Oversized Watches: How Big is Too Big?

Oversized watches are in for both men and women.

Throughout the 1970s, bigger and bigger watch cases became the norm. However, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the bigger-is-better trend really took off.

Today, it’s not uncommon to see a men’s watch between 44-48mm wide—a significant difference from early 1990s when 37-39mm was the norm. And, for women, oversized watches have become the look of fashionable circles. Even more so, women have largely forgone the “Ladies Watches” designed by big name brands in favor of sporting the traditionally “men’s” styles themselves.

So how big is too big when it comes to an oversized watch? If you want to go big, the general rule of thumb is to select a watch with lugs that do not extend beyond the width of your wrist. This ensures that your oversized watch will read: BIG, fit comfortably, and still be proportionate to your frame. 

(And, if you’re uncertain: lugs stick out from the top and bottom of the watch case where the strap or bracelet attaches. Lugs are not reflected in the watch case diameter so be sure to double-check their measurements too.)

Finally, your oversized watch should not slide up or down your wrist more than an inch when you drop your arms to the side. An oversized watch that also slips up and down your arm looks sloppy. To learn more about how tight your watch should fit, read our blog post on the topic here.