Let’s face it – watches are amazing accessories! They are beautiful and cool, stylish, and accessible. You don’t have to be an expert, to love the aesthetics of a great looking watch.
And as a man, your watch is your statement piece. A watch can make you look like a rich man or poor. It comes in extension to your whole outfit and matches it. There are so many different combinations of lengths and faces and straps, that can make you feel great about this accessory you have chosen to wear.
BUT! Choosing and buying a watch can become a complicated “activity.” ☺
There’s a wide variety of watch types and styles for men, but the absolute first thing you need to know before choosing a watch is the size. You need the correct proportions. Because the wrong size equals bad style.
You need to make sure you know what proportionally looks good on your wrist. If you have a smaller wrist, you need a smaller watch. And the same goes for a larger wrist, you get the basic idea 😉 So before buying a watch, check out these basic tips about the size, proportion and why this matters in your watch-choosing activity!
How to measure your wrist
Of course, the easiest way to measure your wrist is by using a measuring tape, preferably one like tailors use. The one with centimeters/millimeters on one side and inches on the other.
Here’s what you need to bear in mind when measuring your wrist, to be absolutely sure you have the right size:
- Open your hand when measuring your wrist
Turn it over, with your open palm facing towards you. Measure the wrist you’ll be wearing the watch on. And open your hand, because that’s the correct reading.
- Measure on your wrist bone line or up to one inch higher on the wrist
Because that’s the portion, the watch will sit most of the time.
Examples: So let’s say your wrist is 15,2 cm or 152 mm. Sometimes, even 2-3 mm can mean that much of a difference, because it depends on how a particular type of band or strap fits around your wrist.
And if you’re a 6 and a half inches in diameter, then 38 mm, 40 mm, 42 mm watches will work for you. Or that’s what you should gravitate towards.
So a general rule is this: if the circumference of your wrist is 6 to 7 inches, you want to go with a watch that has a case diameter of 38-42 mm wide. And if your wrist is larger than 7 inches, then you can go with cases that are 44-46 mm wide.
What you need to take into consideration when picking the perfect watch for your hand size
#1. Case diameter.
When you are about to purchase your watch, make sure you’ve read its size guide about the case diameter. Some examples can be The 40 Series, The Classic, or The Chrono. Compare this to your wrist size.
#2. Case thickness
Case Thickness is actually directly correlated with the case diameter. If you have a smaller wrist, a thinner case might suit you better. The thickness also depends on the type of watch (electronic, fashionable, classic).
#3. Band width
Take the case diameter, divide it by two, and that’s approximately what you wanna see in the actual width of the band. If you have smaller wrists, maybe stay away from wide bands.
#4. Band material
Leather will get a slimmer, leaner look. Metal band are going to look heavier.
#5. Components
You wanna look at the pusher, the crown (the small buttons on the side), and all the other components. Times, hour points, hands – if they are thicker or larger, all of them give the illusion of a larger watch.
Basically, the best way to figure out if a watch is proportional to your wrist and hand is to try it on and eyeball it. Maybe ask your friends and family for their opinion. You might really like one, but it turns out it’s not the best fit for you.
So we spoke about the basics of it. Let’s see below some practical examples of watches you might wanna wear and why.
Types of watches – a small guide
The Dress Watch
- The function of the dress watch is to compliment a business suit or formal wear.
Size: Typically thin.
Case: Maybe circular, rectangular or square. Varieties are typically made from precious metals like gold or silver.
Band: Usually leather. Leather is a classic way to go.
The Field Watch
- They are usually rugged and have a stainless steel case. A field watch must be readable, even under low-light or night conditions. So it will usually have a high-contrast black dial with white numbering.
Size: Small to medium.
Case: Functional, easy-to-read numerical indexes.
Band: Leather or canvas strap. Metal is too heavy and would easily scratch.
The Dive Watch
- Waterproof, one of the most prolific men’s watch styles.
Size: Medium.
Case: Bold, easy to read numbering. To protect the watch while underwater, hardened mineral glass is used.
Band: Metal and longer than other watches bands, it was designed to fit around bulky equipment.
The Aviator Watch
- The earliest watches worn by pilots were repurposed field watches. They had to be accurate and readable under low-light conditions.
Size: Medium to large.
Case: Designated for easy reading, dial black with white numbering.
Band: Leather usually.
The Driving/Racing Watch
- Racing watches, not being bound by uniformity, tend to be much flashier. Just keep in mind that, the flashier the watch, the more casual it becomes. So dress accordingly.
Size: Medium to large.
Case: Large dial, usually clear Arabic numerals and bright colors.
Band: Leather or metal.
The watches listed above are the classics. Of course, we like to keep it simpler nowadays, so if you’re not a connoisseur, you just call them:
- Sport watches
- Smartwatches – digital or analog, where you can set the alarm to sounds, etc.
- Practical watched – that will show you the date, and day of the week
- Classy watches – that you can usually wear more than one day a week ☺
So there you have it, some basic tips, some small guides. Watches are statement pieces, so you just need to invest in the best quality watch that fits your needs, desires, and budget. Once you have measured and found out the right size for you, there are plenty of nice-looking, affordable watches.
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