Does Size Really Matter?

I am also in the 7.5 camp and have watches that span the range that you have as well.  Although I think 7.5 is the sweet spot for almost any watch.  I know guys with 8 inch wrists that make BB58s look tiny.  On the other side I also know some guys with 6.5 inch wrists that have a tough time with anything above 40.

That being said, I think design plays a huge part in how a watch looks on the wrist.  A 34 mm watch with a tiny dial and too much bezel can look really small.  A 39mm with no bezel and an oversized dial can look larger than a 42 on wrist.  

Some of my span:

35mm

38mm

38mm case/39mm at bezel

42mm

Yes it matters a lot. Not so much for going smaller than usual. But wearing a watch that’s too big can be awkward, heavy and uncomfortable.

I'm so envious of that Pepsi! I love the aluminum bezel models. The colors really pop!

So maybe the conclusion is that 7.5 inches is the sweet spot for wrist size if you're a collector, and we got very lucky???

Yep!  Genetics!

These are Rolex to me.  I've had mine for more than 30 years.  I have handled several of the new models from the Maxi case onwards and they don't feel the same to me.  I wouldn't trade mine for a new one.  I would like to pick up a matching year Sub to have a set 👍

Lovely watch collection Tom (particularly the Radiomir) - I think it also depends on the watch, certain watches are clearly bold, statement pieces designed to be large and highly visible, your Panerai being a perfect example - it's supposed to be big - as well as an example of a watch that is actually very versatile from suit to t-shirt. 

I think it's taken way too seriously when seen as a 'rule.' It may be way more personal than that.

I have a 6.3"/16CM wrist and am wearing a Casio Duro. (SHOCK/HORROR!😂)

Interesting to me that people say the Duro is a 50mm lug-to-lug. Well, I just measured it: I get 49.3mm at the longest reach of the outer tips of the lugs, and, get this: 46mm at the bottom of the lug-tips where the design cuts back! 😮 The Duro's lugs curve down, but not extremely so, it's more a gentle curve, so for me it's the lug-to-lug that matters most and, the shape of the case apparently has an affect on that too.

I like watches from tiny Casio digitals up to Panerai sized, whale killers. As long as the watch is comfortable on you and you actually like it, you're good.

This is what the Duro looks like on me. Bearing in mind it's on a thick nato raising it up quite a bit with the two layers of material underneath. I still think it works! Now, my preference is for watches with a short lug-to-lug under 48mm, but the Duro proves to me we might be all up in our heads about the issue! 😂

As an aside, I would swear from the pic that Air King is 36 (even though I know it isn't).  Those old 34mm Rolex just wear sweet.  Super cheap as far as vintage Rolex prices go too.  I've been eyeing a 15200 with a blue dial.  Seeing your Air King I might have to snatch it up!

My collection ranges from 39 to 44 millimeters with the median being at 41 mm. My wrist is a quite larger 17.8 cm. I can wear everything in this range, but the 39mm Rolex Explorer 1 is still the best fitting in my opinion.

It really depends on the lug-to-lug and the strap/bracelet the watch comes with and also on the thickness. Making a decision solely based on the width of the case might make you miss out on many great watches.

As a guy with a 6-1/2" wrist I find that a lot of the wearability comes from lug length and thickness.  If the lugs are too long it hangs over the sides of my wrist, and that looks a bit silly.  If it's too thick (and correspondingly heavy) It tends to not fit under a cuff and even flops back and forth unless cinched down to an uncomfortable degree.  I can happily wear a Seiko Turtle (43mm diameter - 45mm lug - 13mm thick).  My sweet spot is an old Submariner or GMT-Master (39mm dia - 48mm lugs - 13mm thick).

I kind of regret having disposed of a few beauties simply because they were uncomfortable to wear.

Almost too much - titanium case, 42mm diameter 50mm lug width 12mm thick on 6-1/2" wrist.

Initially cool rules but long term comfort comes to the fore. 

Big heavy watches dig in their crowns and irritate the wrist. Their weight is a constant reminder of their presence and burden.

Smaller watches are easy to forget they are there and wear more comfortably.

What comes into the conversation is brand and cool factor making it all about what statement you want to make or not make one at all. I like pretty, comfortable watches that are reliable regardless of brand. 

b

I agree that lug-to-lug, case shape, and thickness are much more important than pure diameter.  

I prefer <=40mm, but my 45mm DOXA is super-comfortable, more so than it's 42mm cousins, and far more than some other smaller watches.  (Looking at you 42mm PO and 41mm Black Bays).

I think Turtles fall in that same category.  Big but comfy.

OP - Nice Watches!

Bah, I will continue to think that smaller is better. But it is interesting that I thought the OP was the only appropriate sized watch, and it turns out the Air-King is somehow visually larger because clunky bezel or other camera trickery.

Wrist shots in particular tend to over emphasize the diameter of a watch.  They never look as large in person.

I, as well, have 7.5in wrists. I wear mostly larger watches but I also do like the slightly smaller ones around 38mm. So I guess my only thing with size is not too big.

Love the collection! - beautiful watches.

 In the close up shot of the Panomir it's tough to get an idea of proportions, have you got a pic where it's at a bit of distance for perspective?  

My own little group spans between 38 and 44mm with a 6.25 wrist.  And I'm sweet on the seiko tuna can MM, which is very much ridiculous big.   Still have to try that one on.  Ultimately I think it's more about how the various watches wear and how the band comes off the case.  My largest watch actually wears quite small in terms of how it hugs my wrist, so comfy.  One more point - as the size goes up I get more weight conscious and look for lighter materials. 

So if it feels comfy and you like how it looks - f-ck yeah, wear it!  

My collection spans from 28 to 43mm. My sweet spot for vintage is 34mm, although I'm not sure if me favouring my 34mm pieces has to do with the size, or with the design. Perhaps the size is a factor, but definitely not a major one. For future additions, I'd like to stick to 33-35mm in steel. Which doesn't mean I'd not wear the 28mm Eterna I'm getting serviced now, because oh yes, I will. And then I'll switch to my 40mm Longines Spirit, then to the 35mm Omega CK 2537... And so it goes.

It really does and doesn't! I do think dressier pieces work better when they're smaller, and sportier pieces often work better bigger. All comes down to preference and what kind of look you're going for!

36 - 39mm = 👌

Every evening... that's some going. 🤣

Part of me knows what sizes looks proportional and good on my 7 inch wrist. As a rule of thumb, for me 37-42mm case diameter and 45-49 L2L is my sweet spot. Of course, nothing beats seeing things in the metal and trying them on. The ole mirror test is usually a good guide.

But I'm also a believer in you wearing the watch, not the watch wearing you. What I mean by this is that I feel that the watch needs to complement your style, personality and how you project that outwards, rather than just being a cool watch that you wear (for me, if it doesn't look like it belongs on your wrist, it can be quite jarring). Thus I've seen people with larger wrists get away with sub 34mm watches and those with smaller wrists get away with 42+ mm watches.

So in summary, knowing what size works for you get's you in the ballpark, but more importantly, the watch has to represent you.

There are a lot of folks that worry way too much about millimeters of difference.

An inch or two matters. A millimeter or two or even three doesn’t. I say just enjoy what you enjoy and stop whipping out a tape measure or measuring calipers to determine whether you’re allowed to enjoy it.

ID Guy voice: it’s ohll about the prahPOOORshuns

I don't think its just watch size i think comfort comes into it as well, I've got some big watches like my tuna which is comfortable but I use to have an alpina alpiner 4 gmt which I loved and was only 42mm but was just too uncomfortable to wear all day. So I think its a combination of size and comfort and BIG watches usually aren't comfortable to wear all day but their are exceptions.

I have 8.5" wrists.  I find that lug to lug length matters more for me.  My biggest problem is getting strap/bracelets that actually fit!  I'd say 90% of the factory bracelets that come on my watches either fit at the last and longest setting, or must get extra links added or replaced entirely.  It can get expensive.  I just bought a new Omega Aqua Terra Small Seconds in 41mm. I LOVE the watch, but lug to lug isn't very long.  The factory rubber band that comes in it (which is really well made) only fits on the very last setting.  It doesn't give me any additional adjustment that I will need if it is a hot day, etc. and I need to loosen it up a little bit.  Omega told me that they sell an XL rubber band for that watch, but it's $225!  With that type of watch, I want to keep it all factory, so I ponied up the extra money and got one on order.

One brand that I've had really good results with is Tissot.  The factory butterfly clasp bracelets that come on their Gentleman series fit nicely.  I was turned away at first because there is no micro-adjustment available, but a quartz model, being thinner, fits perfectly by removing one of the small links.  The automatics (being thicker) fit perfectly in their untouched configuration.  I've got three of those watches at this point, and have my eye out for one of their silver dials.  I've got the blue, anthracite, and green already.  Aside from the Omega, these are my absolutely favorite watches to wear.

Beats per hour is more important... probably.  

The fact that most modern watches hover around 40-45mm makes it a point of interest for people that have small wrists or with a preference for smaller watches. But there are more smaller watches lately 🤩 But what size has a lot to do about function and history for me.

I treat the watch I chose to wear that day as a new one. Every watch I put on my wrist feels like it’s down for me. #squadgoals

Idk y but that strap goes great with that watch