When choosing a watch, one of the most personal factors is the size. Where some people like to sport a watch with a large face, others may find the same sized watch feels overwhelming. It depends largely on the size of your wrist and upon your personal taste.
To illustrate, we’ve chosen the Cartier Ballon Bleu watches range, which allows you to see similar timepieces in a range of different sizes.
Ladies’ Sizes
Because ladies’ wrists tend to be on the slimmer side, watches designed specifically for them are accordingly made in smaller sizes. Most commonly this is around 26mm-29mm, however you will also find more petite watches, with cases as small as 19mm, as well as larger timepieces designed for ladies. Timepieces with particularly small cases are generally designed as dress pieces, and are often used to accessorise an evening outfit, whereas the regular or larger watch offers a more practical aspect.
The Cartier Ballon Bleu 28mm Quartz Watch is an excellent example of a regular sized ladies’ watch, offering an excellent balance of clarity and elegant subtlety.
Mid-Size
Mid-sized watches are generally in the range of 34-36mm, approximately centred between the sizes of ladies and gents watches, and therefore often suitable for either gender. Gents who prefer vintage sizes often choose mid-size; step back to the 1960s and the era of Mad Men style, and you would find many gents watches were made in this size range. Ladies may also prefer a mid-sized watch, especially if ease of timekeeping is a priority.
The Cartier Ballon Bleu 33mm Automatic Strap Watch is an excellent example of a mid-sized watch which lies on the smaller side, whilst on the larger side of mid-size you find the Cartier Ballon Bleu 36mm Automatic Strap watch.
Gent’s Sizes
Over time, there has been a trend of increasing size in gent’s watches; whilst in the 1990s most were in the range of 37-39mm, today you will typically find gent’s timepieces in cases measuring 40mm and more. Of course, whilst timepieces of this size are generally aimed towards men, there’s no reason that a lady shouldn’t wear a watch of this size, if that should be her preference.
In the Cartier Ballon Bleu range, we find timepieces in 42mm, 44mm and 46mm sizes, and when you compare them you will see that the size increase does become quite apparent as you move towards the larger sizes.
However, these are not the largest watches available; you will find some timepieces in extraordinarily large cases, even some measuring 60mm and more. Cases of this size present an exceptionally bold appearance; it could be said that in order to carry off such a large timepiece, one ought to be able to match the watch’s size with an equally large physique or personality – perhaps that’s why celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone are so often seen with watches of this extreme size.
If you are unsure what size watch would suit you, and you’re shopping online, then you can try cutting out a piece of card the size of the watch you’re considering, to see how it compares to your wrist. Of course, you’ll get a much better idea by comparing the watches in person, which you are welcome to do at our Lancaster store, where we stock a wide range of Cartier watches alongside other sought-after brands such as Breitling, Omega and TAG Heuer. For more horological information and advice, you can also contact us on 01524 381020 or find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.