Still torn: pls help. 38 or 42 for a woman??

[Ensyed]

The 38mm looks better on my 155 mm female wrist. The white sport strap fits more snugly. But will I get more use out of a 42mm bc of the extra screen real estate and possibly better battery life? I need reading glasses but the text on both looked the same size to me.

There is more of a gap between the watch and my wrist bc it's bulkier.

What would u do?

 

[leeingham]

The 38mm looks better on my 155 mm female wrist. The white sport strap fits more snugly. But will I get more use out of a 42mm bc of the extra screen real estate and possibly better battery life? I need reading glasses but the text on both looked the same size to me.

There is more of a gap between the watch and my wrist bc it's bulkier.

What would u do?

I'm the same size and went for 42mm due to wearing g-shocks so used to the size

 

[leenak]

From reports, it seems like the battery life of the 42mm and 38mm isn't that different. I have the 38mm and can't imagine wearing the 42mm. Also, I don't think the screen real estate is all that much different. I hadn't had problems reading emails/texts or what not on the 38mm.

 

[mr.anthonyramos]

The 38mm looks better on my 155 mm female wrist. The white sport strap fits more snugly. But will I get more use out of a 42mm bc of the extra screen real estate and possibly better battery life? I need reading glasses but the text on both looked the same size to me.

There is more of a gap between the watch and my wrist bc it's bulkier.

What would u do?

Based on your situation, I would say go for the 42mm. The size difference isn't too big and if you also feel comfortable with the bigger size, then you should get that instead of the 38mm. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Karnicopia]

I'd go with the one that looks better. I think after a while you would get used to the interface and screen of either and I think either way you will have to charge it at night so I'd go with the one I'd be comfortable wearing all day. So I guess my advice would be 38 since it sounds like all things being equal that would be the one you prefer the look and feel of.

 

[nfl46]

I'd go with 42 if I were you. You'd ultimately appreciate the extra screen space.

 

[solarguy17]

Go with is most comfortable. If the bigger isn't comfortable then you are going to hate wearing it.

I just did a try on and was shocked to find the 38 with more comfortable for me, I'm a guy and my wrists aren't particularly small. So I now am leaning 38 instead of 42. But I'm gonna do at least one more try on before deciding to order.
The rep helping me was awkward and clearly uncountable helping try on watches.

 

[NEvolution]

I have similar sized wrists (~155mm) and another factor that I considered was how it actually looked on my wrist.
Not sure if you normally wear a watch but I wear a 44mm watch daily and trying on a 38mm was a huge difference for me.

Pics for reference:

42mm Stainless Steel with Black Classic Buckle

My daily 44mm:

 

[*GeekChic]

My daily 44mm:
Image

Dang, your daily watch is all sorts of amazing!

I usually wear big MK chronographs (38mm) but my 38mm Watch seems smaller, but I have tiny wrists, so I'm glad I got the 38mm. I think the 42mm would look too big on me - it's all about comfort level - I can see how the increased size would help with seeing things more because the 38mm screen is teeny!

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think it really depends. I didn't want a bulky watch so ignore-ordered the 38 mm. After trying on in store I was happy with the 38 mm as it fit nicely whereas the 42 mm was too big and nor very comfortable.

At this stage you have nothing to loose by going into the store and trying on both sizes to see which you like best. You could even order both and cancel whichever one you didn't want after trying them on.


I've now received my 38 mm watch and I'm pleased with it. The ext is very clear and legible and the screen is very accurate with touch input.


Here are some pics with the 38 mm and in comparison to my old watch which is about the same size

 

[sinar]

I pre-ordered the 38mm before actually seeing it in person, the day after pre-ordering i went to the Apple shop to check them out in person, my first reaction when seeing the 38mm was how tiny it was, I thought i might have made a mistake and should have ordered the 42mm.

But since i got my order in a couple of minutes after the pre-orders went live i decided to keep my order for the 38mm and see if i liked it when it arrives.

And i'm really happy that i did, i think the size is perfect for me, it doesn't look too big but does not look tiny either, of coarse everyone is different.

 

[maconut]

42 hurt my wrist

I found the 38mm a little hard to read (but haven't tried it with reading glasses or bifocals yet). The 42, while I could read it, hurt my wrist underneath where the heart rate sensor was, with both the milanese loop or the sport band. I decided I might not get used to the pain, so I ordered a 38mm sport. I figure in a couple of years I'll want to upgrade and I can revisit both issues at that time, when the watch will likely also be thinner. Note I have no inside knowledge, just going with what they've done with everything else they make.

Also, I couldn't try to make the text bigger on the 38mm when I tried it on because those were running the demo loop. All the "working" watches (attached to iPads) were 42mm.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I found the 38mm a little hard to read (but haven't tried it with reading glasses or bifocals yet). The 42, while I could read it, hurt my wrist underneath where the heart rate sensor was, with both the milanese loop or the sport band. I decided I might not get used to the pain, so I ordered a 38mm sport. I figure in a couple of years I'll want to upgrade and I can revisit both issues at that time, when the watch will likely also be thinner. Note I have no inside knowledge, just going with what they've done with everything else they make.

Also, I couldn't try to make the text bigger on the 38mm when I tried it on because those were running the demo loop. All the "working" watches (attached to iPads) were 42mm.

You can change the text size in the settings on the watch app on the iPhone.

My text is pretty small but can comfortably read it on the 38 mm watch. I do not not have particularly good eye sight (long sighted in one eye. Short in the other). Refusing to wear lenses lol The screen is very high resolution, bright and sharp.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

I pre-ordered the 38mm before actually seeing it in person, the day after pre-ordering i went to the Apple shop to check them out in person, my first reaction when seeing the 38mm was how tiny it was, I thought i might have made a mistake and should have ordered the 42mm.

But since i got my order in a couple of minutes after the pre-orders went live i decided to keep my order for the 38mm and see if i liked it when it arrives.

And i'm really happy that i did, i think the size is perfect for me, it doesn't look too big but does not look tiny either, of coarse everyone is different.

Your experience was similar to mine (and I wear mine exactly as you do) - by the way I'm a man.

OP, you really need to try them on if you're still in this valley of indecision.

 

[melman101]

The 38mm looks better on my 155 mm female wrist. The white sport strap fits more snugly. But will I get more use out of a 42mm bc of the extra screen real estate and possibly better battery life? I need reading glasses but the text on both looked the same size to me.

There is more of a gap between the watch and my wrist bc it's bulkier.

What would u do?

Honestly, I would go to the Apple Store and try out the ones you want to check out.

I thought the 38mm would be fine for me, but I liked the 42mm way better.

 

[86939]

My wife wanted the 42, but when she tried it on at the Apple store realized that it was too big. Here's her wearing my 42 mm and her own 38 mm. You can see the difference.

38mm

42mm

 

[Sparkeze]

It sounds like you prefer the 38mm so you should get that. I have the 42mm white sport and 160mm wrists and I think it's comfortable and the right size for me, but the 38mm would have been fine too. The 42mm is $50 more after all.

 

[sb22]

I had the exact problem. i have a 155mm wrist as well! I genuinely wanted the 42mm but when i went for my try on appointment, i knew the 38 looked better. Didnt want to believe it, though.

Its arrived, it looks neat, and i know it wont look odd when i go out dressed up for a night too

Husband also suited and prefered the 38 on him.

The text can be put in bold and enlarged

 

[Saturnine]

Some of the pics of 42mm watches on small wrists look ridiculous to me (though I accept the only opinion that matters is the wearer's.)

I have small (150mm) wrists and here is what the 38mm looks like. I think the band choice matters too in terms of how big or small it looks overall.

 

[sterl320]

your gender doesn't matter.

Only your wrist size does. How big is your wrist?

 

[KPOM]

I have a 165mm wrist and bought the 38mm. I'm glad I did. I did the "credit card" trick (lay a credit card on top of your wrist - if the short edge covers your wrist, go with 38mm). It looks much more like a tank-style watch and less like a smart watch than the 42mm on me. I have no issues reading the text.

 

[Ensyed]

Thank you so much for everyone's replies.
I finally settled on the 42mm. I tightened the band and it made it much better.
I am loving it now

 

[camaroIOM]

My 12 year old wearing a 42 and she loves it

 

[maconut]

You can change the text size in the settings on the watch app on the iPhone.

Do you know if that text size setting works for the text on the modular watch face? I think most of the rest of the text I could probably read, but I'd really like to use that watch face without throwing out my shoulder from trying to make my arm longer than it really is, in order to read the watch

 

[maconut]

I found the 38mm a little hard to read (but haven't tried it with reading glasses or bifocals yet). The 42, while I could read it, hurt my wrist underneath where the heart rate sensor was, with both the milanese loop or the sport band. I decided I might not get used to the pain, so I ordered a 38mm sport. I figure in a couple of years I'll want to upgrade and I can revisit both issues at that time, when the watch will likely also be thinner. Note I have no inside knowledge, just going with what they've done with everything else they make.

Also, I couldn't try to make the text bigger on the 38mm when I tried it on because those were running the demo loop. All the "working" watches (attached to iPads) were 42mm.

Just to follow up, I finally got my watch yesterday. I can read the 38mm fine. Not sure why the text in the demo loop was so small. It fits me fine, and I've already learned I don't have to wear it so tightly.