Looking for the best watches for small wrists? You will get everything you need from this article including some buying tips.
Large and oversized watches have flooded the marketplace making it a difficult task to pick the right watch for your small wrist. This article will introduce you to our top 20 small watches for your wrist.
Why knowing your wrist size is important
Your wrist size has nothing to do with your overall stature. Short men, for example, do not necessarily end up with small wrists. You need to measure your wrist size to know what type of wrist you have – very thin, slender, medium or thick wrist.
We cannot overstress the importance of knowing your wrist size. Here are a few reasons.
- If you do most of your shopping online, it’s important to know your wrist size. Once you have that information with you, you will pick a watch that fits right without trying it on.
- Once you know your wrist size, it’ll help you narrow down your choice of design. If you have a smaller wrist, for example, you will probably go for dress watches, not dive watches since they are made bulkier to resist high pressure underwater.
- Knowing your wrist size will help you find watches that look great and feel comfortable on your wrist.
How to Measure Your Wrist
Buyers Guide: How to pick the best watches for small wrists.
Case Size
The watch case diameter is an important metric when you shop for watches for slight wrists. To find a perfect watch for your small wrist, use the wrist measurement you noted after watching the video above.
If your wrist size is between 14cm – 18cm, you have a small wrist and should go for watches with case sizes between 36mm – 40mm. A case size above this is perfect for large wrists.
All the watches we review in this article fall below 40mm case size. You can check them out below.
The lug-to-lug distance.
The lug-to-lug distance of a watch is the distance from the tip of the top lug to the tip of the bottom lug. This distance will change how you perceive the size of a watch.
If you are shopping for these watches on the market, it’s always a good idea to check their lug-to-lug distances. A smaller lug-to-lug distance will make any watch appear slightly smaller.
Generally, a watch with a 42mm lug-to-lug distance will fit people with very thin. A 46mm lug-to-lug watch is perfect if you have a slender wrist.
Watch band width
Go for a watch bandwidth that is smaller. A smaller bandwidth won’t appear noticeable on your wrist. A bracelet or watch band that tapers down to the clasp is my preferred choice.
Watch band material.
To pick the right watch for your wrist, the band material is an important factor to consider too. Metal bands always appear thicker on the wrist than resin or leather bands.
Also, Nato straps push the watch case away from your wrist. This makes the watch appear bulkier on your wrist. So which band material should you go for? Leather or Resin are the obvious choices, but this is a matter of preference. Go for what fits you best.
Watch Bezel
A watch bezel also affects the watch size. When we compared watches with the same case size, we found that watches with bezels appear smaller than watches without one.
So if you want a watch that would fit your small wrist, avoid watches that lack a bezel. This is because they appear bigger on the wrist.
Small Dial Watches For Men and Women under 37mm
Seiko Automatic Divers Watch (SKX013K2)
If you are in the market for affordable small dive watches, pick this Seiko diver men’s watch. Being an ISO-certified diver, it comes with a unidirectional bezel that only turns anti-clockwise.
Its matte dark grey dial features luminous hour markers and a day/date window at the 3 o’clock position. This great-looking watch comes with a case size of 38mm, a lug-to-lug distance of 44.3mm and an 11mm thickness. It’s water-resistant up to 200 meters.
If you love the design and your wrist is average size, you can try out its bigger brother – the 42mm Seiko SKX007.
Junghans Max Bill Watch (Model: 027/3700.00)
For a simple and elegant Bauhaus watch, consider this Junghans Max Bill German watch. Besides famous watchmakers from Germany like Sinn, Junghans has had a long history in watchmaking. You can check out our guide on German watches here.
This mechanical hand-wound watch comes with a 34mm case size and is 9mm thick. It is a good dress watch for people with a very small wrist. This simple watch is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
Timex Waterbury Watch (Model: TW2T36200VQ)
The Timex Waterbury is a well-polished rose gold-tone watch for everyday use. The case is made from stainless steel and it comes with a rose gold mesh bracelet. The bracelet is adjustable to fit your wrist size.
This quartz watch features an Indiglo backlight, and it is water-resistant to 50 meters. Its creamy dial is very legible with Arabic numerals on some of its hour markers. This simple watch comes with a 34mm case width and strap width of 16mm. Check details on Timex Website
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Leather Watch (Model: BM8240-03E)
If you love Citizen Eco-Drive watches, you will love this 36mm black and silver combination, model. As you might have already guessed it, this great watch is fully solar-powered.
It comes with a black dial with silver-tone hands and hour markers. Its black leather strap comes with adjustable buckle closure. It’s also water-resistant to 30 meters. This is definitely a good dress watch for people who wear watches with small wrists.
Tudor Black Bay 36 Steel Watch
The Tudor Black Bay 36 is a luxury watch with a well-polished stainless steel bracelet. This timepiece runs off a caliber 2824 self-winding mechanical movement. This movement features a 38 hours power reserve.
Its black dial and white hour markers make it easy to read. Other features include a sapphire crystal on the dial, luminous hands and markers, a 150-meter waterproof rating and a well-polished bezel. You also get a 5-year guarantee for your purchase. Check details on Tudor Website
Timex Easy Reader Leather Watch (TW2R56100)
This great watch is suitable for persons with very thin wrists. It’s a casual watch that looks attractive on every wrist. Its white dial features large hour markers and a day /date window.
Its timekeeping is very accurate, and it features a red second hand that is very visible over the white dial. This quartz watch comes with a 35mm case size and a 12mm bandwidth. Also, you get a 30-meter water-resistance rating. This is definitely a great little watch for people with smaller wrists.
Best Small Watches under 40mm
Mido Commander Automatic Watch (M842942113)
The Mido Commander is a unique dress watch with a stainless steel mesh bracelet. Its design and finishing are unique in every word. The watch comes with a 37mm case width, so a perfect fit for slight wrists.
Its silver dial comes with luminous hands and markers and a visible day/date display. A sapphire crystal protects the dial from scratches. This small watch is driven by an ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve.
It is also water-resistant to 50 meters. Overall, this is a micro-brand Swiss watch you can pick for yourself.
Seiko Men’s SNK805 Automatic Watch
The SNK805 is an amazing casual men’s watch that will comfortably be on your slender wrist. This timepiece runs off an automatic movement that ticks silently.
Its green dial features a day/date display and is protected by a mineral crystal. Also, the lume on this watch is bright enough immediately after you charge it. It is water-resistant up to 30 meters. The only downside of this watch is its green nylon band. They are not so comfortable but you can replace them.
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Watch (BM8180-03E)
If you want a luminous watch fully powered by the sun, look no further. This Citizen Eco-Drive watch has all the features you need.
The lume on this watch is bright enough for watches within its price range. Its black dial also features a day/date window and a red second hand. Being powered fully by the light you need not worry about changing its battery after a few years. This is a 37mm case-size watch.
Timex Men’s Easy Reader Leather Watch (TW2R62400)
The Timex Easy Reader is an accurate watch for anyone with small wrists. The finishing of this great watch is exquisite, with an attractive blue dial and large legible Roman numerals on the hour markers.
This timepiece also features a date window at the 3 o’clock position, and it is water-resistant up to 30 meters. For night use, it comes with the Indiglo backlight feature. This watch comes with a case size of 38mm and a band width of 20mm.
Orient Men’s 3 Star Automatic Watch (FAB00009L)
This Orient automatic watch comes with a unique blue dial that will change your overall outfit. It’s a timepiece that is very noticeable on every small wrist. It comes with a 38mm case size and an 11mm thickness.
This watch comes with a 16mm bracelet width and therefore doesn’t look big on the wrist. A mineral crystal protects its blue dial and is water-resistant to 30 meters.
Seiko Men’s SNK809 Automatic Watch
If you love going with an analog field watch, the SNK809 is a good alternative for your small wrist. This watch comes with a 42mm lug to lug distance, 11mm thickness, and a 37mm case size.
This 21 jewels automatic watch features a day/date display at 3 o’clock position and it’s water-resistant to 30 meters. Its dial window is protected by Seiko’s Hardlex crystal.
Timex Unisex Weekender Watch (TW2R63100)
For a simple classic watch for a small wrist with a second hand, go for the Timex Unisex Weekender watch. It comes with a vintage design void of a date window. However, you get a 24-hour military time format on its legible dial.
The black dial of this timepiece features legible Roman numerals and an Indiglo backlight for night use. Its case size is 38mm in diameter and 9mm thick. This great-looking watch also comes with a leather band that is very comfortable and the band is replaceable.
Bicompax 001 Chronograph Watch
Assembled in France, the Baltic Chronograph Bicompax 001 has a well-polished silver case and a comfortable leather strap. Its black dial features simple painted details like the hour dots and Arabic numerals at the 12 and 6 positions.
It’s a 38mm case watch with a 47mm lug-to-lug distance and a 20mm lug width. It is water-resistant to 50 meters. This quartz watch looks very attractive on slender wrists.
Timex Marlin Unisex Watch (TW2R47900ZV)
If you are looking for a classic dress watch for your slender wrist, this Timex Marlin is a good choice. It comes with neutral baton-style hour markers on a silver-colored dial.
This timepiece uses a Japanese automatic mechanical movement and comes with a 37mm case size. The band is solid black and comfortable on the wrist.
Seiko Men’s Automatic Watch (Model: SARB033)
The SARB033 comes with a nicely polished bezel that holds the sapphire crystal in place. This men’s watch will modestly fit anyone with a small wrist.
This watch is made from the 316L stainless steel and has a case that is 38mm wide, 11.2mm thick, and a lug-to-lug distance of 44.8mm. It features a 100-meter water resistance rating, and it is driven by a Japanese automatic movement.
Hamilton Men’s Khaki Field Watch (HML-H70455533)
The Hamilton khaki field watch comes with a case size of 38mm. Other specification of this timepiece includes a 45mm lug-to-lug distance and a 22mm band width.
Its matte black dial features a 24-hour military time format and a date window. The white hour Arabic numerals on the black dial increase its legibility. The dial comes covered with a sapphire crystal, which is scratch-resistant.
Also, this watch comes with brown leather bands and a water-resistant rating of 100 meters.
Casio Men’s Classic Silver-Tone Watch (A500WA-1ACF)
This Casio silver square watch gives you the flexibility of knowing the hours’ difference between your location and home. It’s a 39mm resin case digital watch powered by a quartz movement.
It features a 12-hour and 24-hour time format, five daily alarms, an auto-calendar, and a world time. This timepiece comes with a stainless steel band with fold-over clasp closure. There’s also a similar gold-colored design.
Vostok Amphibian Military Diver Watch (Model: 420059)
If you patronize Russian watches, the Vostok Amphibian should catch your attention too. This military diver watch comes with a unique design. It comes with a 39mm case size that would sit comfortably on any slender wrist.
Its blue dial is covered with an acrylic crystal. You also get a date window at the 3 o’clock position. This automatic timepiece comes with a bidirectional bezel and is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Automatic Watch (8926OB)
With a case diameter of 40mm, this Invicta Pro Diver watch will fit any slender wrist. It comes with a submariner stainless steel case with an approximate 48mm lug-to-lug distance and a 14mm thickness.
Invicta covers the black dial of this stainless steel watch with a mineral crystal. The stainless steel bracelet comes in with a 20mm width and tapers down to approximately 18mm. It’s also water-resistant for up to 200M. Overall, we recommend this stainless steel watch for your slender wrist.
