What's the smallest watch I can wear?
What's the smallest watch I can wear?
Author
Discussion

swimd

Original Poster:

350 posts

151 months

Saturday 20th February 2016
quotequote all
I'm looking to buy a new watch for daily wear.
Growing up my father wore a Datejust which he bought in the 80s. I tried it on and that looked about the right size to me. Then I looked up the reference number and learned that it's a 31mm Unisex model. boxedin
Most articles and forum posts suggest that this is now undersized even for women.
I still like the idea of a small watch because in my head it will attract less attention, won't look "offensive", will be lighter to wear and won't get in the way as often.
Would a 34mm Oyster Perpetual look silly on me? (6'2" 7.3" wrist and 16st - a bit fat)

My local watch dealer has a JLC Master Compressor. Looks great but feels positively gigantic on my wrist compared to the smaller Rolex. Fashion dictates that I should buy that but I am worried it would be too big and in-your-face to wear it every day.

Variomatic

2,392 posts

191 months

Saturday 20th February 2016
quotequote all
Wear what you're comfortable with and refuse to play the "dinner plates show up on celebrities" ad-man game with the rest of the sheeples.

No idea what any of my watches measure except for the one on my wrist (because I just measured it) which is 34mm excluding the crown. It's comfortable, unobtrusive, has kept time to 6 seconds since 31st October (0.05 seconds / day, yes it is quartz!) and, if it ever is commented on the comments are always favourable.

Glosphil

4,891 posts

264 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
my watch is 38mm and was advertised as 'boy's watch"!

CardShark

4,262 posts

209 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Go with what *you* feel comfortable with, there is absolutely no other hard and fast rule. My last watch purchase is 36mm, here it is on my 7.25" wrist.



If larger watches look and feel awkward on the wrist then don't buy a larger watch smile


bigkeeko

1,370 posts

173 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
If you like it wear it. Providing the case doesn't look too big on your wrist then it's no one else's business.

I have a Zenith Stratos on at the minute that is 45mm but I feel equally comfortable wearing my O&W diver at 40mm or my 38mm Seiko. You're a big chap so no one will say anything anyway, and you can carry it off.

andy tims

5,606 posts

276 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
swimd said:
Would a 34mm Oyster Perpetual look silly on me? (6'2" 7.3" wrist and 16st - a bit fat)
Probably but try it on and see what YOU think

Hoofy

80,140 posts

312 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Thing is, if you have fat wrists, you can get away with bigger watches. Nobody will bat an eyelid. If I wore a 46mm watch, someone will ask why I'm wearing a clock on my wrist.

You will get used to a bigger watch.

Some Gump

13,018 posts

216 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Op,

Wear whatever you like. Just because there's a trend for vulgar watches the size of a small saucer, doesn't mean you have to join in. The current popularity of skinny jeans shows that fashion deciding what are "girls / boys" attire isn't exactly accurate.

Joey Ramone

2,155 posts

155 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
I've got narrow wrists (6.5 inch i think) and wear a 44mm PAM 112. I also wear a 44mm Seiko Sumo

I don't think it looks particularly oversized per se - it's more the actual bulk of the casing that some would find objectionable I suspect. The pic of the 36mm Rolex above oddly looks roughly the same size on a much thicker wrist, although that may be the camera angle.

But ultimately, as said, whatever your prefer. Buy the watch that you most feel comfortable with


Porsche911R

21,146 posts

295 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
going down to a 34mm is a non issue imo.

I wear my 36mm mid size Omega and love it.

drainbrain

5,637 posts

141 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Try a Tank Francaise. They 'wear small' but carry elegance.

RichB

56,403 posts

314 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
swimd said:
I'm looking to buy a new watch for daily wear.
Growing up my father wore a Datejust which he bought in the 80s. I tried it on and that looked about the right size to me. Then I looked up the reference number and learned that it's a 31mm Unisex model. boxedin
Most articles and forum posts suggest that this is now undersized even for women.
<etc.>
Oh dear... the power of advertising. What a stupid thread. Wear what you like and fk everyone else. Some will wear clown watches, some wear their father's Rolex. Be an individual. Make up your own mind.

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

226 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Daily I wear my datejust but I've no idea what size it is?

I do have a Rolex Cellini Cestello as a dress watch however and according to C24 it's 36mm. It's a beautiful, delicate thing and attracts many admiring comments. I've nothing against the fashionable kitchen clocks people wear these days but they aren't for me.




Hoofy

80,140 posts

312 months

Sunday 21st February 2016
quotequote all
Do like some of those Cellinis.

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

226 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
Do like some of those Cellinis.
Rather good value at present too, which I presume is because they're out of fashion these days. A solid white gold Rolex, brand new for less than a TAG?

michael gould

5,698 posts

271 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
Joey Ramone said:
I've got narrow wrists (6.5 inch i think) and wear a 44mm PAM 112. I also wear a 44mm Seiko Sumo

I don't think it looks particularly oversized per se - it's more the actual bulk of the casing that some would find objectionable I suspect. The pic of the 36mm Rolex above oddly looks roughly the same size on a much thicker wrist, although that may be the camera angle.

But ultimately, as said, whatever your prefer. Buy the watch that you most feel comfortable with

that thing looks like a wall clock on your wrist !!!!! smilesmile

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

154 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
michael gould said:
Joey Ramone said:
I've got narrow wrists (6.5 inch i think) and wear a 44mm PAM 112. I also wear a 44mm Seiko Sumo

I don't think it looks particularly oversized per se - it's more the actual bulk of the casing that some would find objectionable I suspect. The pic of the 36mm Rolex above oddly looks roughly the same size on a much thicker wrist, although that may be the camera angle.

But ultimately, as said, whatever your prefer. Buy the watch that you most feel comfortable with

that thing looks like a wall clock on your wrist !!!!! smilesmile
I think it looks ok to be fair. Just depends what the wearer likes really.

Jez m

840 posts

225 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
swimd said:
I'm looking to buy a new watch for daily wear.
Growing up my father wore a Datejust which he bought in the 80s. I tried it on and that looked about the right size to me. Then I looked up the reference number and learned that it's a 31mm Unisex model. boxedin
Most articles and forum posts suggest that this is now undersized even for women.
I still like the idea of a small watch because in my head it will attract less attention, won't look "offensive", will be lighter to wear and won't get in the way as often.
Would a 34mm Oyster Perpetual look silly on me? (6'2" 7.3" wrist and 16st - a bit fat)

My local watch dealer has a JLC Master Compressor. Looks great but feels positively gigantic on my wrist compared to the smaller Rolex. Fashion dictates that I should buy that but I am worried it would be too big and in-your-face to wear it every day.
I've got a 34mm Rolex date i wear daily (I'm same height as you). Perfect size for an everyday watch i think, not too big and not too small. Doesn't overly attract attention but at the same time looks great and people in the know will still spot it. cool


Mine's for sale too, in PH classifieds! boxedinbiggrin

arch stant0n

82 posts

135 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
Suspect they're a bit council for most posters here, but I hate big watches and really like my Skagen for a daily.
Very low profile, nice simple designs...not bling at all. I'm 6'2" and 16 stone but skinny wrists (the only bit of me that is!)
Wear whatever you're happy with!

RichB

56,403 posts

314 months

Monday 22nd February 2016
quotequote all
Jez m said:
I've got a 34mm Rolex date
Looks fine.