Men with 155-160mm Wrists: Which Apple Watch Size?

[rhyzome]

I know this has been debated before but there's gonna be a new Apple Watch and I want one but I don't know which size to get. I want to be ready to choose right when it is released!

Upon trying them on, I noticed my 155-160mm wrist fits more into the range of "small-medium" straps/bands...but the nuance is that I'm uncertain if that correlates in my case to a watch case that is 38mm rather than 42mm.

FYI I'm a slim male...usually fit into size "small" clothes...(5'8", 130lbs)

When my hand is fully open/extended, the 42mm case might look more in scale, but then the band styles I can use without having a lot of extra/loose material are very limited in number.

What sorts of things do you consider when you are in this kind of Apple Watch sizing dilemma?

 

[Julien]

Wrist size is irrelevant to me. It is about having the largest display to see, the largest/most battery and the largest touch points.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Having worn lots of watches in my life, I think it depends on what look you want. In my opinion, if you have small wrists, the 38mm size looks more like an actual watch. The 42mm on a small wrist looks more like a wrist computer, relatively speaking.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I would recommend the 42mm no matter what. It's not that much bigger, plus the battery lasts longer.

 

[satchmo]

Wait for the AW4.

Get the smaller 38mm one which is rumored with smaller bezels, to have the same screen size of the current 42mm.

 

[rhyzome]

I didnt know that that was the rumor. That sounds enticing satchmo...maybe the new form factor will be a happy medium for people like me.

With 6” circumference at the narrowest point of my wrist it seems that it isn’t all that weird to go with a smaller model even as a guy. Especially since I do want it to look like an actual watch and not a nerdy calculator-watch on my wrist, as paladin says.

Can’t wait until this new design is unveiled. Maybe a different cohort of wrist sizes will fall into the odd middle in between sizing zone that I currently occupy!

 

[Pavanth]

I didnt know that that was the rumor. That sounds enticing satchmo...maybe the new form factor will be a happy medium for people like me.

With 6” circumference at the narrowest point of my wrist it seems that it isn’t all that weird to go with a smaller model even as a guy. Especially since I do want it to look like an actual watch and not a nerdy calculator-watch on my wrist, as paladin says.

Can’t wait until this new design is unveiled. Maybe a different cohort of wrist sizes will fall into the odd middle in between sizing zone that I currently occupy!

Hi, so which one did you buy? I'm a male with thin wrists, I too am torn between the choices.

 

[iPhysicist]

I’ll go 40mm. 44 would fit a men’s 160mm wrist but my ideal watch is a more subtle appearance regarding size.

 

[Pavanth]

I’ll go 40mm. 44 would fit a men’s 160mm wrist but my ideal watch is a more subtle appearance regarding size.

I have 160mm wrists. The problem is that I don’t have the option of trying it out before buying, the watches aren’t released here yet. I’m getting it from the US through a friend.

Still haven’t decided between 44mm and 40mm

 

[rhyzome]

Hi, so which one did you buy? I'm a male with thin wrists, I too am torn between the choices.

Ha! I didn't buy one yet. I think the 44 watch-face size balances my larger hands and long but very skinny arms.

However, the straps on the larger watch don't seem to fit my wrist. The sports band (really the only one I tried) extended past my wrist and left a "gap", and was somewhat loose on my wrist even on the tightest setting.

I guess I could try the milanese loop, but I anticipate there will be a lot of doubling of the strap...


More data points from your experiences would be appreciated!

 

[edhchoe]

Similar to mine.
Get 40mm

 

[1sazim]

I am a female with 155mm wrists and I initially ordered the gold SS 40mm with Milanese loop to replace my Series 3 SS watch because the screen size would be the same, and perhaps it was. It was a beautiful watch and I happily wore it for a few days. I loved the brightness of the screen and all the complications I could put on it. The bottom line is that it was just fun to set up!

However, I ended up returning it to the Apple Store because I decided it was just too small. Now I'm waiting for my gold SS 44mm with Milanese loop to arrive and it won't be until the end of the month *sob*. I shoulda gone with my original instinct and I'd be wearing the 44 now! Oh well, it gives me something to look forward to!

 

[Mercenary]

170mm here. Go 40

 

[adam1080]

I'm gonna disagree with what seems like a crazy consensus here. I have what I thought were tiny wrists at 160-165. Got the 44 and it fits great. I was worried for like half a second before I wore one. With that range wrist size I am wearing the S/M band and on the third to last hole on that band. on the M/L I go almost to the highest or tightest hole. (trying to not snicker like a 13 year old)

I feel like I could go larger if they ever released a larger size watch. The 44 doesn't even come close to the edges of my wrist. I am wondering if the width of the wrist vs the circumference makes a difference. My wrist may be wider across but thinner top to bottom which makes the size perfect.

No way in the world would I want to go to the 40mm. Just was looking at them in the Apple store an hour ago and they look TINY!

 

[Alicia1]

I am a female with 155mm wrists and I initially ordered the gold SS 40mm with Milanese loop to replace my Series 3 SS watch because the screen size would be the same, and perhaps it was. It was a beautiful watch and I happily wore it for a few days. I loved the brightness of the screen and all the complications I could put on it. The bottom line is that it was just fun to set up!

However, I ended up returning it to the Apple Store because I decided it was just too small. Now I'm waiting for my gold SS 44mm with Milanese loop to arrive and it won't be until the end of the month *sob*. I shoulda gone with my original instinct and I'd be wearing the 44 now! Oh well, it gives me something to look forward to!

I have 165mm wrists and I also bought the ss gold 40mm and have the Milanese band on order. I have been thinking of swapping it for the 44mm but when I tried it on in the store with the Milanese loop the band was far too big and overlapped the watch so will stick with my 40mm.

 

[Mabus51]

I know this has been debated before but there's gonna be a new Apple Watch and I want one but I don't know which size to get. I want to be ready to choose right when it is released!

Upon trying them on, I noticed my 155-160mm wrist fits more into the range of "small-medium" straps/bands...but the nuance is that I'm uncertain if that correlates in my case to a watch case that is 38mm rather than 42mm.

FYI I'm a slim male...usually fit into size "small" clothes...(5'8", 130lbs)

When my hand is fully open/extended, the 42mm case might look more in scale, but then the band styles I can use without having a lot of extra/loose material are very limited in number.

What sorts of things do you consider when you are in this kind of Apple Watch sizing dilemma?

Watch etiquette is, if the lugs hang past your wrist, then it’s to big. Kids today don’t care about etiquette and have their own style. So get whichever one your happy with.

 

[Pavanth]

Ha! I didn't buy one yet. I think the 44 watch-face size balances my larger hands and long but very skinny arms.

However, the straps on the larger watch don't seem to fit my wrist. The sports band (really the only one I tried) extended past my wrist and left a "gap", and was somewhat loose on my wrist even on the tightest setting.

I guess I could try the milanese loop, but I anticipate there will be a lot of doubling of the strap...


More data points from your experiences would be appreciated!

What a bummer. But I think you would’ve tried the M/L sport band. The S/M band should fit you right. And also, the sport loop offers a better fit especially for smaller wrists! I tried the S3 42mm with a sport loop(photos attached), and there wasn’t a problem with the fit! It’s just the size of the watch on my wrist I’m worried about.

Inputs are welcome!
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I'm gonna disagree with what seems like a crazy consensus here. I have what I thought were tiny wrists at 160-165. Got the 44 and it fits great. I was worried for like half a second before I wore one. With that range wrist size I am wearing the S/M band and on the third to last hole on that band. on the M/L I go almost to the highest or tightest hole. (trying to not snicker like a 13 year old)

I feel like I could go larger if they ever released a larger size watch. The 44 doesn't even come close to the edges of my wrist. I am wondering if the width of the wrist vs the circumference makes a difference. My wrist may be wider across but thinner top to bottom which makes the size perfect.

No way in the world would I want to go to the 40mm. Just was looking at them in the Apple store an hour ago and they look TINY!

That’s great! And yes, you’re right. Wider yet thinner wrists result in shorter circumference, but look good with bigger watches because of the wider wrist front.

 

[Sword86]

I have 190 mm wrists. I have a 40 mm AW. I knew right away the 44 was too big. It wasn’t about the display size for me, (I would have gotten a 44 if I thought it fit me) it was about how it felt on my wrist. I think you have to try them on. I’m sure there’s lots of people with wrists smaller than mine sporting 44s and are happy with them. Where I wear a watch there is an ‘indent’ or flat spot on my wrist that a 40 fits right into. A 44 didn’t. I’d like to think that my dislike of larger watches didn’t play into my decision to go with a 40. No doubt there are people who would think the 40 looks too small on me. IMO, you need to try them on before deciding. It’s a personal taste thing. In the pics in the previous post to mine, I think the AW is too large. I have no idea whether it is a 40 or 44, or a previous series AW. Just my opinion.

As far as bands go, I have a sport loop and a 3rd party leather band. It is my understanding the sport loops come in only one size, at least that’s what I was told when I bought it. I may be wrong. I haven’t even tried the sport band (white) that came with my 40. No interest in a white SB. The leather band I have says it fits wrists up to 200 mm (when the band is for a 40) I have about 1/2” more before I run out of holes, so 200 mm sounds about right. S

 

[Pavanth]

In the pics in the previous post to mine, I think the AW is too large. I have no idea whether it is a 40 or 44, or a previous series AW. Just my opinion.S

That was a S3 42mm. What others think of it helps me decide. Thank you for your opinion!

 

[Sword86]

That was a S3 42mm. What others think of it helps me decide. Thank you for your opinion!

It’s what you like, not what we like. I can really see the advantage of going with the bigger display for sure, but immediately I decided on a 40. I bought a 3rd party band right away as well, so I wasn’t prepared to go back and second guess my decision. I’m an old guy so I don’t want a TV on my wrist like a lot of the younger generation does now. That’s none of my business.
I’m a bit biased even further since I don’t like big watches and never have. I always look for large women’s watches. All the current men’s watches are just too large, but that’s a fashion thing. Like everything else fashion-wise, what goes around, comes around. If they didn’t continuously “dictate to us what we’re supposed to want” the industry would die. I’ve seen three iterations of slim jeans come and go in the time I’ve been on this planet. If I’m lucky, I might see them come around one or two times more. S

 

[Pavanth]

That's right. but what others think of a few things look-wise/fit-wise has always been important to me since I don't believe in my own taste in 'fashion'. Utility wise, 44mm makes the most sense to me- bigger screen and battery. Also, it will be easier to read the screen during my workouts/rides.
Thank you for your reply!

 

[Mabus51]

That's right. but what others think of a few things look-wise/fit-wise has always been important to me since I don't believe in my own taste in 'fashion'. Utility wise, 44mm makes the most sense to me- bigger screen and battery. Also, it will be easier to read the screen during my workouts/rides.
Thank you for your reply!

The pics you showed, that size looks to big for your wrist in my opinion. It looks really out of place and more like a tracking device. I would go for the smaller model in my opinion. If you’re getting the S4 the 40mm is the same size screen as the old 42mm. When it comes to the AW I wouldn’t worry about battery you’re going to be charging it daily. That’s just my opinion, you need to decide what looks good for you and your style.

If this is your first AW. You’ll only be looking at the screen constantly the first couple weeks. After the new toy fun factor dies. You end up looking at the screen less and it becomes more of a utility than an fashion accessory. So in my opinion get one that is less intrusive as possible so that it is not in the way of everyday life. Otherwise you’ll most likely end up wearing it less which kinda defeats the purpose. But everyone is different, my case use maybe different than yours. That’s just my experience with the AW and the S4 is the 3rd one I’ve owned.

 

[Mercenary]

Am I right in thinking that the 44, while has a bigger screen doesn't actually display any more?

Nothing I've seen suggests they show more. Just everything a little larger.

 

[Pavanth]

The pics you showed, that size looks to big for your wrist in my opinion. It looks really out of place and more like a tracking device. I would go for the smaller model in my opinion. If you’re getting the S4 the 40mm is the same size screen as the old 42mm. When it comes to the AW I wouldn’t worry about battery you’re going to be charging it daily. That’s just my opinion, you need to decide what looks good for you and your style.

If this is your first AW. You’ll only be looking at the screen constantly the first couple weeks. After the new toy fun factor dies. You end up looking at the screen less and it becomes more of a utility than an fashion accessory. So in my opinion get one that is less intrusive as possible so that it is not in the way of everyday life. Otherwise you’ll most likely end up wearing it less which kinda defeats the purpose. But everyone is different, my case use maybe different than yours. That’s just my experience with the AW and the S4 is the 3rd one I’ve owned.

Excellent advice. I think that’s exactly what I wanted to hear from someone who’s been using an AW for quite some time. Made my decision easier. Thank you.
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Am I right in thinking that the 44, while has a bigger screen doesn't actually display any more?

Nothing I've seen suggests they show more. Just everything a little larger.

Yes, you’re right. It just shows everything a little larger.

 

[rhyzome]

Excellent advice. I think that’s exactly what I wanted to hear from someone who’s been using an AW for quite some time. Made my decision easier. Thank you.
[doublepost=1538677791][/doublepost]

Yes, you’re right. It just shows everything a little larger.

Good to see ambiguity cleared up for someone...Pavanth, what is your actual wrist circumference?