For years, consumer trends have favored larger men’s watches; however, in recent years, the trend toward larger and larger case sizes has begun to slow down. Even those brands that have actually increased their case diameters have done so by scaling back while making the overall package more refined. 2020 saw replica Rolex increase the case size of the Submariner from 40mm to 41mm and the largest Oyster Perpetual model from 39mm to 41mm, but it also scaled back the lugs on both collections, which means that the actual wearing experience represents far less of a size increase than the dimensions would suggest.
Even luxury brands, historically known for producing large and oversized watches, are beginning to offer more modestly proportioned models in their catalogs. Part of this is to cater to the growing number of female watch collectors, but many men are also beginning to show interest in watches with more classic case sizes. Breitling and Panerai are both known for their large, bold watches, but both brands are offering more refined models with cases that are exactly the right diameter for standard proportions. The Panerai Luminor Due is very much a Luminor in its overall aesthetic, but with a 42mm case diameter and thinner profile, it can easily be seen as a more compact and decent expression of Panerai’s classic design language.
It is definitely not a coincidence that the most expensive watches in the world are vintage models. For modern watches, no matter how unique they are, there is always the possibility that more watches will be made at some point. However, vintage watches possess a history that can only be acquired with the passing of the years, and a timepiece must survive in the world for decades to truly acquire that special and intangible quality of a true vintage watch.
Individual watch owners, truly freshly listed vintage replica watches are becoming harder and harder to find and they remain one of the top targets for many collectors. Each watch has a unique history, and if that history happens to be a truly special one, it can mean millions of dollars in resale value. The vintage collector market continues to thrive, and the number of vintage reissue models currently available only further confirms the popularity of older models. Record vintage luxury watch prices have become almost commonplace in recent years, and a strong vintage market is likely to extend well beyond 2021.