How to Choose a Watch Based On Your Wrist Size
Watches are not a one size fits all accessory. It requires careful consideration and thought to pick one that compliments you. There aren’t any written rules on selecting a watch, but there are a few rules of thumb to help you make your choice. Remember those aesthetics are essential for a watch, but comfort should be your number 1 consideration. Let’s start by measuring your wrist first.
Identify Your Wrist Size
The first step is measuring your wrist. People usually fall into four different categories: Very thin, slim, medium, and thick. Knowing your size makes shopping online infinitely simpler, as well. Returning a product of the wrong sizing can be a long an arduous process that can be avoided.
How to Measure Your Wrist
Take a soft measuring tape. If you don’t have one, then measure approximately 10 inches on a strip of paper. Make sure you march every inch.
The next step is to wrap the measuring tape or paper around your wrist. Don’t measure right on the joint, but rather where you would like the watch to sit. For most people, this is below the wrist bone. Remember to mark where the end meets if you’re using a strip of paper. Double-check the measurement by laying a piece of the paper flat next to a ruler.
The results should fall into a category below:
Very thin: 5.5″ to 6″
Slender: 6″ to 6.5″
Medium: 6.5″ to 7″
Thick: Anything above 7″
Once you have identified your wrist size, you need to look into the next points. Think about the case diameter, thickness, and bandwidth and thickness.
The case diameter is essential to how the watch will sit on your wrist and how comfortably. The watch band dramatically impacts the appearance of the timepiece.
Watch Case Size
Size matters. While you have the freedom to wear any watch you want, they are separated by gender. Men’s watches are usually larger ranging from 38 to 46mm. A measurement smaller than 38mm should be more suited for a woman’s delicate wrist. Watch cases bigger than 46″ are very showy, but could work with certain outfits or at certain events.
Very thin: 5.5″ to 6″—- These wrists suit watch cases smaller than 38mm
Slender: 6″ to 6.5″—- For thin wrists, 38 to 42mm could work depending on your tastes.
Medium: 6.5″ to 7″—- Watches measuring at 40mm to 46 would complement these wrists.
Thick: Anything above 7″—- For larger wrists, 44mm to 46 would do.
Watch Case Thickness
The thickness also adds to the overall aesthetic of the timepiece. You wouldn’t want it to be too bulky unless you have the wrist to back it up. Usually, this factor is decided for you about your watch case size. Smaller sized watches are generally around 7mm in thickness. The larger watches should measure around 9mm. The more settings, functions, knobs, and decorations your watch has, the thicker it will be. Gemstone and crystal-embellished watches will have more depth than a basic design.
Some watch brands pride themselves in manufacturing ultra-thin designs. If you’re into that, look at options from Fossil, Citizen, Rado, Frederique Constant, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and some other brands. Just inquire about thinner watch cases. Generally, if the diameter is right for you, the thickness won’t add too much bulk.
Watch Band Width
Again, watchmakers are professionals who create well-proportioned designs. If you know your watch case size, the thickness and bandwidth should fall into place. The band should be about half the width of the diameter. For example, if you have chosen a 40mm watch case, the band should be around 20mm. It will look odd if the measurements are off by even a few millimeters.
Watch Band Material
Next up is the material, and a bit of personal preference is involved in this aspect. For visual effects, smaller watch faces are more suited to leather and fabric bands. Metal bands with the thicker chain links add bulk to the watch and your wrist, so they look better with more extensive options. However, there are lots of thin metal bands that seem like woven material that looks great with smaller watch cases. You should defer to your personal preference in this category. There are even plastic or silicone straps to consider.
Think about the overall look you want to achieve and gravitate towards the strap that will accomplish this. Also, consider your lifestyle; if you’re active, then a silicone or plastic strap might suit you more. More formal corporate employees might lean towards metal or leather bands.
Details and Components
Things like hands, dials, decorations, markers, pushers, changers, etc. all fall under this category. Interestingly, the more significant these features are on a watch case, the larger the watch will appear. Everything should complement one another unless you’re going for a more whimsical look. A balanced and well-proportioned watch is generally more eye-catching and appealing.
The smaller your wrist is, the more subtle and minimal these features should be.
What Watch to Get for Your Wrist Size?
Now that you have more of an idea of what you should look for, you can take all this knowledge and use it to find yourself the perfect watch.
We have given you some suggestions taken with all our above tips in mind if you don’t know where to start.
Very Thin Wrist
Look for smaller watch cases; there might even be a section in the shop just for you. The size should be under 38mm and have fine details. Slim and lightweight designs are the way to go. The colors don’t matter; you can go for whatever you like. If you want details, make sure they are just small embellishments like a crystal here or a diamond there, so it doesn’t add too much depth. The material won’t matter too much as well since everything will be made to the right proportions.
If you think about it, you have quite a lot of choices from watches around 20mm to 38, and there are quite a lot of elegant styles for your delicate wrist. Men can afford to go a little bigger, around 38 to 40mm.
Watch Suggestions for Very Thin Wrists
Female – Tissot Lovely Analog Mother of Pearl Rose Gold
This lovely watch is among the smallest sizes you can get at 19.5 mm. It’s a slim design with minimal details with a small metal linked watchband.
Male – MVMT Boulevard Santa Monica Leather Strap Watch
Something similar to this one is an excellent choice for men with smaller wrists. Measuring at 38mm, the neutral colors and simple analog design with a leather watchband will compliment any outfit.
Slender Wrists
Slender wrists can afford to carry some extra bulk and weight compared to the thin ones. You can choose a slim style that’s sleek and elegant but not too delicate. Slender-wristed people should search for styles around 38 to 40mm, and the thickness should be 8mm or so, with a 2mm leeway give or take depending on gender. Slimmer than that is fine, but anything thicker will add too much mass to your wrist.
Don’t go too far below 38mm as it could look too small.
Watch Suggestions for Slender Wrists
Female – Ted Baker Women’s Kate Quartz Watch with Stainless-Steel Strap
Measuring at 36mm, at 2mm less than the suggested 38, is alright for women. The beautiful floral watch face design is elaborate enough to draw more attention to the timepiece, making it stand out more and seem more prominent. The leather strap in a darker color would complement the fancy face and make the watch seem sleek.
Male – Bvlgari Octo Velocissimo Watch
This is a gorgeous chronograph watch black rubber for the strap. The dark color still gives it a higher-end feel despite the rubber material. It’s great for more active males but also does well in a more formal setting.
Medium Wrists
Medium wrists are the perfect size to suit most watch designs out there. Although, of course, depending on your skin color, preference, and band, some watches might look better than others. 42mm to 44mm give or take 1 to 2mm are the best sizes for medium wrists.
Watch Suggestions for Medium-Sized Wrists
Female – Versace Sport Tech 40mm Watch
Women’s watches very rarely exceed 40mm, and even finding ones at 40 can sometimes be challenging. You might need to look for more unisex designs. However, we managed to track down this metal chronograph watch for women from Versace. The dials on the right and the chronograph plus the metal link design add a bit of bulk if you prefer a larger watch. A lot of Michael Kors’s designs also suit a medium-thicker wrist.
Male – BOSS Intensity, Quartz Stainless Steel and Leather Strap Casual Watch
The leather monotone strap is excellent for this complicated watch face. Measuring at 44mm, it perfectly complements a medium-sized wrist.
Thick Wrist
Last but not least, we have a thick wrist. These wrists need larger watches to complement its size, but nothing too overly fancy. Look for any watch 44mm to 46mm in diameter or even slightly more substantial. You have the physicality to sport chunkier watches.
Watch Suggestions for Thick Wrists
Female – BOSS Men’s Navigator Quartz Grey IP and Mesh Bracelet Casual Watch
Since the watch itself is quite big at 44mm, we chose one in all black to not draw too much attention to it. It’s a unisex watch because it’s tough to find one of this size made solely for women.
Male – Samsung Galaxy Watch 46mm
Not as many watches are made in this size, but we found one by Samsung. The plain design is sleek without added dials and protruding buttons to add even more bulk. The orange hands give just a touch of added detail.
Conclusion
As an added tip, although round watches are the most common, you can find different shapes. Square, rectangular, oval, and some other geometric-shaped watches can add a different effect. Apple Watches are fantastic because they make them in sizes for every wrist.
Now that you know which watch would suit you the best, are your watches in the right category? It’s also more straightforward for you to browse watches now that you know where to start. Of course, in the end, you can choose whichever style you like. The above tips are just for consideration.
