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Which size looks better on a 171mm wrist?

  • 41mm

    Votes: 15 42.9%
  • 45mm

    Votes: 20 57.1%

  • Total voters
    35

iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8
Looks way bigger in photos for some reason.
 

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iRyko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 17, 2022
9
8
Comparison between the two watches 41mm and 45mm I went with the 45mm. The watches look smaller in person compared to the photos.
 

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bruinsrme

macrumors 604
Oct 26, 2008
7,197
3,063
Hi everyone!

I will be purchasing my first apple watch in a couple of weeks and I'm torn on whether I should go with the 41mm or the 45mm series 8.

The current watch I'm using daily is a SEIKO Presage SRPD97J1 (38mm). My wrist size is 171mm. I'd like to have the apple watch as a daily instead. I plan on using it for primarily for fitness, tracking calories, reading messages every now and then, and to view notifications, etc.

Any input would be awesome and helpful! Thanks!
We’ll take this FWIW. If I didn’t know there were 2 different Watch sizes I wouldn’t have thought all the pictures were of 1 watch
 
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Kitkat52

macrumors regular
Oct 1, 2015
104
246
I am a 70 year old woman (grandmother yet) with small wrists and I always wore the smaller Apple Watch. I bought the Ultra, returned it because I felt it was embarrassingly big and also gave me wrist pain. Changed over to the series 8 45mm. Then got Ultra madness again, rebought it and got use to the size, had no more wrist pain and I’m truly loving the watch. I am happy without caring who thinks it’s ridiculously massive on me.
 

paulchiu

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2009
422
353
nyc
Forget both 41, 42, or 45. Go Ultra. With the Trail loops or one of the Hermes leather bands, they are the most comfortable to wear 24/7. But, if you're into looks, Apple watch may not be for you.
 

usmaak

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2012
967
801
I am a 70 year old woman (grandmother yet) with small wrists and I always wore the smaller Apple Watch. I bought the Ultra, returned it because I felt it was embarrassingly big and also gave me wrist pain. Changed over to the series 8 45mm. Then got Ultra madness again, rebought it and got use to the size, had no more wrist pain and I’m truly loving the watch. I am happy without caring who thinks it’s ridiculously massive on me.
Cool. It really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about what Watch you wear, as long as you like it!
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,841
5,739
I am a 70 year old woman (grandmother yet) with small wrists and I always wore the smaller Apple Watch. I bought the Ultra, returned it because I felt it was embarrassingly big and also gave me wrist pain. Changed over to the series 8 45mm. Then got Ultra madness again, rebought it and got use to the size, had no more wrist pain and I’m truly loving the watch. I am happy without caring who thinks it’s ridiculously massive on me.
That's my take also. Who cares what anyone else thinks about how a size looks on your wrist? If you enjoy it that's all that matters.
 
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Ken1222

macrumors member
May 16, 2011
61
21
Havre de Grace, Md
This will be my first AW.
My wrist is between 168-171 mm, depending on how snug I pull the tape measure. My plan is to buy both the 41 and 45 in SS and compare, take pics, etc. But the test will be wearing it to bed...not interested in sleeping with a mini-iPhone strapped to my wrist. At 67 years old I am interested in the health benefits such as sleep aid, ECG, etc, and readability of the display is important. However, if I feel 45 looks / feels too large, I'll go with 41.
From what I have read, 170 mm wrist seems to be in the "neutral zone"... could go either way.
 
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The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,294
25,434
Wales, United Kingdom
The 41mm looks better from those photos IMO. It looks in proportion whereas the 45mm just looks like a screen slapped on top of your wrist. Up to you though if a larger screen is more important to you than how it looks?

Got to love the people who invade a thread and feel they have to promote a totally different watch like the Ultra! Not everybody likes or wants an Ultra.
 
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Ken1222

macrumors member
May 16, 2011
61
21
Havre de Grace, Md
My wrist is about 6.7" (170 mm), not sure if 41 or 45 is the way to go. Friends have given me both choices.
Originally liked SS Silver but now leaning towards SS Graphite with black band.
Comments on size and case finish are appreciated!
 

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wilberforce

macrumors 68030
Aug 15, 2020
2,923
3,199
SF Bay Area
My wrist is about 6.7" (170 mm), not sure if 41 or 45 is the way to go. Friends have given me both choices.
Originally liked SS Silver but now leaning towards SS Graphite with black band.
Comments on size and case finish are appreciated!
45 mm, I think.
45 does not look too big, and you get the advantages of a bigger screen (easier to read and display more content for emails, texts, maps, workout metrics, etc).
My wrist is also ~170 mm, and am happy with 45 mm.
But it is ultimately personal preference, especially color and finish.
 
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Ken1222

macrumors member
May 16, 2011
61
21
Havre de Grace, Md
45 mm, I think.
45 does not look too big, and you get the advantages of a bigger screen (easier to read and display more content for emails, texts, maps, workout metrics, etc).
My wrist is also ~170 mm, and am happy with 45 mm.
But it is ultimately personal preference, especially color and finish.
Thanks!
 

blen

macrumors regular
Sep 13, 2008
169
170
The problem I had with the bigger watches like the Ultra was it was always bumping into something, or triggering some corner complication. This became very annoying to me and I found I was staring at my watch more often than needed just to return back to the clock.

I also find that only the Wayfinder Watch face actually looks nice on the ultra. All the existing Watch faces look absolutely massive on the Ultra and bring way too much attention to the giant screen.

Overall, I personally prefer the 40/41mm form factor overall for my 170mm wrist. It wears the best in all situations, including sleep, and it “disappears” on the wrist due to weight and size.
 
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Mikeske

macrumors 6502
Jan 14, 2012
457
360
Washington
I was tore between the three different watches. I tried the Ultra and found it awkward and taking up a lot of the back of wrist of 5.2", so much so I decided that I did not like that size. I have smaller wrist and hands for a man.

I then tried the 45 MM and found that it felt large but not too large, then I tried the 41 MM oh man perfectly reasonable. So I went with a black 41 MM and I am happy. But I did not buy in the store but went to Apple website and ordered it from there to get a 10% discount and it arrived today and I been actively setting it up and finding apps that I want on the watch.

I am 64 years old and retired and as such I still very active so this works perfect for me. I mainly bought it to monitor my heart health as I do have a small amount of plaque in one of the blood vessels on the side of my heart with taking medications for. I never had any issues with this and now I know to have to monitor it.
 

Broadus

macrumors 65816
Oct 26, 2011
1,108
649
Upstate SC
This will be my first AW.
My wrist is between 168-171 mm, depending on how snug I pull the tape measure. My plan is to buy both the 41 and 45 in SS and compare, take pics, etc. But the test will be wearing it to bed...not interested in sleeping with a mini-iPhone strapped to my wrist. At 67 years old I am interested in the health benefits such as sleep aid, ECG, etc, and readability of the display is important. However, if I feel 45 looks / feels too large, I'll go with 41.
From what I have read, 170 mm wrist seems to be in the "neutral zone"... could go either way.
I’m the same age with the same “right in the middle” wrist size. 170mm seems to be pretty common.

Falling and heart concerns are finally making me look seriously at the AW. I wonder how many AWs have been sold to folk with similar concerns.

I would want the watch to slide beneath a dress shirt sleeve, so I’m leaning towards the 41mm. I’ve not tried them on, but I need to.
 
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Mikeske

macrumors 6502
Jan 14, 2012
457
360
Washington
I’m the same age with the same “right in the middle” wrist size. 170mm seems to be pretty common.

Falling and heart concerns are finally making me look seriously at the AW. I wonder how many AWs have been sold to folk with similar concerns.

I would want the watch to slide beneath a dress shirt sleeve, so I’m leaning towards the 41mm. I’ve not tried them on, but I need to.
It was for me also having a concern about a minor heart issue that could become serious
 
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