How to get your watch size right
Whether you’re treating yourself to a new timepiece or buying one as a gift for your significant other, you’re sure to find the perfect watch to keep you on time and on trend here at OD’s Jewellers.
With online shopping becoming ever more popular, it’s good to be sure of your watch size before you click through to checkout, to ensure a perfect fit.
Steps to follow to get the perfect watch size
Whilst the size of the watch face and the width of the band are important when finding a timepiece that you love, getting the length of the watch bracelet right is vital to ensure a proper fit.
Your watch should be sized for a comfortable fit and should neither be too tight nor too slack.
Step 1 – Getting your watch bracelet length right
Most ladies’ watches are between 165mm and 180mm, whereas men’s watches usually fall between 184mm and 197mm in length.
In order to determine the ideal length of your watch bracelet, it’s a good idea to start by measuring the circumference of your wrist.
Grab a flexible tape measure and wrap it around the part of your wrist where you’d like your watch to sit. Once you’ve got this measurement, add half an inch for a comfortable fit. If you prefer your watch to be on the snug side, just add a quarter of an inch, or a maximum of one inch for a looser fit.
If you don’t have a flexible tape measure, simply wrap a piece of string around your wrist instead, then lay it on a ruler and measure this way.
Buying as a surprise for someone else? If you can, get a watch they already own and take your measurements from this.
Step 2 – The width of the watch bracelet
As a general rule of thumb, the width of a watch strap should measure half of the watch face (also known as the watch case).
Chunkier watch cases are usually paired with wider straps, and some of the more delicate ladies’ watches feature very narrow bracelets.
Whether the intended recipient is male or female, if they have slender wrists, a wide watch strap may not be the best look. If this is the case, stick to watch bracelets with a width of 18mm or less. On the other hand (no pun intended), if your wrists are on the chunkier side, a wider strap may suit you better.
Step 3 – The size of the watch case
Larger watch cases have gained popularity in recent years. However, here at OD’s Jewellers, we stock a range of designer watches in a wide variety of sizes. So, whether you’re looking for a delicate ladies’ watch that’s perfect for evening wear, or a larger face with a sporty design, we’ve got you covered.
Most standard watch cases for women measure between 26 and 29mm, with smaller designs coming in at 23 to 25mm. Men’s watch cases are typically larger, with the average being 37 to 39mm. Sports watches are usually around 40mm wide and over-sized watches can often come in at over 45mm.
Ultimately, the correct watch case size for you comes down to your personal preference.
Step 4 – ‘Watch’ your lug width
The parts of a watch that project from the case, where the strap or bracelet connects to the face, are called the lugs.
Some watch straps are tapered, so the width of the band is not always the same as the width between the lugs.
It’s only really necessary to know this if you’re replacing a watch strap, but we figured it was important to include this detail in our guide to watch sizes. Ideally you would use a calliper to measure the distance between lugs on an existing watch, but a ruler works just fine, too.
Step 5 – Browse our website!
To find a watch that’s just perfect for you or your loved one, simply click through to see ladies’ and men’s designer watches that are bang on trend for 2022.
If you have any questions regarding watch sizing, or you’d like to speak to us about anything else, give us a call on 01744 730985. Alternatively, send us a message and a knowledgeable member of our team will get back to you shortly.
