How to Pick the Perfect Watch for Your Hand Size?

How to Pick the Perfect Watch for Your Hand Size?

Imagine yourself wearing clothes that you do not like. It feels odd right? You feel like a different person because it is not your style at all. The same goes for your shoes, jewelry, and even watches. A watch reflects your personality. That is why it is important to know not just the kind of watch that suits your character but also the size that fits you.

Most watch enthusiasts are asking this question: ‘What watch size should I get for my wrist?’ It is normal to hear this because a lot of misconceptions are associated with watches and sizes. Hence, to avoid confusion, it is better to ask than not.

The Grayton Automatic Watches White Silver Dial, Rose Gold Case and Black Croco Embossed Leather Strap in 36mm, 40mm, and 44mm sizes respectively

HOW TO MEASURE WATCH SIZE?

Determining the best watch size for your wrist is not a guessing game. You need to understand how to measure watch size and to be familiar with the watch sizes’ measurement basics.

For better understanding, here are some important key points to remember when sizing a watch.

• Case Size (Diameter) and Thickness

  You might wonder how a watch’s case thickness is related to sizes. The principle is: As the diameter of a watch case increases or decreases, the thickness does as well.

  That is why you should first identify how thick the watch’s case should be. For example, in most collections of automatic watches, a case’s thickness may range from six to ten (6-10) mm. Based on this, the ideal case thickness of watch sizes for small wrists are usually from six to seven (6-7) mm.

  You have control when it comes to the diameter because you can choose a case size but not the case’s thickness which is decided by the manufacturer.

  Here is the standard case’s thickness of most watches in the industry:

  • 6mm – 8mm as thin,
  • 8mm – 12mm as average, and
  • 14mm – 18mm as thick

Shown in this image is the case thickness of Grayton Automatic Watches with or without a dial glass.

• In a minimalist automatic watch, for example, the length from its dial’s center to one side (diameter) is the measurement used to determine the watch size for 6-inch wrist or 40mm watch on wrist and vice-versa.

• Watch Band Width, Kind, and Material

  When sizing a watch, it is also vital to determine your band width because it can greatly affect the way your watch will look on the wrist. It is recommended that you choose a band or a leather watch strap that is half of the case diameter such as the following:

  • Case Diameter: 36mm, Strap Size: 18mm
  • Case Diameter: 40mm, Strap Size: 20mm
  • Case Diameter: 44mm, Strap Size: 22mm

At this image, you can see the standard Grayton Automatic Watches strap sizes according to its case diameters and lugs width

On the other hand, choosing the kind of strap or band and the material used should be based on your preferences. Metal bracelets may come in a mesh or a link form and are mostly preferred by men with larger wrists. At the same time, metal bands are still popular for women’s watches although most prefer the leather straps. Fabric or nylon straps are commonly used for sports watches though these kinds of straps can also be seen on casual watches.

DETERMINING WATCH SIZE FOR 6-INCH WRIST OR 40MM WATCH ON WRIST

To determine a wrist size or watch sizes for small wrists:

1. Get a measuring tape or a foldable ruler and then wrap it around your wrist.
2. Make sure that the tape or ruler is neither too tight nor too loose on your wrist before getting the measurement.

After getting your size, it is important to understand the proportion of your wrist size and the case diameter. So, to answer the question, what watch size should I get for my wrist? Refer to these sizing guides:

Watch Case’s Diameter Range	General Wrist Size
<34mm	Small
34mm – 38mm	Medium
39mm – 42mm	Standard
43mm – 46mm	XL/ Oversize
>47mm	XXL

Table 1.1 – Basic Wrist Sizes Based on Cases Diameters Only

If you have a wrist size of small to standard sizes, choose a case diameter between 34mm, 36mm, 38mm, 40mm, or 42mm. Otherwise, if you have an oversize wrist, it is better to choose large cases from 44mm – 46mm.

Wrist Size (Circumference)	Recommended Size
<15cm (<6 inches)	34mm – 36mm (Small to Midsize)
15cm – 18cm (6 – 7 inches)	38mm – 42 mm (Midsize to Standard)
19cm – 20cm (7.5 – 8 inches) and above	44mm – 46mm (XL/ Oversize)

Table 1.2 – Wrist Sizes and Recommended Sizes

It is recommended to have a watch with 34mm – 40mm cases for women while men’s watches should be 40mm – 46mm cases.

On the other hand, watches with 38mm – 42mm cases are now popularly known as unisex sizes and are recommended for those who prefer a neither too big nor too small dial.

Keep in mind that there is no perfect formula when it comes to sizing a watch that can perfectly fit on your wrist. However, given the above tips and important details to remember, there is an assurance that you can spot the best wristwatch that you are looking for.

These guides and tips will help you in one way or another. At the end of the day, you will still end up wearing the watch that you like.