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DC Wallaby

macrumors regular
Aug 22, 2014
158
151
I want to try them both out before I decide, but my strong preference when it comes to watches is smaller. I have an Omega that I inherited from my grandfather that is roughly the size of the 38mm model, and a cheap larger watch I picked up from Target for daily wear that's a little larger than 42mm. I cannot stand wearing the larger watch for long periods of time.

However, depending on the differences between the two models (price, battery, whether the extra screen real estate makes a difference, etc.), and depending on how they feel once they're actually on my wrist ... the jury's still out.
 

Technodynamic

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2012
371
81
I was leaning toward the 38mm as well until very recently. In another thread someone posted a PDF you can print that allows you to print a life size 38mm and 42mm. I photoshopped in the stainless steel apple watch with Milanese Loop over top the prints and cut them out.

After comparing it to my existing Mavado (which is rectangular and smaller than the 38") I came to the conclusion that the 38mm was 'slightly smaller' than I wanted and the 42mm was slightly larger (40 would be ideal if I could magically request a size).

Because there is text to read and UI to engage I will probably be getting the 42mm. If it was 'just a watch' I'd get the smaller variety.
 

bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2010
3,553
3,007
Buffalo, NY
38mm is meant for women, 42mm is meant for men. You'll see this when Apple shows the bands that fit each. Sure, a man can wear a 38mm, but it will look like a woman's watch with the thinner band.

Maybe the next generation of watch wearers will buck this trend, but that's the way it is now.
 

Vundu

macrumors 68000
Jun 10, 2009
1,627
874
Manchester, UK
38mm is meant for women, 42mm is meant for men. You'll see this when Apple shows the bands that fit each. Sure, a man can wear a 38mm, but it will look like a woman's watch with the thinner band.

Maybe the next generation of watch wearers will buck this trend, but that's the way it is now.

I agree I think the 38mm is designed for women which is typical with watches.
 

virginblue4

macrumors 68020
Apr 15, 2012
2,027
700
United Kingdom
Any guys getting the 38mm Apple Watch?

38mm is meant for women, 42mm is meant for men. You'll see this when Apple shows the bands that fit each. Sure, a man can wear a 38mm, but it will look like a woman's watch with the thinner band.

Maybe the next generation of watch wearers will buck this trend, but that's the way it is now.



I agree I think the 38mm is designed for women which is typical with watches.


Yes, just like the white iPhone is feminine.

/s
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Yes, just like the white iPhone is feminine.

/s

Whilst I know this is silly and anyone can buy and like any colour.

At a total guess, I would place a tiny bet, that, if you did a MASS survey, you probably would find more men that women had Black and more women than men had white.

A lot of crossover of course, but I suspect that would be an overall trend.

Likewise, I'd suspect, if you did that same mass survey you'd probably find more women had the Gold than the Black also.

I'm only guessing and it's just a gut feeling.

Not that it matters of course.

Likewise, I'd also suspect most women would tend to buy a physically smaller watch than men also, and that goes for all watches.

Obviously as womens wrists would tend to be smaller on average but also on the style front. Men bold brash large watch, women more feminine watch.

Of course, there is a lot of crossover here also as not all men want a trashcan lid on their wrist either.

But I'd suspect that would be a general overall trend if you surveyed a wide enough range of people.
 

virginblue4

macrumors 68020
Apr 15, 2012
2,027
700
United Kingdom
Whilst I know this is silly and anyone can buy and like any colour.



At a total guess, I would place a tiny bet, that, if you did a MASS survey, you probably would find more men that women had Black and more women than men had white.



A lot of crossover of course, but I suspect that would be an overall trend.



Likewise, I'd suspect, if you did that same mass survey you'd probably find more women had the Gold than the Black also.



I'm only guessing and it's just a gut feeling.



Not that it matters of course.



Likewise, I'd also suspect most women would tend to buy a physically smaller watch than men also, and that goes for all watches.



Obviously as womens wrists would tend to be smaller on average but also on the style front. Men bold brash large watch, women more feminine watch.



Of course, there is a lot of crossover here also as not all men want a trashcan lid on their wrist either.



But I'd suspect that would be a general overall trend if you surveyed a wide enough range of people.


I agree with you about trends.

I just didn't agree with the person who I quoted saying "38mm is meant for woman and 42m is meant for men".
 

virginblue4

macrumors 68020
Apr 15, 2012
2,027
700
United Kingdom
Not at all.

Go to any store where they sell watches. You'll see the differences.

But we aren't talking about any store that sells watches, or any watch for that matter.

We are talking about a smart watch that was designed in two different sizes, offering different screen sizes, not just the fashion aspect. While I am not arguing that the majority of woman will likely purchase the 38mm, it is not 'meant' for them, just as the 42mm is not 'meant' for men.
 
Last edited:

Mascots

macrumors 68000
Sep 5, 2009
1,667
1,418
But we are t talking about any store that sells watches, or any watch for that matter.

We are talking about a smart watch that was designed in two different sizes, offering different screen sizes, not just the fashion aspect. While I am not arguing that the majority of woman will likely purchase the 38mm, it is not 'meant' for them, just as the 42mm is not 'meant' for men.

Yeah, that statement is blasphemous.

The 38mm band is sold for people who have smaller wrists and don't want the extra space that makes it look bad or fit funny.

Men, women, dogs, etc.

Had Apple designed a watch that was more feminine in contrast along with the size diffs, then it certainly would be meant for women. Alas they did not
 

Orr

macrumors 6502
Oct 8, 2013
363
50
38mm is meant for women, 42mm is meant for men. You'll see this when Apple shows the bands that fit each. Sure, a man can wear a 38mm, but it will look like a woman's watch with the thinner band.

Maybe the next generation of watch wearers will buck this trend, but that's the way it is now.

I agree I think the 38mm is designed for women which is typical with watches.

Going to guess that neither of you is terribly knowledgable about watches. You're probably used to seeing the cheap and poorly made large ones in abundance nowadays. High end premium men's watches are frequently ~38mm or smaller. And look very manly to the informed eye.
 

MeFromHere

macrumors 6502
Oct 11, 2012
468
16
38mm is meant for women, 42mm is meant for men. You'll see this when Apple shows the bands that fit each. Sure, a man can wear a 38mm, but it will look like a woman's watch with the thinner band.

Maybe the next generation of watch wearers will buck this trend, but that's the way it is now.

Benjamin Clymer doesn't agree with you:

"The Apple Watch is available in both 38 mm and 42 mm. I tried them both on, and they both worked perfectly on my wrist. They didn't exaggerate the options and make one decidedly male oriented at 44 mm and a girly equivalent at 35 mm or the like. Any man, woman, or child could pull off either size with ease. This may not seem like much, but remember this is Apple's first watch, and it would be a very easy mistake to make it too big or too small."

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

For those who are interested, there are pictures at the link of the author wearing both the 38 mm and 42 mm Apple Watch.

Perhaps you know more about watches than Benjamin Clymer, but I'll wait for some evidence before I believe you do. (Hint: Clymer's reputation got him an invitation to Apple's September 9 event. Were you there?)
 

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
As someone who quickly sold off his Kickstarter Pebble b/c it was too damn big and clunky on my wrist, yes, if I get an Apple Watch it will be 100% the 38mm one. If it only came in 42mm I would even be considering it.
 

splogue

macrumors demi-god
Aug 1, 2008
351
225
Cary, NC
I love big, heavy watches so it is a no-brainer for me. I'll definitely be getting the larger one.

For my ten year old daughter? Probably the smaller one. I don't want her to look like she's wearing my watch. :)
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
The white iphone is the same size so no :p

Go into a watch shop. You will see ladies and mens versions of the same watch. The smaller being for ladies.

Oh, ok.
It's a size thing, not color. So...... iPhone 6 is meant only for women & 6+ only for men???

Lol, can you people even hear yourselves???
The 1950's called. They'd like their outlandish sexism back.
 

Vundu

macrumors 68000
Jun 10, 2009
1,627
874
Manchester, UK
Oh, ok.
It's a size thing, not color. So...... iPhone 6 is meant only for women & 6+ only for men???

Lol, can you people even hear yourselves???
The 1950's called. They'd like their outlandish sexism back.

Phones and watches are different devices :p

Check the Tag Heuer website. Most Mens are 40mm and over, womens under 40mm.

Sure a guy can wear a smaller model, does not mean it was designed for them in mind.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
Phones and watches are different devices :p

Check the Tag Heuer website. Most Mens are 40mm and over, womens under 40mm.

Sure a guy can wear a smaller model, does not mean it was designed for them in mind.

I really hope you don't mind, but I decided instead to Google these two phrases : "38mm men's watch" & "42mm women's watch".
Turns out.... (wait for it)...
Your ridiculous notion is incorrect!
 

troop231

macrumors 603
Jan 20, 2010
5,826
560
Why is there a 38mm and 42mm rose gold option then? For big wristed women? Or feminine men?

Apple is a culturally diverse company after all lol
OCtX1kY.gif
 

Natzoo

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2014
2,016
646
probably because my wrist is so small. If the 42mm fits me then ill get it
 

lewisd25

macrumors 6502a
Jul 6, 2007
851
591
Why is there a 38mm and 42mm rose gold option then? For big wristed women? Or feminine men?

Yes, there is a 42mm rose gold watch, however it is only being offered with a white sport band at that size. It also has a white capped crowne. I would love a rose gold watch at 42mm, but I want the black capped crown, which is exclusive to 38mm. This will be a big issue for most men seeking the rose gold watch.

Something else to think about...the rose gold watch is pretty restrictive color wise, from a fashion point of view: only black and brown leather straps would look good with a rose gold watch being worn by a man...a SS watch has so many more fashionable options.
 
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