Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

38mm versus 42mm photoshop+print to size

For a man, which one do you like best?

  • 38mm

    Votes: 37 35.9%

  • 42mm

    Votes: 39 37.9%

  • I am torn like you, no idea

    Votes: 27 26.2%
  • Total voters
    103
Technodynamic

Technodynamic

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 25, 2012
371
81
I've taken the Ryan Mack PDF: http://ryanpmack.com/files/AppleWatchSizeComparison.pdf

...and Photoshopped the SS with Milanese Loop over top it to print two perfect 'paper' renders of the 38mm and 42mm. I would be happy with either, but my brain is really having a hard time deciding what is best.

First the pics:
38mm2.jpg

42mm2.jpg

2watches.jpg
38vs42.jpg


My 38mm pros and cons:
  • Pro: Wow factor, how do they do all that in a watch that is smaller than most others on the market
  • Pro: Seems to be a proportional fit to hand/clothes
  • Con: Some people thing smaller watch is for women
  • Con: Less pixels than 42mm means I'm not seeing all I could

My 42mm pros and cons:
  • Pro: Bigger screen means better experience using UI/reading/etc
  • Pro: Larger size is seen as 'manly'
  • Con: It looks a tad too large imo, compared to traditional watches (I currently have a smaller Movado).

If I had to pick right now, I think I'd get the 38mm. I just wonder if I'd rather the slightly larger screen for using the watch. Added pixels for the same image means you will see more detail on the 42mm versus the 38mm and I feel like I am missing on some clarity, but... I like the way the smaller one looks, from a jewelry perspective. First world problems.

Here is the link to the Photoshop PSD file for those of you that want to print one too:
http://www.technodynamic.com/images/AppleWatchSizeComparison.psd
 
Last edited:
Great very interesting....
I also think that the 38 mm is better... 42 to me is too big and probably would weight a little more.... The sensation of freedom from a small watch is very pleasant: at the end of the day, if you purchase the bigger one, your wrist will regret your decision!:D:D
 
Could you post PSD, Technodynamic?

Hi Technodynamic,

Is there any way you could post the PSD that you made including the bands and the sizes? That would be great!

Thanks!
 
Could you post PSD, Technodynamic?

Technodynamic said:
I've taken the Ryan Mack PDF: http://ryanpmack.com/files/AppleWatchSizeComparison.pdf

...and Photoshopped the SS with Milanese Loop
Click to expand...

Hi Technodynamic,

Is there any way you could post the PSD that you made including the bands and the sizes? That would be great!

Thanks!

----------
Technodynamic said:
It's on my work computer. I will on Monday. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks so much!!! Your pictures look great! I think they both look great on your wrist!
 
Interesting experiment. I printed out the comparison and the 38mm is identical in size to my Casio watch including the case. I really don't think I would want to go any larger than that, so if I do get one it will be the 38.
 
Technodynamic said:
My 38mm pros and cons:
  • Con: Some people think smaller watch is for women

My 42mm pros and cons:
  • Pro: Larger size is seen as 'manly'
Click to expand...

I get that some people feel like this, but I always find myself thinking, "are there really folks whose grasp on their gender identity is so tenuous that this will push them over the brink?" (Note that I'm not talking about you, but rather this whole trend of thought towards "small=for women, large=for men".) I'm 6'1" and tend to go for smaller watches - I really dislike the whole "dinner plate / grandfather clock on your wrist" fashion trend (which makes smaller watches harder to find) - my favorite watch is a Mondaine (a "Swiss Railway Watch") that's 36mm diameter and 6mm thick. As far as the Apple Watch goes, it's interesting to see everyone's pictures in this thread, but lacking an accurate 3D model with strap and working display, I can't be certain enough of which I'd like better - I'll wait until I can go visit them and try both on.
 
I had been thinking 38mm, but have a Pebble and when I overlaid the cutout the 42mm seemed to match its size much better. I think I'm just going to have to let the price rule my decision...
 
CarlJ said:
I get that some people feel like this, but I always find myself thinking, "are there really folks whose grasp on their gender identity is so tenuous that this will push them over the brink?" .
Click to expand...

In a word.... YES.

I think this starts to happen a lot in school, where there are groups and most people wish to fit in with a group, and you then need to modify your behaviour or choices based upon the views of the group.

This is nothing unusual, and probably happens with other animals also.

It can take a LOT for some people to stand out and go against the group and take the consequences of doing that.

Cloths, Car, Phone, Hair, Shoes, even the views you express.

I'm sure most people are not even aware they are actually doing it as to them, it's just become the norm for them.
 
CarlJ said:
I'm 6'1" and tend to go for smaller watches - I really dislike the whole "dinner plate / grandfather clock on your wrist" fashion trend (which makes smaller watches harder to find) - my favorite watch is a Mondaine (a "Swiss Railway Watch") that's 36mm diameter and 6mm thick.
Click to expand...

I also prefer smaller watches. I currently wear an Omega ST 166.0209 with a model 1020 movement. 34mm external diameter, excluding the crown. It's a fair bit thicker than yours due to the domed plexiglass crystal. It was my grandfather's retirement watch.

CarlJ said:
As far as the Apple Watch goes, it's interesting to see everyone's pictures in this thread, but lacking an accurate 3D model with strap and working display, I can't be certain enough of which I'd like better - I'll wait until I can go visit them and try both on.
Click to expand...

Very much this. Same with the bands. I suspect they are not going to be inexpensive, so I will want to feel them on my wrist to decide. I don't imagine any of them are going to feel cheap, but they may feel wrong to me. It's like buying a tool. A keyboard. A monitor. Anything you physically interact with on a regular basis. You should spend the time to make sure that it feels right. That you want to use it.
 
I'm a small woman, but I'm hoping the bigger Apple watch is not too large for me to wear, because bigger screen = easier to see and manipulate.

For a man, I don't think it matters. Either size should work. I'm not voting on the poll because the third poll option doesn't really reflect my opinion -- no need to be torn over it, just pick whichever one you like.
 
jaymc said:
Got a Rolex GMT Master II and am used the the size and weight ... probably get the 42mm. :)

Image
Click to expand...

I'm lazy.. I have the Submariner... Is it the same size? Or bigger than yours? I think the Submariner and the GMT Master II are the same size, just yours is more limited edition...

Thanks :p
 
I was 100% torn between the sizes. Until I printed off the two and compared by taping them onto the only watch I wear. Now I am 100% convinced to get the 42mm one. I highly suggest those who are torn like I was to print them off, cut them out and paste it on a watch. I'm sold on the size...now I have to decide what version, strap and alloy to get :(
 
Thank you for providing the print to size pdf document.

I am wondering if something is wrong with my printer, or simply that this PDF came out before official announcement of all dimensions and is just an approximation.

I opened the PDF and printed actual size at 100% scale and cut it out to place on my wrist.

I am now comparing the cut outs to the Apple Store app's actual size page of the watches on my iPhone 6 Plus. I placed the cutout on top of my iPhone and it seems that the cutouts are a little small.

In a perfect world, they would be flush. In this example, when I place the cutout on the phone screen, I am able to see the bezels of the watch on my iPhone screen.

The pdf is extremely useful to help pre-order and is more than close enough. This is more for my own curiosity now. :)
 
darkslide29 said:
Thank you for providing the print to size pdf document.

I am wondering if something is wrong with my printer, or simply that this PDF came out before official announcement of all dimensions and is just an approximation.

I opened the PDF and printed actual size at 100% scale and cut it out to place on my wrist.

I am now comparing the cut outs to the Apple Store app's actual size page of the watches on my iPhone 6 Plus. I placed the cutout on top of my iPhone and it seems that the cutouts are a little small.

In a perfect world, they would be flush. In this example, when I place the cutout on the phone screen, I am able to see the bezels of the watch on my iPhone screen.

The pdf is extremely useful to help pre-order and is more than close enough. This is more for my own curiosity now. :)
Click to expand...

Are you printing it from Photoshop? That seems to fix the little sizing issues. I have another graphic you can try located in this thread, so you can see how the UI looks in actual size:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1848231/

again, be sure to download the graphic, open in photoshop and print.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back