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Which size looks better on a 171mm wrist?

  • 41mm

    Votes: 15 42.9%
  • 45mm

    Votes: 20 57.1%

  • Total voters
    35

iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8
Hi everyone!

I will be purchasing my first apple watch in a couple of weeks and I'm torn on whether I should go with the 41mm or the 45mm series 8.

The current watch I'm using daily is a SEIKO Presage SRPD97J1 (38mm). My wrist size is 171mm. I'd like to have the apple watch as a daily instead. I plan on using it for primarily for fitness, tracking calories, reading messages every now and then, and to view notifications, etc.

Any input would be awesome and helpful! Thanks!
 

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Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
7,575
8,912
This is really up to what you like, not other people.

I personally think that the AW is getting too big.

Looking at photos with people wearing the ultra, it almost looks like an iPhone 2G strap to their wrist.

But again, I am not the one wearing it, so if the user likes it, what does it matter how I feel about the size.
 
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iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8
This is really up to what you like, not other people.

I personally think that the AW is getting too big.

Looking at photos with people wearing the ultra, it almost looks like an iPhone 2G strap to their wrist.

But again, I am not the one wearing it, so if the user likes it, what does it matter how I feel about the size.
I agree, the ultra is too massive. Honestly I just thought i'd ask about the 41mm vs 45mm. in my honest opinion, both watches feel the same, and they pretty much look identical.
 

usmaak

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2012
956
795
The area where I wear my watch on my wrist is 170mm. I just measured it. I tried the 41mm watch and ended up returning it for the 45mm. The 41mm fit nicely but it was just a bit too small for me. I really liked it and wanted to keep it because I hate returns, but the 45mm is better for me.
 

addamas

macrumors 65816
Apr 20, 2016
1,300
1,325
I would also go for 41mm, I think it will be also better for fitness as sensors will be closer fit to wrist.
 
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Thirio2

macrumors regular
Jun 27, 2019
197
124
Maryville, IL
The trend for watches has been very big, but that trend may be reversing. I wear the larger S4 on my 165mm wrist because I like the bigger screen and larger battery. I have no problems with the sensors. I did try the ultra twice at the Apple Store (once with my own band) and decided it looked too big for me. I couldn’t justify the price for something I would probably replace in 4 years. Going with the silver aluminum in the near future.
 
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wilberforce

macrumors 68030
Aug 15, 2020
2,915
3,185
SF Bay Area
Hi everyone!

I will be purchasing my first apple watch in a couple of weeks and I'm torn on whether I should go with the 41mm or the 45mm series 8.

The current watch I'm using daily is a SEIKO Presage SRPD97J1 (38mm). My wrist size is 171mm. I'd like to have the apple watch as a daily instead. I plan on using it for primarily for fitness, tracking calories, reading messages every now and then, and to view notifications, etc.

Any input would be awesome and helpful! Thanks!
Take a photo of your watch on your wrist in a mirror, not looking at it directly. The way your forearm bones rotate (the ulna and the radius), the wrist widens in appearance when facing away from you than when facing towards you. This is how others will see the watch on your wrist.

If you do this, I think you may find the larger one looks a better fit
 
Last edited:
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Bandeeto

macrumors member
Dec 16, 2020
37
43
My wrists are smaller than yours 160mm. I had a 44mm Series 4 since launch, and have always felt it was a little big. I went to the 41mm with a series 7 and I’m pretty happy with it. There wasn’t much compromise screen size wise (coming from a series 4) and it fits me much better. More comfort under cuffed shirts, jackets, etc. the watch just seems to disappear feel wise. My 44mm always felt like it was there.

If my wrist was bigger I’d have gone 45mm, you are right in the grey area for sure.
 

Nhwhazup

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2010
3,472
1,717
New Hampshire
Personal taste more than anything. My wrists are smaller but I use the 45mm as I like the larger display.
Same here. I have a small wrist but have worn bigger watches for years. I like the chunky look and went for the 45 Series 8 about a month ago - my first Apple Watch.

Since then I’ve been buying bands….

The Apple bands are very pricey. The cheap ones on Amazon are just that - cheap.
C2F5B253-7E51-40F2-A945-3A88FC258A54.jpeg
Another MacRumors poster recommended Anhem bands - love them - great quality and really close to the Apple brand.
 

iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8
Take a photo of your watch on your wrist in a mirror, not looking at it directly. The way your forearm bones rotate (the ulna and the radius), the wrist widens in appearance when facing away from you than when facing towards you. This is how others will see the watch on your wrist.

If you do this, I think you may find the larger one looks a better fit
Interesting! I heard about this before. Definitely going to give it a try when I go to the apple store later
 

iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8

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usmaak

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2012
956
795
I ended up going with the 45mm. I think it looks good in comparison to the rest of my arm to be honest.
I don’t think you will regret it at all. I did like the 41mm Watch, but the screen was just a bit too small. I was coming from a Garmin Venu, which is a 43mm sized round screen. As soon as I put on the 45mm watch and saw the difference in the screen size, I knew it was the one for me. The 41mm went back to Best Buy.

I see a lot of women with quite thin wrists that are wearing the 45mm Watch. It looks really big on some people yet it also still looks right. Of course the main reason I avoided the Ultra was because I thought it would look ridiculous on my wrist. I am hoping that someday Apple will make a smaller Ultra.
 
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AppleB

macrumors 65816
Oct 18, 2011
1,156
1,379
I have 42mm Series 0 that I thought was dead but when I put it on the Series 8 charger it started to charge. It looks tiny compared to the 45mm.

I watched a video review of the Ultra that Jenna Ezarik did and it looked ridiculously big on her. The types of activities the Ultra is geared toward it has to be large. But anyone can wear it if they choose to even for casual activities.
 
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