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Men: 38mm or 42mm
- Thread starter papa8706
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The simple fact is that "nobody should be wearing a watch larger than 39mm, regardless of their size, if they want a classical wristwatch look."
But trends vary over time and right now, oversized wall-clocks-strapped-to-arms have a bizarre popularity that seems like the side effect of poor people suddenly having more money than they know what to do with
and the material result is that more sensible people have their notion of proper sizing skewed upward.
In reality, I think everyone's just gonna have to trust their own style instinct and go with what is right for them and nobody's gonna find a genuine guide for this choice on some web forum, least of all a techie web forum.
The watch I have been wearing for the last 18 months or so is officially a 36mm watch though it's more like 37.5 lug to lug on my 167mm wrist and it's perfectly sized.
38 vs 42 might not seem like much but it's actually a rather large difference on the wrist. A 42mm height watch would be barely passable on my wrist and certainly look well out of proportion. Even the 38mm is only going to be acceptable because it's a rectangle.
I'd say, if you're not a big watch wearer, if you haven't ever bought watches with clear knowledge of the case size and so on, you really ought to try the thing on before deciding. Don't go "I'm a male so I should get 42mm." It depends on many factors including which band you are getting. Some of the bands have extended lugs outside the case and some use the case attachment as the lug. Case size isn't enough on its own to know what's the right size.
One option would be to pre-order two sizes and then go try them on at the store then cancel the wrong size, if you're concerned about the lag time introduced by not pre-ordering instantly on the 10th.
But trends vary over time and right now, oversized wall-clocks-strapped-to-arms have a bizarre popularity that seems like the side effect of poor people suddenly having more money than they know what to do with
and the material result is that more sensible people have their notion of proper sizing skewed upward.In reality, I think everyone's just gonna have to trust their own style instinct and go with what is right for them and nobody's gonna find a genuine guide for this choice on some web forum, least of all a techie web forum.
The watch I have been wearing for the last 18 months or so is officially a 36mm watch though it's more like 37.5 lug to lug on my 167mm wrist and it's perfectly sized.
38 vs 42 might not seem like much but it's actually a rather large difference on the wrist. A 42mm height watch would be barely passable on my wrist and certainly look well out of proportion. Even the 38mm is only going to be acceptable because it's a rectangle.
I'd say, if you're not a big watch wearer, if you haven't ever bought watches with clear knowledge of the case size and so on, you really ought to try the thing on before deciding. Don't go "I'm a male so I should get 42mm." It depends on many factors including which band you are getting. Some of the bands have extended lugs outside the case and some use the case attachment as the lug. Case size isn't enough on its own to know what's the right size.
One option would be to pre-order two sizes and then go try them on at the store then cancel the wrong size, if you're concerned about the lag time introduced by not pre-ordering instantly on the 10th.
I'm in the same boat. I have 160mm wrist. 42 might look fine, but 38 would probably look better. But bigger is better.
The simple fact is that "nobody should be wearing a watch larger than 39mm, regardless of their size, if they want a classical wristwatch look."
But trends vary over time and right now, oversized wall-clocks-strapped-to-arms have a bizarre popularity that seems like the side effect of poor people suddenly having more money than they know what to do with
In reality, I think everyone's just gonna have to trust their own style instinct and go with what is right for them and nobody's gonna find a genuine guide for this choice on some web forum, least of all a techie web forum.
The watch I have been wearing for the last 18 months or so is officially a 36mm watch though it's more like 37.5 lug to lug on my 167mm wrist and it's perfectly sized.
Image
38 vs 42 might not seem like much but it's actually a rather large difference on the wrist. A 42mm height watch would be barely passable on my wrist and certainly look well out of proportion. Even the 38mm is only going to be acceptable because it's a rectangle.
I'd say, if you're not a big watch wearer, if you haven't ever bought watches with clear knowledge of the case size and so on, you really ought to try the thing on before deciding. Don't go "I'm a male so I should get 42mm." It depends on many factors including which band you are getting. Some of the bands have extended lugs outside the case and some use the case attachment as the lug. Case size isn't enough on its own to know what's the right size.
One option would be to pre-order two sizes and then go try them on at the store then cancel the wrong size, if you're concerned about the lag time introduced by not pre-ordering instantly on the 10th.
I was considering ordering both sizes and doing just that. Trying them at the store soon there after and canceling the one I don't want. I would think since they don't ship out till the 24th it wouldn't be an issue to cancel it since they don't charge till it ships anyway.
The simple fact is that "nobody should be wearing a watch larger than 39mm, regardless of their size, if they want a classical wristwatch look."
But trends vary over time and right now, oversized wall-clocks-strapped-to-arms have a bizarre popularity that seems like the side effect of poor people suddenly having more money than they know what to do with
In reality, I think everyone's just gonna have to trust their own style instinct and go with what is right for them and nobody's gonna find a genuine guide for this choice on some web forum, least of all a techie web forum.
The watch I have been wearing for the last 18 months or so is officially a 36mm watch though it's more like 37.5 lug to lug on my 167mm wrist and it's perfectly sized.
Image
38 vs 42 might not seem like much but it's actually a rather large difference on the wrist. A 42mm height watch would be barely passable on my wrist and certainly look well out of proportion. Even the 38mm is only going to be acceptable because it's a rectangle.
I'd say, if you're not a big watch wearer, if you haven't ever bought watches with clear knowledge of the case size and so on, you really ought to try the thing on before deciding. Don't go "I'm a male so I should get 42mm." It depends on many factors including which band you are getting. Some of the bands have extended lugs outside the case and some use the case attachment as the lug. Case size isn't enough on its own to know what's the right size.
One option would be to pre-order two sizes and then go try them on at the store then cancel the wrong size, if you're concerned about the lag time introduced by not pre-ordering instantly on the 10th.
Exactly why I am getting 38mm. The 42mm just looks too big on most people. I want my Watch to be discrete and not shout out, " I've got an Apple Watch" or get in the way of everyday stuff. I don't want something the size of a custard cream (it's a biscuit) on my wrist!
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For an electronic watch bigger is not better. It's tasteless.
I barely wear my pebble steel cause anytime I do I get "what is that thing on your wrist?" kind of comments. I want a watch that functional but discrete enough that I feel comfortable wearing it.
Kind of reminds me a lot of the iPhone 6 plus arguments. It's nice to have a bigger screen but at what point is it more of a "con" than a "pro" for some people.
Soooo, what are you going to do?
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Yeah, after a crude measurement of my wrist at 157mm, I think I'm going 38mm.
Just gives me the biggest flexibility. I doubt my wrist is gonna get smaller or larger, however, I have 20 to go down in one way, and 20 to go up the other way.
If I go 42mm, I only got 7mm down to go before my milanese loop is useless. Also, since I'll be at the beginning of the 42mm milanese band length, you'll be seeing the clasp instead of it being at the bottom of the watch.
So I think for looks and the type of person I am, I'm going 38mm. (It's actually 38.6).
Edit: That means I'm locked out of the leather loop, but I didn't really like that one anyway.
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My wrist is 170mm so I could probably go either way. I'll get the 42mm and if it's too big I'll exchange. I think that's the smartest way to go.
Well. You make some good points about the Milanese loop and where the clasp fits. I was debating this too, because it's the one I want. And the above points about a large tech watch is tacky compared to one that fits and would have better style. I'm also thinking with the thickness, the 38 would look better too. Probably going with the 38. The one downside is no leather loops.
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Doesn't look bad. I think a 38mm could look better but you could always give both a go on 4/10 in store then place a preorder after
I would decide by band style as some are offered for the 38 watch but not the 42 watch. I believe your wrist size of 170mm doesn't preclude you from any size watch, which is good news. If both sizes look good on your wrist and you like the band selection, I would lean towards the 42 for the bigger screen.
Who? Everything I've read never said such thing. Hodinkee even said the 38mm looked particularly nice.
This is quite possibly the hardest Apple purchase I have ever been threw. Every other device it's pretty straight forward (well iPad has the cellular or just wifi choices). I'm still really undecided but I think I have to go 38mm due to how small my wrist is.
Wearing a larger watch on my wrist might also be physically uncomfortable due to the ceramic back "pillow" having a large surface area on my wrist. That's obviously conjecture.
I wish they would have let us try them on, you know, BEFORE the preorder.
Wearing a larger watch on my wrist might also be physically uncomfortable due to the ceramic back "pillow" having a large surface area on my wrist. That's obviously conjecture.
I wish they would have let us try them on, you know, BEFORE the preorder.
Just go to an Apple store on April 10, try a few on, then order one online or in the store.
158.75mm (6.25") is my wrist size. Will 42mm look too big on me?
I like the 42mm for increased battery life (I assume) and for easier viewing (my 47 year old eyes aren't as good as they used to be), but I'd like to save the $50.
Thoughts?
I like the 42mm for increased battery life (I assume) and for easier viewing (my 47 year old eyes aren't as good as they used to be), but I'd like to save the $50.
Thoughts?
From what I read the increased battery life is said to be very minimal. I think you could pull off either watch, it's really just a matter of personal preference if you like bigger watches. If viewing is an issue for you eyes then I'd go with the 42mm though. A smaller watch doesn't do you much good if you have trouble reading it
And what happens if they are all sold out by 3:00am? Can't take that chance my friend.
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This is my buddies Moto 360 on my wrist which is 46mm. His band was a little loose on me.
