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38 vs 42mm -- a female's perspective

H

HowDroll

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 18, 2014
10
0
Just got back from my try-on appointment at the Apple Store. I ordered a 38mm sport last night after thinking that my tiny wrists (probably ~145mm, maybe even a touch smaller -- haven't measured them) would look ridiculous with a 42mm sport watch after seeing some pictures of other people wearing it.

However, after the appointment, I can confirm what other people are saying -- pictures are VERY misleading. The 42mm looks chunky and ridiculous on my wrist in pictures, but in person at the store it looked just fine. If there weren't a 2 month + wait time, I'd be canceling my 38mm and ordering a 42mm instead; I think my personal preference tended toward interacting with the big screen, even though I only got to see the demo loop. (This is also why I have a 6+ iPhone instead of a 6).

THAT SAID, I don't think the 38mm looked 'feminine' or 'too small' -- I think it's just a different style. I saw a few other men of various sizes at the table trying on the 38mm version, and it looked fine on them as well.

Long story short, I don't think it breaks down to a male version vs a female version -- unless you fall at one of the extreme ends of the spectrum, there's not necessarily a wrong choice between the sizes :)

EDIT: also, in case anyone is wondering, the watch feels very light, and I liked the sport bands a lot (WAY more than I thought I would). They feel very high quality -- silky to the touch -- and seem very comfortable to wear, especially compared to the FitBit bands. The screen quality is also FANTASTIC.
 

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In the pictures, I 100% agree. Perspective is tricky, though -- I didn't believe it either until I tried them on in the store and saw the way 42mm actually looks.
 
HowDroll said:
Just got back from my try-on appointment at the Apple Store. I ordered a 38mm sport last night after thinking that my tiny wrists (probably ~145mm, maybe even a touch smaller -- haven't measured them) would look ridiculous with a 42mm sport watch after seeing some pictures of other people wearing it.

However, after the appointment, I can confirm what other people are saying -- pictures are VERY misleading. The 42mm looks chunky and ridiculous on my wrist in pictures, but in person at the store it looked just fine. If there weren't a 2 month + wait time, I'd be canceling my 38mm and ordering a 42mm instead; I think my personal preference tended toward interacting with the big screen, even though I only got to see the demo loop. (This is also why I have a 6+ iPhone instead of a 6).

THAT SAID, I don't think the 38mm looked 'feminine' or 'too small' -- I think it's just a different style. I saw a few other men of various sizes at the table trying on the 38mm version, and it looked fine on them as well.

Long story short, I don't think it breaks down to a male version vs a female version -- unless you fall at one of the extreme ends of the spectrum, there's not necessarily a wrong choice between the sizes :)
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I saw people of various genders trying on both 38 and 42 mm sizes. In my personal preference, the slightly larger screensize is totally worth it to me to go with the 42. (And I also agree that since both sizes of the watch are styled the same for both sizes, one size vs the other is a matter of personal preference and has little to do with one being a 'mens size' and the other being a 'womens size')
 
That's really interesting. So from the wearer's perspective, the 42mm looks fine on your own wrist. Maybe from the perspective of someone looking at you, it will look big on your wrist. Wouldn't that be weird.
 
ssls6 said:
For what it's worth, I think the 38mm looks better from your pictures.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The 38mm looks much better on that wrist. I'm not a fan of chunky GShocks, so I guess personal preference has a bit to do with it too.
 
I think the 38 looks good on OP's wrist, but if she likes the 42 it's hardly a sacrifice that looks good too

I had a feeling it was more about style than anything else. Let's be real, we're talking about 4MM!

I blame Johnny for our obsession over MMs #
 
I can only imagine it's because the watch sticking out further from the band / closer to the camera than the 38mm version? Looking at it in pictures vs how I saw it in real life, it feels like an optical illusion, almost.
 
I pre-ordered the 38mm at 3am. When I went to the store and tried them both on, I was VERY disappointed. Even with a 155mm wrist, the 38 looked way too small, yet in the pictures I took, it looks as if the opposite is true. Very strange.

Ordered a 42mm a few minutes ago. June ship date.
 
The advantage of being a female is you can rock big/oversized watches even if you're a petite, as many women do that on purpose. However, as a guy you can't really wear undersized watches without looking silly.

38mm paper mockup modeled on a guy:
attachment.php
 
We need a pic taken by someone else far enough away so there is no parallax affect. Can just be an arm so identities are obscured.
 
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HowDroll said:
Just got back from my try-on appointment at the Apple Store. I ordered a 38mm sport last night after thinking that my tiny wrists (probably ~145mm, maybe even a touch smaller -- haven't measured them) would look ridiculous with a 42mm sport watch after seeing some pictures of other people wearing it.

However, after the appointment, I can confirm what other people are saying -- pictures are VERY misleading. The 42mm looks chunky and ridiculous on my wrist in pictures, but in person at the store it looked just fine. If there weren't a 2 month + wait time, I'd be canceling my 38mm and ordering a 42mm instead; I think my personal preference tended toward interacting with the big screen, even though I only got to see the demo loop. (This is also why I have a 6+ iPhone instead of a 6).

THAT SAID, I don't think the 38mm looked 'feminine' or 'too small' -- I think it's just a different style. I saw a few other men of various sizes at the table trying on the 38mm version, and it looked fine on them as well.

Long story short, I don't think it breaks down to a male version vs a female version -- unless you fall at one of the extreme ends of the spectrum, there's not necessarily a wrong choice between the sizes :)

EDIT: also, in case anyone is wondering, the watch feels very light, and I liked the sport bands a lot (WAY more than I thought I would). They feel very high quality -- silky to the touch -- and seem very comfortable to wear, especially compared to the FitBit bands. The screen quality is also FANTASTIC.
Click to expand...

How was legibility between the 2 sizes? Did you have to move the 38 closer to your eyes to see clearly?
 
I'm female and I ordered the 42mm.

Similar to you, I want a bigger screen (even if only slightly bigger). I'm using this watch as tech. To read emails, texts, send doodles. I want more screen to do that.

This isn't a fashion accessory to me, it's technology. And like my iPhone 6+, I will find a bigger screen more useful.
 
Time Less said:
How was legibility between the 2 sizes? Did you have to move the 38 closer to your eyes to see clearly?
Click to expand...

They were pretty comparable. Unless you have terrible eyesight, I'd say there's perhaps only a slight advantage to a 42mm.
 
HowDroll said:
Just got back from my try-on appointment at the Apple Store. I ordered a 38mm sport last night after thinking that my tiny wrists (probably ~145mm, maybe even a touch smaller -- haven't measured them) would look ridiculous with a 42mm sport watch after seeing some pictures of other people wearing it.

However, after the appointment, I can confirm what other people are saying -- pictures are VERY misleading. The 42mm looks chunky and ridiculous on my wrist in pictures, but in person at the store it looked just fine. If there weren't a 2 month + wait time, I'd be canceling my 38mm and ordering a 42mm instead; I think my personal preference tended toward interacting with the big screen, even though I only got to see the demo loop. (This is also why I have a 6+ iPhone instead of a 6).

THAT SAID, I don't think the 38mm looked 'feminine' or 'too small' -- I think it's just a different style. I saw a few other men of various sizes at the table trying on the 38mm version, and it looked fine on them as well.

Long story short, I don't think it breaks down to a male version vs a female version -- unless you fall at one of the extreme ends of the spectrum, there's not necessarily a wrong choice between the sizes :)

EDIT: also, in case anyone is wondering, the watch feels very light, and I liked the sport bands a lot (WAY more than I thought I would). They feel very high quality -- silky to the touch -- and seem very comfortable to wear, especially compared to the FitBit bands. The screen quality is also FANTASTIC.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this excellent report... :)
 
ssls6 said:
For what it's worth, I think the 38mm looks better from your pictures.
Click to expand...

i agree when looking at the pictures.... however i understand what she is saying about seeing it in person.... another lady posted pics of both and the 42 looked awesome in her pics.... but i think she was a tad bit further away.....

i'm excited to try them both on tonight!

i really want the larger one to look good cuz i want the larger screen (much like i got the 6+..... i want more screen real estate)

----------
HowDroll said:
You're very welcome! :D I'm only wishing Apple had given us the option to try them on BEFORE pre-ordering... *sigh*
Click to expand...

agree 100000000000 percent!
 
CC117 said:
I'm female and I ordered the 42mm.

Similar to you, I want a bigger screen (even if only slightly bigger). I'm using this watch as tech. To read emails, texts, send doodles. I want more screen to do that.

This isn't a fashion accessory to me, it's technology. And like my iPhone 6+, I will find a bigger screen more useful.
Click to expand...

I think you've made a very smart move. I too chose a 42, same reason I find my iP6_Plus a good size. My MBA is 13" and my MBPr is 15". Larger displays always offer the best benefit for my workflow.
 
ssls6 said:
For what it's worth, I think the 38mm looks better from your pictures.
Click to expand...

I agree too but it's up to the op which one she feels is more comfortable. My wrists are a tad smaller than the OP's looking at those pics I'm convinced that the 38 mm that I ordered was the right one. Anyhow I'll see for myself tomorrow when I try it on at my appointment.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
The advantage of being a female is you can rock big/oversized watches even if you're a petite, as many women do that on purpose. However, as a guy you can't really wear undersized watches without looking silly.

38mm paper mockup modeled on a guy:
Image
Click to expand...
really? That hardly looks like a ladies watch size. I've seen slim small men's watches. They're not to my husband's taste but a lot of guys look great in them. It really depends on the overall build of the person and their bone structure.
 
as a regular watch wearer and someone who spends way too much time admiring watches on other people's wrists, i still think the 38mm looks way better on your wrist than the 42 mm. the 42 mm is overpowering on your wrist. the 38 mm leaves room for the band to also showcase on top of your wrist where as the 42 mm is almost all watch and no band on top of your wrist.
 
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HowDroll said:
In the pictures, I 100% agree. Perspective is tricky, though -- I didn't believe it either until I tried them on in the store and saw the way 42mm actually looks.
Click to expand...

I completely agree - pictures really don't give a good perspective of how it actually looks and fits in person.

I was shocked at how small both watches felt (not in a bad way at all), just felt like from all the photos and other smartwatches we've seen that they were going feel rather big, but this isn't the case at all.
 
GrumpyMom said:
really? That hardly looks like a ladies watch size. I've seen slim small men's watches. They're not to my husband's taste but a lot of guys look great in them. It really depends on the overall build of the person and their bone structure.
Click to expand...

Here's my take on size.

Other than formal wear, women look good in any size watch they prefer. I'm very observant as a hard core watch collector. I see a wide variety of sizes, styles and colors here in California.

Personally I believe in choices and what one enjoys.
 
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