Any Fit Differences Between 40mm And 42mm Straps?

[Fried Potato]

Hey everyone,

I'm aware that older straps are compatible with newer Apple Watches (more specifically the smaller 42mm Series 10), but I’m a bit worried that there might be subtle changes that could cause older straps to not fit as perfectly as the new ones. Why have they otherwise made two strap sizes for the smaller watch models? Have they altered anything in the design that makes the newer straps fit the Series 10 better?

I'm mostly worried as I've been wanting to get the Hermés edition this year and got my hands on the previous years' steel link bracelet and Milanese loop (to match the silver finish). Would prefer them to sit as flush as the new bracelets released for the Series 10.

 

[goldmac2006]

Hey everyone,

I'm aware that older straps are compatible with newer Apple Watches (more specifically the smaller 42mm Series 10), but I’m a bit worried that there might be subtle changes that could cause older straps to not fit as perfectly as the new ones. Why have they otherwise made two strap sizes for the smaller watch models? Have they altered anything in the design that makes the newer straps fit the Series 10 better?

I'm mostly worried as I've been wanting to get the Hermés edition this year and got my hands on the previous years' steel link bracelet and Milanese loop (to match the silver finish). Would prefer them to sit as flush as the new bracelets released for the Series 10.

Yooo what’s up 😎 I understand your point regarding the confusion between the new 42mm models of Apple Watch series 10 and how it can fit existing Apple Watch bands of 40mm, 41 and 38mm. As I checked it out through Amazon and Apple’s website it can be easily confused with the 42mm we all know since the original Apple Watch, which is its bigger size in S0-3. Even I checked out third party bands in stores, some do not denote the series compatible with the 42mm bands and one may accidentally use the big band on the ‘new 42mm’ S10.

A 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 would respectively use 38mm-41mm bands interchangeably, as it just gets a longer and rounder case while preserving the inner band channels. If I had to explain Apple Watch band sizes to users coming from a large 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 and earlier to the Apple Watch series 10, and they assume both of them are the same size, as it turns out the size analogies are not the same. It is given that you are wearing a 40mm Apple Watch, and if you check which bands are compatible in the Apple Store app, it will show all 42mm sized bands from the S10 as the new 42mm is the same width as the 40/41 where you slide in the bands.

We will have to wait two more days in order to try on the S10 bands on the Apple Watch series 9 and earlier models to get an idea.

 

[iStorm]

Agree with the above. For older bands on the 42mm S10, you'll want the ones that were designed for the smaller watch (38-41mm). The old/wider bands that were made for the larger/original 42mm watch will be too big.

The size actually refers to the case's height. While the original larger watch and the S10's smaller watch are both 42mm tall, the S10 isn't as wide as the older 42mm watch, especially where the strap connects.

 

[goldmac2006]

Agree with the above. For older bands on the 42mm S10, you'll want the ones that were designed for the smaller watch (38-41mm). The old/wider bands that were made for the larger/original 42mm watch will be too big.

The size actually refers to the case's height. While the original larger watch and the S10's smaller watch are both 42mm tall, the S10 isn't as wide as the older 42mm watch, especially where the strap connects.

Great point! Thanks for simplifying my answer. It is also similar to how the size changes between the S1-3 to the S4-6; and the 7 to 9. I still seen reviewers getting confused as 41mm as 'old 42mm' and returning their big bands on Amazon listings, and I hope former S3 and earlier users do not do the same when upgrading to S10.

With these words of advice, users who are upgrading between generations in significant changes in sizes can prevent unnecessary returns and exchanges by understanding which watches have the same width, and continue their band collections.

 

[Brien]

The S0-S3 42mm Watch was 36.4mm wide; the 'new' 42mm is 36.0mm wide, so they're effectively the same size and width. The only difference is the new one is significantly rounder, so the old 42mm lugs would protrude from the sides.

The only fit issues I can foresee is some of the older leather and nylon buckles and maybe the first-gen milanese, where the lugs were meant to be completely flush with the case; they may be inset from the watch slightly where the more rounded bits extend at the top/bottom. It isn't an issue on the link bracelet or sport bands where the material doesn't stop flush with the case.

 

[goldmac2006]

The S0-S3 42mm Watch was 36.4mm wide; the 'new' 42mm is 36.0mm wide, so they're effectively the same size and width. The only difference is the new one is significantly rounder, so the old 42mm lugs would protrude from the sides.

The only fit issues I can foresee is some of the older leather and nylon buckles and maybe the first-gen milanese, where the lugs were meant to be completely flush with the case; they may be inset from the watch slightly where the more rounded bits extend at the top/bottom. It isn't an issue on the link bracelet or sport bands where the material doesn't stop flush with the case.

FR it will cause an issue if we'd use bands from S1-3 era into the 'new 42mm'! I am going to get a glimpse into the S10 this Sunday with the iPhone 16, as launch day I have long shift so I cannot go to an Apple Store until my 3-day weekend off.

 

[Fried Potato]

The S0-S3 42mm Watch was 36.4mm wide; the 'new' 42mm is 36.0mm wide, so they're effectively the same size and width. The only difference is the new one is significantly rounder, so the old 42mm lugs would protrude from the sides.

The only fit issues I can foresee is some of the older leather and nylon buckles and maybe the first-gen milanese, where the lugs were meant to be completely flush with the case; they may be inset from the watch slightly where the more rounded bits extend at the top/bottom. It isn't an issue on the link bracelet or sport bands where the material doesn't stop flush with the case.

Just to be clear, the latest years' straps released for e.g. Series 8-10 (the smaller size watch) will fit the new Series 10 as perfectly and flush as this year's straps? I'm not interested in pairing the much older "large size" 42mm straps, but the older small size straps with this year's small size watch (42mm).

 

[Brien]

Just to be clear, the latest years' straps released for e.g. Series 8-10 (the smaller size watch) will fit the new Series 10 as perfectly and flush as this year's straps? I'm not interested in pairing the much older "large size" 42mm straps, but the older small size straps with this year's small size watch (42mm).

It depends on how anal retentive you are, but more or less, yes, any 38, 40, or 41mm straps will fit the 'new' 42mm.

 

[Fried Potato]

It depends on how anal retentive you are, but more or less, yes, any 38, 40, or 41mm straps will fit the 'new' 42mm.

To be honest, I'm very anal when it comes to details like this. 😂 I mostly want my Milanese loop and link bracelet to fit perfectly.

 

[rishiomedia]

Just to be clear, the latest years' straps released for e.g. Series 8-10 (the smaller size watch) will fit the new Series 10 as perfectly and flush as this year's straps? I'm not interested in pairing the much older "large size" 42mm straps, but the older small size straps with this year's small size watch (42mm).

No, I don’t believe it will. The S10 42mm watch straps are slightly wider than 38, 40 or 41mm watch straps. While they are compatible, they don’t fit smoothly, and the looks do infact bother me. The old staps will be inset a little bit. I’m surprised that 99% of the people don’t even notice it and say the bands fit perfectly, when they obviously do not to my eyes. If you are like me, you would only use S10 straps on Series S10 watches.

 

[SusieS]

It’s true, my older 41mm bands do not fit perfectly flush in my new 42mm Series 10. I consider myself pretty
* retentive and figured this would bother me a lot. But I find that it doesn’t, especially when it’s a band I love. It is more noticeable the closer you are when looking at the side of the watch, but not as much when at arm’s length, or when looking at the watch head-on. Going forward I will purchase the 42mm bands, because I don’t see Apple going back to the smaller form factor, and I don’t hanker for any of the older bands except maybe the Nike 2020 Pride sport band.

 

[BigBlur]

It’s true, my older 41mm bands do not fit perfectly flush in my new 42mm Series 10. I consider myself pretty
* retentive and figured this would bother me a lot. But I find that it doesn’t, especially when it’s a band I love. It is more noticeable the closer you are when looking at the side of the watch, but not as much when at arm’s length, or when looking at the watch head-on. Going forward I will purchase the 42mm bands, because I don’t see Apple going back to the smaller form factor, and I don’t hanker for any of the older bands except maybe the Nike 2020 Pride sport band.

View attachment 2437654 View attachment 2437653

Do you have any pictures showing the band that came with the watch?

 

[SusieS]

Do you have any pictures showing the band that came with the watch?

Yes, these are with the Nike 42mm that I ordered with the watch.

 

[BorisDG]

The Volt Splash is very nice.

 

[SusieS]

The Volt Splash is very nice.

I love the speckled Nike bands. I hope they continue them in the Spring 2025 release...I would like to see something like the Ice Blue color of the Ultra band, with multicolored speckles

 

[BorisDG]

Yeah, me too. I just received today my Pure Titanium and posted some pictures. I'm also excited for the Spring wave.