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Apple Watch Band Sizes

guicane

guicane

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 11, 2008
231
138
London, UK
So today I went to measure my wrist and right afterwards I went to the Apple website to check what sizes are available.

To my surprise the lengths are pathetic. I have a thick wrist but nothing out of ordinary. Fits a Pebble Steel just fine with the leather band it comes with.

So my wrist is 220mm. The biggest band apple sells would be the Leather one with the SS which fits up to 215mm. All others fit up to 200 or 210mm.

Has anyone noticed that? This is incredibly frustrating. What were they thinking? Only skinny tiny people can wear their stuff?!

Wondering what your thoughts are in regards to this.
(sorry if already posted on a different forum but couldn't find anything similar.)

:(
 
This is something I am wondering as well because my wrist is 210mm and my options are Sports band or Classic Buckle, but because of the sensors and depth of the watch even the Sports band that fits a wrist of 210mm will that fit too tight?
 
Have you noticed how Apple is using a "super model" to push the watch?
Have you noticed how Apple is positioning the watch as fitness device?
Have you noticed how Apple is a proud Californian company?

The subtext to each of these questions breaks down to: skinny, healthy and shallow. That's how the Apple Watch is being marketed and positioned by Tim and Angela. They might not want larger people to wear this product. Even those who are proportional in size.

I too have not had a problem of purchasing a watch and worrying about the band size. However, I do "fit" into Apple's tolerable wrist size. But, I am not "most men" with a 165-195mm wrist. I would love to know how other watch companies size "most men".
 
I wish their sizing was a bit more accommodating. I'm a female with 184 mm wrist. I would love to wear the modern buckle but the largest it fits is 180 mm. They are making it out to be the most personal device but are limiting a lot of options for a lot of people.
 
AreYouIn? said:
I wish their sizing was a bit more accommodating. I'm a female with 184 mm wrist. I would love to wear the modern buckle but the largest it fits is 180 mm. They are making it out to be the most personal device but are limiting a lot of options for a lot of people.
Click to expand...

Suppose Apple knows their range of bands sizes will fit 80% of the adult population. (I just made that number up -- the real number might be higher or lower.) And suppose they are already worried they won't have enough watches manufactured to meet the initial demand.

In that situation, there's almost no benefit to Apple to offer a wider range of sizes. They would just make their supply chain problems even more complex, and they wouldn't sell any more watches. (They're going to sell all they can make regardless.)

If there's demand for larger (or smaller) bands, Apple can easily add them later. They've probably already prototyped additional sizes, and have them ready to mass-produce if/when they need them.

If the current sizes don't meet your needs, I suggest sending Apple feedback, and waiting a few months to see what else is offered.
 
I have a feeling that in a few months, there will be a million 3rd party bands available for cheap that come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The other thing could be the measurements that Apple has. Maybe its not as bad as we all think. Or maybe it is.
 
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I'm guessing the band length sizings are just approximate and in some cases, are only there for aesthetics of the strap itself.

Milanese loop for example - the magnetic clasp has a much wider surface than the 50mm range; it has to, by definition, since only 50mm of the surface is the watch itself, for someone who has a 180mm wrist size, that leaves a over 100mm of possible positions the clasp could attach to.

But Apple says "fits 130-180 or 150-200mm" which to me implies they prefer the "look" of the strap when it is less than 30 degrees off the center axis on the opposite side of your wrist. You could theoretically put a substantially bigger or smaller wrist in the loop, but the clasp will be much more off-center.

But to other posters concerns about the total maximum size of the wrist being essentially 210mm - you're right, I think Apple is basically limiting their manufacturing this first go-round. If the watch is successful, I predict we'll see larger straps, especially the links bracelet (probably very easy to just sell an extra links pack) and larger sport and leather straps.

I also echo chrise2's thoughts on 3rd party straps - I think there will be a huge number of options in 9-12 months.
 
Last edited:
bumpylumpy said:
I'm guessing the band length sizings are just approximate and in some cases, are only there for aesthetics of the strap itself.
Click to expand...

I think the positions of the magnets will limit the band size.
This is why the Mayonaise band covers more widths while the leather loop is limited.
 
Apple Watch Band Sizes

Gav2k said:
It's strap length plus watch body looking at the chart
Click to expand...



Sharkey311 said:
I really hope this is the case. I have 204mm wrists and that's pushing it on the link bracelet I'm planning on getting.
Click to expand...


Sorry but absolutely nothing in that page indicates this.

It says very clearly which size band will fit which size wrist. For example the 38mm modern buckle small fits wrists 130-155mm. These measurements are in the wrist circumference section.

It shows which sizes which fit which wrist circumference. You don't then add or deduct the size of the case. If you had to do this, it would say.

Are you saying that the S/M sport band for example that states 'fits wrists 130-180mm' actually only fits wrists that are a minimum of 168mm because you have the add the 38mm case? Clearly not.
 
bumpylumpy said:
I'm guessing the band length sizings are just approximate and in some cases, are only there for aesthetics of the strap itself.

Milanese loop for example - the magnetic clasp has a much wider surface than the 50mm range; it has to, by definition, since only 50mm of the surface is the watch itself, for someone who has a 180mm wrist size, that leaves a over 100mm of possible positions the clasp could attach to.

But Apple says "fits 130-180 or 150-200mm" which to me implies they prefer the "look" of the strap when it is less than 30 degrees off the center axis on the opposite side of your wrist. You could theoretically put a substantially bigger or smaller wrist in the loop, but the clasp will be much more off-center.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to get my head around what you said. You're saying the little magnetic end is longer than 50mm? And what do you mean by 50mm 'is the watch itself.'
If you're conclusion is right, I'd be thrilled as I have just under 150mm wrists and would rather get the 42mm watch with milanese.
 
The band size range outlined by Apple covers the wrist sizes that will allow any band to close properly. Period.

Including watch body and parts of the band that cannot be used for connecting the two straps.

This is simple logic.
 
Too big too small need more choices

So I have the opposite problem..my wrist is small. If I stick to the 38mm I can get the classic buckle ... But if I want the 42mm because it's easier to see the face, I really have no choice other than a sports band and I don't want that. I have to think they will come out with some other optios or that the classic for the 42mm will be able to be made a bit smaller ....
 
I'm actually in a worse situation as my wrist that i measured is about 250mm.
Theres no way the Stainless Link Bracelet will fit me :(

I actually rang Apple last week asking if there is any chance on expanding the bracelet with extra links....The reply i got was 'we don't have the information yet'

3 days left for preorders and sadly i can't place one as i won't know for sure if i can make the bracelet bigger to fit me comfortably.
 
Fortunately for me my wrist size is 165mm so I should be fine with length of the bands. I do sympathise with those who have much larger wrist sizes and for whom it may be an issue. I'm also getting the 42mm model even though I have small/thin wrists.
 
I'm impressed about the amount of replies this got! Thanks guys.

I'm actually in a worse situation as my wrist that i measured is about 250mm.
Theres no way the Stainless Link Bracelet will fit me

I actually rang Apple last week asking if there is any chance on expanding the bracelet with extra links....The reply i got was 'we don't have the information yet'

3 days left for preorders and sadly i can't place one as i won't know for sure if i can make the bracelet bigger to fit me comfortably.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't hold back the pre-order because of this. I have a feeling supplies will be very short at the beginning and according to all reviews that came out yesterday apple has absolutely no problems with 3rd party straps which will probably start being released shortly.

You can always return the watch afterwards if you decide it doesn't fit/you don't want to wait.

My wrist is 215/220 so I may be stretching my budget to get the leather strap instead. Also I looked at the leather loop as it seems to be more flexible when it comes to size. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh I hate this.
 
Yeah that's the dilemma I face now.
Either preorder and get the watch now and hope Apple or a 3rd party sell extra links to increase the size...
or
Wait to know for certain it can be increased and then purchase.
Only problem with that is the Watch might be sold out by then and it could be months before its back in stock???
Just guessing here.

I really wish Apple just said Yes or No on the larger size options.
 
Well ok.
I haz dis question too Im about to get a Apple Watch for my birthday, but my wrist may be a little too small for it.
My wrist size may be 4-6 inches
 
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