James Robinson
One of the biggest trends for timepieces of the last decade has been oversized case dimensions that stretch well into the 45mm plus category. And while the inclination for producing gargantuan wristwatches is starting to cool as tastes in the horological community change, this year has still spawned some absolute doozies for those that like a wristwatch that can be seen from the next postcode. Here are our three favourite biggest watches of 2019:PANERAI SUBMERSIBLE MARINA MILITARE CARBOTECHWhile Panerai watches have been long-held favourites of the diving community for their no-nonsense approach to robustness and legibility, the enormous housings in which the brand's attractive calibres reside provide the perfect playground for mad material scientists to experiment. The relative simplicity of Panerai's signature look makes it ripe for reimagining. The Carbotech model is fascinating to look at, but even more interesting to wear given its hefty proportions, but surprising lightness.Ref No: PAM00979 / Case size: 47mm / Case material: Carbotech / Movement: P.9010 / Price: $27,200FRANCK MULLER SKAFANDER CHRONOGRAPH 2019The Skafander, Romanian for diving suit, is Franck Muller's interpretation of a dive watch, and it bears all of the brand's hallmarks: a hefty, modular case with bold dive markings and contrasting pusher colours as well as contrasting sub-dials in the atrium-like case. The sharks will see you coming, that's for sure.Ref No: SSKF 46 DV CC DT / Case size: 46mm / Case material: Titanium / Movement: FM 2800-SK-CC / Price: $38,400OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN CHRONOGRAPHIn the absence of red, orange is an excellent substitute for any serious sports watch. And when it is applied as liberally and with as much confidence as it is on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 45.5mm it can be incredibly striking indeed. Although this model is also available on the classic Planet Ocean bracelet, it really pops on the striped NATO that picks out the orange, grey and white used to great effect in the design.Ref No: 215.32.46.51.99.001 / Case size: 45.5mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: 9900 / Price: $10,950
24.12.19