Wrist Size

If you have an 8" wrist I feel for you trying to find a watch with enough bracelet to fit. Most studies put the average wrist in the US between 6.5" and 7" so we can probably split the difference.  

As far as what fits? Do not be afraid to go into a local shop and try things on, absolutely nothing wrong with that. Probably do not start at AP, but find a dealer with a wide variety of brands in different price ranges. You can wear whatever you feel is comfortable for you. You do not need a Panerai or massive pilot's watch, but if that floats your boat go for it. I know I would be looking at some 44mm pieces, but a 40-42 should look fine.

I have a seven inch wrist and can wear almost any watch between 38 and 42mm. I can also pull off some watches as small as 35mm or as large as 45mm depending on lug to lug. 
 

If I had an 8 inch wrist, I would target watches between 42mm and 46mm. 

Also…Pilot watches. You have the wrist to pull off very cool pilot watches. Check out Fliegers and Chronographs as the best ones are 44mm +/-    

By the way, I began to doubt my first measurement, so I measured again. I used a piece of Scotchtape to keep the measuring tape from falling off my wrist. Then I wrapped it around; the second time I did it, I got 8 1/16". I added a red mark to my picture, to show where the little metal endpiece ends, and the Scotchtape begins.

In my experience, watches that I have bought with stainless steel wristbands all started out very loose, requiring me to take out 1-2 links. Conversely, every leather strap watch I've ever tried didn't have enough holes in the strap. 🤔

Interesting. I know many require extra links for anything over 7.5”. Not all and it will depend on the watch. I have the opposite problem with straps, they always tend to be a little long. Nothing a cheap leather punch from amazon won’t solve.

Having owned some great looking watches in my time I have realised how important for me "lug width" is. Especially if the chosen watch has a leather strap or an integrated bracelet. I choose watches now, based on either 20mm or 22mm width just because I know that availability for alternative bracelets and straps will be greater.

Do you have big wrist bones vs more muscle? I ask because I have a 7 in wrist because of some muscle underneath but the width isn't all the much so if I go for watches for 7 in wrist then they may still look too big for me. 

Here you go...just what the doctor ordered...

https://theslenderwrist.com/watch-size-guide/

Watch Case Size - From 40.6 to 50.8 mm

Lug To Lug Distance - From 50.8 to 63.5 mm

Bro Panerai and IWC are made for you !!!!! I am a skinny 6 inch wrist , the big guy that lives in Venice has an eight inch wrist. His watch channel is right up your alley Oishin O Malley is his name . I am a fan of his stuff…

Don't restrict yourself to a certain case size. With an 8" wrist you can wear anything as long as the band is big enough. I'm a touch over 7" and I have everything from 36mm to 50mm and you can certainly pull off any of those. You will eventually find a natural sweet spot that you're comfortable with and you will know instinctively will look good on you. 

My recommendation would be to keep hitting the local stores until you find a size you like. Don't feel bad for not buying anything, I'm sure they would appreciate the floor traffic. 

My wrist is also over 8 inches. Finding leather straps is a mission. Bracelets fit just fine but sometimes I have to use extenders with them. Nato straps work great btw. I often wear 39mm to 42mm watches. 

Haha I can relate to all your struggles but don't worry about that, just wear any size you want. Don't limit yourself to only large watches. I hate large watches btw.

I have a similar sized wrist and, honestly, 40mm is about the smallest watch I can wear without thinking, "Good grief, that's looking a bit small..." But, it will also depend on the watch design itself. I have a Brosnan-era Bond Omega Seamaster which is 41mm and a Tudor Heritage Ranger which is also 41mm. Because the Ranger is "all dial" it gives the illusion of being bigger on the wrist, and certainly bigger than the Seamaster... yet it's not. So it always pays to try stuff, or at least really study the specs/design first.

Good luck. And try not to listen to dudes with 6" wrists who just can't imagine anyone ever wanting to wear something over 38mm. While 38mm might seem on the money for them (even tending towards being too large!), they never comprehend/make allowances for what it's like to have much bigger wrists. 

I have a 8.25" wrist and watches ranging from 36mm to 47mm.  My favorite watches are 40-42mm but as long as I like the watch I don't really care what size it is. 

Yeah, I think it's a big bones thing. I'm a big guy, and plenty strong, but my forearms aren't particularly muscular. I think it's more just my big frame.

Oddly, all of the (3) watches that I own (by chance, not by intent) are between 40 and 42 mm.

Ok! And if you have a wide wrist, likely you'll be ok with 40-44mm cases, but like everyone says, be careful about the lug to lug distance. 

First of all, there is no objectively "right" size. It's all about what you like. Almost nobody in real life is going to notice, much less care, and those that do aren't worth listening to. Also, if you're into vintage pieces you need to be accepting of smaller watches. I've gotten so used to wearing 35 and 36mm vintage watches on my 7 3/4" wrists that I've sold off all of my modern stuff over 40mm because they just don't look right to me anymore.

As for the AD/Jewelers, go in and try watches on. Just make sure and mention when you do that you're not planning on buying today and that you won't mind just window-shopping if the sales assistant needs to go look after paying customers. Any SA worth their salt will gladly help you try on watches to your heart's content in the hopes that it will start a "relationship" that ends with you buying a watch from them.

The great thing about having a larger wrist, is that you can pick any watch bigger than say... 38mm arbitrarily, and it will probably look fine. If it's a little small it just looks vintage, and at an 8in wrist there aren't many watches out there so big that they will dwarf you. 

Generally however, 38-42 fit almost anyone and is a good ballpark to start in. Finally, wear whatever you like :)

It's not a simple as "xx mm" for "yy wrist", there are a number of other factors that determine how a watch wears on your wrist. Watches with little bezel and a large dial wear much bigger than the opposite. Lighter colored dials, particularly white, wear bigger than darker ones. Also, some wrists are more circular, some wider and flatter. If you can, find an influencer with the same size wrist as yours and see how the watch fits on him. The best thing to do is try it on before you buy, where possible. If not, until you have a good feel for this, only buy where you can return for any reason. 

I have a 7 3/4 inch wrist.  I find 40mm to 44 mm cases with up to 50mm lug to lug is the best range for me.  I would not feel shy about going to local shops.  Just tell them you are still trying to find watches that suit your sense of proper size.  You never know.  They might offer you a deal.  You are more likely to get offered a price consideration in an independent store than a chain.