Have you found the Goldilocks Zone?
Size is everything! I've had a few watches which ticked a lot of boxes, but the size was just slightly off.
Luckily, they (or something very similar) were also offered in a different size. Unfortunately, that size turned out to be very slightly off too!
These two happen to both be by Timefactors and I really, really like both styles but ended up with none...
Smiths PRS29-A - 36mm diameter (just a touch too small)
Smiths PRS29-B - 39mm diameter (just a touch too big)
Baby Dreadnought - 38mm diameter (a little bit too small)
Dreadnought Voyager - 42.5mm diameter (a bit too big)
Conversely, I hit the Goldilocks Zone straight off when I bought my first Tudor - the ETA driven, smiley-faced 79220N:
When the in-house Heritage version came out, I thought I'd give it a try, but found it was just too thick. Then the BB58 came out with a lot of hype about the size, so I thought I'd try that too, but it was a touch too small... So in this case, I'd hit the Goldilocks Zone with my first try.
Has anything like this happened to you too, or am I just fussy?
I nearly added here as this is very nearly this topic, but not quite: https://www.watchcrunch.com/1969mustang/posts/have-you-ever-had-seller-s-remorse-12329
An admirer of shiny wrist art. I've recently arrived at a fairly settled collection after years of flipping. That could all change at any time... IG: @tickerstickers
Yeah, after quite a bit of experimentation, 39mm is just about perfect for me. But from 36mm up to 41mm will usually work well.
I’ve tried certain diver models where 43mm is just a bit too big, but 38mm is just a bit too small with the bezel taking up so much space. A couple millimeters can make a big difference.
This is one of those cases where I started off knowing the right thing and dabbled around only to confirm my initial stance. 32 to 34mm is best, 35 okay, anything past that is a getting a bit big.
41.5 is my sweet spot but 39 to 42 feels pretty comfortable for me. I have a few smaller, a few larger but for the most part that's my range.
The perfect watch is one that is super comfortable where you forget your wearing one until you need the time. That is usually a small watch. My wrist is 7.75 inches and I love wearing the 36mm watches on soft nato's. Its like trucks.... A big man does not drive a big truck but the little guys always have them.
The majority of my collection is 38 to 39mm or there about. Anything 40mm or above, for me personally it has to be a diver and then only up to 42mm. I just sold my Seiko MM300 for this very reason, it was comfortable and for it's size actually wore very well, but for me it just was to big.
Most of my watches have 200m water resistance anyway, like my Sinn 556's so you can wear them anywhere, even my Damasko or CW all have screw down crowns, dust or water isn't a issue, very versatile watches.
So, as long as the watch at 38 to 39mm has some if not all of the versatility of a diver/ field watch and too some extent a watch that can be dressed up with a strap change they work for me and y wrist size.
I find case shape, bezel, dial size, and case size all play a part.
My 39mm DS30 feels perfect, as does my 39mm C63. My 41mm C65 and Navigator also feel "perfect".
I just picked it up today, but my 42mm Mission to Jupiter also feels perfect...
I just got the new Tudor Ranger. It’s 39mm and for sure my sweet spot. I have a few 40s and a 43, but I’m loving the way this 39mm wears.
With a 7.25 wrist, I prefer not to go past 50mm L2L. Ideally it'd be around 45-47mm L2L, but my three favorite watches hover at or just under 50mm L2L. When it comes to dial size, anywhere between 38-42mm.
I have a 7.5 inch wrist. My Goldilock zone is 37-39mm
I'm not as experienced as some of the folks here, but on my 7.5" wrist, 42mm seems ideal. I'm learning, however, that lug to lug, height and even strap/bracelet width factor in, as does the amount of dial vs bezel. It's a bit complex really. I wish there was more places where we could go try on watches. Unfortunately, most of what I'm interested in can't be sourced from a local store. I suppose the positive is my uncertainty has postponed more than one purchase. As it stands now, I buy too many watches. Just ask my wife.
There are definitely a number of different measurements that contribute significantly to how a watch feels. I am continually surprised and annoyed at brands for failing to list measurements such as thickness with the watch specs - these details are vital to know! 🤯
Made that major mistake at first my case with oversize watches. So many nice ones out there but what I learn gotten in this hobby more happier with the proper size. 38-43mm for me.
I kinda know what works for me. 37-41mm case size. 46-49mm L2L. Thickness can vary but I generally tend to stay sub 14mm. Straps must have 80mm+ short length and preferably <120mm long length, else the watch feels unbalanced.
38-39mm width
L2L<48mm
height<13mm
After 50 years of trying, my sweet zone is 39mm. But it has to be somewhat thin. The perfect size is the 214270 Rolex explorer.
37-39.5mm
height < 11mm (including crystal)
width = 20mm