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Old 19 March 2019, 06:13 AM   #1
OysterLover
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Wrist size and Ideal Rolex size

Hello. I'm trying to decide what Rolex would suit me best, but I am a short guy with small wrists. I'm 5'6.5" and weigh in low 130s lbs. Wrist is 6.875" just above wrist bone where I wear watches tight.
What size Rolex will look the best? What case diameters should I wear?
Thanks!
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:15 AM   #2
huncho
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6.875" is not a small wrist, probably best to wear anything 40mm+
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:18 AM   #3
fel2718
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Think it depends on wrist configuration as well. Someone with a 7 inch flat wrist might prefer something different than a 7 inch round wrist.

I have a 7 inch flat wrist and I can comfortably wear my Deep Sea without issue. That's preference though, others might not like a watch that size. Try different sizes on and see what fits best for you.
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:20 AM   #4
steadywaters
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I wouldn't say that wrist size is small... Mine is about 6.25" and 40mm looks just right, if not just a tad on the larger side.

40mm would probably be great for you. You're going to have a lot of options :)
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:23 AM   #5
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7 3/4" wrists.
Ideal size for my taste: 42mm.
Acceptable: 40mm - 45mm.
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:25 AM   #6
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A lot of this comes down to personal taste. I don't like the oversized look. To me, it just looks like you're wearing your fathers' suit. Some people are okay with that though, its just not for me.

I've found it's not about the case size. It's all about the lug-to-lug measurement OR in the case of new references, solid end link to solid end link measurement. That's the best indicator of how things will fit on the wrist.

I have a flat 6.75 inch wrist. The sweet spot for me is ~47mm lug-to-lug. That is generally in the range of 38-40mm sized watches.
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:28 AM   #7
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I think at your wrist size you could pull off any Rolex model that is 40mm or less (plus the DJ41). Anything above that should not be ruled out immediately but treated on a case by case basis.
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:32 AM   #8
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Realistically with a watch you can wear whatever will fit around your wrist.

It’s all a matter of taste, and what you’re used to.

I would recommend trying a few on, and looking at yourself in a full length mirror if possible.

Skinny guys with big watches just end up looking skinnier, and heavy guys with tiny watches look bloated.

I’d love a Fifty-Fathoms but I just can’t pull it off.
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Old 19 March 2019, 06:58 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carry The Interest View Post
I think at your wrist size you could pull off any Rolex model that is 40mm or less (plus the DJ41). Anything above that should not be ruled out immediately but treated on a case by case basis.


Agree w this- I have a 6.75 inch slightly rounded wrist - within Rolex 39-41mm wears well. Exp2 (42mm), SD43, DS, SKyD all too big


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Old 19 March 2019, 07:04 AM   #10
Molnboman
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Plus 1 with up to 40mm suggestions. Good excuse try as many modelsout as you like! I have a 7 “ wrist and thought the new Explorer would look oversized, however, I think it’s perfect. Weird, but to me, the watch looks bigger in reflection ( mirror, window etc ) than looking at it on your wrist. Strange but true....or maybe am losing it!

Good Luck
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Old 19 March 2019, 07:20 AM   #11
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My wrist is a flat 7.25". I prefer 36mm to 38mm for a dress watch and 39mm to 42mm for a sports watch.
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Old 19 March 2019, 07:51 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OysterLover View Post
Hello. I'm trying to decide what Rolex would suit me best, but I am a short guy with small wrists. I'm 5'6.5" and weigh in low 130s lbs. Wrist is 6.875" just above wrist bone where I wear watches tight.
What size Rolex will look the best? What case diameters should I wear?
Thanks!
Welcome to the Forum. If your wrist is 6.875 then you are in the sweet-spot for most Rolex sport watches. The standard or norm seems to be 40mm which covers Submariner, GMT Master II, Daytona, Yacht-Master, Day-Date. The Datejust is a small 41mm so that should be perfect too.

It's a tough market to find your most desired piece but a trip to an Authorized Dealer (AD) should help as they will most certainly have a 40mm available for you to try on.
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Old 19 March 2019, 07:54 AM   #13
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My wrist is 7.25 inches, fairly flat on top. I own a Panerai 44mm and a Rolex SD43, both of which sit very comfortably with no lug overhang.

Often its not just about wrist size, but about wrist shape and also general body shape/size.
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Old 19 March 2019, 08:01 AM   #14
inadeje
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Anything up to DJ 41 will look good. Depending on how your wrist is configured, maybe even an exp II 42mm. However, I think the YMII may be a tad large
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Old 19 March 2019, 08:13 AM   #15
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My wrist is about the same and I wear Sub, GMT, and SkyD.
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Old 19 March 2019, 08:24 AM   #16
georgekart
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With your wrist size you can definitely wear 40mm Rolex watches. Shortness doesn't really matter. I am 168cm (5'6" if converted to feet I guess) and since my wrist is 19cm (7.5") (yes, really, 19cm wrist with my height) I have no issues wearing big watches. Also it helps to look at lug to lug instead of diameter. It is a more significant determining factor.

But since you are only asking about Rolex, if you go for sports models, you can safely go for Subs, GMTs, Daytonas and YM. Don't go for Explorer II (6 digit, 5 digit is fine), YMII, SD43 or DSSD.

If you like dressier watches, I think DD40 and DJ41 are fine, but DD2 or DJ2 are probably too big for you, if you go for 36mm, no issues at all. Don't go for SkyD.
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Old 19 March 2019, 08:25 AM   #17
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Depends on what you like, I actually don’t think there are any rules. I personally feel the big watch craze has come and gone and watches are only going to go smaller.

I have a 6” wrist so for me I like to stay between 36-40mm.
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Old 19 March 2019, 08:54 AM   #18
2nastie
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My general preference is between 38mm-40mm with my wrist size of 6.5".

For a certain watch to fit your wrist, its not all about your wrist size (like mine of 6.5") or watch size (like my preference of 38mm-40mm).

The physical watch case plays a large role as well as your wrist shape. Lug to lug width of the watch matters most along with the thickness of the watch. The longer the lug to lug and thicker the case, the larger presence it has on your wrist. Therefore optically it can look larger or smaller than the advertised size.

In addition, if your wrist is flat there is more surface area (visually) to wear the watch versus someone that is more rounded. A flat wrist has the watch sitting flat on top while a rounded (and sometimes even bigger wrist) can have the watch fit like its squeezing your wrist. I've seen people with a larger wrist size than me but a rounded wrist vs. my flat wrist and the same watch looks completely different (in terms of presence). It actually looked odder on him than on me.
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Old 19 March 2019, 09:23 AM   #19
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Try a 36mm DJ or DD
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Old 19 March 2019, 09:36 AM   #20
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34mm to 40mm depending on watch.
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Old 19 March 2019, 09:41 AM   #21
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I'm good with anything 36mm to 42mm nothing larger..
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Old 19 March 2019, 09:45 AM   #22
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I have a 7” wrist and wear 40-47 mm. Honestly I find 40mm modern Role to be just about perfect.
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Old 19 March 2019, 10:48 AM   #23
zengineer
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Don't be so afraid of wearing a watch that isn't borderline ss big ss possible. A watch shouldn't completely take over your wrist. You should see some of the band/bracelet when viewing straight on.

Don't ask what the biggest you can wear is, that likely us not what is best for you. Ask what the ideal size is...for under 7" wrist its probably under 40 depending on style of watch and a 36 would likely look good.

A sub at 40 will wear much smaller than a similar size dress watch. I have settled in at 39 to 40 and have a larger wrist than many DSSD wearers.

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Last edited by zengineer; 19 March 2019 at 12:06 PM.. Reason: Added pic
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Old 19 March 2019, 11:31 AM   #24
Tony8959
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Your wrist size is actually a little above average in my opinion. I have a similar height and weight as you do, but my wrist size is smaller (around 6.25). I currently have a SubC and DaytonaC, while it may be close I definitely feel like I can pull them off. You should be fine with anything up to around 42mm. Like others said try it on and see how it feels. If they don’t have SS versions in stock, can always try on a PM piece to get an idea how it looks on the wrist.

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Old 19 March 2019, 11:46 AM   #25
inadeje
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
I have a 7” wrist and wear 40-47 mm. Honestly I find 40mm modern Role to be just about perfect.
Same here, I have 7.5 inch and wear 47mm Panerai Bronzo down to 40mm 5513 skinny sub.
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