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.
Our Pick
Budget Pick
Upgrade Pick
The Hamilton Jazzmaster is more of a luxury watch so it’s not very budget friendly, but it sure is stylish.
Buy Now
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. 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. Many consider anything less than 6.5 inches 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:
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. If you’re unsure how to find the best size, you can use a watch size calculator.
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.
