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

Men: 38mm or 42mm?

  • 38mm

    Votes: 414 34.8%
  • 42mm

    Votes: 777 65.2%

  • Total voters
    1,191
Going for the 42 mm. I don't have the biggest wrists, but as the leather loop band ain't available in 38mm, 42mm it is :)
 
hmm i just traced out the 2 sizes on the store app and stuck them on top of my normal watch to simulate the height on the wrist, the 42mm looks alot smaller and looks to fit better than expected.... 38mm is smaller than my current regular day-to-day watch(ice watch) which i dont deem big at all.. guess im gonna convert to the 42mm then..!
 
hmm i just traced out the 2 sizes on the store app and stuck them on top of my normal watch to simulate the height on the wrist, the 42mm looks alot smaller and looks to fit better than expected.... 38mm is smaller than my current regular day-to-day watch(ice watch) which i dont deem big at all.. guess im gonna convert to the 42mm then..!

Same, laid both cutouts over the top of my pebble steel which is almost identical in depth. The 42mm was much more tasteful than I was expecting. Going to order the 42mm. Worst case scenario if it seems bigger in person I'll have to be patient and swap it out
 
Well I have a 165mm wrist and I've really had a hard time deciding I printed out the templates, put thin cardboard behind the watch faces so they didn't bend and look smaller and I've been putting them on top of my mechanical watch which is about the same height 10mm. I'm surprisingly (to me) going with the 42mm I think. Really thought I would go with the 38 but I actually seem to prefer the 42. Now I have one on each arm and I've just been checking them out and it seems to be reinforcing it. I have to say I don't think they went with a woman/men sizing otherwise they would have gone with something like 35/45 or in some way a bigger difference. I really think it more comes down to a matter of style. The 38 definitely is much closer to my mechanical watch but the 42 is by no means big and clunky in comparison it is noticeably bigger but still overall looks pretty sleek and I can tell I do value the screen size. Like when I look at both in the mirror the 42 seems to consistently be the one that I like. Who knows I could still change my mind I guess but so far so good. I really do suggest all 3 steps though print the cutouts, reinforce the watch face and get it spaced off your wrist. Or just go try one on I guess which I'll still do but this really helped me out and actually changed my mind. I was pretty set on 38 once I measured my wrist but I think that doesn't tell you the whole story I think you have to mock them up to really see, if you are in the middle range at least.
 
Just thought I'd add my latest photo wearing both sizes. My wife finally relented and spent time helping me decide what suited me best, and she quickly decided that the 38mm was too small, "100% you should get the 42mm", which sort of settles it for me! (my wrists are 174mm).

uWZahiP.jpg
 
Well I have a 165mm wrist and I've really had a hard time deciding I printed out the templates, put thin cardboard behind the watch faces so they didn't bend and look smaller and I've been putting them on top of my mechanical watch which is about the same height 10mm. I'm surprisingly (to me) going with the 42mm I think. Really thought I would go with the 38 but I actually seem to prefer the 42. Now I have one on each arm and I've just been checking them out and it seems to be reinforcing it. I have to say I don't think they went with a woman/men sizing otherwise they would have gone with something like 35/45 or in some way a bigger difference. I really think it more comes down to a matter of style. The 38 definitely is much closer to my mechanical watch but the 42 is by no means big and clunky in comparison it is noticeably bigger but still overall looks pretty sleek and I can tell I do value the screen size. Like when I look at both in the mirror the 42 seems to consistently be the one that I like. Who knows I could still change my mind I guess but so far so good. I really do suggest all 3 steps though print the cutouts, reinforce the watch face and get it spaced off your wrist. Or just go try one on I guess which I'll still do but this really helped me out and actually changed my mind. I was pretty set on 38 once I measured my wrist but I think that doesn't tell you the whole story I think you have to mock them up to really see, if you are in the middle range at least.

I think I'm going 42mm as well. Even though my wrist is about 160 real tight, my wife thinks the 38mm will look too small on me. She's going with the 38mm herself.
 
I have very thin wrist and tried the cutout with the band and I think I might look better with the 38mm. Decisions decisions.

Top one is 38 and bottom 42.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    295.5 KB · Views: 450
Last edited:
I think I'm going 42mm as well. Even though my wrist is about 160 real tight, my wife thinks the 38mm will look too small on me. She's going with the 38mm herself.

Yep I honestly think if your wrist is in a certain range it really comes down to a matter of style, it isn't like some huge difference where one or the other looks absurd. I came into it pretty set that I'd probably need the 38 but when I actually had the cut outs on I was pretty surprised that I liked the 42. I think either would work really but I found myself preferring the 42. If I put on the 38 for a while by itself or the 42 I ended up used to either so I really feel like I could go either way.
 
I am 95% sure that I will be going with the 42mm SS w/Black Sports Band + Milanese Loop. I'm not too concerned about the fit of the sports band, since sizing for the small band starts at 140mm wrists, but I'm wondering if the milanese loop will fit correctly.

My wrist measures 155mm tight, and with the sizing of the band starting at 150mm, would this mean that the magnetic part would end up looping all the way around to where it is visible at the edge of my wrist? I like to wear my watches slightly snug, and I don't like the idea of seeing the magnetic clasp right next to the screen. It would annoy me. I'm trying to figure out where the clasp would most likely lay, with my wrist size.
 
I am 95% sure that I will be going with the 42mm SS w/Black Sports Band + Milanese Loop. I'm not too concerned about the fit of the sports band, since sizing for the small band starts at 140mm wrists, but I'm wondering if the milanese loop will fit correctly.

My wrist measures 155mm tight, and with the sizing of the band starting at 150mm, would this mean that the magnetic part would end up looping all the way around to where it is visible at the edge of my wrist? I like to wear my watches slightly snug, and I don't like the idea of seeing the magnetic clasp right next to the screen. It would annoy me. I'm trying to figure out where the clasp would most likely lay, with my wrist size.

My guess is towards the end, and I figure I will have the same problem. I am really torn between 38mm and 42mm. My wrist is around 160 I think.
 
My guess is towards the end, and I figure I will have the same problem. I am really torn between 38mm and 42mm. My wrist is around 160 I think.

I'm in the same boat. I started out thinking only the 38mm would fit my wrist size, then after trying on the pebble steel and a couple other larger watches, the 42mm apple watch seemed quite feasible. Now its all down to how the bands will fit with that display :/

Which model are you leaning towards currently?
 
I have very thin wrist and tried the cutout with the band and I think I might look better with the 38mm. Decisions decisions.

Top one is 38 and bottom 42.

I think the 42mm looks better on you but both work. Your wrist looks larger than 170mm in that pic
 
I'm in the same boat. I started out thinking only the 38mm would fit my wrist size, then after trying on the pebble steel and a couple other larger watches, the 42mm apple watch seemed quite feasible. Now its all down to how the bands will fit with that display :/

Which model are you leaning towards currently?

I'm in the same situation as you two... 165mm and leaning towards 42mm. Wife agrees after I tried on both cutouts. I could probably pull off 38mm, but my wife thinks if I go small, I'll always be second-guessing that, whereas if I go 42mm, I'm more likely to adjust. I currently wear an original Pebble which is quite a bit larger than the 42mm and it doesn't bother me.
 
I kind of wonder if a lot of people using the paper cutout method for judging size aren't fully taking into account the thickness of the watch, which is actually considerable (more than you might think from looking at the PR photos). Or at least that's my feeling from looking at some of the in-hand shots. I am a fairly big guy and had assumed from the beginning that I would be getting the 42mm, but after giving it a lot of thought I'm not entirely sure. I don't want it to look too chunky on my wrist. I really think any difference in readability or battery life will be negligible when we're talking about such small differences in size.
 
I kind of wonder if a lot of people using the paper cutout method for judging size aren't fulling taking into account the thickness of the watch, which is actually considerable (more than you might think from looking at the PR photos). Or at least that's my feeling from looking at some of the in-hand shots. I am a fairly big guy and had assumed from the beginning that I would be getting the 42mm, but after giving it a lot of thought I'm not entirely sure. I don't want it to look too chunky on my wrist. I really think any difference in readability or battery life will be negligible when we're talking about such small differences in size.

I went with the size of my wrist and the wrist straps of the 38mm sport edition will be too tight or may not fit at all. So i have to go with the 42mm edition.
 
Completly depends on your wrist size. Your poll is just asking people's wrist size.

I disagree, I think it's completely a taste thing.
I think almost anyone could wear either size; it just depends on how big you like a watch to be.

I've got terribly small wrists (I'm about 5'6", average/skinny build) and I'm getting the 42mm. Big watches are in, man.
 
I also think it is a matter of taste, and to some degree one's sense of fashion. Watches in general have gotten much bigger over the years. The watch I wear is bigger than the one my father wore (which I now wear from time to time), and I think men younger than I am often prefer a larger watch than I like to wear. So, I'm going with a 38mm, even though I have a 180mm wrist.

For some folks with large or small wrists the choice may be clear. For me it is a question of preference. Given my ancient sense of fashion, the 38mm just looks better to me from holding the cutouts to my wrist. So it is (for me) purely a question of taste.
 
I've made up my mind. 42mm. It came down to readability of the screen. My wrists are 178mm. I'm a man.
 
I'm in the same boat. I started out thinking only the 38mm would fit my wrist size, then after trying on the pebble steel and a couple other larger watches, the 42mm apple watch seemed quite feasible. Now its all down to how the bands will fit with that display :/

Which model are you leaning towards currently?

Honestly I'm leaning toward the 42mm but I have not ruled out 38mm yet. I really wish I knew the size Tim Cook wears.
 
I disagree, I think it's completely a taste thing.
I think almost anyone could wear either size; it just depends on how big you like a watch to be.

I've got terribly small wrists (I'm about 5'6", average/skinny build) and I'm getting the 42mm. Big watches are in, man.

You know exactly what you want though. The norm is bigger watch on a bigger wrist. Do we need a poll ?
 
You know exactly what you want though. The norm is bigger watch on a bigger wrist. Do we need a poll ?

It's a discussion to share opinions and help make decisions. The real question is do we need to troll?
 
It's a discussion to share opinions and help make decisions. The real question is do we need to troll?

I stated that the norm is to have a bigger watch on a bigger wrist. Do I need to explain what this means? Still confused?

Also if you want to help people, how about you put in their heights and weights, something useful for people to analyze instead of a poll that says A/B.

Also to add, the trend is to have bigger watches these days, So I would recommend a 42 for males.
 
I stated that the norm is to have a bigger watch on a bigger wrist. Do I need to explain what this means? Still confused?

Also if you want to help people, how about you put in their heights and weights, something useful for people to analyze instead of a poll that says A/B.

Also to add, the trend is to have bigger watches these days, So I would recommend a 42 for males.

Seriously? A watch is personal preference. Nothing says if you have this size wrist you have to get this size watch face.

Still confused? Go look at the first post where I said feel free to leave your wrist size/choice to help give perspective. I'm not going to cloud a simple poll with 10 different options to make it messy. Plus, height & weight have nothing to do with it?

The trend to have bigger watches is debatable. I think it's a combination of wrist size and personal preference. Just like many fashion products, people like to have other people opinions to bounce around when making their decisions. You're not adding anything but rude condescending comments. Move along if you don't like the thread
 
Seriously? A watch is personal preference. Nothing says if you have this size wrist you have to get this size watch face.

Still confused? Go look at the first post where I said feel free to leave your wrist size/choice to help give perspective. I'm not going to cloud a simple poll with 10 different options to make it messy. Plus, height & weight have nothing to do with it?

The trend to have bigger watches is debatable. I think it's a combination of wrist size and personal preference. Just like many fashion products, people like to have other people opinions to bounce around when making their decisions. You're not adding anything but rude condescending comments. Move along if you don't like the thread

So I am not allowed to post my view? Cause you shot that down in regards to trend on watch sizes and told me I am not adding anything and go away.

About those rude condescending comments, thanks champ, self reflect mate?

I will not reply on this tread again. Enjoy whatever watch you choose, best of luck.

----------

Just thought I'd add my latest photo wearing both sizes. My wife finally relented and spent time helping me decide what suited me best, and she quickly decided that the 38mm was too small, "100% you should get the 42mm", which sort of settles it for me! (my wrists are 174mm).

Image

Probably upset the OP. The 42 suits you much better IMO.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.