18mths now; before that, my 38mm Chronoswiss Tora was my business watch... . Now I have a hard time wearing it, although it's just as beautiful as ever.

On the other hand, I recently bought a Sea Dweller; despite this obvious contrast in size:


The SD looks fine on my wrist and not at all "puny". Granted, I have 6.75", not 8" wrists... . Still, the SD has a beefer case then the Subs, thanks to the HEV. Its "presence" is only amplified when worn with NATO...

[s14roller]

If you have a larger wrist, 40mm will seem to small. Maybe a DSSD would be better for you.

If you want to really step up in quality, maybe venture over to an AP

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Andy, try some other brands. The 45mm Blancpain FiftyFathoms is a great match for a 47mm PAM.

That is actually a watch that I like alot.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by s14roller

If you have a larger wrist, 40mm will seem to small. Maybe a DSSD would be better for you.

If you want to really step up in quality, maybe venture over to an AP

I was actually browsing the AP forum earlier and was very surprised to see reports of many quality control issues which they seem to resolve under warranty. I like the look of the more rugged AP models.

[wisguy]

Try an Explorer II, it wears a little big bigger being 42mm.

If not, the's always the DSSD.

[1st amg]

I may have some insight here. I have been positively bit by the Panerai bug now for a few years. I started with the Panerai 24, then a few months later bought a 88(GMT) and now also have the 359(aka dirty dial). I recently became obsessed with the DSSD as I always wanted to own a Rolex but found it difficult to get used to the "smaller" case sizes. Until recently a good friend of mine who has about 60 watches in his collection worth a few million, shows up with the DSSD and I commented on how big this Rolex is. He mentioned the size of it and instantly began to obsess the "need" for this beast. I tried it n so many times at different AD and was a little hesitant about the bracelets width. I finally bought it after being urged by my wife that I am constantly obsessed with this watch and just buy the damn thing, so I did. I am so happy that I did. It fills the need of wanting a Rolex and being big enough, and the workmanship of this watch is incredible. Coming from a panerai guy like myself, I can say that the DSSD should fill your need. The bracelet became a very very minor issue, plus I will outfit it with a rubber band and leather one as well when I return home from my vacation. But, the wanting never ends as I have a feeling my next purchase will be another panerai, the 292. All black ceramic with PVD. This never ends!!!

[Chainring]

I don't have the problem you guys have. I have 6.5 - 6.75 wrist on a good day. Still, the 40mm Rolex sports watches seem a bit small but I know they are probably just right for me. I've tried on the 88 and loved it but I think I'm going to draw the line at 42mm. Therefore, I think the 392 is the watch for me. Either that or the 338 because I really like those gold hands. Mike, I don't know how you pull off a 47mm. You must have some really flat wrists.

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by c.rod

It's not just rolex....almost same as you. 8" flat wrist. 6'3" workout nut. So I tend to make watches look small. The only watches I can get myself to wear are the ym2 and DSSD. I will probate buy the dssd one day. As a "smaller" dress type watch in my collection. It is really comfortable because its not very big.

And yes, 40mm looks stupid on an 8" wrist imo

meant to say. the only rolex watches i could wear....

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I love them all. I wore my GMTIIc all day yesterday. The day before was the 372. I always thought I was cursed with small wrists but maybe I'm blessed to be able to wear small to large size watches?

I'm just as happy driving a huge SUV as a small sports car. My next watch is likely the YM2... Just have to decide if it'll be SS or YG.

yes. you are much better off. 6.5-7.0 is perfect wrist size. you have basically an unlimited selection of watches.

[c.rod]

the DSSD bracelet is a crappy design aesthetically .. that tiny taper kills it for me. BUT it does feel very, very comfortable every time ive tried it on. compared to a 24mm strap/bracelet etc....

[mfer]

Maybe if I had 8" wrists.

I had the Panerai bug bad...well, still do.

Most of the models I don't have that I love are all 47mm. The only one I'm really comfortable with at that size is the 232. The 372 is close, but still up there on the edge.

There are many other brands out there that make larger watches. AP, Blancpain, IWC are up there. Hell, give up on the Rolex bracelet and rock the DSSD on a nato or iso.

For the record. 6.5" wrist with watches 39mm to 47mm.

[htc8p]

rolex is a classic. i think 8" wrist can still pull off a sports watch nicely. its more comfortable than panerai and less in your face.

you may find it a little too thin.

[advocatia]

The DSSD might be a nice compliment to the 422 and looks great on a strap. I was very shocked to see a msrp of over 11k! Pretty steep but a nice piece.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by htc8p

rolex is a classic. i think 8" wrist can still pull off a sports watch nicely. its more comfortable than panerai and less in your face.

you may find it a little too thin.

What if I like "in your face"?

[psv]

It is all an illusion in your head. Get the GMTIIC and I'm sure you'll grow to love it, and then you'll have the reversed effect in your mind after having worn the GMT for a week and you try to put on the 422.