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Men: 38mm or 42mm
- Thread starter papa8706
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Jeez guys, please don't say that a size S shirt fits women more than men, you'll be called sexist.
You cannot imagine how wrong you are.
Too many people think bigger is better. Not when it comes to watches.
Same exact situation as you except; 1) my wife does not want an Apple Watch (yet), and 2) my orders are for the sport versions. But same situation with ordering two sizes, and the 38 in the first delivery window and the 42 in the second delivery window.
Let me know how your appointment goes! I have one scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. FYI, my wrist width is between 50-55mm and the circumference is about 155mm.
Also, like you, I'd rather wait two weeks for the right size (if the 42mm is indeed right for me), then just have the wrong size or wait until God knows when to get the Watch.
+1
I was concerned i had ordered the wrong watch(42mm, 60mm width wrist), but after seeing the 38mm im glad i did, i'm sorry to say but i cant really describe the 38mm in any other way than a woman/child's watch.. just my opinion, but i would seriously go try them on before you commit if you are male and are planning on going for the 38mm...
I'm just back from my try-on appointment. A bit of background: I'm male and just over 6ft tall. For a guy my size, my wrists might be a bit small, although it's not something anyone's ever commented on! I have a wrist diameter of 180mm exactly. The width of my wrist is about 60mm.
I was very keen to try both sizes on, and the models available for me to try in stainless steel were the 38mm watch with Milanese band, and the 42mm with classic buckle. Both fitted me fine, text on both was razor-sharp and legible without having to squint, and taptic feedback felt identical on both.
The try-on models simply run through a demo loop, cycling through dummy messages, watch faces, maps etc, so you can't interact with them.
From a purely aesthetic point of view (form over function) I was surprised to find that I liked the 38mm version better. It fitted very nicely, and I could see myself wearing it every day. In my opinion, it's a little bit less "obvious" than the 42mm version. But I freely admit this is really subjective stuff I just happen to prefer slightly smaller wristwatches.
The 42mm version is undeniably slightly more easy to read, and I would have to guess slightly more easy to actually interact with. But it's marginal the display quality on both is terrific and I'd say we're talking about having to lift the 38mm version maybe an inch closer in order to comfortably see the screen. There's no difference in the size of the crown.
The bottom line is that even a fairly big guy like me can carry off either size, wrist permitting. If I had to choose right now, I'd go with the 38mm. It's small but more comparable in size to the watch I wear now, at least in height. I feel that I'd wear it daily more "easily", if that makes any sense..
Sidenote: the Milanese band is really nice in the flesh, so to speak, and the magnetic closure is genius. You can make it fit your wrist absolutely perfectly. I have really hairy arms, and the Milanese band just slid like silk over my wrist without gripping or pulling at any hairs. It feels more like a smooth fabric than metal.
I'm sorry I didn't take more pictures. It was a last-minute idea to do so. The first is of the 38mm on my wrist with the demo not running. The second shows the 38mm with a clock face, and with the larger model laid beside it.
Hope my experience helps!
I was very keen to try both sizes on, and the models available for me to try in stainless steel were the 38mm watch with Milanese band, and the 42mm with classic buckle. Both fitted me fine, text on both was razor-sharp and legible without having to squint, and taptic feedback felt identical on both.
The try-on models simply run through a demo loop, cycling through dummy messages, watch faces, maps etc, so you can't interact with them.
From a purely aesthetic point of view (form over function) I was surprised to find that I liked the 38mm version better. It fitted very nicely, and I could see myself wearing it every day. In my opinion, it's a little bit less "obvious" than the 42mm version. But I freely admit this is really subjective stuff I just happen to prefer slightly smaller wristwatches.
The 42mm version is undeniably slightly more easy to read, and I would have to guess slightly more easy to actually interact with. But it's marginal the display quality on both is terrific and I'd say we're talking about having to lift the 38mm version maybe an inch closer in order to comfortably see the screen. There's no difference in the size of the crown.
The bottom line is that even a fairly big guy like me can carry off either size, wrist permitting. If I had to choose right now, I'd go with the 38mm. It's small but more comparable in size to the watch I wear now, at least in height. I feel that I'd wear it daily more "easily", if that makes any sense..
Sidenote: the Milanese band is really nice in the flesh, so to speak, and the magnetic closure is genius. You can make it fit your wrist absolutely perfectly. I have really hairy arms, and the Milanese band just slid like silk over my wrist without gripping or pulling at any hairs. It feels more like a smooth fabric than metal.
I'm sorry I didn't take more pictures. It was a last-minute idea to do so. The first is of the 38mm on my wrist with the demo not running. The second shows the 38mm with a clock face, and with the larger model laid beside it.
Hope my experience helps!
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It's funny. When I first saw the 38 compared to the 42 I thought it was tiny too. But after actually trying both on and giving both a good test, it was clear the 38 is better suited to my wrist. I did a 180 as I initially thought the 42 for sure looked was going to be the one I get.
Don't dismiss the 38 if you have small to medium wrists when you see them in store. Try it on and you may be surprised how much better it fits.
Don't dismiss the 38 if you have small to medium wrists when you see them in store. Try it on and you may be surprised how much better it fits.
See to me this looks really big and unwieldy on your wrist, but to each their own.
I've just got back from a try-on appointment at my local Apple Store.
I have ~155mm (~6") circumference wrists, with a wrist width of around 50-55mm.
I had been wanting a 42mm Apple Watch, but had been worried that it would be too big because of my small wrists.
However... it's fine!If anything, the 38mm looks small (to me).
I tried the 42mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch with Link Bracelet (no demo versions of the Space Black
The 42mm with the Link Bracelet was great
The Apple guy had to take out eight links, which still left a couple more removable links on each side of the clasp, so it could have gone smaller still if needed.
It looked good. No issue with it looking too big, or dominating my arm.
I then tried the 42mm with the Milanese Loop.
The Milanese Loop *felt* great. Very light and soft.
But... My wrists put me at the bottom end of the size range for the Milanese Loop, and it really did not look right.
I had to have it as tight as it would go, which meant that the magnet end of the band came all the way round to the other side of the watch.
It just looked wrong. It made it seem untidy. It also looked too big even though the case itself was the same size as the one I wore with the Link Bracelet.
So, I then tried the 38mm with the Milanese Loop, to test both the smaller case and the shorter band.
The Milanese Loop itself on the 38mm case was the perfect size.
But... The case just looked too small, to me, despite my small wrists.
I also had a quick try with the Black Sport Band, but it was too big so must have been the M/L one rather than the S/M.
Setting aside sizing issues, the Watch itself looks great in person.
So, decision made: I'm keeping my 42mm Space Black Link pre-order.
Any pictures to share?
I think the 38 looks way better on your wrist. Which one you going with?
I agree with this!
Absolutely, my appointment is at 5:30pm today
Thanks, I have 180mm size wrists too and I think the 38mm looks perfect on you. Happy with my choice, but I ordered both sizes just in case, and will decide for sure after work when I go to my try-on appointment!
Thanks, that's exactly how my experience was.
I'm sure the 38 is targeted more towards females but I really don't care. I find it just looks and feels better on my wrist.
I just looked at your picture - how does the 38mm look ridiculous? the 42mm fills your entire wrist..that's closer to being "ridiculous" than the fit of the 38mm.
The leather loop is clearly designed and made exclusively for the 42mm just like the modern buckle is clearly designed and made exclusively for the 38mm. If they wanted to offer both for both watch sizes they would have done so. I don't see this changing. Your best bet is for third parties to make similar bands for those watches.
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The 42mm doesn't look ridiculous either.