I just saw this vid from Watchfinder on YouTube which states that “the perfect sized watch for the average human being is 39mm”

So I dug out my 39s and I have to say it’s hard to disagree. Perhaps this should be my 3 watch collection....

 

It really depends on your wrist size. That's like saying a Medium shirt fit all. I'm sure the average wrist does well with it, though, as Rolex seems to have figured 40mm for almost their entire lineup is the sweet spot. And I say this while wearing a 46mm watch.

 

Well I'll be damned, you're right. My other pieces are all 42mm & up to 46mm, but I always consider this the sweet spot for me, as much as I wear and enjoy the larger ones.

 

Agree it does depend. I find the modern Sub @ 40mm a bit bulky whereas my 16800 also measures 40mm and is just right.

 

Is that a 3706? It’s lovely.

 

I can attest to that, especially with the Carrera.



However, I think it's a bit more complicated than that - I'd say for a 3-hander, 38 to 40mm works best; for a chrono, 39 to 42mm. Even then, a well-designed watch can provide a better experience - it has a lot more to do with dial size and bezel proportions than actual case diameter IMO.

 

In general it always depends on your wrist size. If you have big wrists you can definitely go bigger than 40mm. But it also depends on the watch. In my case, 39mm is perfect for a diver but definitely too big for a no bezel watch like the Rolex Oyster or Explorer.

 

Exactly right! Thank you, I enjoy it very much.

 

I find 37-40mm the perfect size too. For my wrist anyway...

 

How long is a piece of string?

 

Depends on season for me normally and weather....and mood. I find lug to lug to be the overlooked dimension that can make or break how a watch wears. As I’ve gotten fussier with age I find I wear my bigger watches less, they are just too heavy and cumbersome.
I finally gave up on caring about size- I just wear what I like now.

 

Yep. Got a few biggies in our collection and some feel like barbells hanging from the wrist. At least to me. I suppose in the interest of fashion trends one can get used to anything but that Aquaracer Mariner Chronograph we have feels about a foot high and 20 lbs. Nowadays 34-36mm is the norm and 38 or 39mm is the limit for this kid. However my wife loves to wear the biggest watches she can and she is petite. Somehow she pulls it off and doesn't mind the bulk or look ridiculous. Well maybe she does but I wouldn't say it out loud.

 

Yeah, I've slowly shedded the bigger Panerais, IWCs and only really wear 38-40mm watches these days. The only exception is a small collection of 42mm moon watches which I plan to reduce to probably only one. The larger, heavier watches are just not comfortable anymore.

 

That's a pretty solid trio!

I think the 39-40mm range sounds about right for average wrists. My left wrist is just shy of 8", so I do find that I like like the look of watches in the 41-42mm range a lot.

Part of it is also just what we're accustom to. I used to think 36mm watches looked good on me, but after having a black bay as a daily wearer, everything under something 39mm just feels super tiny to me now.

 

That's funny, I've found myself a bit less opposed to larger watches lately, as long as they're attractive and fun. The Tudor Black Bay GMT is a favorite of mine, as well as my IWC Doppelchronograph 3713 (the 3706's 42mm rattrapante big brother - literally).

I love my more formal smaller dressy watches like my Eterna KonTiki and Railmaster, but it's fun to have a casual watch like those too

 

I am skinny so 36-38,39 is my sweet spot. Sometimes wear 41 but its to big for me

 

Buy yourself a 33mm Benrus/Hamilton military watch (1964-1985ish), just for the cool factor. Wear it on a nylon strap for a week, and nothing else. You will start fishing in the smaller end of the pool in no time.

 

Horses for courses, plus the lug to lug dimension makes all the difference too of course. My 40 mm Railmaster seems so much smaller than my Longines Conquest Vhp at 41mm, yet the longer lugs on the latter (compared to the shorter on the RM) make it wear much larger.

My friend's 39mm Explorer feels and looks spot on, for me, I have to agree.

 

I'm kind of on the thin side but like a watch with more presence. Currently wearing a planet ocean at 45.5mm and it doesn't look or feel too big. People wear big Garmin and apple watches so it doesn't seem out of place and looks great.

To each their own

 

My sweet spot has been 42mm: Planet Ocean, Speedmaster, SM300's, SMP300; but the Aqua Terra 42mm is too big. Even the 39mm is a little big, so right now I am wearing a Rolex Explorer 36mm, 14270, and really enjoying it. Crazy how size matters, but then does not. The older you get, the smaller seems right and simpler is better.