Measuring watch size is important to find the proper fitting on the wrist. While measuring the size, one has to take a measurement of the wrist first and then turn attention to the size of the watch that perfectly suits that wrist.
Only after finding the perfect size are you supposed to make your outfit complete. A simple measuring tape around the wrist will go on to give you a clear idea of the wrist size. However, the watch case, lug to lug distance, and also band length are some crucial factors one must consider to find the ideal fit.

Is measuring watch size necessary?
Yes, it is necessary to measure watch size as it completes the outfit. You may spend a lot of cost on a Rolex Watch, but if it doesn’t fit on your wrist properly you might find the style incomplete.
- Purchasing a properly sized watch won’t fit small or big on your wrist.
- Sometimes, the extra lug distance makes the watch case inappropriate for your wrist. But if you take an accurate measurement before buying, you don’t have to worry about this.
- Different style of bands fits differently on the wrist. So depending on the type you are choosing, you should have a clear measurement of the wrist as well.
These are the few crucial reasons for which one must go on to take accurate wrist measurements and ensure having a properly fitted watch on the wrist.
How to measure watch case size?
While talking about watch measurement, the first thing that comes to mind is the diameter of the watch case. The shape of the case is also a considerable factor when you are about to measure the diameter. Before going on to knowing the method of measuring the watch case, let’s talk about the shapes.
There are mainly two different shapes of watch cases used, round and square.
Round watch case: To measure round watch case size, take the perpendicular measurement of the watch from two opposite points. But remember, the measurement shouldn’t include the crown. That is why try taking the points, which are below or above the crown. One can use normal measuring tape or caliper for more precise calculation.
Square watch case: A square watch case isn’t measured by the diameter. Measure the smallest end of the case using a caliper or a measuring tape. Don’t include the crown with the measurement here as well.
According to the diameter of different watch cases, the case size ranges from 34 to 46 mm. These cases are available for small to extra large size wrists.
- 34 mm or less size is used on small-sized wrists.
- 34 mm to 38 mm size is appropriate for medium-sized wrists.
- The most standard size case diameter ranges from 38 mm to 42 mm, which fits on most male users' wrists.
- 42 mm to 46 mm is for oversized wrists.
What should be the thickness of the watch case?
The thickness of the watch case is closely related to the size of the case. There are different tastes of people and some of them want a thicker case, while the others want a thinner case. But one misconception about watch cases is that male users wear a bigger and thicker watch, and female users wear a smaller and thinner watch.
However, there isn’t any rule like this as the choice depends completely on personal preference. The thickness of the watch case ranges from 6 to 18 mm.
- 6 mm to 8 mm cases are considered thinner ones.
- The most wearer chooses thickness between 8 mm to 12 mm.
- The extra thicker watch cases measure around 14 mm to 18 mm.
Thinner ones mostly fit on skinny guys, while big guys mostly go for thicker watch cases.
- To measure the thickness of the watch, you need a caliper again.
- Now place one point of the caliper on the topmost crystal point on the watch dial and the other point at the center of the case back.
- Finally, take the most accurate measurement of the case thickness.
Measuring the size of the watch lugs
Lugs are the metal extensions that attach the bracelets, straps, or bands of the watch. There are two measurements, one needs to take off the watch lugs. Lug to lug distance and width of the lugs.
- The width of the lugs typically ranges from 19 mm to 21 mm, depending on the diameter of the watch case. This width is noticeable between 34 mm to 42 mm diameter cases.
- However, some smaller cases have around 14 mm of lug width as well.
Measuring the distance between the lugs is mandatory to find a properly fitted watch on the wrist. The watch case diameter doesn’t include the distance of the lugs. This is why sometimes it seems that the lugs remain out of the wrist even after taking an accurate measurement of the wrist.
Measuring watch band size
To complete the measurement of a watch, you must measure the watch band. There are two things one needs to consider while measuring the band, the width of the band and the length of the band. But before measuring the band size, it is necessary to have a measurement of the wrist.
- On average, most users have 6 inches to 7 inches of wrist.
- While bigger guys have a wrist that can go up to 8 inches as well.
Three types of bands are used on wristwatches, metal bracelets, leather bands, and rubber straps. Not each of these bands has a similar measurement or fits similarly on the wrist. Their band length ranges from 18 mm to 22 mm depending on the case diameter.
- 34 mm to 36 mm watches typically comes with an 18 mm band.
- 38 to 42 mm watches come with a 20 mm band and it is also the regulation size.
- The largest cases of 44 mm to 46 mm are equipped with a 22 mm band.
While choosing band size, you must decide whether you need a metal bracelet, leather, or rubber band while choosing band size.
- Metal bracelets shouldn't fit on the wrist snugly because they create sweat taking the heat from the body. So while choosing the length, always try going for 1 cm up than your wrist length.
- On the other hand, a leather band or rubber strap will stay snugly fit on the wrist. For this, you need to choose a 2 cm longer band compared to the wrist size.
What things impact the size of the watch?
The above-discussed factors are the main factors one needs to know while choosing the right size of a wristwatch. But two more minor things impact the size of the watch. These are the bezels and the hour markers.
The bezels: The bigger the bezels, the smaller the watch dial will be. Because the bigger bezels decrease the diameter of the dial. Ultimately, it seems that the size of the dial is decreased as well.
Hour markers: The distance between hour markers also impact the size of the watch dial. The more distance there is, the larger dial the watch will have.
These things don’t actually increase or decrease the size of the watch, but it brings a smaller or larger outlook of the watch’s case or dial.