When is a watch too BIG? | Watch Diameter Explained!

#ninefortyfour #watches - So we’ve all heard of watch diameters! 36mm, 40mm, 44mm! It’s most common metric given by watch brands! But what does this really mean and why does it matter?
Overall diameter gives us a rough indication of overall size, but it doesn’t necessarily collate to good, or bad, fit! It’s why it’s third on our list of importance! But let’s talk about it!
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So this is the third video in our miniseries looking at watch wearability! Today it’s all about watch diameter and it’s considerations! If you want to check out our other videos on watch size, mainly Lug to lug and thickness.
Watch diameter is pretty simple to understand. In short means overall width, not including the crown! The smaller the number, generally the smaller the watch! Traditionally, and by that I mean early twentieth century, watches we’re commonly sized between 34 to 36mm, with anything bigger considered large!
But times change, today watches pushing 50mm or more are not unheard of! The early 2000’s saw a trend for bigger, bolder watches, with common sizes shifting upwards of 40mm! This trend has somewhat cooled, but it means we now have almost unlimited choice! As with all aspects of watch buying it boils down to personal choice. As it should! But considerations should be made!
WHAT THE ‘PEOPLE’ SAY…
So if took a sample of watch enthusiasts and asked them what’s the perfect watch size, the answer would probably be 39mm. Across a variety of wrist sizes 39 works well across the board. Not to large, not too small… a Goldilocks zone if you will…
Now we’re referring here at a male wrist! We tend to be larger and fatter than women, and 39mm generally suits us all. As a rough guide, diameters between 28 and 35mm are considered ladies sizes, and anything upwards of 36mm for men. This obviously doesn’t account for personal tastes.
Although, a 28mm watch on a 7 inch wrist will look weird.. but each to their own… Again. Buy what you love…
THAT 1MM MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!…
We’ve spoken about this before too, but slight increases in dimensions do result in noticeable differences in wearability. On paper, the difference between a 40 and 42mm diameter watch may not seem like a big deal, right!
But when factored into potentially increased thickness and lug to lug dimension, the entire volume of the watch increases. Ultimately we’re talking about small objects located on relatively small areas of our body, so even slight increases can result in a totally different wrist experience!
Be mindful of this. We often find ourselves in situations where a great deal or buying opportunity might present its self! Maybe we can get a 41mm oyster perpetual today, but have to wait 6 months for a 36mm… the urge to buy now can be tempting! I’ve been there!
But at the end the day, watches are often expensive! Take your time, do your research, and most importantly, wherever possible try watches on first! Make sure the purchase you make is right for you first time! - I really need to take this advice!

[@thetruebatman4632]

Cool video. As a 6’4”, 250 lb American meat head, I sincerely enjoyed the large case craze and still do. On my wrist is almost always a 43 or 44mm case, but I tend to rotate a few 40mm watches that I inherited or bought for dress. Just wear the watches that make you smile when catch them out of the corner of your eye.

[@pp_doc3962]

Nice video. Aside from wrist circumference I also consider wrist width. So it's better to really try the watch on first.

[@cedarcanoe]

Lug2Lug is more important as the diameter size for me.

[@ninefortyfour]

Totally agree mate. Thats why we decided to discuss diameter third, after L2L and Thickness

[@kubenjbcz]

Love this style of videos, keep 'em coming!

[@ninefortyfour]

Thanks! Will do!