Sweet spot for watch size

[Douglas9700]

I'll preface this with recognizing how fortunate we are to be health and happy (my deliberation seems really trivial)....but here goes anyway: Always wanted a classic 1680 on a leather strap - after searching for a very long time, found the right watch locally and with a full service and all the correct R parts. Now I found the right strap for the vintage look I was going for. Still debating with the size as I'm used to wearing a Sub C on a rubber strap which looks bigger to me - I'm a good sized guy and have taken a liking to a bigger looking watch. Anyone else have these type deliberations in finding the sweet spot for watch size?

[DG123]

For everyday men’s watch 34mm to 36mm makes good sense.
For a diving watch (or other sport application) 40 mm makes good sense.

[TellingTime]

We’re all different, 39- 42mm is ideal to me, and feels the most natural.

[42itus]

The 1680 looks great on you! It might take some getting used to because of the heft of the 116610.
I actually have skinny wrists 6.5 and I wear 36mm to 44mm. For me anything between a 36-40 is a pretty sure thing as far as fit. Any larger and it depends on the watch and lug design.

[-dustin]

Had a 16570, which followed a Pelagos and IWC Pilot's Chrono. The 16570 felt just too small. Pilot's Chrono felt massive. My wrists are about 7 1/4". I then got a 216570 and feel this is spot on. Problem is I don't know if it's case size, or dial size. I can handle slightly too large. Slightly too small is a deal killer, however.

[Rado63]

The 1680 would probably look a little larger on the steel bracelet. Steel bracelet also fills up all of the space between the case and the strap. The modern sub ceramic with the wider lugs looks a good size on that rubber strap. Overall the modern watch just looks bigger because the indices are bigger, and the bezel slightly wider I guess, and the case design. I never measured a 1680 but if it measures at 40mm then both are 40mm wide. If you like larger, get the 43mm SeaDweller and put it on a rubber strap, looks fantastic in my opinion.

[Jpccarguy]

When I went from a 36 mm DJ to a 44 mm GS SD diver, I thought I'd gone too big (17 cm wrist). It didn't take long to adjust, it's easier to read, and now I'm on the list for a SkyDweller. First impressions may not be your long-term sense of it. Good luck with your choice, both are great.

[lencap]

A very good question, and one that I found is more complicated than I thought.

After reading through this forum, checking with several ADs, and consulting friends with watch collections the answers I received were are all over the board.

Here's a site that I thought gave a reasonable way to decide for yourself what may be best for you:

https://theslenderwrist.com/watch-size-guide/

Also consider that today's integrated bands often extend the lug to lug distance. Look at the 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual, for example. The integrated bracelet has "horns" that extend the lug-lug length slightly, but enough to be potentially noticeable depending on your wrist size and shape.

[MickCollins1916]

My wrist is 7 inches, and though I’ve worn watches as small as 34mm and as large as 44mm in the past, I know the range I feel the most comfortable in is 36-43mm. My real sweet spot is 39-42mm.

Lately, I’ve been rocking a 36mm DD most frequently, with a 41mm GS, 42mm PAM, and SD43 mixed in.

Totally normal question to be asking, but whatever looks and feels right to you is the best size.

[DLRIDES]

IMO, the optimum watch size is a derivative of proportion to one’s body shape and personal taste. At a slim 6’5”, 7.25 wrist, I prefer 41mm-43mm, and currently own none less than 42mm.

Using average wrist size (181mm) data, and the current accepted perfect size watch of 40mm:

Wrist(mm) divided by 4.5

[synrrgy]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

IMO, the optimum watch size is a derivative of proportion to one’s body shape and personal taste. At a slim 6’5”, 7.25 wrist, I prefer 41mm-43mm, and currently own none less than 42mm.

+1. For my body shape and personal taste, all my watches are no less than 40mm.

[Yess]

The OP 39mm I have is too dainty on my wrist. It's not really case width it's more the thickness.

My Air-King suits the aesthetic I want far more. It's a thicker watch and I guess the extra mm adds to this.

Thing is, this is really subjective - I doubt anyone else in the world gives it any thought (unless I pester them about it!).

[Cru Jones]

I wear the watch, not the size.

[maxbelg]

Here's a sweet spot watch size for my large hands...;-)

[Andad]

Sometimes a 40mm looks big and sometimes it looks small?

[Johnpierpontmorgan]

36-40

One DJ 36mm

Three sports rolex 40mm

[LDN]

Subjective!

[Ihatecheese]

I think everyone has these deliberations before spending any sizable chunk of money on something unnecessary! Trying to validate our new jewelry purchase's, against some kind of measure is always a challenge.

[sutats]

Everyday's a good day to be alive. 39.5mm is the sweet spot. From experience and general observation is that as watch wearers age we tend to do away with the brashy large pieces in favour of comfort and discretion. There is a corrollary aspect of personal safety as well.

We may even hit the point where we're 90 years old and wearing even a ribbon on the wrist feels uncomfortable and tiresome.

[Gwai]

Originally Posted by maxbelg

Here's a sweet spot watch size for my large hands...;-)

That looks... tailored!

Cheers
Marc

[Gwai]

Originally Posted by 42itus

The 1680 looks great on you! It might take some getting used to because of the heft of the 116610.

Exactly. I love the 1680 myself - that first profile shot of yours shows why - and hope to have one eventually.

Cheers
Marc

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I wear the watch, not the size.

Exactly this

I enjoy watches from 40mm to 47mm. As long as it’s comfortable on my wrist and I like the aesthetics

[samson66]

41-43mm is the sweet "zone" for me. Anything in that range works great for me. Last time I measured my wrist was around 7.75"

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 using Tapatalk

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I wear the watch, not the size.

Yep, and...

Originally Posted by brandrea

Exactly this

I enjoy watches from 40mm to 47mm. As long as it’s comfortable on my wrist and I like the aesthetics

Yep.

[varun]

Originally Posted by lencap

A very good question, and one that I found is more complicated than I thought.

After reading through this forum, checking with several ADs, and consulting friends with watch collections the answers I received were are all over the board.

Here's a site that I thought gave a reasonable way to decide for yourself what may be best for you:

https://theslenderwrist.com/watch-size-guide/

Also consider that today's integrated bands often extend the lug to lug distance. Look at the 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual, for example. The integrated bracelet has "horns" that extend the lug-lug length slightly, but enough to be potentially noticeable depending on your wrist size and shape.

thanks

[1William]

So much of watch size is an individual preference. Size has a lot to do with it, as like my clothing, I prefer for my watches to be proportional to my wrist size. Other factors play into it also, case design, lug length, thickness of the watch to just name a few. Is the watch on a bracelet or strap, etc. I am 6'6" tall and weigh 255 pounds and have a 7.5-7.75 inch wrist depending on the weather. I prefer watches from 40 mm to 50 mm and can wear most without issue. After wearing a larger watch, 47 mm Panerai for a few days, it takes me a bit to adjust to wearing a smaller watch. But I do and move on. Wear what you like and what feels good on your wrist. Simple.

[Marcjvr]

Ryan Gosling and his 34mm air king

I am personally not a fan of the huge watch trend. I saw a guy with tiny wrists wearing the BLNR recently and it looked ridiculous. Looked like a 6 year old with his oversized toy watch.

Glad to see Ryan showing us that men can still wear 34mm






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[ap1]

39/40 for my 6.5 and I’d say for up to 7 on that

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I wear the watch, not the size.

When I was in my late teens (30 years ago), and starting out in this crazy hobby, I never was even concerned with size. If I liked the watch, I bought it and wore it.

[Gwai]

Originally Posted by chinaski

When I was in my late teens (30 years ago), and starting out in this crazy hobby, I never was even concerned with size. If I liked the watch, I bought it and wore it.

Which makes us pretty much the same age. Wish I hadn't started out in my 40s, though.

Cheers
Marc