31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2022)

Looking for the best watches for small wrists? Sick of oversized, bulky watches that look way too big for you? You’re in the right place!

When you wear a watch that’s too big for your wrist, it makes your hands and arms look smaller and weaker than they really are, and let’s face it: no guy wants to look weak and dainty, right?

The problem is, oversized, bulky watches have been super trendy for the past few years. So when you go to the store or shop for watches online, it’s tough to find smaller options (anything under 40mm, for example).

These contemporary watches would look absolutely ridiculous 30 or 40 years ago, as men used to wear smaller watches, regardless of wrist size.

My point is, trends come and go, and watch size will vary with the times.

Rather than trying to keep up with trends, you should wear watches that fit your build. They should be proportionate to your wrist.

If you have small wrists, wear a small watch! But what is a smaller watch, anyway?

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best watches for small wrists you can buy right now:

Our Pick

Seiko 5 SNK807

$109.01

The SNK807 is a popular offering from the iconic brand, and the 37mm face size is a good option for smaller wrists.

Buy Now

Check Price on Jomashop

12/13/2022 07:33 am GMT

Budget Pick

Casio F91W Sports Watch

$12.77

If you’re looking for an inexpensive watch with retro charm, the F91W is what you need.

Buy Now

12/12/2022 09:08 pm GMT

Upgrade Pick

Hamilton Jazzmaster

$600.00

The Hamilton Jazzmaster is more of a luxury watch so it’s not very budget friendly, but it sure is stylish.

Buy Now

12/12/2022 07:13 pm GMT

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Watch Size Explained

There are several ways to measure the size of a watch, such as the lug to lug width, strap width and case thickness. All of these dimensions are almost always measured in millimeters.

You want to pay close attention to the size of the case (specifically, the case diameter).

When people talk about watch size, they’re usually talking about case diameter. So if someone says they’re looking for watches under 40mm, they mean watches with case diameters of less than 40 millimeters.

Watch case size is extremely subject to change based on whatever is trendy, but it seems that the “average” watch case these days is around 40mm.

Unfortunately, even that is too big for men with small wrists.

Note: If you’re not sure whether you have thin wrists, you should measure them. Use tailor tape to measure around the widest point of your wrist – right over the bone. Anything less than 6.5″ can be considered thin.

You might be able to wear 40mm watches if they have thin cases and a shorter lug-to-lug distance, but your best bet is to stick with something smaller (less than 40mm in case diameter).

Types of Watches

Luckily, there are plenty of small men’s watches to choose from, no matter the budget. From affordable, everyday watches to luxury timepieces, guys with smaller wrists have plenty of options to choose from:

You can also check out these posts for more specific recommendations:

• 12 Beautiful Dress Watches for Small Wrists
• Top 7 Best Dive Watches for Small Wrists
• 16 Awesome Field Watches for Small Wrists
• Top 25 Small Automatic Watches

If you’re not sure what kind of watch you want, but you know it has to be on the smaller side, this next section will be very helpful.

Top 31 Small Watches (Sortable Table)

The table below lists 31 “Modest Man approved” watches that are perfect for men with small wrists.

This list covers a wide variety of styles and prices, so it’s a good place to start if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.

You can sort by price to find a watch that fits your budget:

• $………….Less than $50
• $$………..From $50-200
• $$$………From $200-500
• $$$$…….From $500-1,000
• $$$$$…..More than 1,000

You can also sort by type, but rather than going into all of the different types of watches – dress, diver, field, sport, etc. – let’s just categorize these watches by formality (see graphic above):

• Formal = Business formal or black/white tie
• Smart = Business or “smart” casual
• Casual = Shorts, jeans and t-shirt, gym wear, etc.

After all, it doesn’t really matter what type of watch it is. It only matters when you can wear it. Of course, this stuff is very subjective, so don’t overthink it 😉

Got it? Good. Now it’s time to audit your watch collection, set a budget and use this list to find your next watch.

31 Great Small Men’s Watches

How Many Watches Do You Need?

I usually keep about six pieces in my watch collection, but you definitely don’t need this many.

Unless you’re a watch enthusiast or collector, you don’t need tons of different watches in your collection. At the very least, make sure you have one dress watch and one casual watch (like a diver).

Your dress watch should be sleek and minimal with a clean face. I prefer leather straps, and my go to color is brown (since most of my dress shoes are brown).

Your casual watch can be a diver, a field watch, a chronograph or whatever style you like. You can go with a leather, metal, rubber, nylon or canvas strap.

Swap Your Watch Straps

Since almost all watches have interchangeable bands (e.g., NATO straps), it’s a good idea to keep some extras on hand (pun intended).

A new strap will change the whole vibe of a watch, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying a whole new watch. The Timex Weekender is a great example of a budget watch that can be dressed up or down with different bands.

Stick with 18mm or 20mm straps (22mm will be too wide), and try to experiment with different materials and colors.

Questions About Watches For Small Wrists

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about watches for smaller wrists:

Which Type of Watch Is Good for Small Wrist?

Anything watch under 40mm should be good for a smaller wrist, but to be safe, try to wear watches that are 38mm or smaller.

Use this watch size calculator if you’re not sure how to find the best size.

Do Watches Look Good on Small Wrists?

Yes! As long as they’re the right size, watches looks great on smaller wrists.

Can Guys With Small Wrists Wear Big Watches?

You can wear whatever size watch you like, but big watches look oversized on smaller wrists (making your wrist look smaller and thinner).

How Do You Deal With Small Wrists?

There’s nothing wrong with having smaller wrists. If you want your wrist to look bigger, try wearing a smaller watch.

What Considered a Small Wrist?

There is no universal definition of “small wrist” but anything under 6.5″ around could be considered slender.

Why Do I Have Tiny Wrists?

Wrist size is mostly genetically determined. Body fat percentage can increase or decrease the size of your wrist, but your bones and joints don’t change.

How Tight Should a Watch Be?

A watch should be tight enough that the case doesn’t slide around to the underside of your wrist, but not so tight that it cuts of circulation or leaves a deep indentation on your skin.

The Key Takeaway

Just remember this: if you have small and thin wrists (less than 6.5″ around), you should wear proportionately small watches (i.e., ones that have a case diameter of less than 40mm).

Whether it’s a dress watch or casual watch, try to keep it small. Every watch on the list above is a great choice for men with small wrists.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!