Don't Trust Your Eyes When It Comes to Watch Close-Ups

 

I love a lot of Citizen Divers that have 49mm cases and the close-ups make them look fantastic, but when I go to the watch stores and see them they play small in a disappointming way. Beware of "open the box shock" when you think you're getting a "big" watch.

The Altichron shown above from A Blog to Watch is no doubt a great watch but when I see it at the watch store I am underwhelmed.

I love the online photos of the BJ2128 and BJ2135 but having never seen them in person I am skeptical of how big they'd play in person.

Another infamous case: I sold my Seiko gunmetal SNAB69 FlightMaster, which looks a lot bigger in photos than in person (see below).

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Comments

[jonnybardo]

Did you ever get a chance to see a Citizen "Courageous" in the metal? Mine fits me perfectly - it really may be the ideal size for me (43mm), but I have a feeling that you'd find it too small, although the case does flare out a bit from the bezel.

Jeff, you like a large watch - 44mm and up. I think you should really look into micro-divers because they specialize in the big and toolish. For instance, maybe its time to look at Boschett again? Or Helson?

[herculodge]

My guess, having never seen a Courageous in person, is that it plays bigger than 43, more like 44 or 45, and I'd like it.

I like micros but my Tuna with the SEII has a micro vibe that sates me.

[Angelo]

Interesting----I've been intriqued by vintage dress watches lately. I remember liking Wittnauer models back in the 80s and 90s----when I was just out of college and couldn't afford a really nice watch, or even a mid-level watch like a Wittnauer. I've been looking for some of them on E-Bay recently. Anyway, a lot of new Wittnauer watches are still available on Amazon and other online marketers---but when I tried to find a homepage for Wittnauer, the link didn't work. They are owned by Bulova and when I looked on Bulova's homeage, Wittnauer was not listed as one of their brands. I'm wondering if they sent the Wittnauer name into retirement? That would be a pity, because there is a rich history there.