Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

goldmac2006

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2019
803
773
I have pretty small wrists, but I have always been intrigued by the Ultra and am considering trying it. The thing is, I have pretty slender wrists. I have an AW8 45mm. It seems ok, size wise. I tried the 41mm before settling on 45mm and quickly returned it because of it was just too small. I’m curious how small a wrist can be while still using the Ultra.
IMG_2855.jpeg IMG_2854.jpeg

IMG_2856.jpeg
This is how my wrist at 5.8-5.9 inches circumference fits the Apple Watch Ultra. I primarily wear a 40mm gold Stainless Steel Apple Watch Series 6, with a s/m sport band at the third hole. The Ultra Trail loop I had to go all the way through the first hole.

Here is the Apple Watch Ultra I tried on at an Apple Store with Ocean Loop~ IMG_2863.jpeg
 

DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817
Here it is on my 8 inch wrist. I think a great fit as the lug tips are both inside the edges of my wrist….but just barely. I wouldn’t want it any bigger!
IMG_5567.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: goldmac2006

xxFoxtail

macrumors 6502a
Nov 8, 2015
743
1,062
NY
I have 163 mm (6.4”) and was afraid the ultra2 would be too big. I got used to it and it doesn’t bother me anymore. The biggest problem is modifying link style bands to fit. I removed all the removable links from a Spiedel band and it just barely fits. If you want the extra features of the ultra, go for it. If not, go for a ss model. For me the battery is the best feature followed by the action button.
My wrists are about the same. While I'm wearing my Ultra, it doesn’t bother me. But after wearing my old tiny dumb watch for a few days and going back to my AWU, it just looks like this giant machine strapped on to me and looks ridiculous. I get used to it and the cycle restarts.
 

usmaak

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2012
967
801
Here it is on my 8 inch wrist. I think a great fit as the lug tips are both inside the edges of my wrist….but just barely. I wouldn’t want it any bigger!
View attachment 2405771
I think that the Ultra was build for your arm. Looks perfect. My wrist is around 6.5” and it looks comically large. I still like it but I find myself going back to my old S8 45mm more and more often
 
  • Like
Reactions: goldmac2006

goldmac2006

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2019
803
773
I think that the Ultra was build for your arm. Looks perfect. My wrist is around 6.5” and it looks comically large. I still like it but I find myself going back to my old S8 45mm more and more often
Same here, that’s why I am sticking with the 40/41. It looks like a brick 🧱 on my 5.9 inch wrist.

Only band I can fit in is the small alpine loop. The Medium Alpine Loop can keep the g hook all the way to the top but still loose. Trail loop is the same thing and Ocean Band has extra length.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3356.jpeg
    IMG_3356.jpeg
    255.5 KB · Views: 53
  • IMG_3354.jpeg
    IMG_3354.jpeg
    238.2 KB · Views: 51
  • IMG_3355.jpeg
    IMG_3355.jpeg
    213.1 KB · Views: 53

DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817
I think that the Ultra was build for your arm. Looks perfect. My wrist is around 6.5” and it looks comically large. I still like it but I find myself going back to my old S8 45mm more and more often
I know…it’s a tough watch to match up with. I hesitated for a long time as I thought it was too big. Once I tried it on though…the fit was perfect….my favorite Apple Watch to date!!
 

wilberforce

macrumors 68030
Aug 15, 2020
2,923
3,199
SF Bay Area
Same here, that’s why I am sticking with the 40/41. It looks like a brick 🧱 on my 5.9 inch wrist.

Only band I can fit in is the small alpine loop. The Medium Alpine Loop can keep the g hook all the way to the top but still loose. Trail loop is the same thing and Ocean Band has extra length.
I suggest take a photo of your wrist in a mirror. The way the ulna and radius bones articulate, the human wrist is wider when facing away from you than towards you. This is how others will see you
 

Bandoholic

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2024
323
462
In the end, it’s a personal choice, yes it’s a big watch, but as long as you like it, go for it.
I bought my ultra without trying it on as I didn’t have the opportunity to do that, and I have a smaller size wrist, 6.5 inches. Some might say a 45mm is to big for me, I have that as well and rotate wearing them. Try to try one on before you buy it, and you will know whether it’s for you or not.
 

usmaak

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2012
967
801
In the end, it’s a personal choice, yes it’s a big watch, but as long as you like it, go for it.
I bought my ultra without trying it on as I didn’t have the opportunity to do that, and I have a smaller size wrist, 6.5 inches. Some might say a 45mm is to big for me, I have that as well and rotate wearing them. Try to try one on before you buy it, and you will know whether it’s for you or not.
My wrist size is pretty close to 6.5”. I gave the 41mm S8 a try and returned it within a couple of days for the 45mm. The 41mm was way too small for me. The 45mm fits perfectly. I also got the Ultra 2 and it is quite large on my wrist but I still like it. I was planning on trading the S8 when I got it but decided to hold on to it for times when a smaller watch would be more appropriate. My favorite thing about the Ultra 2 is I can see it more easily. I don’t see so well up close anymore. 🤓
 

goldmac2006

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2019
803
773
I suggest take a photo of your wrist in a mirror. The way the ulna and radius bones articulate, the human wrist is wider when facing away from you than towards you. This is how others will see you
There are NO MIRRORS in an Apple Store so I took as many angles as I could. I tried it on the right wrist; the left wrist is already occupied by my Apple Watch.

In an earlier post I had a picture of the front of the Apple Watch Ultra facing up, with a different colored and medium Alpine Loop.
 

Jrcase

macrumors newbie
Sep 18, 2022
9
3
I have 172mm wrist size. I am torn on trading my AW 9 in on the black Ultra 2.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1214.jpeg
    IMG_1214.jpeg
    301 KB · Views: 35
  • IMG_1215.jpeg
    IMG_1215.jpeg
    304.8 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_1212.jpeg
    IMG_1212.jpeg
    354.4 KB · Views: 35
  • IMG_1216.jpeg
    IMG_1216.jpeg
    345.4 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_1218.jpeg
    IMG_1218.jpeg
    404.5 KB · Views: 36

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,858
8,037
I have 172mm wrist size. I am torn on trading my AW 9 in on the black Ultra 2.
I'd forget about how it looks, and concentrate on how it feels. Is it comfortable on your wrist? Not too heavy? Is the screen easier to read and interact with than the S9?
 

Jrcase

macrumors newbie
Sep 18, 2022
9
3
I'd forget about how it looks, and concentrate on how it feels. Is it comfortable on your wrist? Not too heavy? Is the screen easier to read and interact with than the S9?
While I agree with what you said, I still don’t want it to look like a clown watch on me.
 

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,858
8,037
While I agree with what you said, I still don’t want it to look like a clown watch on me.
Well, that depends on how you wear it. In the pictures you posted, the Ultra looks big, because your arms are bare, and because of the angles you are taking the pictures. If you wear it with a long sleeve shirt, with a business jacket on top of that, it'd be barely noticeable.
 

Jackbequickly

macrumors 68040
Aug 6, 2022
3,159
3,257
If you like it, wear it with pride. No need to hide it with a shirt or coat sleeve. Looks great to me, it is an awesome watch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mirilobos

Bandoholic

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2024
323
462
I have 172mm wrist size. I am torn on trading my AW 9 in on the black Ultra 2.
It looks awesome on you, if you’re financially able to, I would recommend keeping the AW 9. Especially if you are planning to trade it in to apple, as they don’t give much for trade-ins. It’s nice to have two watches so you can change every once in a while and by the way, my wrist is 165 MM and I have the ultra one along with a series 9.
 

PatrickNSF

macrumors 6502a
Jan 24, 2011
764
447
I have 172mm wrist size. I am torn on trading my AW 9 in on the black Ultra 2.
It looks fine on you. Perhaps consider bands without lugs (like the ocean band)? I have 162mm wrists and felt the AWU worked on me with ocean bands and the leather link bands. Whenever I tried bands with lugs (like the alpine loop) it gave the appearance that the watch was a little too tall for my wrists. (The ocean bands started feeling a bit bulky on me, but they looked fine 😬)

Others have recommended the solo loop and braided loop for smaller wrists, but I've not tried those (yet).
 

PatrickNSF

macrumors 6502a
Jan 24, 2011
764
447
It looks awesome on you, if you’re financially able to, I would recommend keeping the AW 9. Especially if you are planning to trade it in to apple, as they don’t give much for trade-ins. It’s nice to have two watches so you can change every once in a while and by the way, my wrist is 165 MM and I have the ultra one along with a series 9.
I agree with this. Keeping a regular Series watch around if you can is great if you can swing it for sleep tracking and when you generally want a break from the AWU.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.