Second Broken Heart this year!!

[Pers]

I will start off by saying that I am a huge NFW fan and that the Autopilot I own is one of my favorite watches. I remember the first time I met George and he told me about the NFW Diver and the size of it and me saying I could never wear a watch that big and basicaly writing the watch off to myself. Then I saw the first prototype pics and fell in love with the watch! It is one of the best designed and best looking watches I have ever seen. I wasn't worried about the size because I loved my Auto Pilot and that is the biggest watch I have ever worn everything before that was 40mm or under but I had to have an AP because it was so nice and then after seeing the Viperfish for the first time, "so what I thought to myself, I thought 44mm was too big and it was fine and so will 48mm. Even when the final colors schemes came out and I wasn't thrilled with them I still planned on buying one the day the came out. But when George put the pics up the other day of the case on his wrist and also next to the AP my mouth dropped it was too ******* big. I took a second look tonight with a clear head hoping it would change my mind but looking at the post again just cemented the fact that I can't wear the watch, it is too big for me. I haven't wanted a watch as bad as this since before I got my Submariner and realizing I'm not going to be able to get it stinks for me. I guess I should get used to it though the trend is for bigger watches not smaller so I'm outta luck. I am 110% sure George is going to do great with this watch because it looks so great and Im sure will be second to none as far as quality goes just like every other NFW. I guess my only hope for some Viperfish love is a womens or midsize version but since I haven't heard or seen anything to that effect I doubt that will happen. So while everyone is happily unboxing their post holiday prize of the Viperfish I will be left out in the cold.

[hailseeszer]

Just bite the bullet and go big! You won't be sorry.

Big is here to stay so don't sideline yourself on bigger watches or you stand to miss out on some cool timepieces.

IMHO of course...

[Pers]

Im not sidelining myself I just see no reason for watches to be that big. This is the only watch Im missing out on because I have never regretted not being able to have any of the other way too big watches I have seen. I don't want to wear something that big. IMO watches that big don't look good on the wrist. Like I said I know very well that Im in the minority on that point I don't regret not wearing big watches at all, I am however very disappointed I won't get a Viperfish because its one of the nicest timepieces I have ever seen.

[wave3214]

Go ahead and get it anyway and see how it feels on the wrist. you may be pleasantly surprized and fall in love with it and if not ou can always sell it and wear the auto pilot. who knows maybe Geo will do a smaller version as a second run like Eyal did with the SAN models. I still wear my 40's a lot but must admit my auto pilot has become my every work shift watch and I really like a few of the 44 to 48mm pieces I own. Bigger than that really doesnt interest me to much though I do own one Sub aqua and wear it a bit

[Furdog]

Don't be fooled by up close wrist shots, they make a 42mm watch look huge!

[TheChopShopLLC]

Just do it.

[tkromer]

You may be able to pull it off, but 48mm and above is really oversized and I fully understand where you're coming from Pers. I own and RD and can wear it just fine, but it's certainly a weekend-only watch, it looks downright goofy with any sort of nice clothing. If you get a chance to try it before you buy it, definitely do, but you're probably right in that it will look HUGE on your arm.

[Pers]

Originally Posted by Furdog

Don't be fooled by up close wrist shots, they make a 42mm watch look huge!

I didn't think of that but Furdog...hopefully you are right but it looks like a monster in those pics

[Pers]

Originally Posted by tkromer

You may be able to pull it off, but 48mm and above is really oversized and I fully understand where you're coming from Pers. I own and RD and can wear it just fine, but it's certainly a weekend-only watch, it looks downright goofy with any sort of nice clothing. If you get a chance to try it before you buy it, definitely do, but you're probably right in that it will look HUGE on your arm.

I agree with you Tommy, 48mm and above is absolutely huge and not only that but I didn't think of about the height of the case either untill I saw the pics, 18mm really is huge.

[gipraw]

You have to follow your own tastes when choosing your timepieces, for sure.

I would only add this: I would caution you against making a decision like this based only on pictures. If you like the piece that much, then find a way to put it on your wrist to make 100% sure it is too big for you. With you living in CT, finding a Jeweler with one in stock should be achievable.

Good luck with whatever final choice you make.

[Furdog]

Originally Posted by Pers

I didn't think of that but Furdog...hopefully you are right but it looks like a monster in those pics

I don't mean to down play the size. It's a large watch, but G has little wrist! ;-)

I've seen smaller watches in wrist shots that I thought looked HUGE. I've seen those same watches in person and they looked much smaller.

Those up close wrist shots are deceiving.

In the end it comes down to what you like and are comfortable with. For me I think it will be a nice big watch without crossing the line into the 50mm + big.

[liv2ride]

It's clear to me that one of the reasons G is going through so many design tweaks is wrist fit for as many different sized wrists as possible. You can see it in the watch profile. I agree with most here that you owe it to yourself to actually get it on your wrist! Then decide.

[CharlieB]

Originally Posted by Pers

Im not sidelining myself I just see no reason for watches to be that big. This is the only watch Im missing out on because I have never regretted not being able to have any of the other way too big watches I have seen. I don't want to wear something that big. IMO watches that big don't look good on the wrist. Like I said I know very well that Im in the minority on that point I don't regret not wearing big watches at all, I am however very disappointed I won't get a Viperfish because its one of the nicest timepieces I have ever seen.

It's not that you can't wear something that big, you can. A lot of guys with your size wrist are going to get one and will love it. You could buy it and wear it, and change your comfort zone. It's that you've made up your mind that don't want to wear it, and that's certainly your choice.

But I'm betting the overwhelming majority of geeks who have seen it are thinking George is making that watch the perfect size for that design, and wouldn't want it changed a bit. It's supposed to be a big, honkin' dive watch.

[Ronko Man]

Yes if you really like it as much, than as some of the other's say, get it & then decide.

I think you willl be changing your thoughts if you did :-)

[50mm&up]

Do you own a current Scuba edition diver? I think this watch will be very comparable in size to the Viperfish. The Viper is 48mm's and 18.5 mm's tall. The Scuba diver is 48mm's and about the same as a SAN III tall (16-17mm's). I love over 50mm watches and this watch actually feels a little small to me. I think you will be able to wear the Viperfish. Good luck deciding. BTW, George has told me before i could return a watch if i wasn't feeling it. You could PM him and see if he'll let you return it if it doesn't work for you.

[Nurnberg77]

Nothing wrong with acquiring an example as a true personal collectible due to your allegiance to NFW and appreciation of it's singing to you aside from the size factor. I have several larger watches that I have never worn but I just had to have them. Some day I may wear them...

[Metsknicks]

Just my two cents here . . . . I have a 6.5 inch wrist and watches that are 48mm and up are not an issue for me, especially if they have a rubber strap like The Viperfish.

For me, the case height which is huge, might be the larger issue.

[ky70]

I hate to admit it, but as much as I like the design of the watch (and the creator), I likely will not pick one up either. When the watch was initially discussed the size was right in my wheel house but my tastes have been sizing down over the past month. Although I have a larger wrist (8+ inches), I am no longer attracted to larger diameter watches. 48mm is the upper end of my new limit, but when combined with the case height of above 18mm, I know the size is not the direction I'm going in with my watches.

I'm betting folks will be blown away with the look and quality of this watch when it's released, but in my current state of mind, I may not be able to grab one.

[Docwein]

the larger watches. I was interested in the Viperfish at the beginning, but the 48mm is not that appealing to me anymore. I own some big watches, i even have a Blok, a big monster of a watch. I have an MKII Kingston ( an homage to ther Sean Connery Bond Rolex, very cool limited edition to 300 only) on order, a 40mm case size. To me much more pleasing. Bigger is not always better.

[Pers]

Maybe if there is enough people that voice their desire for a smaller Viperfish George would someday make one????? I didn't think anyone would agree with me on not liking larger watches but maybe there is more than I thought.

[MikeyShingles]

I thought the same way until I said heck with it and took the plunge with a RDQ special for $99 - figured I'd try it out and if it didn't work out I'd sell or gift it for the price. Took a couple days to get used to it but needless to say I am wearing larger sizes now - along with the smaller ones.

[kgriner]

Originally Posted by Pers

Im not sidelining myself I just see no reason for watches to be that big. This is the only watch Im missing out on because I have never regretted not being able to have any of the other way too big watches I have seen. I don't want to wear something that big. IMO watches that big don't look good on the wrist. Like I said I know very well that Im in the minority on that point I don't regret not wearing big watches at all, I am however very disappointed I won't get a Viperfish because its one of the nicest timepieces I have ever seen.

Well said...I agree, I may bite into the Viperfish, however for me it will be a bit too big. If I get a Viperfish it will be about the design, the vision, not the size. Not everyone loves watches for their size, or wants everyone to notice the 1lb. of metal hanging off of their wrist.

I logged a couple of dives in Truk Lagoon, and lived there for 8 months, and a large watch wuld have been GREAT...underwater, in a wetsuit and gloves. If I buy a ViperFish I'll never take it under water so why do I need it so big...Now that's me, but others here love the Biggies, and I'm not gonna knock that, to each his own!

I agree there is just no functional reason at all for huge watches, and I'm 6'2.5" 230lbs. The AP is the size limit for me as well. Function over fashon, and the watch could still function the same at say 44mm.

Maybe if Geo scaled the ViperFish down a bit (42-44mm) for the rest of us? I think a smaller/scaled back Viperfish would make for an even more serious diver, something befitting the painstaking design, time and effort that Geo has put into this project. Think about some of the greatest dive watches of all time (seamaster, fifty Fathoms...) and their sizes. We just don't know yet if this 50mm watch thing will survive the test of time, or if it will go the way of the polyester suit.

In the end, the ViperFish A GREAT WATCH, even if you don't love large watches, it may be worthwhile to get one, if not just for the history of NFW, and the limited numbers of watches they sell. Great watch, great man, great company, no matter the size.

Just my opinion.


Kg

[Kanbasher]

Well Pers, I have to say that I'm probably with you on this. No Viperfish for me either. I have a small wrist. Right around 6.5". I have a Renato Beast (45mm), Wildebeast & Vulcan (46mm) and that's about as big as I can go. Anything bigger and I feel it's just going to look silly on me and a bit uncomfortable. For a cushion or square shaped case like the Autopilot at 44mm, that is also about as big as I can go & still feel comfortable.

[Pers]

Originally Posted by kgriner

Maybe if Geo scaled the ViperFish down a bit (42-44mm) for the rest of us? I think a smaller/scaled back Viperfish would make for an even more serious diver, something befitting the painstaking design, time and effort that Geo has put into this project. Think about some of the greatest dive watches of all time (seamaster, fifty Fathoms...) and their sizes. We just don't know yet if this 50mm watch thing will survive the test of time, or if it will go the way of the polyester suit.

Ditto about being well said Kgriner I agree that I'm unsure about the staying power of these huge watches. I think at some point watch makers will go back to their roots and those large sizes won't be as prevalent. Not to take anything away from the larger watches at all, but I like to collect vintage Gruen watches as well as my newer pieces some of them being from the 20's and 30's I just don't see people in 75yrs looking to acquire 75yr old Renato TRex's or some of the other similiarly large style watches. And like I said before I look to take nothing away from these watches because I love the design of some of the bigger pieces like the Sub Aquas and Bolts (both incredible designs) but they are just to big for me. And about the staying power of large watches I know 99% of people that buy them buy because they like the design not thinking about what people will like in 75 yrs Im just using it to illustrate my point and to see if it is something that will withstand the test of time like designs from some of the companies like Rolex, Omega, Breitling, etc etc and I know all the companies are now making the bigger versions of already available models they are doing so because of market trends if they were to stop selling well or trends change they would immediately discontinue that practice. However the 36mm-40mm versions have been and will continue to sell better on the whole than 46mm and above versions IMO. The average person looks at a 48mm and thinks its crazy that someone would wear a watch that big. Now I'm the last person that cares what someone else would think of my timepiece and wear what I wear because I like them and for no other reason than that. But I think that since the average person geeks like us not withstanding 44mm is even big for a watch. So in the end are geeks like us just the first ones in on a trend that will continue for years and years or because we are so in the know and exposed to so many various watch brands and styles are we just buying in on a trend we happen to like right now that we may change our minds about later. Time will tell. IMHO I think watch companies and consumers will trend towards greater complications and function in their timepieces for example so many watches now are including gmt,power reserves, and perpetual calendars. And as more and more companies look to make more minute repeaters and "affordable" tourbillion watches people will go towards watches of that ilk thats where I think things are heading. Just realized this went a little off topic so I will end it by saying the Viperfish rocks and it is truly a great designed watch.

[Pers]

Originally Posted by Kanbasher

Well Pers, I have to say that I'm probably with you on this. No Viperfish for me either. I have a small wrist. Right around 6.5". I have a Renato Beast (45mm), Wildebeast & Vulcan (46mm) and that's about as big as I can go. Anything bigger and I feel it's just going to look silly on me and a bit uncomfortable. For a cushion or square shaped case like the Autopilot at 44mm, that is also about as big as I can go & still feel comfortable.

I agree with you Kanbasher. Its funny the Wilde-Beast and Autopilot are my two biggest watches and I love them both but at times they feel a little too big for me. It is because of that I won't go any bigger the only reason I even considered it was because of how greatly designed the Viperfish is