Perfect dimensions for my 6.5 inch wrist (opinion)
Like many of you, I have been through many different stages in terms of style, design and size throughout my watch wearing journey. My 1st watch was a Fossil watch that was a 43mm-ish dress watch. My wrist is 6.5 inches, and I can't imagine even wearing a 40mm dress watch today. Granted my wrist is it's skinniest it's ever been, my tolerances for case sizes have absolutely gone smaller than I ever thought it would.
Right now, my preferred max case width is 40mm. I understand that lug length and lug turndown is important and can change things, but I just make 40mm the largest case I consider. Here is an example:
This build has short lugs and is on a bracelet that sharply turns down from the lugs, making it wear great on my 6.5 inch wrist. I had this on a different bracelet with male endlinks and it was just unwearable to me.
This Wittnauer tank-style watch is the smallest watch I have that I can say still looks good on my size wrist. I can say this 27mm case wears more like a 35mm, I feel comfortable saying 34-35mm is the smallest case I would buy. Here is an example:
The tank style does wear bigger than the dimensions convert to. The padded strap gives it a bit more presence as well.
With all that said, I believe this next piece is the perfect size watch for my wrist size. I actually built this watch myself. Namoki mods sells this 36mm case that has a thickness of 11.5mm fitting a NH35 movement. The NH series isn't the thinnest movement so they really did a good job keeping this nice and tight. Here is an example:
Every watch has it's own character and can wear larger or smaller depending on the design. But as a rule of thumb for my wrist is..
Max: 40mm
Smallest: 35mm
Perfect range: 36-38mm
Shout out @lorier for my perfectly sized diver...
What is your max case size? Smallest case size? And perfect range for your wrist size?
Thanks for stopping by!
Newbie on a mission to get all I can out of this beautiful watch journey. My philosophy is that life is too short to not pay attention to the passing of time.
This is my limit, Tudor BB Bronze, 43mm diameter, 53mm lug to lug, 14mm thick and 23mm lug width, also on a 6.5" wrist. I like them on the bigger side 😁
Maybe the IWC Pilot 41. It fits pretty well. Maybe could go up to a 42mm on a strap depending on the lug to lug of course
I've got a 6.25 wrist, but relatively flat so I can wear a slightly bigger watch than I thought. Here is my 42mm SKX007 build, biggest I own and I build this thinking I'd never be able to wear it myself. Usually I stick to 35-38 though, I like the smaller watches in general.
Out of curiosity, why do you mix units (mm and in)?
For me the crystal diameter is more important. I have a 42mm Laco that wears huge because it's mostly crystal and a 42mm Seiko 5 gmt that feels small because of the bezel and weight.
My smallest I'd go for is 36mm.
I'm debating if I want a 36mm or 39mm Tudor 1926 right now. I hear the 36mm wears more like a 37 due to a thin bezel and it measuring 36.8 in practice
I do have a square watch that's probably smaller than 36 though
So I'm all over the place hahaha
I also have a 43.5 mm Bulova Lunar Pilot that looks fine because of all the details and it being titanium
I've got a 6.25 wrist, but relatively flat so I can wear a slightly bigger watch than I thought. Here is my 42mm SKX007 build, biggest I own and I build this thinking I'd never be able to wear it myself. Usually I stick to 35-38 though, I like the smaller watches in general.
That's a cool build.
Out of curiosity, why do you mix units (mm and in)?
i really don't know why...
Out of curiosity, why do you mix units (mm and in)?
Because Americans use the Customary unit of measurement and watch dimensions come in metric units.
Interesting that your wrist as as thick/tall is it is wide from above, probably makes for very nice uniform strap fits. Jealous haha. Mine's very so it wears big dialed watches well, up to 43mm for say divers. I have a 36mm piece that is almost, almost too small for me to pull off on the other hand
Out of curiosity, why do you mix units (mm and in)?
That's how the watch world run.
Where the imperial and metric system get along.
😂
Similarly sized wrist to yours, and the Black Bay 36 (36mm case, 44mm L2L, under 11mm thick) is a sweet spot for me.
strongly agree. i have the same size wrist and my 40mm traska freediver is right on the cusp of being too big for me. 40mm watches with no bezel look too big in my opinion. I also love casio, so I’m a big fan of smaller case sizes in general because i’ve gotten so used to them (don’t write off a 34mm tho!)
strongly agree. i have the same size wrist and my 40mm traska freediver is right on the cusp of being too big for me. 40mm watches with no bezel look too big in my opinion. I also love casio, so I’m a big fan of smaller case sizes in general because i’ve gotten so used to them (don’t write off a 34mm tho!)
I'd probably would go as far as 32mm for the right piece.
I have a 18cm wrist. Biggest case i would wear is about 44mm and the smallest is about 35mm. My preferred range is about 38mm-42mm ( with most of my watches >39mm).
I'm blessed with a 7.5 inch wrist. I am comfortable with 42mm down to 38mm.
That's how the watch world run.
Where the imperial and metric system get along.
😂
I was born 8n 1965 and live in the UK, so I've been brought up on a mix of imperial and metric. I have a 7" wrist, but it's quite round, so 41mm max for me.
Imperial makes no sense, especially when dealing with bolt sizes. I had an American motorcycle and it confused the life out of me.
Great post. I have Saved this post. Well done A++