Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Men: 38mm or 42mm
- Thread starter papa8706
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I am going freaking nuts trying to decide... Have gone back and forth at least half a dozen times between 38 and 42 SS Milanese. And now I've been wondering whether I should just get the Sport. Have to arrive at some kind of decision by tomorrow.
I think people with wrists between 165mm and 180mm have the hardest decision. If you're above or below that range I think it's much more obvious which watch size you should get. I'm at 170mm which is pretty much smack in the middle, the 38mm is probably closest to optimal size but I'd really prefer the bigger screen on the 42mm.
I agree my skinny wrist is sitting at 165mm. I want the 42mm but I think it will look too big so I'm going with the 38mm. I also want the stainless steel but for a 1.0 product I'm going aluminum.
I agree, and I'm in your situation... 170mm. I am trying to compare it to the iPhone 6 where I opted not to get the Plus and have regretted that decision. I also wish I had the iPad Air 2 instead of the iPad Mini Retina. So following that logic, I should go with the 42mm...
My wife is getting a 38mm so if I order a 42mm, I can also try hers and then return mine if I prefer the size of hers. If we both order 38mm I'll be left wondering until I visit an Apple Store (none close).
Now I just have to decide between 42mm Milanese SS, 42mm Classic Leather SS (either way will get a black sport separately) or the 42mm Space Gray Aluminum.
my wrist is 187mm in circumference, but only 60mm wide... according to the golden ratio I should get the 38mm... this is a difficult decision.
Interesting theory. I've flip flopped differently, I first got the iPhone 6 Plus then I swapped it for a 6 as it was too big to use while exercising for me. I went the other way around with iPads, swapping a mini for an iPad Air 2.
However in this case it's something you wear, and I feel like it's important to get the best fit, which make its really difficult to choose. The geek in me wants the 42mm, but the fashion-conscious in me thinks the 38mm is a better fit.
Seeing the 38mm on reviewer's wrists makes it look quite small (to me), and leaves me wishing I was getting the 42mm, but my 155mm wrist tells me to get the 38mm. Such a difficult decision! Although I do think the 38mm is basically mandatory.
With 155mm wrists I think the decision is much easier, get the 38mm unless you want a really oversized looking watch.
Wrist circumference is the wrong metric. Wrist width is the metric to compare. But, more importantly, do you even know the wrist size of whatever reviewer it is you saw? Why conclude they are the same size as you?
Here's my mockups. 180mm wrist, 60mm wide
38mm (This works out to almost exactly the "golden ratio"):
42mm (I could pull it off, but prefer the look of the 38mm):
38mm (This works out to almost exactly the "golden ratio"):
42mm (I could pull it off, but prefer the look of the 38mm):
Hmm... I think if I were 180mm instead of 170mm I would definitely go with 42mm. To me, I think the 42mm looks just as good on you as the 38mm. But you're the one who has to like it. I just feel like the cutouts I've tried don't give me an accurate picture of how the real thing will look and feel...
Man, I haven't agonized over a decision like this in quite some time lol
I completely agree. I'm at 160mm and I just know it makes sense to go for the 38mm but yet here I am still flip flopping. I just think the 42mm will look too big on me and that it will be too heavy.
All of the reviewers were given 42mm watches. Unless you're talking about the apple events where the press for a hands on section.
I thought that as well but I've heard some people say that the NYT's reviewer wore the 38mm. Looked 42mm to me but they said the reviewer confirmed it was 38mm on twitter
But they have since updated their post and he has confirmed over Twitter it was actually a 42mm.
Thanks, that was the one video I saw that made me question my decision but I thought it looked 42mm
Of course, since you are paying for it, you should get the one you want.
However, since you asked . . .
If my wrist was the same size as yours, I'd definitely get the 42 mm.
I'm a tall, skinny guy..from what I can measure, it seems my wrists are between 50-55mm wide (at work, only have the ruler on my phone..office seems to not have rulers). I don't know my wrist circumference but it has to be quite small, my wrists really are small.
I have been so set the whole time though on the 42mm - better battery, bigger screen to view things..but now, I'm not so sure.
The thought has now crept in that it will just look strange and HUGE on my wrist if I get the 42mm, but I keep feeling like I'll be missing out on the extra screen real estate if I get the 38mm.
Any advice?
I have been so set the whole time though on the 42mm - better battery, bigger screen to view things..but now, I'm not so sure.
The thought has now crept in that it will just look strange and HUGE on my wrist if I get the 42mm, but I keep feeling like I'll be missing out on the extra screen real estate if I get the 38mm.
Any advice?
Last edited:
Both look good, but I think 42mm "sits" better IMO
--
Just measured my wrist and its coming in around 186mm
Silly question, when measuring do you go all the way around or stop where you think the "watch" starts?
I'm edging towards the 42 at the moment