Watch Face Details, Complications, and Components
There's no doubt that the design and scale of the numerals and components in your watch face can appear smaller or larger. These sometimes subtle differences in a watch face can make or break the proportionality of your watch game.
Keep in mind, a classic field watch watch faces with a solid, dark background and white numbers are going to give your watch a streamlined look and tend to look slimmer. More flashy watches with multiple colors, bright metal finishes, large luminous hands, and a considerable crown will add to your watch’s visual size.
Wrist Size
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6 inch wrist - Considered small. Small to medium diameter cases around 34mm - 38mm.
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7 inch to 7.5 wrist - Considered average. 39mm, 40mm, and 42mm range will fit best.
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8 inch and larger - Considered Large. Cases between 44-46mm, or even 47mm, will give the wearer a more proportional look.
Let’s start out with some basic wrist measurement guidelines and conversions.
Wrist and Strap Sizing Guide in Millimeters
- 6.0 - 6.5” wrist or 150 - 164mm = 120/70mm
- 6.6 - 7.0” wrist or 165 - 178mm = 125/75mm
- 7.1 - 7.5” wrist or 179 - 190mm = 130/80mm
- 7.6 - 8.0” wrist or 191 - 203mm = 135/80mm
- 8.1 - 8.5” wrist or 204 - 216mm = 140/85mm
- 8.6 - 9.0” wrist or 217 - 229mm = 145/90mm
Whether investing in a new watch or your first watch for your collection, these measurements will come in handy for purchasing an additional band or retrofitting a band you may already have to a new watch case. We measure everything in inches these days, but the standardization for watches is in millimeters.
Watch Case Thickness
The thickness of your watch case does play a role in the overall size of your watch.
Standard case thickness in the industry:
- 6mm – 8mm as thin
- 8mm – 12mm as average, and
- 14mm – 18mm as thick
But what if I inherited a watch that may be disproportionate to my wrist, but I want to wear it for it’s vintage style and sentimental value? This is where your watch band style makes all the difference.
Watch Band Style
The style and materials of your watch band play a part in your watch’s overall look and feel. It is the cherry on top and the final step to outfitting your watch. Comfort, presentation, necessity, and style go into making this choice superbly balanced.
A wider band may make a smaller watch face look disproportionate just as a smaller band may cause a watch to seem too large on the wrist. Finding the right balance between band and face will give that perfect wow factor and clean look.
Watch Band Materials
Whether leather, metal, fabric, or silicone/rubber, the watch band’s choice is quintessential for balancing the look and feel of your watch. We’ll break down the different types of watch bands and what to consider below:
- Leather - Italian leather or domestic leather, faux leather
- Metal - Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, usually chain-linked and hearty.
- Fabric - Woven, two-tone, or robust designs.
- Silicone/Rubber - Endless color choices, sweat-resistant, low price point.
Leather
A leather band will automatically make your wristband seem slimmer due to its contouring and hugging nature. Leather bands are probably the least intrusive or boastful bands.
> Shop Leather Watches
Metal
Metal bands give a more substantial weight and feel to a timepiece because the metal itself is sturdy and flashy. Metal bands will not typically be worn as tightly on the wrist as a leather or silicone band. So if you have a watch with a massive case, a metal bracelet could be the perfect band to help balance the look on your wrist.
> Shop Metal Watches
Fabric
Fabric bands are versatile due to their limitless designs, but similarly to leather bands, they can be slimming. Choosing between a solid or printed fabric material can visually alter the size of your band and should be taken into account. If your watch case is in the 44-46mm range, choosing a bright and bold or intricate patterned fabric band can make the watch appear more balanced. It will draw a great deal of attention, so be prepared to be asked for the time by strangers who are curious about your flashy watch throughout your daily grind.
> Shop Fabric Strap Watches
Silicone/Rubber
Typically made for Athleisure wear, silicone, and rubber watch bands are water and sweat resistant and come in endless variations of colors and combinations. Silicone is not the best to pair with luxury watches due to their slim nature, but they compliment dive watches and field watches perfectly for those water and sweat resistant capabilities, like our best selling Seatrek watch with its gorgeous vintage inspired green dial. It’s rated for 300 meter water resistance and paired with our sleek quick release black rubber strap making it the ultimate in style and capability.
> Shop Rubber Strap Watches
Sources:
https://medium.com/@luxurybazaar/does-size-really-matter-the-bigger-the-wrist-the-bigger-the-watch-278ebeec4a83
https://www.watchgecko.com/what-is-the-lug-width-and-how-do-i-measure-it/
https://www.thetrendspotter.net/how-to-choose-a-watch-for-your-wrist-size/#:~:text=Remember%2C%20when%20it%20comes%20to,appear%20best%20on%20thick%20wrists
