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Wrist Circumference / Apple Watch Size?

  • 129mm or smaller / 38mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 130 - 134 / 38mm

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • 135 - 139 / 38mm

    Votes: 3 0.9%
  • 140 - 144 / 38mm

    Votes: 9 2.8%
  • 145 - 149 / 38mm

    Votes: 6 1.9%
  • 150 - 154 / 38mm

    Votes: 12 3.7%
  • 155 - 159 / 38mm

    Votes: 13 4.0%
  • 160 - 164 / 38mm

    Votes: 8 2.5%
  • 165 - 169 / 38mm

    Votes: 18 5.6%
  • 170 - 174 / 38mm

    Votes: 10 3.1%
  • 175 - 179 / 38mm

    Votes: 12 3.7%
  • 180 - 184 / 38mm

    Votes: 8 2.5%
  • 185 - 189 / 38mm

    Votes: 5 1.6%
  • 190 - 194 / 38mm

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • 195 - 199 / 38mm

    Votes: 3 0.9%
  • 200 - 204 / 38mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 205 - 210 / 38mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 211 - 214 / 38mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 215+ / 38mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 129 or smaller / 42mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 130 - 134 / 42mm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 135 - 139 / 42mm

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • 140 - 144 / 42mm

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • 145 - 149 / 42mm

    Votes: 3 0.9%
  • 150 - 154 / 42mm

    Votes: 7 2.2%
  • 155 - 159 / 42mm

    Votes: 7 2.2%
  • 160 - 164 / 42mm

    Votes: 12 3.7%
  • 165 - 169 / 42mm

    Votes: 25 7.8%
  • 170 - 174 / 42mm

    Votes: 25 7.8%
  • 175 - 179 / 42mm

    Votes: 40 12.5%
  • 180 - 184 / 42mm

    Votes: 25 7.8%
  • 185 - 189 / 42mm

    Votes: 15 4.7%
  • 190 - 194 / 42mm

    Votes: 11 3.4%
  • 195 - 199 / 42mm

    Votes: 2 0.6%
  • 200 - 204 / 42mm

    Votes: 11 3.4%
  • 205 - 209 / 42mm

    Votes: 6 1.9%
  • 210 - 214 / 42mm

    Votes: 9 2.8%
  • 215+ / 42mm

    Votes: 10 3.1%
  • Undecided on size.

    Votes: 2 0.6%

  • Total voters
    321
  • Poll closed .
My wrist circumference is approximately 165mm and I'm getting the 42mm model. I've seen a lot of posts on these forums where people have posted that for a wrist which is thin as that the 38mm is a better option. I have to disagree. There is no wrong or right choice based on wrist size in my opinion. At the moment I wear a Pebble which is quite big itself and it looks just fine on my wrist.
 
My wrist circumference is approximately 165mm and I'm getting the 42mm model. I've seen a lot of posts on these forums where people have posted that for a wrist which is thin as that the 38mm is a better option. I have to disagree. There is no wrong or right choice based on wrist size in my opinion. At the moment I wear a Pebble which is quite big itself and it looks just fine on my wrist.

I have the exact same wrist size and I think Im going with the 42 as well. I also wear a pebble and it looks just fine on my wrist. When I layed a cutout of the 42 on my pebble its only a tad bit bigger (not including the wrist strap lugs). Honestly think the 38 will fit a little bit better but the :apple: watch isnt just a watch, so I dont think it should be measured the same. Your going to interact with it way more than just a normal watch so I think we would benefit more from a slightly larger screen and maybe a little bit more battery life.
 
170mm and torn between watch sizes.
At the moment, I am planning on the 42mm (subject to change - again).

Thanks for this thread, by the way!
Good to see what other members are thinking.
 
I have the exact same wrist size and I think Im going with the 42 as well. I also wear a pebble and it looks just fine on my wrist. When I layed a cutout of the 42 on my pebble its only a tad bit bigger (not including the wrist strap lugs). Honestly think the 38 will fit a little bit better but the :apple: watch isnt just a watch, so I dont think it should be measured the same. Your going to interact with it way more than just a normal watch so I think we would benefit more from a slightly larger screen and maybe a little bit more battery life.

I agree. That's pretty much how I look at it. Plus I have to use glasses to use my Pebble and even my iPhone and iPad so I figure the slightly larger size will make a difference even if only minor. I'm not one of those paranoid and insecure people who like to be discrete and don't want to have a big watch on their wrist that can be noticed easily. Not that 4mm less will make that less of an occurrence anyway.
 
I'm at about 150mm wrists, going for the 38mm. Based on the mockups and the apple store app, the 42mm just looks massive on me.
Ditto. My wrists are 152mm, and the 38 mm mockup looks elegant and perfectly sized. The 42 looks like I'm a little kid wearing his dad's watch.
 
148 mm. Going for 38 mm watch for comfort as well as aesthetics. I've not worn a watch on a daily basis in a number of years so I don't want to shock my system even worse with the 42 mm.
 
My wrist measures 229mm. :eek:

I hope someone makes a band for those of us who grew up. :p

yeah it's strange that the largest one is for wrists up to 210mm.
I am 2m and just hope 210mm will fit (ordering one Blind). I never don't fit a normal watch but if I measure my wrist its 215/220 with a little wiggle room

210 is tight. So now it's just waiting how Apple measures 210 mm, tight or comfortable.
 
I just measured my wrist and now I'm a little worried if the link bracelet will fit me. I'm right around 8"/203mm.

Do I factor in the Watch case at all?

Dang you and me are exact. I think the measurements aren't inculding the length of the apple watch itself so I think we're good.
 
160mm here, and I think I'll go with the 42mm one. I'm still not 100% sure, though. Since Apple Watch won't be available in my country at first, no try-out for me - I have to rely on cutouts... 38mm looks a bit small, 42mm looks a bit to large ;)
 
Dang you and me are exact. I think the measurements aren't inculding the length of the apple watch itself so I think we're good.

No, this logic simply makes no sense.

So even though the Apple site explicitly says that the S/M sports straps "fit wrists 130-180mm", you're telling me that you have to factor in the case size (38mm) so actually they only fit wrists 168-218mm?
 
This is a very interesting thread. I am surprised that there are so many people with smaller wrists opting for the 42mm. IMO it will look oversized and toyish. I wonder if this will be a trendy way to wear the watch, similar to how people would wear oversized g-shocks.

Edit: Found a picture that shows the 42mm version on someone's wrist. This seems overly gadgety looking IMHO.

1410301677965_gq-apple-iwatch-04.jpg


maxresdefault.jpg
 
Last edited:
This is a very interesting thread. I am surprised that there are so many people with smaller wrists opting for the 42mm. IMO it will look oversized and toyish. I wonder if this will be a trendy way to wear the watch, similar to how people would wear oversized g-shocks.

All of these threads have been really enlightening for me.

I've shown the paper cut-outs to various people and I've gotten very different responses from people. My wrists are 170mm and I get people who think 38mm is perfect, 42mm is perfect.

It doesn't even seem to be correlated with age. I think in general, if you're used to seeing people with bigger watches, you think 42mm is fine.

I've come to the conclusion that no matter which size you choose, *someone* is going to find it too small or too large. Just make sure that person isn't you, and you'll be fine! :)
 
My problem is as much a case of "eye compatibility" as it is wrists. Having printed off the color home screen samples at each size, the word "Mon" on the date is clearly visible at 42mm, a red blur at 38mm - my 185mm wrist should handle the 42mm well.
 
This is a very interesting thread. I am surprised that there are so many people with smaller wrists opting for the 42mm. IMO it will look oversized and toyish. I wonder if this will be a trendy way to wear the watch, similar to how people would wear oversized g-shocks.

Edit: Found a picture that shows the 42mm version on someone's wrist. This seems overly gadgety looking IMHO.

Image

I actually think the watch should be worn where the red band is on that guy's wrist. But otherwise that's how big the watch would look on my wrist.

I suspect if you show that photo to a dozen people, half will say it's the right size and others will say it's too big!
 
154mm male, 38mm apple watch milanese loop for me. I have no choice because I am only 4mm over being able to wear the 42mm milanese loop and I like to wear my watch a little tighter. Also, I feel like a big watch would look silly on my wrist. Clearly, I am not a big guy.
 
154mm male, 38mm apple watch milanese loop for me. I have no choice because I am only 4mm over being able to wear the 42mm milanese loop and I like to wear my watch a little tighter. Also, I feel like a big watch would look silly on my wrist. Clearly, I am not a big guy.

Very much in the same situation. Also will be going. 38mm Milanese loop, however I will be purchasing the loop separately. I will purchase the watch with the white sport band.
 
Just an interesting observation here:
The results of this poll match almost exactly with the "Men: 38mm or 42mm" poll. In that poll, 32.6% for 38mm and 67.4% 42mm. This poll, 33.15% 38mm and 66.84% 42mm. Since we can assume that most respondents in this poll are male, this makes perfect sense.
Again, just an observation.
 
I wish all these photos would state the wrist size and the watch size. It would help make the decision one million times easier #
 
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