What watch size is perfect for your wrist?

[Bob_Defly]

Simple question, just one vote per person. What watch size fits your wrist just perfectly?

I know it can be different for different watch types etc. But just choose your favourite.

[AB]

I went for 41mm, which is smaller than most of my watches.

[vixen1700]

Tend to think 38mm is my sweet spot.

[MarkJS]

I’ve voted 42mm but I don’t believe it’s as simple as case diameter. It’s all about the lug to lug measurement which has the biggest effect on how a watch looks (& feels) on someone’s wrist.

[SlimJim16v]

MarkJS said:

I’ve voted 42mm but I don’t believe it’s as simple as case diameter. It’s all about the lug to lug measurement which has the biggest effect on how a watch looks (& feels) on someone’s wrist.

And the curvature. My Oris divers are quite big, but don't look it, even on my weedy wrist.

[BiggaJ]

44 to 45mm for me but voted 45+. My daily wearer Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Nedu is about 42/43mm and it looks OK but I prefer the look of my larger U-Boat.

I don't think I have overly large wrists (measuring across the top of the wrist where my watch sits its about 72mm) but I do have big hands my ring size on my ring finger is Z+6. Having said this, I do struggle to get leather straps to fit me and often find even on their most forgiving setting, the strap is tighter than I like. Both my Cuervo y Sobrenos and my Bell & Ross straps are overly tight.

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:48

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:51

[The Goat]

Anything from 41mm to 47mm for me. I have quite large wrists and anything below 41mm always looks a little small.

[MitchT]

I have the kind of frame most women would kill for! 36mm max.

[Grumbler]

I have large wrists and hands, but I simply prefer a smaller watch. Would happily go down to 36mm for the right watch, but I’ve vetoed watches for being +42mm. But each to their own.

[Speed addicted]

BiggaJ said:

44 to 45mm for me but voted 45+. My daily wearer Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Nedu is about 42/43mm and it looks OK but I prefer the look of my larger U-Boat.

I don't think I have overly large wrists (measuring across the top of the wrist where my watch sits its about 72mm) but I do have big hands my ring size on my ring finger is Z+6. Having said this, I do struggle to get leather straps to fit me and often find even on their most forgiving setting, the strap is tighter than I like. Both my Cuervo y Sobrenos and my Bell & Ross straps are overly tight.

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:48

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:51

I’ve just ordered a new strap for my bell and Ross, they come in different sizes. As far as I can tell my BR03 came on a medium strap so I’ve ordered a large for a better fit,

[Jinba Ittai]

There’s lots of considerations over whether a watch is going to be a good fit -
Case diameter
Lug to lug
Lug width
Lug length
Dial to bezel ratio
End link integration
Case thickness
Weight

As an example, I have a JLC Polaris (for sale by the way) which is 41mm case diameter. It has an internal rotating bezel, so the crystal stretches the full width of the watch. It also has a 21mm lug width. It wears much, much bigger than my Speedmaster, which is 42mm case width and 20mm lug width. The extra mm on the strap and full width crystal makes the Polaris look much much larger despite the smaller case diameter.

[BiggaJ]

Speed addicted said:

BiggaJ said:

44 to 45mm for me but voted 45+. My daily wearer Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Nedu is about 42/43mm and it looks OK but I prefer the look of my larger U-Boat.

I don't think I have overly large wrists (measuring across the top of the wrist where my watch sits its about 72mm) but I do have big hands my ring size on my ring finger is Z+6. Having said this, I do struggle to get leather straps to fit me and often find even on their most forgiving setting, the strap is tighter than I like. Both my Cuervo y Sobrenos and my Bell & Ross straps are overly tight.

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:48

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 2nd September 16:51

I’ve just ordered a new strap for my bell and Ross, they come in different sizes. As far as I can tell my BR03 came on a medium strap so I’ve ordered a large for a better fit,

Thanks, I've been looking but cant find one to suit my BR 03-94 BLACKTRACK ... the strap is leather with a red edge, if you have any link to a suitable replacement, it would be a great help.

[fflump]

I think ideal watch size also depends on the style. Overall I like a 40-42 sports watch, a 39 travel time watch and a 37 dress watch. However as noted above the lug lengths and style make a big difference. Breguet lugs tend to protrude more horizontally than most for example which makes the watch wear larger. Another factor is the size of the dial - a 42 sports watch can easily have a dial size similar to a 37 dress watch.

[carguy45]

I have a few good watches I keep for formal events and the like and they tend to be about 40mm fit. Maybe it's my wrist shape but with traditional watches they never feel perfectly comfortable, I don't like them too tight but equally I don't like them moving around freely on my wrist.

I have an apple watch I use daily and for it, I bought one of those elastic nylon straps off Amazon, similar to pictured. Fits snugly to my wrist and never feels too tight or loose.

[CrippsCorner]

I didn't really know about watch sizes when I picked my first luxury watch, I just got what I liked, and it was 39mm I found out afterwards.

I tried on 40mm ones after, which were fine, but maybe a tad too big.

I then bought a 38mm but after a while it felt too small, so sold that on.

I eventually bought another 39mm and again, it's just perfect. So, 39mm for me, though I would consider a 40mm.

I do have lady wrists!

[Cybertronian]

I have girly wrists which are also round in shape, so I'm out on many iconic watches.

39mm is my sweet spot, though I find lug to lug has the biggest impact on whether a watch is wearable for me or not.

My 39mm Planet Ocean with very short lug to lug wears like a dream and looks nicely proportioned on my wrist.

My 40mm Speedmaster FOIS has rather long lug to lug measurement, and is just on the edge of looking sensible on my wrist.

[BiggaJ]

Speed addicted said:

I’ve just ordered a new strap for my bell and Ross, they come in different sizes. As far as I can tell my BR03 came on a medium strap so I’ve ordered a large for a better fit,

After much faffing ... it appears the B&R watch I have didn't come with an XL strap however, they have confirmed a strap that looks very similar in XL that can be shipped out. Happy now.

[Speed addicted]

BiggaJ said:

Speed addicted said:

I’ve just ordered a new strap for my bell and Ross, they come in different sizes. As far as I can tell my BR03 came on a medium strap so I’ve ordered a large for a better fit,

After much faffing ... it appears the B&R watch I have didn't come with an XL strap however, they have confirmed a strap that looks very similar in XL that can be shipped out. Happy now.

That’s good, it’s great that they cater for different sizes, the XL strap is quite a bit bigger so you shouldn’t have any problems.
I’m a bit shocked at how much darker my tan strap was after a few years of wear, the new one looks very light in comparison!

[Bob_Defly]

MitchT said:

I have the kind of frame most women would kill for! 36mm max.