Optimal watch size is wrist circumference (in cm) x 2.3?
So according to this article my optimal watch size is 46.7mm
(20.32cm x 2.3 = 46.736)
I find 44mm to 45mm to be optimal. But this is a good guide for beginners to start with. Of course other factors that cause a watch to play larger or smaller are always to be considered as well.....
See article below:
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Interesting...
My wrist is 19cm and therefore my "optimal" case size is 43.7mm.
Which is funny, cuz I really do not pay attention to that when buying a watch, yet a large part of my collection is in that 42mm-45mm range.
I disagree with what they are saying, each wrist is different, so it isn't just a math equation. Lug-to-lug along with diameter, and thickness all make a huge difference in how a watch wears.
I find my 38mm Seagull 1963 is a much better fit on my 7" wrist than my 42mm Hamilton Interstellar. Hell, my 41mm GSAR and Navigator fit my wrist better than my 42mm Interstellar.
Why multiply by 2.3? Isn't lug to lug more important?
I disagree with what they are saying, each wrist is different, so it isn't just a math equation. Lug-to-lug along with diameter, and thickness all make a huge difference in how a watch wears.
I find my 38mm Seagull 1963 is a much better fit on my 7" wrist than my 42mm Hamilton Interstellar. Hell, my 41mm GSAR and Navigator fit my wrist better than my 42mm Interstellar.
I don't disagree with you, I just thought it was interesting. I've never heard of this formula before; I wonder if they just made it up?
Why multiply by 2.3? Isn't lug to lug more important?
Agreed, stuff can play larger and smaller based on several additional factors like watch shape, lug to lug, thin or thick bezel etc... It is interesting someone tried to reduce it to a formula though.
Interesting...
My wrist is 19cm and therefore my "optimal" case size is 43.7mm.
Which is funny, cuz I really do not pay attention to that when buying a watch, yet a large part of my collection is in that 42mm-45mm range.
You never really know if it's perfect until you strap it onto your wrist. That's for damm sure!
Why multiply by 2.3? Isn't lug to lug more important?
Yeah, how was this determined? The blurb doesn't say.
It's possible they compared a bell curve of sales of case sizes against a bell curve of wrist sizes I suppose, but where would they get a bell curve of wrist sizes?
Or maybe it's as simple as "our average case size is X and the largest segment of people have wrist sizes of X/2.3"?
I don't disagree with you, I just thought it was interesting. I've never heard of this formula before; I wonder if they just made it up?
It is interesting, and I suspect they may be right regarding general "wrist presence", but I'm odd and like slightly smaller watches. 😂
It's a good start point for giving a rough estimation as long as we remember that we wear watches on our wrists and not mathematical equations, and as you mentioned - there are other factors that makes a watch look larger or smaller on the wrist.
We also have to consider that the article was published in STOWA newsletter and they are known for their flieger watches, a style of watches that tend to be large, therefore this equation is probably tweaked to produce the optimal results for them and not necessarily for us.
I don't disagree with you, I just thought it was interesting. I've never heard of this formula before; I wonder if they just made it up?
It’s definitely an interesting write up…so mine is 40.89mm…I’ve come to the conclusion on my own based on no science at all that 40mm seems to be the sweet spot…
Interesting formula! Can't argue, probably pretty correct for 'ideal proportions'.
But, it puts me at a 36mm 😮 - nope nope nope. No no no.
Screw you ideal wrist size!! Admittedly my 37mm Kurono looks pretty spot on, but that's my smallest non-antique watch. So, almost all my watches are way too big by this metric. 🤷♂️
But good lug to lug distances and not caring a whit let's me continue being a happy watch nerd. 😜
While the formula is a good guide. It’s pretty spot on at 38 for me, I haven’t worn a watch that size that doesn’t work on my wrist. the only way to know if a watch will work for you is to try it on. Bezel width, case shape, lug angle and lug to lug all combine to change how a watch wears. I can pull off an oris aquis 43.5mm with a 52mm lug to lug on my small wrist. It just wears great but the dimensions would scare me off if I hadn’t tried it on. I also tried the 39.5mm version and it looked like a tiny little puck.
18.5cm (7.25”) wrist.
OK, I’ll give them that…
That’s actually really interesting and works well for me; Bang on 39mm which is definitely an ideal for me.
Generally speaking, I go for 35-40mm watches. Technically my Bulova surfboard is 40.5mm.
Overall, that is a great frame of reference as a starting point. However as we all know, lug to lug and dial space (I.e: lack of a bezel) can make a watch feel way bigger or smaller regardless of case diameter.
I'm sure there are zillions of exceptions, but at the highest level, 39mm is often a good size for me (+/- 5 or 6 mm). 😜
Great analysis - thank you!
You mentioned that probably my wrist is very flat on top - it is. It also occurred to me that this is also likely the reason that wrist based heart rate meters don't work on me. Optical HR depends on capillary density, and my wrist has almost no tissue depth before bone. Just a random thought.
I can tell you it's frustrating to have bands that overhang so long they almost reach the front of the watch 😂