Considerations for GREAT watch fit!
#ninefortyfour #watches - So understanding a watches dimensions set is an important consideration to ensure great fit! In this QuickTake series we’ve already discussed the most important factors! Lug to lug, thickness and diameter!
Today we’re going to talk through some of the final points of consideration when it comes to watch size to ensure great wearability! Let’s talk about it!
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So this is our last video in this series looking at watch wearability! If you want to check out the rest of the videos click on the pop out banner above, or follow the link in the description below! We now have a decent understand of the main factors when it comes to size and fit, but what else should we consider!
First off, Lug or strap width! This is simply the distance between two lugs, the area where the strap attaches to the case, but there’s a few points to note! Firstly, stability on wrist. As a general rule, the larger the overall watch diameter, the larger the lug width, making the watch feel more planted on wrist.
This is particularly important if the watch is wide and tall, making it feel more balanced with the strap or bracelet! Lug width generally increases in even numbers, 18, 20, 22mm for example. These are some of the most common sizes, with 20mm being widely adopted.
But as watch designs get more refined the use of odd widths is increasing, with 19 and 21mm sizes often seen. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this, if a watches design dictates that 19mm provides the best look, then fine! It can make strap changes difficult though!
With 20mm being most common, over time, especially if you get sucked it the watch collecting rabbit hole, you’ll find yourself amassing many straps! Watches are a great way to show individuality, and swapping out the strap is the easiest way to do this!
Either for adapting the watch to suit a certain outfit, or giving an older watch a new lease of life! But if you have a ton of 20mm straps, then buy a new watch with a 19mm lug width, they’re not going to fit, which sucks!
Especially as choice of straps for odd lug widths isn’t nearly as vast!
DAMN THIS THINGS HEAVY… (DAMN THIS THINGS LIGHT)
The next consideration is weight! Generally watches are made from stainless steel, but as you rise the watch buying ranks, more exotic materials present themselves! Gold, Silver, Platinum, tantalum! Precious metal options are commonly offered on high end watches, which is nice, but they add significant mass to the wearing experience!
Solid gold and particularly platinum watches, especially on bracelets carry significant weight! Yeah, I guess its a sign of luxury, you defiantly feel where your money’s gone, but strapping on a 200 plus gram watch every day… well you’re going to feel it!
Also, if its fitted to a traditional strap, like leather, the mass can cause top heavy wear, with the watch wanting to move round your wrist! Annoying! On the flip side of this we have options like titanium, carbon and ceramic. These feel extremely light!
Again, not really an issue, for wearability these are good, but it can make you feel shortchanged, especially if you’re paying thousands on a ‘luxury’ watch! On a plus side though, they are more averse to scratching!
Which although not directly related to wearability, they do give you assurance your watch will stay looking pristine when you inevitably smash it off a door handle!
WHITE DIALS LOOK LARGER…
As a general rule white, or light colour dials tend to appear visually larger! Whether you like light colour dials is your call, but this can be an advantage! Especially if you’re considering a watch you might feel is slightly too small ! In bright light, white dials and polished steel look similar, hiding the visual split between dial and case! It’s sometimes enough to elevate a watches look and appear slightly larger!