Buying a wristwatch – How to choose your perfect size

Basics of choosing the correct watch size for your wrist

What all should you consider while selecting a watch? In one word, the dimensions – of the watch case; of your wrist, of your entire frame and of the strap/bracelet’s! When all four fall into place, watch-wearing becomes an immeasurable pleasure that elevates not just your looks but also your mood by leaps and bounds.

Please take note: You can’t shun one for the other. That will throw parity and proportion out of order and the end result won’t turn out as good as you thought it to be. So that you  can maintain this proportion throughout, it’s our humble effort to get you acquainted with these few points. Stick to them and you’ll find your every watch purchase turning out into a wonderful wearing experience.

• Case diameter: This comes first and foremost! The right watch for your wrist size must sit flush and the lugs must not overflow. From lug to lug, it must sit entirely on your wrist. In short, there should be no visible gap in between:

    a.The back of the watch and the wrist. This is for bracelets and    straps/bands both.   

• Between the skin and the strap/band and buckles/clasps. Metal bracelets can fit as loose or tight, depends upon the wearer’s preference.
• Lug and band width:Lugs are the projections from the watch case that holds the pins that pass through the loops of the watch straps. Thus, lugs are the things that hold the watch straps and are important factors if you are replacing the current strap for your watch.

Lug width, on an average, varies typically in the region of 18mm to 26mm, the most common size being 20mm (for men’s watches). Lug width must be equal to strap width. Always remember that the lugs are not included with the case diameter. This means, some very large watches might have lugs that extend over the wrist, which is, at best, very, very uncomfortable. Opt for a smaller case size in that case.

• Band materials: Heavily impacts how your watch sits – and therefore, looks – on your wrist. Stainless steel, Titanium or Liquidmetalor in that case, any metal or metallic alloy is preferred heavier and thicker; leather and fabric richer, tougher. Other materials might include rubber, silicone, Carbon-fibre composite materials and ceramics – these are usually a better fit for medium to thin wrists. Medium to large wrists can sport all those plus they are at the advantage of metal!
• Unique details of the watch: Markers, hands, sub-dials and crowns come in different sizes vary in size on watches. These make a watch appear smaller or bigger; therefore, for larger wrists, large dial elements are welcome. A medium or thin wrist, on the other hand, must stick to minimal features, keeping complicated and distracted looks at bay.

A bit on watch sizes

Watches are available in many different sizes but what is considered to be too small or too big? The secret answer to the question, my friend, is primarily the wrist. This is what tells you initially – and to an extent, ultimately – the exact size of the watch that will fit you the best!

Case width aside, the case thickness also has a large role to play. It is a great determinant of the material, type, width and thickness of the watch strap/bracelet.

Men’s watches usually measure between 38mm and 46mm across. Above 46mm, they are marked oversized. Oversized watches are necessary for sports and professions like sailing, flying and diving. On the other side, anything smaller than 38mm fits women well.

To sum up, wrist sizes between 5.85 inches and 7.1 inch are most comfortable with case sizes between 34 mm and 43 mm. 7.1 inch to 8.65 inches are most comfortable between 42 mm and 46mm while 46 mm+ watches are for any wrist size above that.

This is not to say you are not allowed to wear an oversized watch on a medium or average wrist. Oftentimes, work (and more than that, mood or preference) demands one to be worn; this is where strap/bracelet adjustments, sizes, type and thickness come in. However, before that, we’ll look at the maximum size ideally allowed on each wrist size.