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msi92

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 9, 2014
59
81
Hi guys,
Since the watch is not in stores I cant try the 42mm watch out.
Can people with small wrists show me how it looks
 
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This is the 42 mm Sport. It was too big. I now have a 38 mm and it looks much better.
 
It's not in stores? Try-on appointments have been available for months and stores started receiving stock for sale.

I have a smaller wrist (155mm) and opted for the 42mm. I owned the 38mm, but felt it was too small.

Realistically, the only opinion that matters is your own. If there are no stores near you, order a 38mm and try it on for yourself. You have 14 days to decide if the size is right for you.
 
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I live in The Netherlands so I cant check them out in the store (damn you apple release it here already)
I am going to order it from Germany so the 14 days return will be too much huzzle
 
I have small wrists and a 38. The 42 seemed doable only with bands that lie close to the wrist, such as the milanese band. The sport bands all jut out a bit from the lugs and that consequently makes the watch larger on the wrist.

If you look at rockyroad55's pic above and compare it with ATS's photo you will see what I mean.
 
Somebody posted that you should put the short end of a credit card against your wrist. If the card is as wide as your wrist, then either size will work for you. If the card is wider, you should get a 38.
 
I have small wrists and a 38. The 42 seemed doable only with bands that lie close to the wrist, such as the milanese band. The sport bands all jut out a bit from the lugs and that consequently makes the watch larger on the wrist.

If you look at rockyroad55's pic above and compare it with ATS's photo you will see what I mean.
Makes sense unless you have wide but tall wrists if that makes any sense at all
 
Honestly, if you currently own a watch - compare the size to that. If not - check out the apple store app - you can see the actual size displayed there. And keep in mind they always look smaller in person than in pictures, both 38mm and 42mm. If you're a guy, chances are 42mm will be just fine for you, so down to personal preference.
 
keep in mind they always look smaller in person

I second that. Before launch, I made cardboard mock-ups of both sizes to try on. The 38mm looked like a possibility, while the 42mm looked big. When I finally got the watches (38 SS for my wife, 42 SG for myself), the 42 looks perfect on my wrist (210mm), while the 38 looks like a toy / joke.
 
I want to add that for people with very small wrists, it's not a matter of looks. I wanted the 42 for the larger screen, I didn't care how it looked. But it just was too big so it was very uncomfortable to wear. So I had to get the 38.
 
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I have smaller wrist. I reserved a 38 today and when I got to the store and tried it on it looked and felt very small. The 42 fit perfect. I was very surprised. I love it.
 
I have very small wrists and the 42mm watch. i think it looks fine, it feels fine and I like it. All that matters is that I like it, I didn't like the 38 at all when I tried it on. Probably worth noting that I actually have strangely big hands though.
 
Don't forget that when it comes to a watch size the diameter of your wrist isn't what should be considered. The important bit is the width of your wrist, that is what will dictate what size will look too big or small on the wrist.

Multiply the width of your wrist in millimetres by 0.618 and you'll get the best approximation of watch height for your wrist. For example my wrist is about 75mm wide, which gives me a watch height of just over 46mm. I know, I don't have small wrists, I just wandered onto the thread :)
 
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Just got mine this morning. I am a guy with a really small wrist (around 150 mm in diameter). Even the sale ladies made a comment about it lol. Anyway I think the 42 is perfectly fine. It's actually very small in reality, as mentioned countless times by members of this forum. Some people prefer wearing big watch so just pick the one you think you like best.
 
I know it's a personal preference thing and I'm all for that. Do whatever pleases you thats all that matters. But whenever I see a dainty wristed person with an oversized watch, of any kind, it just makes me chuckle. It's like some kid wearing daddy's big boys watch for the first time. But like I say, to hell with what anyone else thinks. Especially me, I have all the fashion sense of a squirrel in a mink coat :D
 
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My wrists are relatively small (measured at 168-170mm in circumference). The 42 is small in real life. In pics it looks dominating, but in real life it looks tiny. I've had several people confuse it for the 38, and I myself thought they shipped the wrong watch at first.

I don't think anyone over 165mm should have a 38, unless you want your watch to look small. I also couldn't imagine working on a screen any smaller than this. Apple needs to start offering 44 and 46mm versions in the future. I've seen guys with huge wrists, and the 42 just looks miniature on them.
 
I have 160mm wrists and I LOVE my 42, I tried on both the 38mm and 42mm when I had a try-on appointment, and the 38 felt way to little. I think the 42mm fits me great...TBH I could deal with something even a bit larger, maybe 44mm? But again it is preference if you're used to wearing an average sized watch you should be fine with the 42
 
I think it is really more about the wrist width than the circumference.
Some people have flatter shaped wrists than others and as long as the watch lugs don't protrude past the wrist, it looks fine.
Once the lugs or the actual dial hangs over the wrist, then it is definitely too big, although it's a personal choice.
 
I got the 42mm because I wanted a larger watch face - the 38mm face seemed too small when I tried it on before ordering. I might have gone with the smaller one if the watch protruded beyond my wrist, but it doesn't.
 
I think it is really more about the wrist width than the circumference.
Some people have flatter shaped wrists than others and as long as the watch lugs don't protrude past the wrist, it looks fine.
Once the lugs or the actual dial hangs over the wrist, then it is definitely too big, although it's a personal choice.
Exactly. As another member mentioned above, the reason my wrists work with the milanese is because the band pulls down whereas if I had a sport or loop, the sides of the bands will pull outwards first causing the watch to look bigger.
 
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Exactly. As another member mentioned above, the reason my wrists work with the milanese is because the band pulls down whereas if I had a sport or loop, the sides of the bands will pull outwards first causing the watch to look bigger.

Really? I have a Sport, and I just tried the Milanese. I have to say the Milanese protrudes, and the Sport doesn't. I haven't tried the Loop (not an option for me as I have the 38 watch), but from what I see in pictures, it attaches the same way as the Sport, with no metal lug to protrude from the watch.
 
Don't forget that when it comes to a watch size the diameter of your wrist isn't what should be considered. The important bit is the width of your wrist, that is what will dictate what size will look too big or small on the wrist.

Multiply the width of your wrist in millimetres by 0.618 and you'll get the best approximation of watch height for your wrist. For example my wrist is about 75mm wide, which gives me a watch height of just over 46mm. I know, I don't have small wrists, I just wandered onto the thread :)

are you sure the golden ratio is right where watches are concerned? I get a watch height of about 35mm!

I'm already on the edge of thinking my 38mm is a little small. It definitely seems to be compared to most mens watches I see around town. Maybe I've been brainwashed by fashion trends over traditional aesthetic...
 
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