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Men: 38mm or 42mm

Men: 38mm or 42mm?

  • 38mm

    Votes: 414 34.8%

  • 42mm

    Votes: 777 65.2%
  • Total voters
    1,191
gregorio84 said:
at the end - apple watch is still a smart watch - and i think - in my opinion - it should be larger than usual watch right? :cool:
if you compare all the smartwatches on market - also 42mm is the smallest of them...
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Should be? Or has had to be due to technical limitations (battery life) until now. In the end it comes down to personal preference, but personally I'd like my smart watch to be the same size as my dumb watch.
 
slicecom said:
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.
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There is no scientific solution. If that were true, most women would be wrong to even buy the 38mm. If the band length fits, and it doesn't hang over your wrist lug-to-lug, it fits. From there it's a personal preference based on style.

After using the Apple watch for a week Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Cheif of The Verge said, "I have big wrists. The 38 seems REALLY small to me in general though."

I think many people are going to be surprised when they see 38mm rectangular design in person. Apple didn't put gender labels but most women, boys, and men with below average wrists will be buying the 38mm. I'm not saying average/large men can't wear the 38mm but to say the 42mm would look ridiculous on an average male wrist is overzealous IMO

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/31vw1x/im_nilay_patel_editorinchief_of_the_verge_and_ive/
 
Can't decide, but definitely leaning toward the 38mm. I'm just going to have to order both and cancel one after trying them on. Apple should really have held the try-on period before the pre-orders.
 
Last edited:
I have been racking my brain on this one. I have read every post twice. I'm a 35 year old male with 175mm wrist. I'm going to get the 38mm. Here's why:

1) I can share bands with my wife
2) It is $50 less - so when I need to get gen 2 it's more affordable
3) It will be less bulky - look more "sleek" and avoid the gadget look


Let me know - is this a good theory?
 
teamzissou00 said:
I have been racking my brain on this one. I have read every post twice. I'm a 35 year old male with 175mm wrist. I'm going to get the 38mm. Here's why:

1) I can share bands with my wife
2) It is $50 less - so when I need to get gen 2 it's more affordable
3) It will be less bulky - look more "sleek" and avoid the gadget look


Let me know - is this a good theory?
Click to expand...

Valid points. I think the real bulk comes from it's thick depth at 10.5mm for both the 38mm and 42mm cases.

The point about sharing bands is the best reason IMO. I wouldn't make my decision based on $50, or the bulk since they are both rather techy/gadgety looking.

I figure at this point the price is close, and they are both bulky so I might as well get the one with the thicker bands I like, larger screen, and slightly better battery life.
 
teamzissou00 said:
I have been racking my brain on this one. I have read every post twice. I'm a 35 year old male with 175mm wrist. I'm going to get the 38mm. Here's why:

1) I can share bands with my wife
2) It is $50 less - so when I need to get gen 2 it's more affordable
3) It will be less bulky - look more "sleek" and avoid the gadget look


Let me know - is this a good theory?
Click to expand...


That's definitely a good theory. I know people have gone back and forth a million times, it's tough. Just pre-order what you want then go try it on in store to verify you made the right decision.
 
help me pick one please!! FYI both pics have the pdf watch pic laying on top of another watch that is 10mm thick.

Thanks. My wrist is 180mm BTW when measured for tight fit.
 

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Last edited:
teamzissou00 said:
I have been racking my brain on this one. I have read every post twice. I'm a 35 year old male with 175mm wrist. I'm going to get the 38mm. Here's why:

1) I can share bands with my wife
2) It is $50 less - so when I need to get gen 2 it's more affordable
3) It will be less bulky - look more "sleek" and avoid the gadget look


Let me know - is this a good theory?
Click to expand...

This is the same theory I'm employing. We can share bands. I am 33 years old, 160mm. I think it's a bit tougher, but I think the 42mm will completely dwarf my wrist. I think I need to go 38mm.
 
yellolab said:
help me pick one please!! FYI both pics have the pdf watch pic laying on top of another watch that is 10mm thick.

Thanks. My wrist is 180mm BTW when measured for tight fit.
Click to expand...

I'm 180 and I am going with the 42. I think you could get away with the 38 if you wanted, but the 42 looks great in your pictures.
 
yellolab said:
help me pick one please!! FYI both pics have the pdf watch pic laying on top of another watch that is 10mm thick.

Thanks. My wrist is 180mm BTW when measured for tight fit.
Click to expand...

42mm looks good for you. Your wrist is big enough. What band you thinking?
 
yellolab said:
help me pick one please!! FYI both pics have the pdf watch pic laying on top of another watch that is 10mm thick.

Thanks. My wrist is 180mm BTW when measured for tight fit.
Click to expand...

You can pull either off. I know I am biased towards smaller watches b.c I think they look better, but my god the 38mm just looks better. It is actually fashionable, unlike the 42mm IMO.

I cannot see the 42mm paired with any band outside of the sport unless you have massive wrist.
 
melman101 said:
42mm looks good for you. Your wrist is big enough. What band you thinking?
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Probably just the black rubber for now, then visit the Apple Store later to see the bands in person. I like the leather loop, but I seem to be in between the two sizes they offer as I'm 180mm.
 
bnekic said:
That's definitely a good theory. I know people have gone back and forth a million times, it's tough. Just pre-order what you want then go try it on in store to verify you made the right decision.
Click to expand...

The prob with pre ordering to store is that if it is not what I like- I'm at the back of the line for the 42mm
 
Finally measured my wrist and I always thought I had small wrists but not really....190mm. So it's 42mm for me.
 
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