watches for men, luxury watch for men with brown leather band and sapphire crystal

How To Pick The Right Watch Size For Your Wrist?

January 31, 2024

Choosing a watch is often a reflection of one’s interest, character and overall style. Choosing the right watch may seem confusing, especially with the variety of designs and sizes available. You will be able to find plenty of models which range from economic to extremely expensive. Some particular timepieces may be so pricy that you need to think twice before spending your entire savings on them, which may be one of the reasons why some people find these watches so appealing. 

The appeal of watches lies within the fact that no matter your style, you will be able to find something that matches your taste. Even though many men’s watches may be 38 – 42 mm large in size, there are many reasons why you may want to go up or down in size. For this reason many people find bold, larger watches to be way more appealing. Wearing an extra large watch during your business meetings will tell people you enjoy and want to command attention.

Some may even use this as a strategic move to create a sense of authority and dominance, while others may simply prefer standing out with their fashion choices. However, if you wear a significantly large watch with finer business attire keep in mind that it may keep tugging on your cuffs. 

man winding classic white dial watch with brown leather band

Determining the right size for your wrist

Overall, people tend to choose larger watches if they have larger wrists. So if you prefer a bigger watch, opting for a 43mm plus size watch will probably fit you best. On the other hand, if you have a skinnier wrist, a 36 – 39mm timepiece may work better with your anatomy. If you have thinner wrists, you risk looking shabby if you wear a watch that is much bigger. Moreover, the watch may not sit comfortably on your wrist, move around or even tug at your hairs/clothes.

People who have flatter wrists can wear watches that are generally bigger. On the other hand, people with smaller wrists should opt for another size which will sit more elegantly on their hand. Don’t forget to take everything in comparison. For example, a guy with a large build can make a 44mm watch look small. As a rule of thumb, in order to find a watch that fits your wrist perfectly, the lugs (the place where the strap attaches to the case) should not hang over your wrist. If they do so, the watch may not be as comfortable for everyday wear. Try out different sizes to find what works best for you. Remember that everything comes down to preference and personal taste.

Tufina Pionier Boston GM-518-2 German watch for men, classic blue dial watch with blue leather band, silver Roman numerals and case

Tufina Pionier Boston GM-518-2.

Watch categories

You can choose from a large selection of watches and watch categories. These categories all suit various themes, styles, or events:

Dress watches

Roman numerals, sleeker displays, and—most often—leather bands characterize these watches, which tend to be slimmer and more refined. Their case shapes, which range from square to rectangular to round, should suit the wrist comfortably without being excessively large or little. Check out Tufina Boston if you’re searching for an ideal classy dress watch.

Dive watches

These watches are typically constructed from medium-thickness stainless steel and are designed to survive hundreds of meters underwater. The band is usually composed of rubber or metal for comfort and durability, and the dial is easily readable to enhance functionality during diving. 

Field watches

Field watches frequently use the most basic designs available. These watches usually come with stainless steel cases and a canvas band. Usually, they are available in small to medium sizes.

Pilot watches

Larger size watches like this are designed to make reading them easier while flying. To ensure that you can also tell the time in the dark, the majority of them have luminous hands.

white dial minimalist watch for men with light brown band and thin stick indices

Other things to consider

It may surprise you to learn that your watch’s band can really make it appear thinner or heavier. For example, using a leather strap will make your watch appear thinner. Similarly, a smaller feel will also be produced using fabric bands. However, a watch with metal bands will always appear larger and heavier than it actually is.

The band’s width will also affect how the watch fits and appears; bands wider than 50% of the watch face size are regarded as large. For instance, the band on a 38mm watch should be about 19mm wide. The watch’s lugs and the elements around the face might also give the impression that the watch is larger than it actually is.

An enormous crown or big pusher knobs might give the watch an unbalanced appearance. When selecting the appropriate watch size for your wrist, this is a crucial factor to take into account. Naturally, if you’re adopting the “bigger is better” approach, a 46mm face that is enormous and has massive knobs will be

Think about the band and thickness of the watch in relation to your wrist size if you’re searching for the “perfect fit” for your wrist. A bigger appearance can be achieved even with the watch face’s numbers. Some watches eliminate the numbers completely in an attempt to “thin down,” which contrasts with a massive watch and metal band.

Ultimately, choosing a timepiece is a simple decision: which watch do you think looks good? As to finding the “correct” watch size, hundreds of people have thousands of different viewpoints. As long as wearing your watch makes you happy, none of those opinions matter!