Picking Out the Right Watch for Your Wrist: Watch Size vs. Wrist Size

Today, more and more enthusiasts are choosing to purchase watches online. While the level of convenience inherent in watch eCommerce is awesome, it can be more difficult than ever to forecast how watches of varying sizes will ultimately fit on your particular wrist. So in this video, I'm doing a deep dive into all things sizing, culminating in a comparison of five different watches on a variety of different wrist sizes. If you guys like these type of guides, let me know what you might like to see next in the comments.

Other Places to Check Out:

0:00 - Intro and Organization
1:52 - 1. Developing a Philosophy
6:44 - 2. Elements of Size
14:51 - 3. Watch Size vs. Wrist Size

[TeddyBaldassarre]

Hi Everyone, quick point of clarity, we mistakenly put a shot of a Rolex over mentioning 316L stainless steel. Rolex uses 904L which has a different chemical composition. Sorry for the miss there. Thank you all for watching!

[canadianwatchmonkey]

I found that the width of a person’s wrist is more important to know then the diameter. Some people have very flat wrists where others may have more rounded wrists. My wrist width is 56.8mm measured with a caliper.

[twyx]

I had a similar journey with watch sizes. Having a 6.3 Inch wrist I was very cautious with watch sizes, never "risking" to go over 39 mm case size. My first G-shock GW-5610 and the Orient Mako II were the two watches that broke the ice for me, both wearing surprisingly well on my wrist for their sizes. It started with those two, since then, I've learned to look at more physical aspects of watches I want to buy.

[chriscc]

Dial color is something to consider as well, last year I did 2 pocket watch style conversions (
47mm cases) both Identical, except one black dial, one white. The black dial looks fine, the white one looks like I'm wearing one of those folding travel alarm clocks!

[Em-fzeb]

As a lady with a 5.5 inch wrist I really appreciate Mike in this lol! Almost every video I've seen with watch suggestions for people with small wrists seem to assume that small = someone with wrists in the 6 inch range, which is really frustrating.

[okihaveaname]

Finally a reviewer discussing the bezel-to-face ratio. Sporty watches with rotating bezels have 3-4mm less face diameter than a dress watch with the full face diameter. It's important to consider for the *style* of watch you're buying.

Also internal chapter rings can make a watch appear smaller than the desired look.

A nicely done discussion. I think the first time I saw this topic was on just the watch channel and this had some additional details. 👏

[allanreardon]

The lug length is definitely the factor I'm most mindful of. I have a 17cm wrist, and wore an Oris Diver Date (predecessor to the Aquis) for years. It's not a small watch but has short lugs. When I started buying some dress watches I really noticed that they sometimes looked bigger due to the lug length, even when buying smaller dials.

[alectang]

I actually think measuring across the wrist is more important than the actual circumference because your wrist is shaped differently. I only have a 6 3/4 inch wrist but I can pull off larger watches because it is very flat. Across the top it measures 60mm.

[patrickcampbell]

Also, there is variance within identical wrist sizes. Two people can have a 6.5" wrist, but one has a broader wrist across, whereas the second person's wrist may be rounder all the way around. The distance around (wrist size) may be the same, but a watch will sit differently. Measure the distance across the top of your wrist where the watch sits, and consider that alongside your total wrist size.

[admiralcraddock]

I have a 8" wrist and one of my watches is a vintage 34m Omega on a leather strap. I rarely wear it as it looks lost on me but back in the fifties that size was regularly seen on even the hunkiest of Hollywood stars.

[adceal]

I follow your channel from the early years, and I hardly comment videos but, mate, your videos are getting better all the time. Congratulations!

[Ballacha]

just some more notes on the matter of thickness.

many watches wears thinner than they are not only because the case design does some visual trickery, but in many cases the caseback actually sinks into the top of your wrist making some of the watch's thickness disappear. i have a 12mm diver that looks almost unaturally thin because of this. so if you do really care about thickness, try going for a watch with ths type of caseback ergonomics.

and of course, nato straps are the mortal enemy of thickness. it adds 3mm or more to the watch. in addition, it makes the caseback unable to sink into your wrist. boom, double whammy. i've tried to make nato straps work every time i get a new watch but they just never do.

[pokysharpy]

I love this video. What a great explanation of the various ratios, how L2L affects wearability, and how "small" watches can fit everyone. It explains why something like a 38mm SARB033/035 or a 36mm Explorer looks good on virtually every wrist. Great dial to bezel ratio, compact L2L, and solid thickness without being too stout. Perfect watches.

[pt]

I have a 6.5 inch wrist size and I’ve found 38mm watches are perfect, however I made an exception for the 41mm Aqua Terra. It actually fits nicely for its size.

[A_Dude_And_His_Watch]

I have a 7in wrist and mostly wear a 41mm black bay or aqua Terra. The fit is spot on which is a shame for the Tudor because everyone complains about the thickness but on the wrist it sits fine and does not look ridiculous. Also important is how well the weight is balanced. So while everyone is going for the 58, I love my original size black bay.

[Yiha]

The best watch Youtuber out there Teddy! Thanks for always making great videos. I have entered the watch world not too long ago and your content is great. You are not a "big watch" or "small watch" trend setter. You are genuine in your reviews and it shows you know your stuff! Cheers!

[Masrafi]

thank you so much for making this. as a fellow slim wrist watch enthusiast (6in/15.25cm) wrist, this has been a great help! overall my lug to lug and case diameters are fairly similar to yours, maybe a mm smaller all around. i prefer my dress watches 38mm case size and down and 46mm lug to lug and down, with my dive watches okay up to 40-42mm/47-48mm depending on case size and lug to lug.

[mountainpeakcloud]

I have a 6" wrist, and my go to everyday watch is my Omega Globemaster at 39mm. I like the way it fits, but it is at the upper limit of what I would wear for that style of watch. I think the fact that it's more of a cross between a dress, sports and everyday watch allows for it work well on my wrist at 39mm.

[Tomaz]

This is a great video that I would have appreciated so much in the starting of buying watches. In stead of watching a 21 min video at that time, I had to do weeks of research in finding what people my size (16, 5cm) wear and how do they choose it (bezel thickness, watch thickness, lug-to-lug, diameter, bracelet). Thank you Teddy in the name of the people still searching for their watch-fitting-range!

[Jakw]

Loved that you added the multiple wrist sizes for viewing, just bought a seiko presage online now that i figured out the sizing