Men: 38mm or 42mm

[robohunter]

I found this link useful in settling on the 38mm, steel, with classic buckle, even though I'm a fairly tall guy with 180mm wrists:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

The site is run by a bona fide wristwatch guru, often quoted in GQ, etc. He was clearly given quite a lot of time with the watches and straps back at the September event last year. Bear in mind he's not reviewing functionality — the models weren't fully functional anyway at that event, just running a demo loop. Nor is he a "smart watch guy", so he concentrates on the aesthetics.

However, this quote stands out: "The Apple Watch is available in both 38 mm and 42 mm. I tried them both on, and they both worked perfectly on my wrist. They didn't exaggerate the options and make one decidedly male oriented at 44 mm and a girly equivalent at 35 mm or the like. Any man, woman, or child could pull off either size with ease. This may not seem like much, but remember this is Apple's first watch, and it would be a very easy mistake to make it too big or too small."

He also says: "The 38 mm example is particularly nice on the wrist, as seen here", followed by a photo of the 38 SS model with the classic buckle.

Further down, he's wearing what he identifies as the 42mm SS with Milanese bracelet.

The article may be fairly old, but it has some of the best "on-wrist" photos I've seen.

 

[JonMPLS]

I found this link useful in settling on the 38mm, steel, with classic buckle, even though I'm a fairly tall guy with 180mm wrists:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

The site is run by a bona fide wristwatch guru, often quoted in GQ, etc. He was clearly given quite a lot of time with the watches and straps back at the September event last year. Bear in mind he's not reviewing functionality — the models weren't fully functional anyway at that event, just running a demo loop. Nor is he a "smart watch guy", so he concentrates on the aesthetics.

However, this quote stands out: "The Apple Watch is available in both 38 mm and 42 mm. I tried them both on, and they both worked perfectly on my wrist. They didn't exaggerate the options and make one decidedly male oriented at 44 mm and a girly equivalent at 35 mm or the like. Any man, woman, or child could pull off either size with ease. This may not seem like much, but remember this is Apple's first watch, and it would be a very easy mistake to make it too big or too small."

He also says: "The 38 mm example is particularly nice on the wrist, as seen here", followed by a photo of the 38 SS model with the classic buckle.

Further down, he's wearing what he identifies as the 42mm SS with Milanese bracelet.

The article may be fairly old, but it has some of the best "on-wrist" photos I've seen.

Nice link! For business, liking the 38.

 

[iBreatheApple]

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.

What size is your wrist, if you don't mind?

 

[zacheryjensen]

I have a 165mm wrist. I wore a pebble steel for a week and it felt like a pretty small watch on my wrist. I would highly recommend you guys go into best buy and try on some of these smart watches, you'll then realize how much smaller both sizes of Apple watch are.

FYI: pebble steel 46mm x 34mm x 10.5mm
Apple watch 42mm x 35.9mm x 10.5mm

Pebble steel height includes the lugs. Apple's does not. That makes a huge difference in perceived size vs. those measurements. It also means the feel of the size of the Apple Watch will vary with different bands.

 

[bnekic]

Pebble steel height includes the lugs. Apple's does not. That makes a huge difference in perceived size vs. those measurements. It also means the feel of the size of the Apple Watch will vary with different bands.

I'll be using the sport band and leather loop so no lugs.

 

[i0Nic]

Pebble steel height includes the lugs. Apple's does not. That makes a huge difference in perceived size vs. those measurements. It also means the feel of the size of the Apple Watch will vary with different bands.

Well the lugs won't exceed 4mm anyway, therefore the pebble steel with lugs and apple watch with lugs should be a comparable height.

 

[papa8706]

Well the lugs won't exceed 4mm anyway, therefore the pebble steel with lugs and apple watch with lugs should be a comparable height.

I laid the printout of the 42mm apple watch over my pebble steel and where the lugs meet was very comparable. Looked almost identical to me

 

[zacheryjensen]

I laid the printout of the 42mm apple watch over my pebble steel and where the lugs meet was very comparable. Looked almost identical to me

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm getting at. The pebble steel case itself is very close to the same size as the Apple Watch 42mm. It's narrower. It might even be every so slightly shorter as it has huge lugs.

Still, it's probably the best existing analog if you can ignore the lugs (or you are getting a leather band with lugs)

 

[AJsAWiz]

Wrist sizes

ok I really want to get the 42mm coz it might seem that the 38mm is "girl ish" but I have a small wrist 162mm...so do you guys think that I should really get the 38mm?

162 millimeters is 6.38 inches

Body frame size is determined by a person's wrist circumference in relation to his height. For example, a man whose height is over 5' 5" and wrist is 6" would fall into the small-boned category.
Determining frame size: To determine the body frame size, measure the wrist with a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether the person is small, medium, or large boned.

Women:
Height under 5'2"
Small = wrist size less than 5.5"
Medium = wrist size 5.5" to 5.75"
Large = wrist size over 5.75"
Height 5'2" to 5' 5"
Small = wrist size less than 6"
Medium = wrist size 6" to 6.25"
Large = wrist size over 6.25"
Height over 5' 5"
Small = wrist size less than 6.25"
Medium = wrist size 6.25" to 6.5"
Large = wrist size over 6.5"

Men:
Height over 5' 5"
Small = wrist size 5.5" to 6.5"
Medium = wrist size 6.5" to 7.5"
Large = wrist size over 7.5"

 

[melman101]

See I think my gut is telling me 38mm but the tech guy is telling me 42mm.

I think I'm gonna order the 38mm. I think it's gonna be more comfortable for me.

 

[AJsAWiz]

See I think my gut is telling me 38mm but the tech guy is telling me 42mm.

I think I'm gonna order the 38mm. I think it's gonna be more comfortable for me.

Unless the tech guy is buying (your Apple Watch) you have the final say

 

[papa8706]

I feel like if I get the 38mm, it will probably work just fine, but I'll always have in the back of my head that I should've tried the 42mm first. Bigger screen, slightly better battery, and wider bands are important to me. I'm going 42mm and if something happens it feels too large, I'll just go to the 38mm with no regrets. I'm pretty confident after trying out both printouts and getting opinions from others that it'll work out though

 

[mikezmac]

What to actually see on you the sizes?

Someone made a pdf you can download and print so you can cut out and see exact ally how big the watches will be on you. (Don't forget thickness. Tape it to a thick watch you already have maybe?)

http://www.mcelhearn.com/try-out-apple-watch-sizes-on-your-wrist/

Note : print at 100% only

 

[Wallabe]

I'm sticking with the 38mm. The 42mm is probably "just $50" more, but it will look stupidly large on my wrist at 175mm. Like a kid wearing his father's watch.

38mm looks classy and professional, especially in the pictures from hodinkee.com

 

[mikezmac]

Nice link! For business, liking the 38.

Great article! Ty for the share

 

[zacheryjensen]

There's a pretty easy way to figure out the ideal watch size for your wrist, btw. You should use the case height in the case of the Apple Watch despite the width being indicated in the image, because, the apple watch is taller than it is wide and this ratio is about distance across the wrist, not up and down the arm. You want to measure with calipers, ideally, but it's just a rough guide so looking down with a ruler or something is probably fine. My 167mm wrist gives about 60mm measurement, to give you an idea of the general range. That indicates about 37mm case size as ideal.

Golden ratio is an interesting concept and rarely exists in nature, but, people tend to find this ratio visually appealing, regardless. So it's something to consider when you're looking for guidance. I definitely have small wrists for a male. You may very well find that even the 42mm falls short of the recommended size based on the scale if you have larger wrists. But if it's indicating something like 33-35mm? You are going to look ridiculous in a 42mm watch. Jes sayin'. A watch should seem fitted with the arm, not bolted onto it. VERY oversized watches just look ill-fitting and realistically, the only consistent rule in fashion is that well-fit clothing looks better. Watches are no exception.

Anyway, hope this can help some folks who are on the fence. Style is always subjective, of course, but guides like this are very successful in design and visual art.

BTW, THE EXAMPLE THAT SAYS 68mm * 0.168 IS A TYPO, IT SHOULD SAY 68mm * 0.618

 

[Wallabe]

My wrist circumference is actually 170mm, not 175mm. I just measured it again.

My wrist width is 6cm (60mm) where my watches normally rests, so based on that, my ideal is a 37.08mm watch. Looks like I'm sticking with the 38mm. It looks more proportional.

But who knows. Some of the more modern watch, including the g-shock is so large. It does look bulky on me, so I may surprise myself which one I'll get.

 

[jaykk]

177mm here, before trying out a paper cutout, i was set on 38mm, now I am leaning towards 42mm. The main reason for this is because I am getting a Milanese loop, I am wondering if I get a smaller one, where the magnetic clasp will end up being.

Wish someone made a pdf to have actual length of milanese loop looping around to see where magnetic clasp will reach.

 

[ianrip]

It purely depends on each owns personal preference , I think the 38 would look better from a distance on me, but the 42 has a slightly larger screen which will help my eyes, if we have multiple sections on the screen displaying different info like meetings and alarms, I think the bigger screen size will help with the slightly larger fonts

Also we’re supposed to glance at the watch for 10 seconds (ish) so it’s not really for me to be staring at something trying to read what it says.
42 Sport as it’s a 1st gen product.

If you truly love it then upgrade to a SS, or wait for Gen 2, by then we’ll have a better understanding of what is acceptable in size compared to what we think we know now

 

[melman101]

Unless the tech guy is buying (your Apple Watch) you have the final say

I meant the tech guy in me .

Still so conflicted though LOL.

Also, the model I want to get is something like 73grams for 38mm and 91grams or something for 42mm. That's a big weight difference too.

Here's the thing. It doesn't matter which one I order because I'm gonna try them both on. However, I just want to make the right choice on preorder day so that I don't have to wait longer than I need.

 

[ianrip]

I think we’re all in the same boat before the 1st iPhone came, we weren’t really sure about the size, what it too big too thick etc

After 2-3 years using the iPhone we adjusted, and now the original iPhone is too small!!!!!,

surely they’ll let you try the 2 sizes on the 10th ??
then you can make an online order ASAP for the one you want in the store

 

[Wallabe]

Good luck trying to make an order by then. Hahaha!

You better set your alarm clock if you really want one!

 

[ru7hl355]

There's a pretty easy way to figure out the ideal watch size for your wrist, btw. You should use the case height in the case of the Apple Watch despite the width being indicated in the image, because, the apple watch is taller than it is wide and this ratio is about distance across the wrist, not up and down the arm. You want to measure with calipers, ideally, but it's just a rough guide so looking down with a ruler or something is probably fine. My 167mm wrist gives about 60mm measurement, to give you an idea of the general range. That indicates about 37mm case size as ideal.

Golden ratio is an interesting concept and rarely exists in nature, but, people tend to find this ratio visually appealing, regardless. So it's something to consider when you're looking for guidance. I definitely have small wrists for a male. You may very well find that even the 42mm falls short of the recommended size based on the scale if you have larger wrists. But if it's indicating something like 33-35mm? You are going to look ridiculous in a 42mm watch. Jes sayin'. A watch should seem fitted with the arm, not bolted onto it. VERY oversized watches just look ill-fitting and realistically, the only consistent rule in fashion is that well-fit clothing looks better. Watches are no exception.

Anyway, hope this can help some folks who are on the fence. Style is always subjective, of course, but guides like this are very successful in design and visual art.

BTW, THE EXAMPLE THAT SAYS 68mm * 0.168 IS A TYPO, IT SHOULD SAY 68mm * 0.618

Image

i measure out at 40.17.... so i can go either way.... hate this! what would you guys do?

 

[mattopotamus]

There's a pretty easy way to figure out the ideal watch size for your wrist, btw. You should use the case height in the case of the Apple Watch despite the width being indicated in the image, because, the apple watch is taller than it is wide and this ratio is about distance across the wrist, not up and down the arm. You want to measure with calipers, ideally, but it's just a rough guide so looking down with a ruler or something is probably fine. My 167mm wrist gives about 60mm measurement, to give you an idea of the general range. That indicates about 37mm case size as ideal.

Golden ratio is an interesting concept and rarely exists in nature, but, people tend to find this ratio visually appealing, regardless. So it's something to consider when you're looking for guidance. I definitely have small wrists for a male. You may very well find that even the 42mm falls short of the recommended size based on the scale if you have larger wrists. But if it's indicating something like 33-35mm? You are going to look ridiculous in a 42mm watch. Jes sayin'. A watch should seem fitted with the arm, not bolted onto it. VERY oversized watches just look ill-fitting and realistically, the only consistent rule in fashion is that well-fit clothing looks better. Watches are no exception.

Anyway, hope this can help some folks who are on the fence. Style is always subjective, of course, but guides like this are very successful in design and visual art.

BTW, THE EXAMPLE THAT SAYS 68mm * 0.168 IS A TYPO, IT SHOULD SAY 68mm * 0.618

Image

good post. I also think that is the way a watch should look. Most people wear smart watches the width of their arm though. Mostly b.c until now, that is how they all fit.

My ratio is 37.6

 

[slicecom]

There's a pretty easy way to figure out the ideal watch size for your wrist, btw. You should use the case height in the case of the Apple Watch despite the width being indicated in the image, because, the apple watch is taller than it is wide and this ratio is about distance across the wrist, not up and down the arm. You want to measure with calipers, ideally, but it's just a rough guide so looking down with a ruler or something is probably fine. My 167mm wrist gives about 60mm measurement, to give you an idea of the general range. That indicates about 37mm case size as ideal.

Golden ratio is an interesting concept and rarely exists in nature, but, people tend to find this ratio visually appealing, regardless. So it's something to consider when you're looking for guidance. I definitely have small wrists for a male. You may very well find that even the 42mm falls short of the recommended size based on the scale if you have larger wrists. But if it's indicating something like 33-35mm? You are going to look ridiculous in a 42mm watch. Jes sayin'. A watch should seem fitted with the arm, not bolted onto it. VERY oversized watches just look ill-fitting and realistically, the only consistent rule in fashion is that well-fit clothing looks better. Watches are no exception.

Anyway, hope this can help some folks who are on the fence. Style is always subjective, of course, but guides like this are very successful in design and visual art.

BTW, THE EXAMPLE THAT SAYS 68mm * 0.168 IS A TYPO, IT SHOULD SAY 68mm * 0.618

Image

Great post! Finally there's a scientific reason backing up why I prefer a watch that looks "right" on the wrist rather than dominating it's width.