Watch Size and Fit Guide: How Your Watch Should Fit

Historically, a thin watch case meant a better and more refined complication and garnered a higher price tag as a luxury piece. Today, however, watch tastes have changed with ever-growing case diameters increasing in popularity. In turn, the case thickness has proportionally increased—even if the additional space is not necessarily required to house the watch’s movements.

Case thickness is an oft-overlooked but incredibly practical consideration when shopping for a watch. For instance, if you typically wear a suit to work, a thick case may bunch up or stretch out your jacket sleeve. In that instance, a dress watch with a thinner case may be a better option. Factor in the pieces from your wardrobe that you would most typically wear with your watch and decide if a bigger watch will pair well accordingly.

Watch lugs are the metal extensions where the watch case attaches to the bracelet or strap. These lugs are not factored into (and actually stick out further than) the case diameter’s measurements. That said, when measuring your wrist for which size diameter you prefer, leave breathing room for the lugs which will slightly elongate the height of watch. You do not want a watch where the lugs extend out over your wrist as it is uncomfortable to wear.

Most women’s watch straps measure between 6.75-7 inches, men’s typically 7.5-8 inches. Leather, synthetic or non-metal bracelet straps are easy to fit given the pre-made holes. Metal bracelets can be adjusted by a jeweler or watch dealer who can remove or add links for you—just confirm that your purchased watch includes additional links if needed. If not, you can contact the manufacturer to see if they have spare links to send.

The width of your watch strap or bracelet will depend on the case diameter and lug width, namely the larger the case diameter, the further apart the lugs, and the wider the band. You are pretty beholden to the band width as it needs to fit the lugs’ spacing. However, you may be able to swap out bracelet the style by, for example, subbing a fabric strap for a leather one of the same width.