After World War I, when men’s watches became popular among civilians, these watches were very small by current standards. Even by the middle of the 20th century, men’s watches were typically between 34mm and 36mm in size, while sport and tool watches were slightly larger, with cases typically around 38mm to 40mm. The trend for larger men’s watches really began around the 1990s, and the oversized watch style really took off in the early 21st century, when watches larger than 45mm became more frequent.
Rolex has always been very conservative when it comes to case sizes. For most of the brand’s history, Rolex men’s watches have ranged in size from 34mm to 40mm. However, in 2007, Rolex introduced its first model larger than 40mm in the form of the Yacht-Master II. Since then, we have seen a large number of Rolex large dial watches join the lineup, with several collections even replacing the traditional 40mm case size with a new generation of larger reference watches. If you like large men’s watches, then here’s a roundup of our favorite Rolex large dial watches and other large watches from a variety of top luxury brands.
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Reference 116660
DEEPSEA 116660 Main features：
- Deep Sea Ref. 116660 “James Cameron”
- Functions: central hour, minute and second hands, quick-set date window
- 44 mm stainless steel case
- Black Cerachrom unidirectional bezel, 0-60 minutes
- Helium drain valve
- D-Blue dial (blue to black gradient) with Chromalight lume
- Sapphire crystal
- Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
- Calibre 3135 self-winding movement
- Water resistance: 3,900 meters (12,800 feet)
Launched in 2008, the Rolex Deepsea is an extreme version of the Sea-Dweller saturation dive watch. Aptly named Deepsea, the watch boasts a hefty 44mm case that can dive to a depth of 12,800 feet thanks to its patented Ringlock system, which includes a nitrogen-alloyed steel center ring, a 5mm-thick arched sapphire crystal, and a two-piece titanium center caseback.
With the debut of the Deepsea ref. 116660, Rolex added another variant to the collection, featuring the same reference number but with a very special dial. the D-Blue dial features a blue to black gradient and the name “Deepsea” is written in neon green letters and is a tribute by Rolex to James Cameron’s historic solo dive into the Marianas Trench to the deepest depths of the sea. This special edition is therefore known as the Rolex Deepsea “James Cameron” watch.
Rolex Yacht-Master II & Yacht-Master 42
YACHT-MASTER II 116689 KEY FEATURES:
- Yacht-Master II ref. 116689
- Functions: central hour and minute hands, small seconds counter, programmable countdown with mechanical memory and instantaneous synchronization, Ring Command bezel
- 44 mm case in 18K white gold
- Bezel in platinum
- White dial with Chromalight luminescence
- Sapphire crystal
- Oyster bracelet in 18k white gold
- Calibre 4161 self-winding movement
- Water resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
When Rolex launched the Yacht-Master II in 2007, it was the largest watch ever made by the company in a 44 mm case.The Yacht-Master II is much more complex than the original Rolex Yacht-Master and was developed for professional yacht racers. Not only does this watch have a programmable countdown timer (0 to 10 minutes), but this countdown timer has a mechanical memory function and can be synchronized fully dynamically forward or backward.
Like many Rolex sports watches, the Yacht-Master II is available in a range of metals, with the Ref. 116689 combining an 18-carat white gold case and strap with a platinum bezel. It is worth noting that this particular watch has two different dial executions depending on the year of production. Earlier models include blue stick hands and square hour markers, while models produced after 2017 have white gold Mercedes-style hands and square hour markers with a triangle at 12 o’clock and a rectangle at 6 o’clock.
ROLEX YACHT-MASTER 42
YACHT-MASTER 42 226659 KEY FEATURES:
- Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226659
- Functions: central hour, minute and second hands, quick-set date window
- 42 mm 18k white gold case
- Black Cerachrom ceramic bidirectional bezel, 0-60 minutes
- Black dial with Chromalight luminescence
- Sapphire crystal with Cyclops date magnifier
- Black rubber Oysterflex bracelet
- Calibre 3235 self-winding movement
- Water resistant: 100 meters (330 feet)
Rolex released the original Yacht-Master in the early 1990s, and the line quickly grew to become the brand’s most diverse line of sports watches, with a large selection of sizes and materials to choose from. While the 40mm has been the largest Yacht-Master size for nearly 30 years, in 2019 Rolex has added an even larger option to the collection with the Yacht-Master 42 in a 42mm case, 226659.
Currently available in 18k white gold only, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is the first and only white gold Yacht-Master ever made (excluding the Yacht-Master II watch). In addition, the ultra-luxurious white gold case with its black dial, matte black Cerachrom bezel and black rubber Oysterflex bracelet brings a thoroughly modern take on the classic luxury sports watch.
Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 126600
SEA-DWELLER 126600 KEY FEATURES:
- Sea make reference. 126600
- Functions: central hour, minute and second hands, quick-set date window
- 43 mm stainless steel case
- Black Cerachrom ceramic unidirectional bezel, 0-60 minutes
- Helium drain valve
- Black dial with Chromalight luminescence
- Sapphire crystal with Cyclops date magnifier
- Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
- Calibre 3235 self-winding movement
- Water resistance: 1,220 meters (4,000 feet)
Of all the watches Rolex has added in recent years, the Sea-Dweller has been the fastest growing. The Rolex Sea-Dweller debuted in 1967 and evolved from the Submariner dive watch, but it offered additional features for saturation divers, such as a helium drain valve and deeper water resistance. As a result, the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner used the same 40 mm case size for five years.
However, in 2017, Rolex introduced the revamped Sea-Dweller ref. 126600 in a larger 43mm case. In addition to the enlarged size, new features on the stainless steel Sea-Dweller 126600 “50th Anniversary” model include the inclusion of a Cyclops lens above the date window, the “SEA-DWELLER” name displayed in red text on the dial, and a new generation of the 3235 movement offering Rolex’s Chronergy escapement and a longer 70-hour power reserve .
Rolex Sky-Dweller Reference 326938
SKY-DWELLER 326938 KEY FEATURES:
- Sky-Dweller Ref. 326938
- Functions: central hour, minute and second hands, second time zone via 24-hour display, quick-set date window, month window, annual calendar, Ring Command bezel
- 42 mm case in 18k yellow gold
- Fluted yellow gold bezel
- Various dial colors with Chromalight lume
- Sapphire crystal with Cyclops date magnifier
- Yellow gold Oyster bracelet
- Self-winding caliber 9001
- Water resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
The Sky-Dweller is not only one of Rolex’s largest non-sports models, but it is also the company’s newest collection and most complicated watch. First released in 2012, the Rolex Sky-Dweller features two time zones, a date indicator and a month indicator. In addition, the Sky-Dweller is also an annual calendar that can be adjusted to the different days of each month and is manually adjusted only once a year on March 1st. Finally, the Sky-Dweller’s fluted ring command bezel is not only decorative, but by turning it, the wearer can navigate through the different functions for easy setting and adjustment.
While the Rolex Sky-Dweller is a diverse collection, the most iconic and luxurious option is undoubtedly the all yellow gold version. the Sky-Dweller ref. 326938’s matching 18k yellow gold 42mm case, fluted bezel and triple link Oyster bracelet make it a strikingly large face Rolex watch on the wrist, while its advanced in-house caliber 9001 movement offers unparalleled functionality.
Rolex Explorer II Reference 216570
EXPLORER II 216570 KEY FEATURES:
- Explorer II Ref. 216570
- Functions: central hour, minute and second hands, second time zone indicated by a separate 24-hour hand pointing to the 24-hour marker bezel, quick-set date window
- 42 mm stainless steel case
- Fixed steel bezel, 24-hour system
- Black or white dial with Chromalight luminescence
- Sapphire crystal with Cyclops date magnifier
- Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
- Calibre 3187 self-winding movement
- Water resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
Rolex released the Explorer II ref. 216570 in 2011 to celebrate the model’s 40th anniversary. Compared to its predecessor, the then-new Explorer II 216570 offered a number of design updates, including a larger 42mm case, replacing the previous 40mm size, and a new internal 3187 movement.
To complement the larger case profile, Rolex also offered larger 24-hour fixed bezel numerals, wider hands and larger hour markers for the 216570 model. In addition, the dial of the Explorer II “40th Anniversary” model (available in black and “polar” white) reprises the orange 24-hour hand of the first model, the 1655, from 1971. After a decade of production, Rolex discontinued the Explorer II ref.216570 in 2021 to make way for the new Explorer II ref.226570, which offers most of the same overall aesthetics but with some minor updates and a new generation of movements.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M XXL Small Seconds
AQUA TERRA 150M XXL KEY FEATURES:
- Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M XXL Ref. 231.13.49.10.06.001
- Functions: Central hour and minute hands, small seconds subdial
- 49.2 mm stainless steel case
- Sleek steel bezel
- Grey “Teak Concept” striped dial
- Sapphire crystal on dial side and caseback
- Black leather strap
- Calibre 2211 hand-wound movement
- Water resistance: 150 meters (500 feet)
The Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M XXL features a massive 49.2 mm stainless steel case. 231.13.49.10.06.001 is one of the largest OMEGA watches ever made. Like many Aqua Terra watches, this reference has a sleek fixed bezel and a striped “teak concept” dial to mimic the deck of a luxury ship.
The striking gray dial of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M XXL Small Seconds features a small seconds hand at 6 o’clock and a “wide arrow” handset in the center. Powering this large-dial OMEGA watch is the hand-wound Calibre 2211 chronometer movement, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Panerai Luminor PAM00557
PANERAI PAM00557 KEY FEATURES:
- Panerai Luminor Lefty PAM00557
- Functions: Central hour and minute hands
- 47 mm stainless steel cushioned case with lever-operated crown protection bridge
- Polished steel bezel
- Black dial with luminous oversized Arabic numerals and stick hour markers
- Sapphire crystal on dial side and caseback
- Leather strap
- Calibre P.3000 hand-wound movement
- Water resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
If there was one high-end watch brand that led the way in oversized watches in the 1990s and beyond, it was Panerai. While Panerai became part of pop culture thanks to celebrities like Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the company has been making oversized, water-resistant watches for the Italian Navy since the 1930s.
With their large cushion-shaped cases and sharp dials with large Arabic numerals, Panerai watches are recognizable from a mile away. The brand’s flagship model is the Luminor, which features a unique crown protection that protrudes from the side of the case. While most Luminor watches have the crown and protective bridges on the right side, some models, like this 47mm Panerai Luminor PAM00557, are on the left. The stainless steel case houses the hand-wound Calibre P.3000 movement, which has a three-day power reserve.
Breitling Super Avenger Reference A1337011/A660
SUPER AVENGER A1337011 KEY FEATURES:
- Super Avenger A1337011/A660
- Functions: central hour and minute hands, central chronograph hand, three subdials (chronograph dial and running seconds), date window
- 48 mm stainless steel case
- Steel unidirectional rotating bezel, 0-60 minutes
- White dial, luminous hands
- Sapphire crystal
- Steel Professional bracelet
- Calibre 13 self-winding movement
- Water resistance: 300 meters (1,000 feet)
Another watch brand known for its wide range of large men’s watches, especially chronographs, is Breitling. A particularly important product is the Super Avenger ref. A1337011 comes with a massive 48 mm stainless steel case that is much more worn thanks to the large chronograph pushers and crown located on the right side of the case.
Breitling Super Avenger ref. A1337011/A660 features a crisp white dial with three subdials at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock. Sporadic red accents on the dial emphasize the chronograph’s sporty style, while the watch is powered by the reliable Calibre 13 self-winding movement. Completing this steel behemoth is its matching Breitling Professional triple bracelet.
Tudor Black Bay Bronze
BLACK BAY BRONZE 79250BM KEY FEATURES:
- Biwan Bronze 79250BM
- Functions: Central hour, minute and second hands
- 43 mm bronze case
- Brown aluminum unidirectional bezel
- Brown dial with luminous snowflake hands and hour markers
- Sapphire crystal
- Movement MT5601 automatic movement
- Water resistance: 200 meters (660 feet)
The Black Bay has been TUDOR’s flagship collection since the brand’s relaunch in the U.S. market in 2013. The Black Bay collection draws inspiration from Tudor’s vintage dive watch archives, featuring features such as the old “snowflake hands” and the domed crystal above the dial. However, these watches are definitely tailored to modern tastes with (mostly) in-house movements, large cases and a wide choice of materials and bracelets/bands.
The largest Tudor Bronze watch is the Black Bay Bronze Reference, launched in 2016. 79250BM comes with a 43 mm case. The case of the Black Bay Bronze Reference 79250BM is made of a special bronze/aluminum alloy with a brushed finish that will eventually take on a distinctive luster, shifting from gold to a deeper, sometimes greenish hue. Complementing the case material is a brown aluminum bezel and a brown dial that, unlike other previous BB models, features Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9. Black Bay Bronze 79250BM has been replaced by a bronze reference since Tudor only produced it for three years. 2019 is 79250BA.
Whether it’s Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Panerai, Oris, or any other big name men’s watch, there are all kinds of options. Calling big name men’s watches a trend is misleading, because they are certainly here to stay. As we’ve seen, oversized watches will always have a fan base – even Rolex explicitly supports wider case sizes. Not only do larger watches fit larger wrists, but they are perfect for wearers who simply prefer a large, striking watch silhouette.