Are you looking for the best watches for small wrists? Are you sick of oversized, bulky watches that look way too big for you? If so, you’re in the right place!
Many agree that a watch that’s too big for your wrist is glaringly unsightly. An oversized watch makes your hands and arms look smaller and weaker than they are.
Let’s face it: no guy wants to look like a kid wearing his dad’s watch. It’s one of the main reasons why wearing a watch for small wrists is important.
I don’t care how much your watch costs, its brand, or its kind of movement. If it doesn’t fit your wrist, it’s not a good purchase.
The problem is that oversized, bulky watches have been trendy for the past few years. So when you go to the store or shop for watches online, finding smaller options (anything under 40mm, for example) is challenging.
Contemporary watches would have looked ridiculous to people 30 or 40 years ago. Men used to wear smaller watches, regardless of wrist size. The point is that trends come and go, and watch sizes will vary with the times.
Rather than trying to keep up with trends, you should wear watches that fit your build and are proportionate to your wrist.
If you have small wrists, wear a small watch! If you’re unsure where to start looking, we have you covered.
We’ll discuss watch sizes and what to look for in a watch for men with small wrists. And, of course, we offer our list of best small wristwatches for men.
Let’s dive in.
Quick Take
Before we detail what to look for if you have small wrists, let’s cut to the chase. If you’re short on time, here are our top three picks for the best watches for small wrists. The best part? You can buy them right now.
The SNK807 is a popular offering from the iconic brand, and the 37mm face size is a good option for smaller wrists.
If you're looking for an inexpensive watch with retro charm, the F91W is what you need.
The Hamilton Jazzmaster is more of a luxury watch so it's not very budget friendly, but it sure is stylish.
Keep reading for specifics on our picks and our complete list.
Let’s Talk About Watch Sizing
Watch Size Explained
When it comes to watch sizing, you should know about watch measurements. There are several ways to measure a watch’s size, such as the lug-to-lug width, strap width, and case thickness.
The three most common watch size measurements are lug to lug, case diameter, and case thickness. Additionally, brands almost always measure these sizes in millimeters.
In particular, you should pay close attention to the case size, specifically, the case diameter.
When people talk about watch size, they usually mean case diameter. If someone says they’re looking for watches under 40mm, they mean watches with 40 millimeters or less case diameters.
Watch case size is extremely subject to change based on what is trendy. However, the “average” watch case these days is around 40mm. Unfortunately, even that is too big for men with small wrists.
Your ideal watch size is solely dependent upon the size of your wrist. If you’re unsure whether you have thin wrists, measure them. You need a tailor tape measurer to measure your wrist correctly for watches.
Use tailor tape to measure around the widest point of your wrist — right over the bone. Anything less than 6.5 inches can be considered thin.
Have a Small Wrist? Here’s What To Look For in a Watch
If you’re like me, you might be able to wear 40mm watches.
Features like thin cases and a shorter lug-to-lug distance make them suitable watches for small wrists. But your best bet is to stick with something smaller. Typically less than 40mm but ideally somewhere between 34mm and 38mm.
Also, look for a watch with balanced details. If the watch’s case and dial are balanced, it will make your wrist appear larger — if larger wrists are your goal.
Another critical aspect of small watch shopping is paying attention to the type of strap or bracelet. The strap should fit your wrist well with a thinner strap or bracelet.
Keeping these features in mind as you search for your next watch ensures your watch gives you the best fit.
Types of Watches
Luckily, there are plenty of small men’s watches to choose from, no matter the budget. Guys with smaller wrists have plenty of options, from affordable, everyday watches to luxury timepieces.
Dress (Formal) Watches
As a general rule of thumb, the more casual a watch is, the larger it can be, and it still looks good on a small wrist.
That’s because dress watches are meant to be small and discrete. In the most formal situations, such as when you’re wearing a tuxedo, if you choose to wear a watch, it should be very simple.
It should have a small dial size (typically at or under 36mm), a white or black dial, a black leather strap, and, preferably, omit a secondhand.
Why? The idea is that you shouldn’t focus on the time at formal events. (Traditionally, when dressing in black-tie, you should forgo wearing a watch.)
Hence, a small size and simple design is preferable.
Smart Casual Watches
You have more leeway when choosing a smart casual watch. It can be a bit bigger, include more color, and be on a leather strap, NATO strap, or metal bracelet.
You can wear a smart casual watch with a business suit on all but the more somber occasions. It’s also right at home with a polo and shorts.
For most guys, if you’re only going to own one watch, your best bet is to get a smart casual one.
Casual Watches
You shouldn’t wear casual watches with a business suit. They’re more at home with casual clothing, like jeans and a T-shirt.
Unlike their formal counterparts, casual watches can have larger cases, busier dials, and whimsical designs.
As a small-wristed guy, 40mm is the max dial size I can pull off, even when it’s a casual watch.
The Modest Man Post Recommendations To Learn More About Watch Types
Formality is just one of many ways to categorize watch types. If you want more recommendations about different kinds of watches, check out these posts:
- 12 Beautiful Dress Watches for Small Wrists
- Top 7 Best Dive Watches for Small Wrists
- 16 Awesome Field Watches for Small Wrists
- Top 25 Small Automatic Watches
Are you unsure what kind of watch you want? If you know it has to be on the smaller side, this next section will be very helpful.
The Modest Man’s Picks: 35 Great Small Men’s Watches
The table below lists 35 “Modest Man approved” watches perfect for men with small wrists.
This list covers various styles and prices, so it’s an excellent place to start if you’re unsure what you’re looking for.
You can sort by price to find a watch that fits your budget:
- $………….Less than $50
- $$………..From $50-200
- $$$………From $200-500
- $$$$…….From $500-1,000
- $$$$$…..More than 1,000
You can also sort by type. But rather than going into all of the different types of watches — dress, diver, field, sport, etc., we categorized these watches by formality:
- Formal = Business formal or black/white tie
- Smart = Business or “smart” casual
- Casual = Shorts, jeans and t-shirt, gym wear, etc.
After all, it doesn’t really matter what type of watch it is. It only matters when you can wear it. Of course, this stuff is very subjective, so don’t overthink it.
Got it? Good. Now it’s time to audit your watch collection, set a budget, and use this list to find your next watch.
35 Great Small Men’s Watches
How Many Watches Do You Need?
We’ve found that six watches make for a well-rounded yet minimal collection.
At the very least, make sure you have one dress watch and one casual watch (like a diver). Unless you’re a watch enthusiast or collector, you don’t need many different watches in your collection.
Your dress watch should be sleek and minimal, with a clean face. We suggest leather straps, which you can coordinate with whatever your go-to dress or work shoe color is.
Your casual watch can be a diver, a field watch, a chronograph, or whatever style you like. You can wear a leather, metal, rubber, nylon, or canvas strap.
Get the Most out of Your Watch and Swap Out Your Watch Straps
Almost all watches have interchangeable bands (e.g., NATO straps). So, it’s a good idea to keep some extras on hand (pun intended).
A new strap can change a watch’s vibe. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a whole new watch. For example, the Timex Weekender is a great budget watch that you can dress up or down with different bands.
To elevate your ensemble, try a stainless steel bracelet. If you’re looking for something more casual, wear a cloth band. Leather is a universal option that you can dress up or down.
For watches for small wrists, stick with 18mm or 20mm straps (22mm will be too wide). Additionally, try to experiment with different materials and colors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Watches for Small Wrists
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about watches for men with smaller wrists:
What Size Watch for a Small Wrist Is Right for Me?
Any watch under 40mm should be suitable for a smaller wrist. To be safe, try to wear 38mm or smaller watches.
You can use a watch size calculator if you’re unsure how to find the best size.
Do Watches Look Good on Small Wrists?
Yes! As long as they’re the right size, watches look great on smaller wrists.
Can Guys With Small Wrists Wear Big Watches?
You can wear whatever size watch you like. However, big watches look oversized on smaller wrists. They make your wrist look smaller and thinner.
How Do You Deal with Small Wrists?
There’s nothing wrong with having smaller wrists. If you want your wrist to look bigger, wear a smaller watch.
What Is Considered a Small Wrist?
There is no universal definition of “small wrist.” But anything under 6.5″ around may be considered slender.
Why Do I Have Tiny Wrists?
Your genetics mainly determine wrist size. Body fat percentage can increase or decrease wrist size, but bones and joints don’t change.
How Tight Should a Watch Be?
A watch should be tight enough that the case doesn’t slide around to the underside of your wrist. On the other hand, it should not circulation or leave a deep indentation on your skin.
Key Takeaways on Watches for Men With Small Wrists
If you’re in the market for a new watch, remember to wear one proportionate to your wrist.
You should wear a small watch if you have small, thin wrists (less than 6.5″ around). This means timepieces with a case diameter of less than 40mm.
Try to keep it small, whether a dress watch or a casual watch. The options above are the best men’s watches for small wrists.
What’s your everyday small watch? Let us know in the comments below.
Chris says
small wrists? what about extremely small wrists? mine measures just under 6 inches, 5.8 maybe .. i acquired a bulova marine star watch with the gold link bracelet a year ago or so , and i was shocked at how oversized the bracelet was for my wrist .. for me, this was like an arm watch .. becuz i would have to move it halfway up my arm for it to fit snugly.. a bit ridiculous looking to say the least .. why do watch makers make the bracelet so damn big ? why can’t they offer options as to the size of the bracelet? i’ve since bought a few more watches and all the ones with the metal bracelets are still way too big for me … shoot even the leather band with the adjustment fitting holes, at the tightest hole position, is still a bit too loose fitting .. soooooooooo frustrating not having a watch that fits my wrist perfectly .. yes, i know you can take your watch to someone and have links removed to make it fit , but damn, that’s such an inconvenience as well as cost …
Daniel P says
I just wanted to add that wrist size can indeed be increased trough added muscle mass from training or heavy work.
Apart from the wrists, indeed even bones can increase in size due to heavy weight.
Brent Spiel says
Do you have even a single fact to back that up?
Mitali says
Finding a decent watch “one and that’s all” watch for myself. 135mm woman 29year old. No body seems to know I would be glad if you could suggest. A mechanical watch. Don’t like quartz. Budget 10k. All I can see is jewellery watches which r not appropriate in society I live.
Brock says
With a 10k budget why not a Rolex Oyster Perpetual (probably 34mm)? It’s a great everyday, do everything watch that’ll last forever.
Chuck says
There’s a bit of ambiguity/confusion here; you mention case diameter (which is obvious), then you list “31 Great Small Men’s Watches” which categorizes “Face Size”. Are they both the same? To me, “Face Size” means crystal diameter. So, which is it?
Brock says
Good point, sorry about that! Case diameter is the actual measurement. Technically, dial or “face” diameter would be slightly smaller, depending on how thick the bezel is. The terms shouldn’t actually be used interchangeably, but they often are.
Nes says
I would suggest the Omega Speedmaster Co-axial 38mm https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-38-co-axial-chronometer-chronograph-38-mm-32430385001001 I have 6″ wrist and the 38mm is a great alternative to the Speedmaster Professional that sits at 42mm.
It’s certainly not a cheap watch, but you can rest assured that you are wearing a very high quality timepiece that will last you a long time, and can be an heirloom piece.
Will says
The American Independent watch company called Vaer has a huge lineup of 36 mm watches. Mostly field but one dress one and another dress. One coming out. A great dirty dozen remake. All of their watches are amazingly priced, Great movements, 100 m of water resistance, and sapphire.
Nes says
I have a Vaer watch. I love their build quality and size options. I am always checking if they’re coming out with new models that aren’t field or dive watches.
Nevertheless, I love the brand.
Al says
Hello!
I’ve struggle with watches that look good on me especially with a wrist of only 6 inches. I’m also on the shorter side at only 5’5. The one watch I own that fits pretty well is the Seiko 5 automatic 21 jewels, however, the style of the watch is not really what i’m going for. I’m much more interested in watches that are thin and have a minimalist look similar to the Skagen signatur. The problem is that most of the ones I’ve found have a case diameter of 40mm or more and I think a 36 or so would fit me perfectly. I also really liked the look of the Citizen Eco drive that someone previously mentioned as this one had a case diameter 36mm. I’m hoping you all have some recommendations as I have had the worst experience with watches.
Here are the links to the ones i mentioned for referencing the style I really like.
https://www.skagen.com/en-us/products/signatur-medium-brown-leather-watch/SKW6374.html
https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Eco-Drive-Stainless-Steel-BM8240-03E/dp/B000EQS1D8?th=1
Any help from others who have discovered awesome smaller sized watches would be very greatly appreciated.
Brock says
Check out theslenderwrist.com 😉
Despine says
Very practical article for those men with smaller wrists. I made the mistake of buying oversized watches in the beginning of my watch addiction. I now know better and stick to the 36-40mm range with 37mm and 38mm hitting the sweet spot depending on the lug to lug ratio. I have become a fan of Japanese watches partially. I believe they manufacture more watch varieties for those with smaller wrists. Having lived in Japan for a number of years, the men in Japan, not all of course, tend to have more modest wrist sizes than their European counterparts. The Casio lineage and some of the smaller diameter Oceanus get a thumbs up in my opinion. It is frustrating that these JDM (Japanese Domestic Models) are not marketed in the states
Paul Cole says
Exactly right. I have 6.25 inch wrists and most modern Swiss watches are too large. Not much to choose from below 40mm and the lugs are too long also. Made the mistake of buying 40mm Tissot watches (Heritage Sovereign and Heritage Visodate), nice watches but they do look too big. As dress watches there should be 38mm options. Oris used to do them but not so much now, glad I bought my 37mm Oris Classic when I did. Seiko have some great 37/38mm models and they always fit well so will be sticking with these in future. Also the Junghans Max Bill wears really well on a thin wrist.
Drew says
Hi Brock,
I have a 6.4″ wrist.
I am considering a square-framed Breda Visser watch @ 35mm case width.
Do you feel that having a square face will make the watch seem larger and dwarf my wrist?
Also:
How small is too small?
I have found a neat round face vintage Peugeot watch for $50.
The case width is pretty small, 30mm, but the lug to lug looks like it widens it up a little bit.
The design looks gender neutral.
Based on my wrist, do you feel I could get away with something this small, or would it appear more like a women’s watch?
Thanks for you help,
Drew
Dan Technology says
I have 6″ wrists! I find if the watch has a thinner bezel then it needs to have a smaller diameter to look right. I have a classic style 36mm daniel Wellington type watch that almost looks too big. Plain face and thin bezel. I then have a couple of chunky 40mm diameter automatics that have quite busy faces and they look quite balanced on my wrist. The thicker bezel actually makes the faces slightly smaller than the daniel Wellington style watch. Just my 2 cents/pence!
VJ says
Spot on.. The bezel and dial face should always be considered
Deependra says
This is solid!
John REGAN says
I need a low to Medium priced watch for work. Prefer an expansion band. My wrist size 6 1/2 in. Circumference. Any ideas .
You gotta go into your own business selling watches because of your knowledge and above all honest and respectful demeanor, very convincing and likable.
Will says
What is the smallest case diameter for a Casio G Shock? Thanks
Paul says
The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Stainless Steel Watch with Date, BM8240-03E has a 36mm case and really sharp mid-century styling.
C. M. says
Damn, wish I found this blog a year ago; I finally had to start wearing a watch cause I realized it’d be inappropriate/inconvenient to always be pulling out my phone where I was gonna be over the summer. But apparently thin-boned guys don’t wear watches, else you’d think it’d be easier to find proportional ones! Ended up getting a unisex-looking Casio women’s watch that’s almost too *small* (barely 30mm) cause I didn’t have time to be store hopping just for a casual watch. Now that I know more about watches I’m thinking of upgrading, though…
Gerald says
Hi Brock,
I didn’t know where to ask this, decided to ask this here. What do you think about large phones for small hands? I am 5’2 and have small hands. I am thinking of getting a phone that has a 5.8 inch screen. My current phone has a 4.7 inch screen. I am worried that it’ll make my hands look smaller and feminine. What is your opinion on this?
Udiyaman says
Just my 2 cents:
As someone with large hands, I would not recommend going for a 5.8 inch phone if your hands are as small as you claim. It doesn’t look nice, but more than that you may find it quite tricky to handle a phone of that size. In fact I’m thinking of shifting to a 4.7 inch screen (probably the Iphone 8) because of the convenience that it offers, and this is despite having really big hands..!
Jason says
Brock, what do you think about Timex Marlin? Do you think it would look feminine because of its small size?
Brock says
No, I don’t think it is too feminine. I prefer smaller sizes, actually.
Jason says
Would you say that’s a good watch? I’m new to this.
Brock says
Depends what you’re looking for. When would you wear it? Do you own any watches now?
Jason says
I was thinking with business casual outfits. Maybe even with a suit. I have a diver watch and the Bulova dress watch you suggest in this post (except in black, I don’t like gold color).
Christy Durell says
Some great points made here Brock. I’d love to hear your opinion on bracelets and stacking them with watches. Would make a great video! Cheers.
Julia Kirwan says
My husband has a 30mm Movado watch that is a beautiful low profile, weighs less than a nickle, and is perfect for a smaller wrist. (He isn’t a small man, about 5’9″). I wish someone would make watches this size again! He has a Citizen Eco Drive watch that is smaller too, but the internal battery needs to be replaced for $75 and I thought I could buy another watch and get him “new” for just a bit more than the Citizen. I haven’t really found one, so we are replacing the battery.
PLEASE WATCH MAKERS – SOME GUYS WANT A SMALLER WATCH, NOT A “STATEMENT” PIECE THAT KNOCKS INTO EVERYTHING!
Brock says
I’m with you, Julia! The Citizen Stiletto is a great choice too.
BoWilliams says
My current favorite everyday wristwatch is the Seiko Men’s Solar Watch. I’ve worn mine daily for over five years without any problems. It keeps accurate time. The Seiko has a “military” look. The watch strap that comes with the Seiko is crappy so I purchased several different NATO watch straps to give it an upgraded look. With a 40 mm case, it’s the perfect size for my small wrist and sometimes forget that I’m wearing it. Best of all, it’s cheap (a little over US$100) and solar battery powered so no battery replacement needed.
https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNE095P2-Stainless-Steel-Watch/dp/B004KSDHKS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1472591802&sr=8-7&keywords=seiko+military+watches+for+men
Another wristwatch brand that’s perfect for short guys are those made by a British company called Nite Watches. Their watches have a 39 mm case. I don’t have one yet, but the MX10-201S is on my wish list.
https://www.nitewatches.com/store/us/
Tom Howe says
Most all vintage men’s watches are smaller. I have amassed a nice collection of smaller watches shopping on ebay. I prefer to buy only automatics since they can sit in a drawer indefinitely and still run when you need them.
For a higher end watch, both Tag Heuer and Hamilton still sell automatic watches at 39mm. Just include the “<40" in your search of Amazon or any online retailer.
David says
Hey Brock, what do you think about the Citizen BM8180-03E ? It has a diameter of 37mm but its thickness is 9mm. Would it be appropriate for someone with small wrists?
Brock says
Yes I think so. Great choice for something casual.
jac zagoory says
Sam is spot on. It’s important to have these discussions without being biased to price. Any collector can talk watches with any other collector, without the fear of being judged on their buying capacity. One may covet a $300 watch, as much as, the $30,000, $300, 000, or $1,000,000 watch anyone’s deep pockets may be able to buy. Design, complication, aesthetics
should be the criteria—everyone values time differently.
Sam Chua says
Favourite small wrist watch is the NOMOS Glashutte Club 701 (36mm)
In watch circles $ is the sub $500 watches and $500 to $1500 would be considered $$
$$$ is $1500 to $15000 and $$$$ would be $15,000 and up.
Brian says
I just noticed that the Weekender is apparently just 35mm in diameter.
I can’t believe that none of these companies has a search or filter function which allows you to sort by case thickness or diameter. Especially something like Timex with a ton of watches.
Brock says
I hear you on that! Luckily, Amazon has every filter you can imagine in the men’s wrist watch section, including case diameter.
fraser pears says
Excuse me for saying this Brock, you keep focusing on the case size of the watch when it’s the total length of the timepiece that’s the problem. Extended lugs or lugs which do not follow the curvature of the wrist contributes far more to an ill fitting watch.
Plenty of younger guys want a large watch – it’s the current trend. They still can without looking like there’s a pie plate on their wrist with extended antennae protruding beyond the wrist bone. A cushion case watch with little overhang (short, built in lugs) will fit skinny wrists much better than say a smaller cased conventional watch with long lugs.
There are 42mm dive watches with a cushion case that have a shorter length that say a 38mm 3hander with long straight lugs. This is a size that almost ALL manufacturers fail to provide, retailers do the same, it’s the most important size to a thin wrist watch wearer.
There is a reason people shop at AD’s (authorized dealer), a competent salesperson can provide solutions that simply looking at a picture on the internet cannot. I am not advocating you enter hallowed ground as such and go to a Breguet dealer. I’m referring to the many shops around town that service and sell watches. Trying on a watch is the only way to really know how it will fit. Little things like bracelet spacing, does it fit correctly, can it be adjusted? Are the holes in the leather strap going to fit on the smallest fitment?
With the proliferation of well built Chinese mechanical watches on the market today, there are many options for watch wearers. All at a very reasonable price. Add the fact there are so many “micro” brands out there offering great value with many different sizes and designs.
It’s a great time to be a watch lover.
Brian says
Brock, any thoughts on what works best under a dress shirt sleeve? I was looking for watches with a smaller case thickness, but from what you are suggesting I wonder if addressing the case diameter is a better idea. A family member suggested Skagen (sp?) but the case thicknesses all looked 8mm+.
Brock says
You’re right that case thickness would be a better measurement to look at if you’re trying to find something that works under your sleeve cuff. If I’m wearing a jacket, I’ll leave the cuff unbuttoned on my watch hand.
Doesn’t really work when you’re not wearing a jacket, though. You either have to wear a very thin watch, roll your sleeves up, or make sure to get shirts that have enough room to wear a watch.
Brian says
Any thin watches that you like or would suggest? From my searching, it sounds like Skagen is the only big option, but I didn’t find anything on their site to match the reputation for thin watches.
berserkerlee says
Is there some reason why you seem to favor round-faced watches. Square and rectangular-faced tend to be narrower without looking skimpy. I prefer simple faces (lines/dots instead of numbers or just 12, 3, 6, and 9), no date (you already have a cell phone if you don’t know what the date is), second-hand optional, sharp contrast between face and hands. I also prefer watches that are thin as measured from the crystal to the back. Unless you are a deep-sea diver, a sky-diver or a competition racer you do not need the crowded face of a chronograph and the stop watch function. I don’t often travel to Beijing or Nairobi (like never), but if I should ever do so, I think myself intelligent and tech-savvy enough to reset my watch to the local time zone.
Adam
Scott Davies says
I think we may have a similar taste, I did a lot of searching when looking into smaller watches and found these suited: http://teno.com/Boccia-Titanium/Boccia-Watches-Men
berserkerlee says
Wait a minute. We seem to have crossed our wires. The watches you display in the link are attractive watches, but there is not a square face in the entire line-up.
Nadine says
Actually, if you go to the Unisex section, you will find a beautiful, classic square watch, ultra thin 36mm in 100% pure titanium: http://teno.com/Boccia-Titanium/Boccia-Watches-Unisex/3143-01
berserkerlee says
Thanks. Now we’re talking.
Cecil says
Great article! Thanks for gathering the info for us smaller men. 😀
Terry Christensen says
Thanks, Brock, for a nice selection of modern made watches for small wrist guys. The Hamilton Jazzmaster is my favorite “dress” watch and the Seiko 5 Automatic with blue band is my favorite “smart” watch. I have a small collection of vintage watches that I love to wear as my “one only” accessory that people will notice. My favorites have art deco style cases and mid-century modern cases. I’ve found that many of these older watches for men are smaller sized and fit well on my 6.5″ wrist! The earlier ones were hand-wound every day. Then there were watches that incorporated a self-winding mechanism, then they went to “electric” (battery operated), and then Bulova designed the Accutron (battery operated with tuning fork) to improve accuracy. It’s interesting to follow the personal time keeping technology changes we have had from pocket watches, to wrist watches, and now to our smart phones!
Looking forward to hearing about StyleCon 2016!
Kit Bush says
What about Chronographs? Most are 40mm; any decent ones that are 3/4 size?
fraser pears says
Kit, the Sinn 356 chronograph is a nice fit for a thinner wrist. At 38mm with a total length of 56mm the fit is perfect. Two dial colour options black and copper.
Dan Bar-el says
Hi Brock,
So nice to read your posts.
Thank you!
Mike Fleck says
Dress – Any of the Seiko 5 series – I love my Seiko automatic. Change the link band (which is cheap) for a good quality leather band. Total cost will be around $125-$150 and well worth it.
Casual – my new favorite for casual wear is the Timex Indiglo (Horween Leather Weekender – https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/watches/casual) which I got at Huckberry with Brock’s recommendation. Simply love this watch.
Brock says
Nice picks! Yeah, that Huckberry Timex is niiiice.
Zamir says
I actually own a Nixon Time Teller. It’s actually from the Star Wars line so it’s all black with a black face and black leather straps. Great to know it made the list for watches for small wrists
Bruce says
Great column , Brock! With a 6 1/4′ wrist it helps to wear a watch that’s the proper proportion for me. Your guide makes it a snap. Thanks!
Bruce says
Correction: 6 1/4″ wrist. So many buttons. 😉
Brock says
I just assumed you were the Hulk 😉
Malcolm says
I would like to respectfully submit the Seiko SARB033 for your consideration I love mine. It goes with anything formal or casual. This watch has a ton a great reviews all over the internet as being one of the best values in an automatic.
ChurchillWS says
Does the chart indicate case diameter or dial size? I feel like it should list case diameter. The dial size of the watch, which many people refer to as the face, and the size of the bezel of the watch also plays into how big a watch “wears.”
Brock says
I use case diameter, not face diameter, because (like you said) the overall case size is what determines how big the watch looks.
Jac Zagoory says
Hello Brock,
When it comes to large watches on a smaller wrist, the most important thing is to not wear the band loosely, which gives the appearance of the watch swimming around the wrist and forearm. (This is also especially bad for the watch, easily banged up and catches on many things.) I have a 6 1/2 inch wrist and comfortably wear my Daytona Rolex and other chronographs that I own. Sometimes I’ll even where a large strap watch over my shirt sleeve for effect.
I had a vintage watch store on Madison Avenue for many years and also authored “A Time To Watch—The Wrist Watch as Art: Classic, Rare and Extraordinary,” we never referred to men’s watches as small, instead 3/4 size, or affectionately as BOY SIZE.
Glad you’re into watches, they’re great fun and conversation starters in business circles, since an interesting watch has nothing to do with price. The worst is wearing a fake; which fakes out no one, except ones self. It’s better to wear a cool Timex, than a fake Rolex, Patek, Audemars….
Best,
Jac
Ed from My Dapper Self says
Damn I hate leaving comments that don’t go through and simply disappear! 🙁
So, again… great post as usual, Brock.
My main problem with watches are my tiny wrists. Besides being short, by wrists and hands are even smaller in proportion to my body. Finding a good strap that doesn’t look huge on me is a pain.
Keep it up and share StyleCon stories, please.
Thanks!
Brock says
Sorry about that…your comments should go right through since you’ve left comments with this email address before (new commenters have to be approved).
Will hare more soon! Hope to see you there next year.