Tried the watch on at Best Buy and cant decide on the size.

[wolfboy]

I had the same dilemma, also 165mm wrist, but I went with the 42mm instead. That was months ago and I still question if I made the right choice sometimes

I think 165mm wrist sizes are in a weird spot. We can pull off either size, but have to choose to go a little too small or a little too big. The whole reason for that is because of the the width of the watch! While the 38mm height is perfect, the width is actually only 33mm. Meanwhile, the 42mm is a bit too tall, but the width is perfect at 36mm. Round watches don't have that problem but because it's a rectangle, one side will always be longer than the other.

Overall though, I think you'll be fine with either. Here's some of the 42mm on my wrist with a few different straps if you're curious. If it makes you feel any better about your choice, that 3rd party milanese loop wraps almost all the way around nearly touching the top lol, looks kind of dumb.

 

[d347h.1nc]

I had the same dilemma, also 165mm wrist, but I went with the 42mm instead. That was months ago and I still question if I made the right choice sometimes

I think 165mm wrist sizes are in a weird spot. We can pull off either size, but have to choose to go a little too small or a little too big. The whole reason for that is because of the the width of the watch! While the 38mm height is perfect, the width is actually only 33mm. Meanwhile, the 42mm is a bit too tall, but the width is perfect at 36mm. Round watches don't have that problem but because it's a rectangle, one side will always be longer than the other.

Overall though, I think you'll be fine with either. Here's some of the 42mm on my wrist with a few different straps if you're curious. If it makes you feel any better about your choice, that 3rd party milanese loop wraps almost all the way around nearly touching the top lol, looks kind of dumb.

Thanks for those pictures! I measured my wrist again and it is closer to 160 or so give a or take a mm or two, maybe it's 158 or so. I think I made the right choice and the watch arrives tomorrow so I'm excited. If it seems to small in person I can get the bigger one. Pictures can be misleading I have seen. I have a pretty flat wrist so the bigger one looks fine but since the circumference is small bands are the main issue.

 

[wolfboy]

Thanks for those pictures! I measured my wrist again and it is closer to 160 or so give a or take a mm or two, maybe it's 158 or so.

Oh yeah, you definitely want 38mm then.

I read this guide once somewhere: divide your wrist size by the watch size.

The Perfect ratio: wrist size/watch size = 4-5
If number is below 4, watch is too big
If number is above 5, watch is too small
Look for 4.5ish

So in your case
160/38=4.2
160/33=4.8
Avg 4.5

160/42=3.8
160/36=4.4
Avg 4.1

 

[MsRandall]

I like the larger 42 size for you

 

[democracyrules]

I ordered a 38mm space grey with sports band. It should be here Thursday and I will be going to the apple store on Sunday. I figure I'll try the smaller one for a few days and see how it goes, if it seems to small I will be trying out a few 42's with different bands so I will have a good idea of what looks best. My wife thinks the bigger one looks like I'm wearing some sci-fi thing on my wrist so that kind of persuaded me lol. But I figure there is a two week return policy so either way I will end up with the one I am happiest with.

I also tried on a friends 38mm with the classic buckle. The lugs on it add more height to the watch than I thought as well so that plays a factor since I want several bands that have protruding bits. Also I don't want so much extra band that they are practically coming up and touching the watch. That looks terrible to me.

You did make a right decision. Bigger size is not always better on appearance. Congratulations!!

 

[BarracksSi]

Keep in mind that TAG Heuer is planning to make a smaller version of their Carrera Connected smartwatch to fit smaller wrists, too. They recognized that Apple made a good decision by designing the AW in a reasonable size.

 

[44267547]

Keep in mind that TAG Heuer is planning to make a smaller version of their Carrera Connected smartwatch to fit smaller wrists, too. They recognized that Apple made a good decision by designing the AW in a reasonable size.

That's interesting. I'm a huge fan of Tag. If they do make a smaller version, then this would be more suited to my liking.

 

[Badrottie]

38mn is for female and Rosy Red is also for female too. I think Space Gray looks perfect for you.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

38mn is for female and Rosy Red is also for female too. I think Space Gray looks perfect for you.

Neither is gender specific. That is a silly thing to suggest.

 

[puckhead193]

was in the same boat when i got mine. Decided to go big because of larger battery and screen. Easier to see and do things on it then the 38

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

42 mm of course, 38 mm too small?

 

[Max Your Macs]

If you care about appearance, the 38 is much nicer on you. If you care about display size and battery, then the 42 is a no brainer. Most of these threads with your wrist size can be answered that way, IMO. I have a 190mm wrist and would much rather the 38, but only the sport band would actually fit me.

I also have 190mm wrists and last fall ended up with a great deal on a 38 Space Black with link band. At first I thought it was a little small after coming from a 42mm Sport so I kept bouncing back and forth between the two. Hard to define it, but the 38 just seems to be a better 'fit' all the way around. I find it is much less obtrusive and looks much more proportionate on my wrist. I love the 42 too, but when I put it on it looks like this giant slab of black - a tech toy that just screams out. Reminds me of when I had the previous gen iPod Nano in a Lunatik case/strap. It's cool, yes and they are both great but the 38 definitely is sleeker and more professional if you are in those environments. I am an Apple consultant and instructor to legal professionals and understated appearance outweighs a big gadget on the wrist. Honestly, I have only seen minimal - and I mean MINIMAL - battery life difference between the two and I work out daily and use notifications all day long. Speaking of working out, the 38 also stays out of the way and doesn't get any touches with weights, etc. Can't say that for the 42 though...

Either one is great, but coming from a guy with larger wrists than yours, you wont go wrong with either one.

 

[Volusia]

Get the one that you like and don't worry about others think...

 

[d347h.1nc]

So I have my 38mm and it seems to fit well, the screen is definitely on the small side compared to the larger watch I tried but haven't had any issues hitting icons or anything. I'm still going to go into the apple store and try on different combinations of bands for the larger size watch to see if they will fit my wrist, but so far I think I will probably end up sticking with this one.

Though the straps are super wiggly back and forth even though they are new. I put them in my friends 38mm space gray watch and they are nice and snug with no back and forth wiggling so at the least I will probably exchange this one for another since I think the tolerance of the watch is a bit off spec.

I am enjoying it so far more than I thought I would. Voice dictation for sending messages is way more accurate than I expected. Speaker volume is low but then again it's a watch so it's to be expected.

This thing is super awesome. Wish I had got one earlier.

 

[44267547]

Get the one that you like and don't worry about others think...

The whole point of the thread was to receive feedback from other forum members based off their preference and or recommendations. Clearly they value others opinions, otherwise what will be the purpose of the thread?

 

[ManicMarc]

I actually thought 38 was the 42 on your wrist! I would definitely recommend 38. I have it. My logic is: a small watch will never look ridiculous, but a watch that's too big could.

 

[NorrisKillsKids]

From a fashion perspective, there is zero doubt the 38mm looks better on you. It's more proportional to your wrist. The 42 takes up the entire surface area it sits on. It looks a bit silly.

You're asking on a tech forum so it's not surprising many are saying to just go with 42mm, but I kind of obsess unhealthily over fashion and whatnot and I'm just coming from that standpoint.

 

[44267547]

I actually thought 38 was the 42 on your wrist! I would definitely recommend 38. I have it. My logic is: a small watch will never look ridiculous, but a watch that's too big could.

Agreed. I tried on an Tag Heurer that was huge, but beautiful and it was ridiculously over sized for my wrist. I had to pass on it, even though it I wanted it.

 

[BullittMustang]

Oh yeah, you definitely want 38mm then.

I read this guide once somewhere: divide your wrist size by the watch size.

The Perfect ratio: wrist size/watch size = 4-5
If number is below 4, watch is too big
If number is above 5, watch is too small
Look for 4.5ish

So in your case
160/38=4.2
160/33=4.8
Avg 4.5

160/42=3.8
160/36=4.4
Avg 4.1

Ok, I understand you're saying to divide wrist size by watch size, that makes sense. What I don't understand is why you are using 36 and 33 to get averages. Wouldn't you change wrist sizes to get averages? That is the factor that changes among people, the watch sizes are a constant, 38 or 42. I may be missing something obvious, I'm not great at math!

 

[chuyn]

Ok, I understand you're saying to divide wrist size by watch size, that makes sense. What I don't understand is why you are using 36 and 33 to get averages. Wouldn't you change wrist sizes to get averages? That is the factor that changes among people, the watch sizes are a constant, 38 or 42. I may be missing something obvious, I'm not great at math!

He's using the height and width numbers of each 38mm or 42mm watch