Feel confident wearing your watch, knowing that the size is right. This simple watch size guide will assist you.
Nothing is less helpful than the discussion of “small,” “medium,” and “large” watches among watch-collecting circles and enthusiasts. How can we categorize watches this way without a measurement?
This language doesn’t translate to measurements, and that’s precisely what you want when sizing a watch accurately for your wrist.
The difference between a couple of millimeters here and there can be phenomenal, especially if you have small wrists.
Most online literature surrounding watches will have you believe that 38-40mm is the sweet spot.
While 38mm watches wear exceptionally well, this wrist watch size guide will help you understand why that’s not always true. There are many more factors to consider when looking at watches for slender wrists.
Put two 38mm watches side by side; they can wear and look completely different. While 38mm is a pretty safe bet, no one size fits all.
In a world where 38mm watches are as small as you can get for men’s watches, prepare to learn something new. There are even ways to make a 38mm watch fit better for your slight proportions.
Table of Contents
Does Size Matter?
Want to know the biggest mistake made when it comes to watch collecting? Men wear watches that are too big for their wrists.
Don’t get me wrong, some watches are naturally big and bold, and that’s all part of their identity. However, men with small wrists should undoubtedly be aware of their boundaries when it comes to watch sizes.
I tend to think that overly big watches can make a man’s wrist look small and, sometimes, feminine. If you want to avoid that, then follow this guide.
So, yes — in short — size matters, at least when it comes to watching collecting!
How To Use a Watch Size Guide Calculator
To help you find the perfect watch size for your wrist, you can use the following calculator. Simply enter your details, and the calculator will provide you with a safe-zone range. As long as you stick within your range limits, watches will always look great on your wrist.
Here’s how to use this watch size guide to find your ideal timepiece with ease:
Step 1: Measure your wrist circumference with a tape measure
Step 2: Choose inches or centimeters
Step 3: Enter your wrist size
Step 4: View your results
Why Is the Lug-To-Lug Measurement of a Watch Important?
One thing to consider when choosing the perfect watch size is the case’s lug-to-lug measurement.
The lug-to-lug measurement of a case is crucial because it determines how much of your wrist’s width it will fill. If the lug-to-lug measurement of a watch is compact, you can get away with a larger diameter.
Surprisingly, retailers don’t always provide the lug-to-lug measurement on a watch description. The lugs are the pieces extending from the case’s top and bottom.
They accommodate material straps and metal bracelets. The measurement begins at the tip of one set of lugs and ends at the bottom of the other.
Knowing the lug-to-lug width of a watch makes sense because you don’t want the head to overhang or stick out. The smaller the wrist, the fewer options you have for avoiding this outcome.
An ideal watch case should fill 70-95% of your wrist width and not overspill. Remember that your wrist size does not directly relate to your wrist width. Those with flat wrists are lucky since they can carry larger watches.
There is no rule to the lug-to-lug vs case width ratio. All watches are different.
A table like this below can help you understand what lug-to-lug measurement you should opt for compared to the case size.
Use this table in conjunction with the wrist size calculator for more precise guidelines.
| Inches | Centimeters | Watch Case Size | Lug To Lug Distance |
| 5.50 ” | 14.0 cm | From 27.9 to 34.9 mm | From 34.9 to 43.7 mm |
| 5.75 ” | 14.6 cm | From 29.2 to 36.5 mm | From 36.5 to 45.6 mm |
| 6.00 ” | 15.2 cm | From 30.5 to 38.1 mm | From 38.1 to 47.6 mm |
| 6.25 ” | 15.9 cm | From 31.8 to 39.7 mm | From 39.7 to 49.6 mm |
| 6.50 ” | 16.5 cm | From 33.0 to 41.3 mm | From 41.3 to 51.6 mm |
| 6.75 ” | 17.1 cm | From 34.3 to 42.9 mm | From 42.9 to 53.6 mm |
| 7.00 ” | 17.8 cm | From 35.6 to 44.5 mm | From 44.5 to 55.6 mm |
| 7.25 ” | 18.4 cm | From 36.8 to 46.0 mm | From 46 to 57.5 mm |
| 7.50 ” | 19.1 cm | From 38.1 to 47.6 mm | From 47.6 to 59.5 mm |
| 7.75 ” | 19.7 cm | From 39.4 to 49.2 mm | From 49.2 to 61.5 mm |
| 8.00 ” | 20.3 cm | From 40.6 to 50.8 mm | From 50.8 to 63.5 mm |
| 8.25 ” | 21.0 cm | From 41.9 to 52.4 mm | From 52.4 to 65.5 mm |
Watch Band Size Guide
Watch band size guides differ depending on where you look online. Generally speaking, you can measure the lug width of a watch to determine the best strap size for your small wrist.
By measuring the lug width of a watch (between the two lugs), you can determine the correct strap size for a replacement.
Watch band conversion charts are ideal for quickness. They can show you the average bandwidth for your case size. Charts like this also come in handy for figuring out the best size for a replacement band.
Watch Battery Size Guide
Battery sizes have little impact on a watch case. Some batteries are large and require a little extra room, while others are small and compact. Mechanical movements, however, do affect the size of a case.
You can figure out the size of a replacement battery by referring to a watch battery size guide.
Mechanical chronograph movements are generally thicker than automatic movements. They also tend to be thicker than quartz movements. Since a brand will often manufacture a watch around its engine, it’s normal for a chronograph to be thicker.
Of course, this is with the exception of some brands specializing in creating ultra-slim movements. Bvlgari, Richard Mille, and Piaget are just a few examples.
Naturally, if you have a larger wrist, watches with thick movements will look more proportional. Of course, what looks “right” to you depends on your personal preferences.
Watch Case Size Guide
Did you know you can easily measure the size of a watch case yourself? Use a pair of calipers and measure one side of the case to the other. Note that this measurement should not include the crown. You can also use a tape measure for this part.
A good way to determine a watch’s size is to measure from 10 to 4 o’clock to avoid the 3 o’clock crown. A transparent ruler will also do the job.
Many factors can affect the size of a watch case. These include the shape of the lugs and whether they are flat or curved. Curved lugs will hug the wrist better. If you prefer flatter lugs, ensure they are within the correct measurements according to the chart provided.
Even the most unexpected details of a watch can affect how it is worn. If the hour markers on the hour track are small, the watch will wear smaller than its actual dimensions.
This measurement includes the tip of an hour marker to the tip of the opposite marker.
This is why a 42-mm watch with, say, a 26-mm measurement between the hour markers can wear more like a 40-mm watch. Bezels with measuring scales reduce the hour markers’ circle, too, making them a good option for small wrists.
FAQs
Use these FAQs for guidance on how to find the perfect watch size for your wrist.
How do I know what size watch to get?
Watch case size guides can help you determine your correct watch size. While small wrists should avoid some sizes, other factors can change a watch’s appearance on the wrist.
Is a 44mm watch too big?
44mm watches are large. Most men will look at an average watch case size of 40-42mm. Those with slender wrists will find 38mm or 36mm watches a good size. However, some 38mm watches can wear larger than others.
Is a 40mm watch too small for a man?
A 40mm watch is not too small for a man. In fact, those with wrists measuring below 8 inches will find a 40mm case size too large.
The Takeaway
So, there you have it! I hope this watch size guide will help you find the perfect wristwatch. At least, it’ll give you a good place to start looking!
Remember: case size, lug-to-lug distance, lug shape, hour markers circle, dial color, and case thickness all determine case size. You want to make sure to check them all for the perfect fit.
Now that you know everything about watch sizes make sure you measure your wrist properly and use the resources we’ve shared above. There are no excuses!
Stay tuned for more articles like this by signing up for our newsletter at The Slender Wrist today.
