A Bigger MKII?

[Peter Atwood]

Bill,

I've always loved your stuff and own about 5 pieces with a custom LRRP on preorder. You do some of the best military homage watches out there IMO.

That said, will you ever consider a 44mm case and C3 lume on any of your projects? Would love to see a classic field watch design done with a domed crystal, railroad track dial, arabics and at least the major indices lumed. I would go with the classic round dots on the 5 minute indices...

I know the white appearing C1 lume shows up starkly against the black dial during daylight but the emission duration is not up to par with the latest lume technology. And the bigger size case "trend" is hardly a fad at this point but rather I think it is definitely here to stay.

So, what do you say? Is it a possibility for the future?

[SeikoSickness]

I second Peter's suggestion. While my Stingray 50 is an excellent watch and I enjoy it, I'd prefer something larger. While Project Kingston is an excellent idea and looks to have drawn a lot of attention in a very short period of time, at 39 mm I don't think I'd ever wear it. That's why I'm going to hold off on buying one as there are plenty of other watches on my list.

So, please consider something in the 44-45 mm range.

[MLC]

Yes! Please consider.

[narwhal]

Bill,

I've always loved your stuff and own about 5 pieces with a custom LRRP on preorder. You do some of the best military homage watches out there IMO.

That said, will you ever consider a 44mm case and C3 lume on any of your projects? Would love to see a classic field watch design done with a domed crystal, railroad track dial, arabics and at least the major indices lumed. I would go with the classic round dots on the 5 minute indices...

I know the white appearing C1 lume shows up starkly against the black dial during daylight but the emission duration is not up to par with the latest lume technology. And the bigger size case "trend" is hardly a fad at this point but rather I think it is definitely here to stay.

So, what do you say? Is it a possibility for the future?

I like the idea Peter, the problem is dimensions. I've always wanted a larger Omega 53 but in order to get the same look with a larger case, the lug length becomes unworkable. So, once you shorten the lugs for a 44mm watch, you are no longer looking at a field watch, but something like a flieger - then, once you add the railroad tracks the whole thing looks wrong. If Bill could make it work, then great, but i don't think it would be in a military homage form.

[colinman.77]

I am on the opposite side of the big watch argument. There a many companies watches that I love the design of but will never wear because they are way too big. Zinex and Ocean7 are the two that spring to mind. I am glad there is at least one watchmaker making cool designs in sizes that don't look ridiculous on my wrist. Way to go Bill!

[caesarmascetti]

+1

[Dr. Robert]

Right now, IMO, there are more "cool" sport watches that are "big", 44mm and up...than there are "cool" sport watches that are 42mm and under....we w/ wrists 7' and under have less choices.

[narwhal]

I guess I am confused as to why people are talking about dive watches. Peter was specifically talking about a "classic field watch design" in 44mm. I can name a few of those 39mm and under but not in the larger sizes. In addition, I don't think Peter was saying please make everything 44mm and up, thereby precluding smaller watches, but was pointing out a hole in the MKII line and asking if it could be filled.

[JDS (Ohio)]

I guess I am confused as to why people are talking about dive watches. Peter was specifically talking about a "classic field watch design" in 44mm. I can name a few of those 39mm and under but not in the larger sizes. In addition, I don't think Peter was saying please make everything 44mm and up, thereby precluding smaller watches, but was pointing out a hole in the MKII line and asking if it could be filled.

I don't know that it is a "hole" exactly, but understand his point. However, I think a lot of the Mark II customer base are folks that appreciate a 40-42mm diver case, or a 38-40mm non bezel design, and would hate for Bill to leave his niche (guilty as charged). There are after all, a plethora of boutique brands building everything in 45mm and over. Unfortunately for some like me, 45mm and over looks unbalanced on our wrists.

That said, it's Bill's company and he makes those decisions. If he were to make a 44mm field watch, I don't think it would necessarily have to signal a move away from the market segment he's serving now. I personally would not buy it, but what the heck - I'm buying too much the way it is now, no great catastrophe.

[narwhal]

I don't know that it is a "hole" exactly, but understand his point. However, I think a lot of the Mark II customer base are folks that appreciate a 40-42mm diver case, or a 38-40mm non bezel design, and would hate for Bill to leave his niche (guilty as charged). There are after all, a plethora of boutique brands building everything in 45mm and over. Unfortunately for some like me, 45mm and over looks unbalanced on our wrists.

That said, it's Bill's company and he makes those decisions. If he were to make a 44mm field watch, I don't think it would necessarily have to signal a move away from the market segment he's serving now. I personally would not buy it, but what the heck - I'm buying too much the way it is now, no great catastrophe.

1/2 of Bill's dive watches are OVER 43mm. (my personal preference is in this 42-44mm range) Still would looooooove to see an example of all of these 44mm+ field watches....