Is 39mm the best?

[60sec]

Hi all!
I’ve seen so many threads on case size. There is a lot of uncertainty about what the best fit for the average wrist. So often, the results of these threads is 37/38mm is too small and 41mm is too large. I have a fairly small, flat wrist and found the 37/38mm small, mostly because of the face size and narrower bracelet. Conversely, 41mm wear a little too large. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way, as it sounds like 39mm watches are gaining popularity (15300/25860/26300) for this reason. In the end, is 39mm just the best size for most wrists? I am frustrated that there is no new option at this size other than the unobtainable 15202. Is this simply a business decision in an attempt to capture women and smaller male wrists with a unisex size and a larger watch for the bigger wrists? Are we likely to see a new 39mm any time in the future?


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[chiscott_29]

Impossible to answer...there is no "best size".

I have watches from 37mm to 42mm. My wrist size is 6.5". Of course all these fit differently and they serve different purposes.

Every watch wears differently, and that's what I want. I think that's what most people want.

Buy and wear what you want, or you're going to drive yourself crazy and likely make very poor decisions.

[ap1]

6.5 checking in. I like my panda chrono in the 38 even better than the flatter 15202 for my wrist. I don’t miss the jumbo but I would the chrono. Maybe I’d like a 15300 just the same as it’s a bit thicker, dunno

[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by ap1

6.5 checking in. I like my panda chrono in the 38 even better than the flatter 15202 for my wrist. I don’t miss the jumbo but I would the chrono. Maybe I’d like a 15300 just the same as it’s a bit thicker, dunno

I find the 36mm 14790st wears the best for my 6.5 inch wrist and I have owned ever modern steel AP.

[mustangtornado]

for me and my small wrist, yes. and it’s not even close. I’ll probably buy every jumbo variation i’m offered.
in addition, the bracelet on the 38 and 37mm watches are incredibly uncomfortable for me after hours of wear.

[Watchristic]

Originally Posted by mustangtornado

for me and my small wrist, yes. and it’s not even close. I’ll probably buy every jumbo variation i’m offered.
in addition, the bracelet on the 38 and 37mm watches are incredibly uncomfortable for me after hours of wear.

In terms of bracelet wearability the 38mm leaves red marks on my skin the 41 is very comfy and wearable.

To the op; I think on date / time only 39mm is the universal size, on chrono (due to the pushers) 38 is surprisingly perfect


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[singe89]

39mm RO is probably the most wearable for most wrist sizes since it’s it the middle. It’s a little small for me with a 7.5” flat wrist.

[Caramba]

Keep in mind that it's called "Jumbo" for a reason, at its time it was considered large. Whether the trend is going towards smaller watches or not, I think the 39mm is always going to be the sweet spot that AP is reserving for the 15202 only.

The 15300 wears similar to the Rolex Submariner in my opinion.

[yoast]

39 is definitely the sweet spot

[wisguy]

It is for me, but not everyone I think.

[S2000_driver]

AP needs to bring back the 39mm RO. I think it would work with a good range of wrist sizes. The 37mm case is big, but the dial looks too small IMO

[sgwatchguy]

Affirmative, for me.

The 38mm panda and the Daytona 500LN are the best fitting watches for my wrist. Based on that I’d say the 39mm is the sweet spot.

[theflywrist]

Really depends on your wrist size as well as your personal taste.
On an AP 39MM is too large for my taste on my small wrists (slightly over 6").
I dislike the protruding lugs, but on a Rolex I can easily do 40mm on a ceramic Daytona for example.
They just wear very different. Everyone's sweet spot is going to be different not just due to wrist size but also personal preference.

[ezinhk]

38-39mm is best size for dress watch if you have 6.5 wrist. For sports watches, it really depends on the overall case design, thickness, lug to lug, etc.

[Mainewatchman]

I just sold both of my 41mm and moved to 39mm chrono. Very happy I did, it fits me much better and as the years pass the "larger" watches are less appealing to me.

[doramas]

It's better according to who. For me the best diameters are 36mm (14790) or 37mm (15450)

Everything is relative, everything is a matter of perspective

[CasinoRoyale_007]

Looking at picking up at 15300...yup 39mm seems sweet

[J to the Z]

It’s all personal taste but I too have similar concerns with the 41mm royal oaks (too large for my 6.5” wrist) and the 37mm royal oaks (case too thick for its smaller size), which is why I went with the 15300 and it happens to wear very similarly to a 15202 (as pictured). From what I’ve noticed when people of all different wrist sizes and shapes try on my 15300 their first reaction is about how nicely it wears on their wrist, so I suppose you could say that the 39mm size is very well liked for royal oaks.




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[lig]

For me the 39mm is perfect. 6.75”
41 felt like a ROO on me.
37 was good but the 15300 is just right.

[blacke90]

For RO, it comes down to what's your wrist size OP. If wrist size is smaller than 6.75", you would be better off with 15450 (37mm or the new 38mm RO Chrono). If you have at least 6.75", then can go with 15500/15400 (41mm). Or hunt down 15300 or 15202 39mm. I have 6.75" and speaking from experience of owning 38mm RO and 41mm RO.

[cascavel]

Yes.

[Andad]

My wrist is 7.5 and sometimes even a 40mm can look small.

There is no ‘average’ wrist size for all the various watch diameters.

[rtanjaya]

For me, 6.5' inch wrist yes.