Watch Size Guide
Choosing the perfect watch comes down to a number of factors, such as price point, metals, complications, and almost the most important: sizing. While the watch may not seem to be overly large by looking at it, once it’s on the wrist it can come across differently. Learn some of the key factors to look for and how a watch should be sized to fit your wrist.
In this article you’ll learn about measuring:
> Finding the Right Size For You
Measuring the Watch Case
When measuring any part of your watch case, you will need to use a caliper and follow some basic principles. Before you start measuring, ensure that your caliper is in good working order, features the metric system (watch measurements are typically in millimeters), and, preferably, digital to ensure accuracy. You’ll also want the jaws to be plastic to prevent any scratching.
When interior measurements, loosen the caliper, align the jaws with the area you are measuring, and adjust the caliper until both exterior facing jaws touch the watch. From there you can tighten the lock screw and get an accurate reading. For exterior measurements, you will want to use interior-facing jaws.
Getting the Base Size
A watch can be measured diagonally, typically across the 8 to 2 marks while avoiding the crown and any other case features. This measurement is going to give you the base size, but you will want to do further measurements a complete sizing.
Measuring Other Case Shapes
A round watch will wear differently than a cushion shape, rectangular or square watch. Measuring a watch with a cushion casing, like the Patek Philippe Nautilus for example, should be approached the same way and measured at the narrowest point. While not ideal, it’s the most accurate way to measure an irregularly shaped watch case. Consider recording measurements of both the most narrow point, and the widest if you’re measuring your watch to establish its value.
Watch Case Thickness
Something not often considered when looking at watches and how they best fit is the case thickness. Most watches are between 8-12mm thick. Thin and ultra-thin watches measure less than 8mm, while thick watches measure over 14mm.
A thicker watch, or even a NATO strap sitting under the case can make a watch look even larger, even if the case size is on the smaller size. A more slender case can make a watch wear smaller on the wrist.
Measure the Lugs
Measuring the distance between the lugs is just as important as measuring the casing. Without knowing this, purchasing replacement bands and bracelets is a guessing game. To measure the lug width, use exterior facing jaws to measure the inside of the lug.
To measure the distance between the lugs, you’ll use the interior facing jaws of the caliper between two parallel lugs on either side of the watch. Knowing this, and if your wrist tends to be flatter or more rounded, will help you determine if the watch will lay comfortably, or if it isn’t a good fit.
Crowns & Complications Increase Case Size
In addition to measuring every aspect of the base, you will need to measure the crown and any complications the watch may feature. Chronograph pushers, helium escape valves, and other pushers may cause the case to look and wear larger than its case size may lead on.
Bracelet Style: How It Effects Watch Size
In addition to NATO straps making a watch appear thicker, bracelets can also change the way the watch fits on a wrist. An integrated bracelet, such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, tends to flare out slightly when compared to a Rolex Oyster bracelet. Taking a look at a 41mm Royal Oak and 40mm Submariner, both are suited perfectly for average to larger wrists, but the Submariner is going to fit easier on a smaller wrist. For women that enjoy wearing larger watches, this integrated bracelet is something to consider along with case size when choosing a watch.
What Size Watch Should I Get For My Wrist?
You’ll want to start off by making sure you know the size of your wrist. If you have a measuring tape handy you can use that, you can also download our wrist size guide.
Keep these things in mind for the perfect fit:
1. How big is your wrist?
For smaller wrists, it’s better to avoid watches and bands that are larger, while large and extra-large wrists should avoid smaller timepieces. It’s important to make sure your watch case, thickness, and the band width are proportionate to your wrist, hand, and forearm size.
2. Where do you wear your watch?
The correct placement of a wristwatch is just below the prominent part of your wristbone (the ulna). This is where you should measure to determine the size of your wrist. Also, typically it should be worn on your non-dominant arm. The Panerai Luminor 8 Days Titanio PAM 368 ref. PAM00368 and Rolex GMT-Master II 26720VTNR “Sprite”
are beautiful examples of left-handed luxury wristwatches.
3. What’s your personal preference?
Where and how you wear a watch may all depend on the watch itself rather than a set standard. For example, some people may prefer a different fit for their metal bracelet over a leather or rubber strap. The watch case size and thickness may also impact your measurements and preference.
4. What kind of bracelet do you want?
Watch Case Size Matters
The case size is going to be the most significant element when choosing the perfect watch. Historically, men’s watches were between 34-36mm while women’s watch sizes were even smaller. Today, the average men’s wristwatch sizes are between 38-46mm. Anything smaller than 38mm is often found for women’s watches, although that doesn’t mean women can’t wear larger watches. Sizing looks like this:
- <34mm Small (women’s)
- 34mm – 38mm Midsize (unisex)
- 39mm – 42mm Standard (men’s)
- 43mm – 46mm XL/Oversize (men’s)
- >47mm XXL (men’s)
Watch Size For A 7in Wrist
A 7 inch wrist is a pretty average man’s wrist size, and because of this, both larger and smaller watches are easily worn. Here are some general guidelines around what size watches tend to fit wrist sizes:
- 6 inch wrist – Small to medium diameter cases around 34-38mm.
- 7 to 7.5 inch wrist – Considered average mens wrist size. 38-42mm range will fit best.
- 8 inch and larger – Considered a large wrist size. Cases between 40-46mm, will give the wearer a more proportional look.
Explore our other buying guides or virtually try-on select watches on the The 1916 Company App. These watches are marked on our site; simply look for the “Try It On” option, then locate the watch on the bottom of the home screen in the app.