How to Decide What Size Watch You Should Wear

Figuring out what size watch you should wear can seem like a daunting task, especially if you're new to the world of watches. But finding a watch that fits really isn't that hard. And making sure the fit is proper helps you get the most out of your timepiece in terms of style, comfort and ease of use.

Keep reading this post to learn how you can find a watch ideally sized for your wrist. Whether you're a watch aficionado or looking for your first watch ever, these simple tips will help you figure out what size watch you should wear.

4 Tips for Picking the Right Watch Size for Your Wrist

Understand How Watches are Sized

The size of a watch is really about the diameter of the watch case. This size is measured across the dial of the watch and is almost always measured in millimeters (mm).

Watches are sold in a wide variety of sizes. At Nixon, for example, you'll find watches in small sizes like the petite 26mm Small Time Teller all the way up to the oversized 51mm 51-30 Chrono.

Typically, smaller watch sizes are associated with women's watches while larger sizes are associated with men's watches.

However, most watches are basically unisex. So don't stress about whether you're looking at a men's or women's watch, and instead make your decision based on your own personal tastes and how the watch fits on your wrist.

Here is how different Nixon watch sizes appear on men's and women's wrists.

Measure Your Wrist

Aside from your style, an important factor in deciding which watch size is right for you is the actual size of your wrist. It makes sense that someone with a smaller wrist probably won't feel comfortable wearing the biggest watch models, and vice versa for people with larger wrists.

When you're shopping for a new watch, and especially if it's your first watch, begin by measuring your wrist. You can quickly record this measurement with a flexible measuring tape or even a piece of string.

Using a flexible measuring tape to measure your wrist is straightforward enough. Here's how you can measure your wrist with a piece of string to determine what size watch you should wear:

1. First and foremost, find some string.

2. Wrap it around your wrist in a circle until the loop is closed and the string is snug to your arm.

3. Use a marker or pen to make a mark on the string where the loop closes.

4. Lay the string out on a flat surface like a table and use a ruler to determine the length of the loop.

5. Record this measurement in inches and/or centimeters.

When it comes to how a watch should be worn, you want it snug. But it should be neither too loose nor too tight. Check out this blog on how to wear a watch for more information.

Finding a Proportional Fit

Now that you understand how watches are sized and how to measure your wrist, it's time to find a proportionally fitting watch.

Here are some tips that you can use as a starting point in your search for a perfectly fitting watch:

Again, these watch size recommendations are just recommendations and not strict rules. If you're shopping for your first watch, start here. But don't be afraid to experiment if you fall for a watch outside of these guidelines.

When it Doubt, Try it On

Measuring your wrist and learning about how watches are sized is great. But nothing beats actually trying a watch on to see how a particular watch size looks on your wrist.

If you have friends or family who wear watches, ask them if you can try something on as a starting point. Or visit a local retailer who sells watches and try those on.

When trying on a watch, you'll want to pay close attention to how the watch looks in proportion to your wrist. You'll also want to be aware of how the watch feels in terms of weight and ease of use.

So, What Size Watch Should Your Wear?

Personal preference is a major part of determining what size watch is right for you. But the tips laid out above are useful if you just don't know where to get started. When shopping for a watch, take your time, keep an open mind, and pick a watch that meets your style while maintaining a proportional look.

Also consider when and where you'll be wearing your watch. For example, if you plan on wearing long sleeves like hoodies or suit jackets with your watch, you can more easily get away with wearing a watch that may be on the larger size. And if you're looking for something that can be worn everyday, you may want to lean towards something that is in your most proportional size range.

Whatever you decide, you can shop by watch size right here at Nixon. Visit any watch collection and use the size filtering options to see watches in small, medium and large size ranges.