Question about C5 and Wrist Size

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StevenK
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by StevenK »

My wrist is just under 6 1/4 and it fits really well.
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C5 with my old Seiko 5 Automatic. Same 38mm case.
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

cml wrote:Wrist size seems to be largely what angle you look at it from.
I've always thought of it in a slightly different way - wrist profile. My own wrist measures about 50mm across the top, 18cm circumference (fractionally over 7") and the profile is comething like a rounded rectangle. Look at photos on here and you will see wrists that are broad, skinny and very flat, others that are very round.
The modern trend is to have the watch more or less fill the top of the wrist. Again, look on here and you will see watches where not only the lug-ends but the actual body of the watch overhangs, with the result that the strap actually angles back towards the sides of the wrist at less than 90 degrees. To me this just looks silly.
My preference is for the watch head to fit comfortably between the wrist bones. The lugs should not extend beyond the top of the wrist, so the "strap drop" angle should never be less than 90 degrees. If fact, I prefer to see some strap on top of the wrist when viewed from vertically above. I don't like the watch head to take up the whole breadth of my wrist.

Illustration: 44mm C8 - too big (lovely watch, but it had to go - needs a broader wrist than mine))
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C3 (40mm) - just over the limit for me - had to go
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Mako (41mm) - a tad big but the case-fitted bracelet makes it wear OK, and it's a holiday/leisure watch. Also the dial is not massive as it's a dive watch.
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C5 (38mm)- about on the goldilocks limit for me for normal wear (but I prefer slimmer watches) - lugs are quite short
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Nomos (35.5mm)- goldilocks size
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Vintage Omega (33mm) - lower end of goldilocks range
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Rectangular/tonneau watches need to be seen differently, and lug-to-lug length is all important. This Bulova at 40mm L2L is as small as I would go. The case width only 25mm, but that doesn't matter.
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With circular watches I wouldn't go below 32mm case dia and would want fairly long lugs, as with this 32mm Seamaster - on the limit for me.
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The Dynamic is an oddity, having no lugs and being "ergonomically" designed. The width is 42mm, normally too big, but because the 12-6 length is only 36mm it fits beautifully.
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Another point too consider is: do you wear a watch low on the wrist joint or higher on the arm, because that makes a difference?

This is a highly subjective question (the whole size thing, I mean) and there is no correct answer. My own personal view is that many modern watches are too big for me including, sadly, almost the entire CW range.
Steve
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by downer »

^^ Great post!

I tend to agree that a lot of modern watches look over-sized on many wrists. I agree with your 'rules' concerning lug overhang and angle of strap.

Being a bit over-sized myself, I am comfortable with modern larger watches, but even so, I consider 40-42 about right and (depending on the style of watch) 43 about the maximum for me.
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

downer wrote:I tend to agree that a lot of modern watches look over-sized on many wrists. I agree with your 'rules' concerning lug overhang and angle of strap.
There's an exception to the above. Strangely, although they don't conform to my "rules", I quite like the look of some men's watches on ladies' wrists.
It's rather like the 710 or GF wandering round the house wearing one of your shirts or your cricket sweater (and not much else)...a bit sexy, no? :D

I'm working from memory! :lol:
Steve
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by cml »

That's quite a collection Steve! But what is a 710?
atnits
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Re: Question about C5 and Wrist Size

Post by atnits »

StevenK wrote:My wrist is just under 6 1/4 and it fits really well.
Image

C5 with my old Seiko 5 Automatic. Same 38mm case.
Image
I'm pretty sure that the Seiko's under 38mm - 36 or 37mm, isn't it?
I've got the same 2 watches - and a small wrist - and the C5's fine with me (though I wouldn't want it any larger; and the current 39mm case is 1mm larger).

By the way - what's the leather strap on your first pic; looks v good!
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