Luxury Watch Size Guide: How To Measure Watch Size
Read our luxury watch size guide and learn how to measure watch size in 3 easy steps including wrist size, case size as well as bracelets and straps.
Measure Your Wrist
When choosing the right sized watch it’s important to first know your own wrist size. Your wrist size may vary slightly depending on whether you wear your watch on your left or right wrist. You can find your wrist size by measuring the circumference of your wrist with a measuring tape. The size of the wrist may have an impact on whether you choose a watch with a small or large case. Traditionally smaller wrists opt for smaller cases and larger wrists opt for larger cases, though this can be completely down to taste and preference.
How to measure your wrist size (or wrist circumference):
- Place your hand palm up on a flat surface
- Slightly spread your fingers (doing so will ensure you get the real size of your wrist when it’s the largest)
- Wrap a measuring tape around your wrist just above the joint until the tape has gone all the way around your wrist and touches the start of the tape. You may need a friend to help you with this
- Read the size on the measuring tape, preferably in inches or centimeters
How are watch cases measured and sized?
Watch Case Size Guide
The watch case size is the defining feature of any timepiece so it’s important that it is perfectly sized for the wearer. To find the case size you need to measure the diameter in mm from the outer edges at the widest point of the watch, not including the crown. To find the precise diameter of a watch, a calliper measuring tool is typically used.
Watch and Wrist Size For Men – (cm/mm) | |||
Wrist circumference | Watch Size | ||
Small | Medium | Big | |
15 cm | 32 mm | 37 mm | 41 mm |
16 cm | 34 mm | 39 mm | 43 mm |
17 cm | 36 mm | 41 mm | 45 mm |
18 cm | 36 mm | 42 mm | 45 mm |
19 cm | 37 mm | 43 mm | 46 mm |
20 cm | 38 mm | 44 mm | 47 mm |
21 cm | 39 mm | 44 mm | 47 mm |
22 cm | 40 mm | 45 mm | 48 mm |
23 cm | 41 mm | 45 mm | 48 mm |
24 cm | 42 mm | 46 mm | 49 mm |
Watch and Wrist Size For Women (cm/mm) | |||
Wrist Circumference | Watch Size | ||
Small | Medium | Big | |
12 cm | 21 mm | 27 mm | 34 mm |
13 cm | 22 mm | 27 mm | 34 mm |
14 cm | 23 mm | 28 mm | 35 mm |
15 cm | 24 mm | 29 mm | 36 mm |
16 cm | 25 mm | 30 mm | 37 mm |
17 cm | 26 mm | 31 mm | 38 mm |
18 cm | 27 mm | 32 mm | 39 mm |
19 cm | 28 mm | 33 mm | 40 mm |
20 cm | 29 mm | 34 mm | 41 mm |
21 cm | 30 mm | 35 mm | 41 mm |
22 cm | 31 mm | 36 mm | 42 mm |
23 cm | 32 mm | 37 mm | 43 mm |
24 cm | 33 mm | 38 mm | 44 mm |
Case Shapes
When it comes to the shape of a watch case, there are many different options to choose from including circle, oval, square, rectangle, cushion and tonneau. While all of these shapes are different, they could all have the same or very similar case size. In addition to the shape of the case, factors such as the geometry or design of the case such as the bezel thickness or dial size may in fact make the watch seem smaller or bigger when worn on the wrist. Depending on your personal style you may wish to go down the more traditional route of a round case or for something a little more elegant, oval cushion and tonneau are excellent choices.
Source: whichwatch.org
Case Thickness
The thickness of a watch is measured from the top centre of the watch’s crystal to the bottom centre of the case back. This is traditionally also measured using a calliper tool. Watches with a larger case diameter typically have a thicker case also. This means that a watch with a bigger case will likely be bulkier and heavier whereas a watch with a small case will likely be slimmer and lighter. In addition, the more compilations a watch has the thicker it usually is. For example, a watch with a 38mm to 42mm diameter will be roughly 7 mm thick and a watch with a 44mm+ diameter will have a thickness of roughly 9mm. While the choice of case thickness is completely down to the wearer’s style and taste most people with a small wrist opt for a slimmer case. That being said, large and chunky watches are increasingly popular.
Straps and Bracelets
Another size factor to consider when buying a watch is the size of the bracelet or strap. A well proportioned watch usually has a bracelet width of about half its case diameter. If you wear a 40mm watch, the width should be approximately 20mm in width. In addition, metal bracelets tend to look chunkier than a leather strap, but this can all depend on the watch brand itself. For example, Rolex has an abundance of different bracelet styles and other watch brands may also feature rubber straps. Read our luxury watch strap guide for more information.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to measure watch size, why not check out the plethora of luxury pre owned watches we have to offer. Featuring a vast array of sizes, styles, shapes as well as brands, you’re sure to find the perfect timepiece for you at Luxe Watches. When purchasing a watch from Luxe Watches we can also adjust the bracelet of your new timepiece to perfectly fit your wrist.