Case dimension is among the most necessary components when deciding on a watch.

These are basic recommendations for various wrist sizes, to maintain the look proportional to your wrist. Following this could end in an excellent aesthetic (not too small or too massive) and tends to end in optimum consolation, no matter your wrist dimension.

Nivada Grenchen Datomaster has a 39 mm diameter case with a 46 mm lug-to-lug (on a 7″ wrist)

Case Diameter

5″ wrist circumference (advisable 30 mm to 38 mm diameter)

5.5″ wrist circumference (advisable 34 mm to 39 mm diameter)

6″ wrist circumference (advisable 35 mm to 40 mm diameter)

6.5″ wrist circumference (advisable 36 mm to 41 mm diameter)

7″ wrist circumference (advisable 38 mm to 43 mm diameter)

7.5″ wrist circumference (advisable 40 mm to 45 mm diameter)

8″ wrist circumference (advisable 42 mm to 46 mm diameter)

Jacob and Co Astronomia Tourbillon wristshot
Jacob & Co Astronomia Tourbillon bulges a lot it won’t match below a shirt cuff

Case Thickness

Contemplating proportions, one space usually ignored by much less explicit watchmakers, is the case thickness. Watches 8 mm to 14 mm thick are inclined to put on greatest throughout the spectrum, which means they appear proportionally appropriate and match properly ergonomically.

When you go over 14 mm, the watch tends to seem like it’s bulging off your wrist and turns into tougher to slip below a long-sleeved shirt cuff. Usually, a gown watch is much thinner than a sports activities watch.

Watch out as a result of some unscrupulous watchmakers will checklist the thickness of the case and the watch crystal individually, whereas the business commonplace is to checklist the whole thickness of the case and crystal as one quantity.

G-Shock GMB2100-1A2 wristshot profile
Contemplating how the watch appears to be like and feels from a aspect view (G-Metal GBM2100)

Lug-to-Lug

One other issue to concentrate on is the lug-to-lug size of a watch case as a result of this quantity determines how the watch will lay on the highest of your wrist. Too lengthy of a lug-to-lug and the watch will grasp over your wrist. That is typically undesirable, and virtually assured to be uncomfortable. I want watches which can be 50 mm or much less lug-to-lug and advocate not going a lot above that except you’ve very massive wrists, or if you happen to don’t thoughts the lugs protruding past your wrist.

2024 G-Shock Rangeman GPRH1000-9 wristshot
The lug to lug on this Rangeman GPRH1000 is 60.6 mm and clearly hangs over the sides of my wrist

Lug Width

The lug width (or interlug width), is the width between the 2 lugs on both sides of the case that determines the width of the connection level between the bracelet or strap and the case.

17 mm and beneath (very small)

18 mm (small)

19 mm (uncommon dimension)

20 mm (commonest dimension)

21 mm (uncommon dimension)

22 mm (massive)

24 mm and above (further massive)

From the lug width, a bracelet or strap both stays the identical width all the way down to the clasp/buckle, or the width tapers down. Non-tapered bracelets or straps are inclined to create an aggressive seem like you see with a nylon Nato-style strap. Usually, tapered is most well-liked for the standard, elegant look.

Oceanus S6000 LE wristshot
Oceanus S6000 LE which measures 41 mm in diameter x 9.2 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 47.1 mm

Abstract

Take note of a watch’s case diameter however don’t neglect about thickness, lug-to-lug size, and lug width. Measurement does matter and selecting a watch that matches your explicit wrist dimension properly will improve the general look in your wrist, in addition to the consolation.