Men: 38mm or 42mm

[mattopotamus]

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

go all the way around.

 

[Ewan Hoozarmy]

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 better, 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'm in the same situation - 160mm wrist, 50mm wide.

I was set on the 42mm for the reasons you've stated above, but it would just look stupid on my skinny wrists.

So 38mm it is for me...

 

[clayj]

42mm. Bigger screen = easier to use, bigger case = bigger battery.

Also my Hamilton Pilot Day Date Auto is 42mm, so I am used to the large size and like how it looks.

 

[mattopotamus]

42mm. Bigger screen = easier to use, bigger case = bigger battery.

Also my Hamilton Pilot Day Date Auto is 42mm, so I am used to the large size and like how it looks.

That hamilton Day watch is probably closer to the 38mm since it is round...

 

[melman101]

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 better, 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 am in the exact same boat. And you know what's disheartening. The fact that I got 18 hours to go and still don't know what to choose.

I don't wear a watch. I don't have a preference. But I think that if the watch is too heavy and big I won't like it. I have a 160mm wrist. So I think I need to go 38mm. I'm gonna get the Milanese loop so that's not a problem. However, I also don't want to feel like I'm constrained cause the screen is smaller.

It's quiet a complex problem. To the people suggesting I order both, that would be fine except I have to order one for my wife and I hear there is a limit of 2. I just need to get it right.

The NYTimes review had me decided on 38mm until I found out it was 42mm. LOL

 

[mattopotamus]

I am in the exact same boat. And you know what's disheartening. The fact that I got 18 hours to go and still don't know what to choose.

I don't wear a watch. I don't have a preference. But I think that if the watch is too heavy and big I won't like it. I have a 160mm wrist. So I think I need to go 38mm. I'm gonna get the Milanese loop so that's not a problem. However, I also don't want to feel like I'm constrained cause the screen is smaller.

It's quiet a complex problem. To the people suggesting I order both, that would be fine except I have to order one for my wife and I hear there is a limit of 2. I just need to get it right.

The NYTimes review had me decided on 38mm until I found out it was 42mm. LOL

Hopefully it will let you order 3

 

[Tyler23]

order both and keep the one you think looks better.

I would, but my wife might literally murder me if she sees I've ordered two. Not that I wouldn't be cancelling one, but it's the principle..

For everyone else in the same boat, update this thread if you come to a decision.

I'm pretty well close to deciding on the 38mm, but now I have another dilemma. I really want the space grey sport, but I also want to order the brown leather loop band as well. Will the space grey sport look ok with the brown leather loop? I've checked out the combo on mixyourwatch.com, but still can't decide how it looks (I'm not good with that whole sort of thing).

 

[Domino8282]

I am in the exact same boat. And you know what's disheartening. The fact that I got 18 hours to go and still don't know what to choose.

I don't wear a watch. I don't have a preference. But I think that if the watch is too heavy and big I won't like it. I have a 160mm wrist. So I think I need to go 38mm. I'm gonna get the Milanese loop so that's not a problem. However, I also don't want to feel like I'm constrained cause the screen is smaller.

It's quiet a complex problem. To the people suggesting I order both, that would be fine except I have to order one for my wife and I hear there is a limit of 2. I just need to get it right.

The NYTimes review had me decided on 38mm until I found out it was 42mm. LOL

Lol you and me both. I have a 170mm wrist with 55mm width and I was also sold on 38mm after watching the NY Times review until I found out it was 42mm. Now I feel like if that guy could pull off 42mm with tiny wrists, so can I. One thing to consider: Is anyone else in your family getting an Apple Watch (like a significant other)? My wife is getting a 38mm, so if I get a 42mm I'll be able to try both sizes and then exchange mine if needed. Whereas if we both ordered 38mm, I'd be left wondering (no Apple Store within 4-5hrs. drive).

My last remaining dilemma is whether to spring for the SS with Milanese and sports band on the side, or to just get the Space Gray Aluminum... Some have made the argument that surely bands will be forward compatible so they are viewing the SS as an investment in bands for the AW 2.0. If true, that's a decent argument. Reasons to go with the Sport: Money, weight, less smudgy, can still pull off the leather loop, and the space gray may make the 42mm appear smaller than the SS model.

 

[mattopotamus]

I am in the exact same boat. And you know what's disheartening. The fact that I got 18 hours to go and still don't know what to choose.

I don't wear a watch. I don't have a preference. But I think that if the watch is too heavy and big I won't like it. I have a 160mm wrist. So I think I need to go 38mm. I'm gonna get the Milanese loop so that's not a problem. However, I also don't want to feel like I'm constrained cause the screen is smaller.

It's quiet a complex problem. To the people suggesting I order both, that would be fine except I have to order one for my wife and I hear there is a limit of 2. I just need to get it right.

The NYTimes review had me decided on 38mm until I found out it was 42mm. LOL

Lol you and me both. I have a 170mm wrist with 55mm width and I was also sold on 38mm after watching the NY Times review until I found out it was 42mm. Now I feel like if that guy could pull off 42mm with tiny wrists, so can I. One thing to consider: Is anyone else in your family getting an Apple Watch (like a significant other)? My wife is getting a 38mm, so if I get a 42mm I'll be able to try both sizes and then exchange mine if needed. Whereas if we both ordered 38mm, I'd be left wondering (no Apple Store within 4-5hrs. drive).

My last remaining dilemma is whether to spring for the SS with Milanese and sports band on the side, or to just get the Space Gray Aluminum... Some have made the argument that surely bands will be forward compatible so they are viewing the SS as an investment in bands for the AW 2.0. If true, that's a decent argument. Reasons to go with the Sport: Money, weight, less smudgy, can still pull off the leather loop, and the space gray may make the 42mm appear smaller than the SS model.

Do you guys know what his wrist size is though? I agree it looked nice on his wrist. The milanese loop looked great too.

 

[vito]

go all the way around.

Thanks - felt really daft asking!

 

[melman101]

Do you guys know what his wrist size is though? I agree it looked nice on his wrist. The milanese loop looked great too.

His wrist looked small like mine. I think I'm going 42mm. F' this ******. This is the worst Apple product launch in the history of Apple product launches. I can not freagin' choose.

Edit: I'm back to 38mm I think. LOL

Mel

 

[teamzissou00]

Lol you and me both. I have a 170mm wrist with 55mm width and I was also sold on 38mm after watching the NY Times review until I found out it was 42mm. Now I feel like if that guy could pull off 42mm with tiny wrists, so can I. One thing to consider: Is anyone else in your family getting an Apple Watch (like a significant other)? My wife is getting a 38mm, so if I get a 42mm I'll be able to try both sizes and then exchange mine if needed. Whereas if we both ordered 38mm, I'd be left wondering (no Apple Store within 4-5hrs. drive).

My last remaining dilemma is whether to spring for the SS with Milanese and sports band on the side, or to just get the Space Gray Aluminum... Some have made the argument that surely bands will be forward compatible so they are viewing the SS as an investment in bands for the AW 2.0. If true, that's a decent argument. Reasons to go with the Sport: Money, weight, less smudgy, can still pull off the leather loop, and the space gray may make the 42mm appear smaller than the SS model.

if you try on your wifes and want to return your 42mm for the 38mm, you get to go to the back of the line - could be a month or more to get your watch....wouldn't that suck?

 

[bms2993]

Folks, you want to know what size you should get? Use this:

Smaller wrist size than 170mm, get the 38mm.
Bigger wrist size than 190, get the 42mm.

Get a ruler or draw on a piece of paper and wrap it around your wrist. It'll do fine. My wrist size is ~155mm so I'll be getting the 38mm.

 

[JCT1212]

So did you guys just place a ruler on top of your wrist to measure for the golden rule? I got 50mm for my 155mm wrist and I'm not sure if that's close to what it should be...

 

[slicecom]

So did you guys just place a ruler on top of your wrist to measure for the golden rule? I got 50mm for my 155mm wrist and I'm not sure if that's close to what it should be...

Yes, sounds right.

 

[melman101]

Folks, you want to know what size you should get? Use this:

Smaller wrist size than 170mm, get the 38mm.
Bigger wrist size than 190, get the 42mm.

Get a ruler or draw on a piece of paper and wrap it around your wrist. It'll do fine. My wrist size is ~155mm so I'll be getting the 38mm.

Yeah, as much as I want to convince myself that I can pull off the 42mm, I know my wrist size is 160mm and real small. Even that NYTimes guy looks like he has a bigger wrist than me.

I think I need to go 38mm.

What if your between 170mm and 190mm though? (although I'm not in that range).

Edit: When I put my 5S on my wrist and do the case size thing, the 42mm just looks wayyyy too big.

 

[bms2993]

So did you guys just place a ruler on top of your wrist to measure for the golden rule? I got 50mm for my 155mm wrist and I'm not sure if that's close to what it should be...

Wait, are you sure you are wrapping it around your entire wrist? That's how you use the formulas shown above that I posted ^.

If you don't have access to a flexible tape measure, get a ruler and mark the centimeter side of the ruler on to an A4 piece of paper's edge and tear it so that you are able to wrap it around your wrist. The part where the edges and tick marks overlap is your approximate measurement size. Do proper conversion from cm to mm if need be.



----------

Yeah, as much as I want to convince myself that I can pull off the 42mm, I know my wrist size is 160mm and real small. Even that NYTimes guy looks like he has a bigger wrist than me.

I think I need to go 38mm.

What if your between 170mm and 190mm though? (although I'm not in that range).

Edit: When I put my 5S on my wrist and do the case size thing, the 42mm just looks wayyyy too big.

Go for the 38mm.

 

[yellolab]

Folks, you want to know what size you should get? Use this:

Smaller wrist size than 170mm, get the 38mm.
Bigger wrist size than 190, get the 42mm.

Get a ruler or draw on a piece of paper and wrap it around your wrist. It'll do fine. My wrist size is ~155mm so I'll be getting the 38mm.

Hence my problem of being 180mm.

I called Apple and they are making a 40mm for me. I should have it on the 22nd!


PS. The 22nd of never.

 

[Bangarangy]

Could use some help here...

I am in the same boat as so many people in the thread, falling in the 'middle ground' with a wrist size of ~165-170 mm. My wrist is ~55 mm across using a ruler from above. So I printed and built the mockups with 10.5 mm of carboard underneath, and the 38 mm looks better, I think. But I also went to Best Buy and tried on the larger Moto 360 in the flesh, and if my math is correct the 42mm will look smaller than that. So torn! Any input is appreciated. In the second picture, the Apple Watch on top of the Moto 360 is the 42 mm version, sized by me in Paint.

Apple Watch Mockups (Imgur)
Moto 360 Fit (Imgur)

 

[rayricepudding]

Getting 38mm

Regardless of my wrist size, I want the smallest, least invasive watch possible. I'm not and have never been a watch guy - for telling the time, I have a phone in my pocket, so why encumber my wrist with a device that only tells the time?

Anyway, I wanted a fitness tracker with notifications and had a fitbit force before it was recalled (it was supposed to get a software update enabling notifications), and I was happy with the slim form factor. That said, after sending it back, I decided to hold off on getting a replacement for it until the apple watch, as I was pretty turned off by the customer support of fitbit and the fact that they removed support for apple's health app.

I'm not thinking of the Apple Watch as a watch, really. For me, it's a fitness tracker with notifications, and a productivity enhancing device. The smaller and lighter, the better - it's all about function, comfort and minimalism for me.

I have around a 175mm wrist and I'm going 38mm space grey sport. If the 38mm and the 42mm were the same price, I'd still choose 38mm.

 

[gregorio84]

42mm last decision

My wrist are 160mm- across wrist with a ruller 58mm

I was undecided, but now i know that i want bigger watch hope so

 

[JCT1212]

Wait, are you sure you are wrapping it around your entire wrist? That's how you use the formulas shown above that I posted ^.

If you don't have access to a flexible tape measure, get a ruler and mark the centimeter side of the ruler on to an A4 piece of paper's edge and tear it so that you are able to wrap it around your wrist. The part where the edges and tick marks overlap is your approximate measurement size. Do proper conversion from cm to mm if need be.



----------

I measured the 155mm using a flexible ruler (one that is meant to measure your waist), but I measured the 50mm by simply placing a ruler on top.

 

[melman101]

I am in the same boat as so many people in the thread, falling in the 'middle ground' with a wrist size of ~165-170 mm. My wrist is ~55 mm across using a ruler from above. So I printed and built the mockups with 10.5 mm of carboard underneath, and the 38 mm looks better, I think. But I also went to Best Buy and tried on the larger Moto 360 in the flesh, and if my math is correct the 42mm will look smaller than that. So torn! Any input is appreciated. In the second picture, the Apple Watch on top of the Moto 360 is the 42 mm version, sized by me in Paint.

The Moto 360 looks way way too big on me. I'm thinking 38mm is probably the perfect size for me.

I'm bummed. I wish my wrist was 190mm. This would be easy. But as a male at 160mm (even Apple acknowledges I have a below average male wrist according to the size guide), it's disheartening LOL. I think I need 38mm. LOL

----------

My wrist are 160mm- across wrist with a ruller 58mm

You sure your wrist is 160mm? It looks way way bigger than mine, and I'm 160mm.

 

[gregorio84]

The Moto 360 looks way way too big on me. I'm thinking 38mm is probably the perfect size for me.

I'm bummed. I wish my wrist was 190mm. This would be easy. But as a male at 160mm (even Apple acknowledges I have a below average male wrist according to the size guide), it's disheartening LOL. I think I need 38mm. LOL

----------



You sure your wrist is 160mm? It looks way way bigger than mine, and I'm 160mm.

Sure, 100% procent

 

[melman101]

Sure, 100% procent

Nonetheless, I think your wrist is bigger than that, but either way, the 42mm looks fine on you.

Whereas, on my wrist it looks HUGE.