Men: 38mm or 42mm

[fjfjfjfj]

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 ), 42mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch with Milanese Loop, and 38mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch with Milanese Loop.

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.

Exactly the same situation and size as you. As a man with these small wrists I was positive I would have to go with the 38, especially because I don't like bulky watches. But I tried them both on in store and the 42 is definitely the way to go. Doesn't look big at all, in fact 38 looked small. I was pleasantly surprised. I'm just torn between the stainless link or space gray link. I keep going back and forth.

 

[mattopotamus]

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!

That 38mm looks fantastic on you. If it looks like that on me, 100% that will be the one I keep.

 

[Time Less]

That 38mm looks fantastic on you. If it looks like that on me, 100% that will be the one I keep.

That's exactly how I feel. The size of the 38 on him makes the apple watch look like a real watch.

 

[spytech]

Exactly the same situation and size as you. As a man with these small wrists I was positive I would have to go with the 38, especially because I don't like bulky watches. But I tried them both on in store and the 42 is definitely the way to go. Doesn't look big at all, in fact 38 looked small. I was pleasantly surprised. I'm just torn between the stainless link or space gray link. I keep going back and forth.

Do any of you guys have pictures? I'm on the same boat (except my wrist is 165mm), and I've been wanting the 42mm since I can remember, and after seeing the pictures here and on Instagram, I have a lot of doubts. In some cases, the strap on the 42 seems really loose, and doesn't even touch the wrist close to the edges of the watch...

My current watch is 41mm and it's just fine, which makes me wonder even more as to what to choose.

To make me even more worried, I won't get the chance to try it on before ordering...

 

[ohio.emt]

I was going back and forth on which one to get until I realized my Pebble was bigger then the 42mm watch.

 

[billchase2]

I went with the 42mm model, mostly just because I want the larger screen. I feel that the 38mm may have fit my wrist better, but I've also been wearing a Pebble for two years, which is overall larger than the 42mm and fits just fine.

 

[mightyjabba]

I've got to stop reading this thread! You guys have me second-guessing my decision to go with the 42mm.

 

[AxemanPhil]

I had my appointment a couple of hours ago and I have ordered the 38mm Space Gray Sport. Im a pretty tall guy (6'2") but fairly slim and my wrists are 165/55. The guy in the shop immediately looked at me and thought I would need a 42mm but I think he was put off by my height. I tried the Sport in 38 and 42 and I just thought the 38 looked a bit more subtle and tasteful. Once I had tried both the Apple guy changed his mind and agreed the 38 looked better.

I tried the 38mm SS Milanese Loop, and I must say it was beautiful and quite unusual in feel - like knitted metal, or a watch strap made from very fine chain mail. However, I just couldn't justify the extra expense for a 1st gen product that's functionally identical. Plus, it would look dumb when I wear it to go cycling.

I think I'm starting to understand what Jony Ive meant by it being the most personal device Apple have made. There's no right or wrong choice, just pick the one you like the best.

 

[spytech]

I had my appointment a couple of hours ago and I have ordered the 38mm Space Gray Sport. Im a pretty tall guy (6'2") but fairly slim and my wrists are 165/55. The guy in the shop immediately looked at me and thought I would need a 42mm but I think he was put off by my height. I tried the Sport in 38 and 42 and I just thought the 38 looked a bit more subtle and tasteful. Once I had tried both the Apple guy changed his mind and agreed the 38 looked better.



I tried the 38mm SS Milanese Loop, and I must say it was beautiful and quite unusual in feel - like knitted metal, or a watch strap made from very fine chain mail. However, I just couldn't justify the extra expense for a 1st gen product that's functionally identical. Plus, it would look dumb when I wear it to go cycling.



I think I'm starting to understand what Jony Ive meant by it being the most personal device Apple have made. There's no right or wrong choice, just pick the one you like the best.

Any pictures? Your wrist size is similar to mine.

 

[Domino8282]

I've got to stop reading this thread! You guys have me second-guessing my decision to go with the 42mm.

Don't worry man,... I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised when our 42mm arrives. For every person who is on the fence and went 38mm, there are several others reporting that both models appear smaller in person and they photograph large.

 

[Phil A.]

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!

Thanks for the info - my wrists are pretty much the same size as yours and really like the way the 38mm one looks in those pics. I dislike huge watches, which is why I ordered the 38mm one and if it looks anything like your pictures, I'll be delighted

 

[PLamarine]

Just got back from my try-on session. 42mm all day long, and I only have a 7 1/4" wrist. The 38mm was nice too, but the increased battery life and screen size of the 42 to me is a no-brainer.

 

[AxemanPhil]

Any pictures? Your wrist size is similar to mine.

Sorry no, didn't think to take photos.

And as a few people have said, they definitely look smaller in real life than they do in photos. I was worried the 2 sizes would be big and huge, but it's more like medium and large. Neither are ridiculous. I'm sure I could carry off the 42mm too, but my personal taste is for smaller watches.

 

[spytech]

Sorry no, didn't think to take photos.



And as a few people have said, they definitely look smaller in real life than they do in photos. I was worried the 2 sizes would be big and huge, but it's more like medium and large. Neither are ridiculous. I'm sure I could carry off the 42mm too, but my personal taste is for smaller watches.

OK thanks.

Really confused. I like smaller watches but I'm afraid 38 is too small. My current watch is 41 and I like it... The difference between mine and the watch is the fact that mine is thinner on the edges...

 

[JonMPLS]

I was in the 38 camp until I tried them on today. As I thought, the rounded edges of the watch reduce the overall size effect. For me (175mm) I really liked the 42. PS, they have active watches to play with!

 

[methaw]

I just had my try on appointment and like everyone is saying they are a lot smaller in person. You really have to try one on if you can.

The watch feels great the weight and size of both 38 and 42 felt really nice, better than what I was expecting. The high density screen is absolutely gorgeous.

I pre-ordered the 42 sport white and was definitely switching multiple times because my wrists are 165mm. I am glad I went with my instincts and got the 42.

White 38mm
Black 42mm

 

[spytech]

I just had my try on appointment and like everyone is saying they are a lot smaller in person. You really have to try one on if you can.

The watch feels great the weight and size of both 38 and 42 felt really nice, better than what I was expecting. The high density screen is absolutely gorgeous.

I pre-ordered the 42 sport white and was definitely switching multiple times because my wrists are 165mm. I am glad I went with my instincts and got the 42.

White 38mm
Black 42mm

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Thank you for your post and pictures! Amazing news for me. I'm 165mm too. About the width, I'm about 50mm, and you? The 42mm looks great!

 

[jbachandouris]

Strangely enough, the pictures make them look bigger than they are. I tried them both on in the store. Walked around and then went back and tried them on again. Even on my 155mm wrist, the 48 looks much better than the 38, yet in the pictures I took, it looks like the opposite is true. Bottom line: 38 is too small in my opinion.


Now I have 2 orders: the 38 from 3am and the 42 from noon.

 

[herb666]

42mm on my 170mm wrist (width 60mm)

 

[melman101]

Strangely enough, the pictures make them look bigger than they are. I tried them both on in the store. Walked around and then went back and tried them on again. Even on my 155mm wrist, the 48 looks much better than the 38, yet in the pictures I took, it looks like the opposite is true. Bottom line: 38 is too small in my opinion.


Now I have 2 orders: the 38 from 3am and the 42 from noon.

****. What's your delivery dates?

 

[puckhead193]

i went 42... tried on the 42 sport and it was fine... didn't bother with the 38. larger screen and "better battery" no brainer for me
180mm wrist.

 

[methaw]

Thank you for your post and pictures! Amazing news for me. I'm 165mm too. About the width, I'm about 50mm, and you? The 42mm looks great!

I'm about 54mm width (really rough measurement). The pictures really don't do it justice. The 38 looked fine but my preference was the 42. If you have a pebble watch it's almost the same size. I forgot I wanted to take a pic of my pebble and the Apple watch.

 

[spytech]

I'm about 54mm width (really rough measurement). The pictures really don't do it justice. The 38 looked fine but my preference was the 42. If you have a pebble watch it's almost the same size. I forgot I wanted to take a pic of my pebble and the Apple watch.

No Pebbles, but I do have a 41mm watch that suits pretty well... I think I'll go to the 42mm. Thanks.

 

[bnekic]

Just left the Apple Store, all I can say is pictures totally misrepresent the watches size. Bottom line 42mm is for guys and 38mm for women.

 

[JonMPLS]

42mm on my 170mm wrist (width 60mm)

This is how photos should be taken. Looks great! After trying them on I went 42.