The current record holder is probably the U-Boat U-1942, a monster at 64.4 millimeters in diameter, or about 2.5 inches.

But the U-Boat has plenty of company from heavy metal covering a cost spectrum ranging from, say, Invicta’s modestly priced (just over $100) but hulking Russian Diver Collection Quinotaur Chronograph to the Breitling Super Avenger, a $6,000 (and up) 48-millimeter-wide hunk of metal that would make Dad’s Longines look like a dainty cocktail watch.

Watches have grown as men have adopted “a kind of car collector approach” to buying them, said Tom Kalenderian, general merchandise manager of Barneys New York.

“Guys wanted a fine timekeeping device that not only kept time but said something about status and personal style,” he said.