Circumference vs Width

Hi! I'm new here, and WatchCrunch has asked for my first post so here I go.

Surely it must be better to measure wrist width to know how a watch would wear?!

I have a smaller 17cm wrist but flat, so its 6cm wide. My friend has a 19cm wrist with the same width.

Thoughts??

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34mm +/-1mm should be perfect regardless.

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Welcome and yes, everyone’s wrist shape and size is different. The watch dimensions are only part of the story.

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Welcome aboard! Agree, wrist circumference is not always a good indicator. Comparing the watch lug length to your wrist width is probably a better way to judge if it’s too big or small.

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Yes.

But your wrist width depends on whether the back or palm of your hand is facing you. The circumference is constant. That's two numbers for one thing and therefore much too sophisticated for most content creators in the age of TikTok.

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Yes so far as it goes. But height and bulk also come into play here. If you have overall bigger arms and wrists and a bigger build, you can pull of an overall bigger, chunkier watch. It’s common sense and basic proportions. And of course how you like a watch to wear.

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UnsignedCrown

Yes.

But your wrist width depends on whether the back or palm of your hand is facing you. The circumference is constant. That's two numbers for one thing and therefore much too sophisticated for most content creators in the age of TikTok.

But who wears a watch on the palm side of their wrist?

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simonmiles

Yes so far as it goes. But height and bulk also come into play here. If you have overall bigger arms and wrists and a bigger build, you can pull of an overall bigger, chunkier watch. It’s common sense and basic proportions. And of course how you like a watch to wear.

So maybe I am just too hung up in the lug to lug dimensions!? I can see how the overall build of the person is important here. But I still don't feel like my question has been answered 😀

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Welcome to the Crunch!

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That is correct.

I'm personally happy to go up to 5mm smaller than my wrist width. For example here 55mm width wrist with 50mm lug to lug length of watch.

Some would say too big but I really like it.

The type and thickness of strap makes a difference too.

And how much of a bump is on the underside of the watch, etc. (I always look for fairly flat)

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AddictedNik

But who wears a watch on the palm side of their wrist?

When the palm side faces you, that's how others see the watch. In that scenario the width is wider which is why jewlers have full length mirrors so they can sell you watches that are too big saying "that's how it really looks". I always reply, "when my neighbours start paying for my watches then they will get a say in how it's meant to look" but it seems to be working or else it wouldn't be a thing, no?

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CitizenKale

That is correct.

I'm personally happy to go up to 5mm smaller than my wrist width. For example here 55mm width wrist with 50mm lug to lug length of watch.

Some would say too big but I really like it.

The type and thickness of strap makes a difference too.

And how much of a bump is on the underside of the watch, etc. (I always look for fairly flat)

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Taste and style of the watch is definitely the most important. Banger watch mate, wear it in good health!

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UnsignedCrown

When the palm side faces you, that's how others see the watch. In that scenario the width is wider which is why jewlers have full length mirrors so they can sell you watches that are too big saying "that's how it really looks". I always reply, "when my neighbours start paying for my watches then they will get a say in how it's meant to look" but it seems to be working or else it wouldn't be a thing, no?

Call me stupid, but I still dont get that. I thought the reason there are mirrors in the shop is so you can have a look from a distance? Palm side or not. There is obviously a difference in what you see on your wrist up close and what people 4 meters away see.

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That is an awesome strap

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Agreed!!😁

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Wrist shape, curvature, as well as size has a lot to do with comfort of wear. I really cannot go more than 48mm lug-to-lug

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AddictedNik

That last part i digg!

End of the day it's your money. The only approval you need is your own. 😁

Life is too short, so ride this MF till the wheels fall off 🤣

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AddictedNik

Call me stupid, but I still dont get that. I thought the reason there are mirrors in the shop is so you can have a look from a distance? Palm side or not. There is obviously a difference in what you see on your wrist up close and what people 4 meters away see.

Yes, the perspective matters but the primary reason why it appears so much smaller in the mirror is not down to perspective but because your wrist in that position is MUCH wider, not because of the fish-eye effect. You can measure the width of your wrist while "checking the time" and "looking at the watch in the mirror" then you'll see what I mean. It's two completely different things.

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AddictedNik

I finally understand what you mean now, because you turn your wrist!! Very good point!! Sorry for not picking this up earlier!

haha, I also just replied to the first comment before reading the rest 😂🍻

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I have quite thick wrists so I can wear most watches as long as they are not smaller than 36mm depending on the lugs on a particular case. Additionally I made most of my personal big bucks at a time when case sizes were increasing, after all we do not exist in vacuums. Despite current trends I insist on wearing my watches some as large as 48mm because I do not regard my money spent lightly. The enthusiasts today who are being influenced to source smaller watches will not want to set aside watches bought with their hard earned money when the trend moves upwards one day unless they either have deep pockets or just buying throw away watches.

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Welcome to watch crunch Nik.

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Welcome, I say find dimensions that work for you and keep it in mind when looking at watches.

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As the owner of a Perfectly Sized Wrist (PSW) I struggle to understand what is being discussed in this post and comments.

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I desperately need the strap in the photo

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PoorMansRolex

34mm +/-1mm should be perfect regardless.

Yeah, it just works every time

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simonmiles

Yes so far as it goes. But height and bulk also come into play here. If you have overall bigger arms and wrists and a bigger build, you can pull of an overall bigger, chunkier watch. It’s common sense and basic proportions. And of course how you like a watch to wear.

And yet so, so, so many people just ignore this. Not just the, "In WW2 real men stormed the beaches in 36mm watches so that's all you ever need unless you are saying you are better than the greatest generation... well are you, punk?!?" types. But even people who you would think understand how a wrist canon on a big, bulky guy looks totally different to the same watch on a tiny, weedy guy, just seem to have brain fade on this topic.

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Ok..I know that's just something you found but that strap. Wow.... 🤤

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Welcome! Yes width is the most important, on every watch I do a width/lug to lug comparison.

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Welcome to the rabbit hole.

I think size of the wearer makes a difference too. In only 5' 10" tall but I'm built big (with tonnes of fat on top 🤪) because of that I comfortably get away with 50mm. My biggest watch has a L2L of 65mn and it wears fine, I imagine if i was of smaller frame that wouldn't be the case.

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Very good point. Wauw, 65mm! Thats up there😀!!

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AddictedNik

But who wears a watch on the palm side of their wrist?

It was once pretty common. Soldiers commonly wore their field watches inside the wrist during WWI and WWII. Nurses have been known to do it. Clerks, drivers, all kinds of people. It only became impractical to wear a watch that way when watches got really big.