Pick the Right Size Watch for your Wrist

Today I will give you my opinion on the most important items that determine how large a watch will appear on your wrist. Watch shopping online, site unseen, can be very difficult. Getting the size right the first time will make for a much better online shopping experience.

To view the watches featured in this video:

[savvylifestrategies]

I agree, Mark, watch size is a personal decision. I like a 40 mm diameter watch, in general. However, I will wear a slightly larger diver watch, which is supposed to be larger for visibility. As you said, lug to lug is critical. I have to put the watch on to ensure it looks okay. In my opinion, a watch should compliment your style, not define it.

[eronavbj]

Your points are all well taken, Mark, however I have noticed two other factors that I believe affect the way a watch wears on my 6.5-inch wrist: 1-the slope (or lack thereof) of the bezel, and 2-the width of the band. I have an Orient Ray (41.5 mm dial and 22mm band) that appears smaller on me than my Invicta Pro Diver (40 mm dial, 20mm band). I feel that the wider Orient band makes the larger dial appear smaller. The bezel on the Orient also has a downward-sloping bezel, whereas A Seiko SKX has a flat bezel, giving it a larger aspect when seen from either straight-on or from the side.

[-Dash-]

Your videos are an pleasure to watch Mark, cheers.

[Martrex]

What people forget is, the size of your hand makes a big difference to how a watch looks too.

[mountainhobo]

(1) Absolutely agree on the importance of the bezel in the perception of the watch size. That's why to me dial diameter is an essential measurement. Seeing a watch only on the screen can be misleading, particularly divers, where bezel can take much of the watch size, and then you have a tiny dial in the middle.
(2) For dress watches thickness is very important. Anything over 10 mm is problematic with shirts and suit.

[vampolascott]

This was the best demonstration I've seen on this topic. I struggle with this because I have a 6 3/4 wrist and I can't try before I buy because I live in a rural area. Thanks!

[GenWivern]

A good, sensible discussion, thank you. It hadn't occurred to me until recently that anyone paid much attention to other people's watches, much less the size of their wrists. Having amused myself by touring some of the watch channels lately it's clearly a hot issue, judging by the number of videos and strong opinions around. Granted, going through life without giving much of a damn what others think about such things is something which gets much easier with age, but I do hope nobody is taking all this too seriously and being put off wearing something they really like because of it.

Currently perched daintily on my big builder's wrist is a 1950s Bernex, 32mm diameter - a pretty little watch on one of those expanding bracelets which used to be everywhere but you never see any more. If it makes me look silly nobody's mentioned it.

[diggervermont]

Marc, for those of us with a "slender wrist, this is a welcome "Watch and Learn, " thanks! My wrist is 6½" wrist and as someone still new to owning more than one watch I've had a tough time deciding on which watches will be a good fit for me and my wrist.

[dugu]

So many videos before this have missed it but finally a watch size video that talks about the importance of bezels (and dial size)!
I wish this video was available for me a couple months ago as I had to learn all this the hard way by ordering and returning all kinds of watches online.
(I thought it was odd when the 40.5 mm Presage looked big on my wrists but the 41.5 mm Ray II looked just right)
More websites should list the dial size/glass diameter on their pages.

Thank you always for the great content.

[Andrew-J]

Agreed. It is get difficult to decide when purchasing online. So many watches I liked online that I later tried on at stores when I found them and did not like them on my wrist for one reason or another!

[RolleiPollei]

Sometimes sizes can be misleading as well. For example a square G Shock like the DW-5600E has a diameter around 47mm but I don't even consider it a large watch. It's a great watch for even small wrists because of its short height. It has a smaller wrist presence than most conventional watches I own.

[toadamine]

#1 lug to lug
#2 solid or hollow endlinks
#3 thickness
#4 case diameter

[zcharg]

My Seiko turtle (SRPC25) seemed too big at first on my 7.25 inch wrist but then it grew on me and is now my daily wearer. It’s so legible which is the most important fact for me. Also it’s not too tall. It still feels like a heavy watch though with the stainless steel bracelet. The shogun in titanium would be a fascinating watch to wear as it’s so light.

[rickfraracci]

I have recently shown a interest in wrist watches and have several. Your explanation on your recent video was very helpful as we have the same wrist size which will assist me with my next purchase. Thank you

[rickster]

Also being a mechanical engineer (retired), I start with the objective to establish parameters and then move to the subjective on appearance. It is helpful to know that your wrist is 6.75 (or is it 7 inches but not a big difference considering time of day or hand spread or not). And, since Seiko is my favorite brand since the 70s, this video is very helpful in my knowledge to upgrade my dormant appreciation on function and aesthetics as I search for my most perfect accessory. Well done.

[donp]

You make many excellent points (as usual). The Casio MDV 106 (Duro) for example, is thought to be a "large" watch because of the 44mm diameter. But that is really a 38mm face surrounded by 3mm of bezel, hence the total 44 mm. I measure the lug-to-lug (which are nicely curved) at 48. Since the eye focuses on the watch FACE, the Duro wears smaller than one would think (like looking at a picture in a frame.)

[dxmeister]

The best video about watch size I’ve seen. Thank you Marc

[docholliday]

Spot on points Mark lug length and design make a big difference, on my thin wrists short lugs is always good and 38m-40m max size.

[eyeheartsushi]

Great video again, Marc. Yesterday I tried the Tissot Visodate on my 6.75” wrist for the second time, to make sure I was still in love with it (I am). For a 39mm case, it dresses slightly smaller, mainly because of long lugs and lug gap (this is the one with the leather strap).

Like you said, many variables at play, but I *do* try to pay attention to lug-to-lug because I don’t want overhang (I set my max at 50mm).

I made my own guide for maximum sizes for my wrist, based on watch style, taking the aforementioned into account:

Dress watches - 39mm
Diver watches - 44mm
Field/Pilot - 42mm

Again, I always do my best to try watches on wrist, first.

Cheers.

[Wolf_K]

I have an 8.2” wrist and I wear 42mm all dial watches on NATO straps and it looks good, yes, even in the mirror.

I could wear the 55mm Laco Flieger with no lug overhang very easily but it would still look like a clock, as it is and regardless of my wrist size, still a huge watch.

I like watches that are all dial, or close to it, always on a NATO- which changes the look, and between 42-47mm. They just look good. Not vintage small and not Clock large.

I’ve seen some skinny wristed guys wearing a 45mm Laco and it looks ridiculous...worse than 50mm on me as the lugs overhang by quite a bit.

I always measure the crystal/dial size of a watch I’m interested in as this plays a huge part on my size wrist.

Edit: I think a lot of people forget that every opinion is pure subjectivity. Just as shoes, trousers, hats etc are purely subjective so too are watches. They also forget, and usually judge based on their own experience, that wrist sizes differ immensely.